World of Psychology

Ritalin & Divorce

By Will Meek, PhD

A study that is sure to continue the debate about the nature of ADHD was covered this week by the CBC. Essentially, it was found that there are more prescriptions written to children for ADHD medication that come from divorced households than those whose parents have intact marriages.

“It is possible that the stress of divorce subsequently elevated child behavioural problems to a point that necessitated methylphenidate use,” Strohschein concluded. “However, one cannot rule out alternative explanations.”

One of the alternative explanations I would add is that many child behavioral problems in response to divorce could be misdiagnosed as ADHD, particularly acting out and being restless in class.


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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 9 Jun 2007
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.

APA Reference
Meek, W. (2007). Ritalin & Divorce. Psych Central. Retrieved on February 14, 2012, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2007/06/09/ritalin-divorce/

 

Recent Comments
  • John M. Grohol, PsyD: Hi Dave – There always has been and always will be misdiagnosis when it comes to any...
  • lucrezaborgia: I’m coming late to the discussion so forgive me if I say something that has been brought up in...
  • Harold A. Maio: Patients feel insulted, stigmatized and dismissed I have expereined being insulted. I have...
  • Stacy: I to this day am bullied by my older sister. I’m contemplating legal action.
  • Dave Hommel: Dr G, Thanks for your response. I have met several families in person with children who were incorrectly...
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