Apprehension

Recently I've been reviewing the few written records of my childhood. I spent many of my formative years as a foster child. Ultimately I was adopted. I managed to get a very abbreviated version of my foster care case records. The incomplete record contains information that might help to explain some of the difficulties I've had in my 41 years on this planet. In the record, there is mention of me having been prescribed Ritalin at the age of 6 years old. There is no diagnosis given and it seems like I stayed on it for at least two years. Included in that very sparse record was my caseworker's notes regarding my behavior at elementary school. He used phrases such as--"bright girl but does not apply herself to the task at hand", "appears to be attention seeking", and "tends to daydream". In looking at the case notes before school age, I see that I was delayed in several of the usual milestones toddlers reach. I also see notes that say that I was aggressive and had a more difficult time than my peers in learning about give and take and sharing.

After my adoption my so called 'issues' did not just go away. Unfortunately I was adopted into a very abusive home and psych problems were definitely swept under the rug. So I passed the rest of my childhood and teen years just dealing with stuff the best I could.

It is this record that has prompted me to set an appointment with a pdoc to see if I have ADD/ADHD. In doing a cursory reading on the adult form of the disorder, I can see some of the traits in myself, others, not so much.

Does anyone know if Ritalin has been used (historically) for any other childhood behavioral/psych problems? This would have been in the late 1970's. As my records lack a diagnosis, I am forced to do my own research. When I do a Google search all results come up with ADD/ADHD tags.

im sorry you have had to struggle so much all your life. i have only known ritalin as a add drug, but i dont know too much about it other than as a add med. i think you made a good decision by making an appt with a pdoc. you will get your best answers there. good luck.

Ritalin is used for narcolepsy (because it's a stimulant). It is mainly used for ADD/ADHD though. Ritalin works by affecting dopamine re-uptake in the pre-frontal cortex. This means the dopamine can stimulate the neuron again and again in the pre-frontal cortex, which is where decision-making happens.