Ritalin

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the drug known as Ritalin (methylphenidate), used to improve one's power of concentration, which according to the paper has been misclassified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) amendment V. The DSM-IV does not recognize the potential for misuse and abuse of this drug, despite the evidence that exists, which shows that people are using it for the incorrect reasons. The paper reviews the reasons for the drug's misclassification and provides recommendations that this be reviewed. The paper discusses why the drug is misused and the fact that doctors are not fully aware of the drug dependency status that may manifest itself with certain patients.

From the Paper:

"Ritalin is covered more in the way of a substance rather than a substance of abuse or a substance of misuse. Under this categorization it might as well be classified as a food supplement because the DSM-IV TR does not recognize the potential for misuse and abuse of the drug Ritalin. Despite this there is ample evidence that especially among children and young adults Ritalin abuse is quite high (Sadock & Sadock, 2007; Spitzer & Wakefield, 1999; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006). There are similar medications in the DSM-IV that are categorized as substance abuse or misused medications, because there is clear evidence that users can abuse the substance or misuse it. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. Text Revision. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd ed., Revised. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1987.
• First, M.B., & Pincus, A. (2002 Mar) The DSM-IV Text Revision: Rationale and Potential Impact on Clinical Practice. American Psychiatric Association, Psychiatr Serv, 53:288-292.
• Sadock, B.J., & Sadock, V.A. (2007) Study guide and self-examination review in psychiatry. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

More papers on Ritalin:

• Research Paper # 32182 : "Ritalin Prescription Among School- Age Children"
• Research Paper # 4945 : "Ritalin and Children"
• Descriptive Essay # 32948 : "Vicodin and Ritalin"
• Argumentative Essay # 112968 : "Ritalin and ADD/ADHD"

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