Fed: ADHD medication reduces violence: doctors

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2007
Fed: ADHD medication reduces violence: doctors

Doctors say the consequences of leaving severe ADHD untreated is much worse than medication
like Ritalin.

A NSW judge has slammed doctors for creating a generation of violent children .. through
the 25-fold increase in prescriptions for the ADHD drug over the past 15 years.

But Dr CHOONG-SIEW YONG from the AMA says the medication isn't generally associated
with dangerous behaviour.

He's told Sky News .. untreated severe ADHD has consequences such as involvement in
juvenile crime .. failure at school .. and social and family breakdown.

But Dr CHOONG-SIEW YONG says he's not surprised that some children appearing in court
have a history of ADHD and treatment .. because the medication doesn't work for 100 per
cent of patients.

He's admitted a diagnosis of ADHD can be controversial .. and says work is in process
to refine the procedure.

AAP RTV jb/tm/bart

KEYWORD: ADHD DOCTORS (CANBERRA)

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