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Ritalin advertisement, 1979. Archives of General Psychiatry, Vol. 36, No. 1. Mischief or MBD? (Don't mistake one for the other) From Huckleberry Finn to the Katzenjammer Kids, the mischievous child has been an integral part of American folklore. But his normal, youthful overexuberance can be difficult to distinguish from MBD. Ritalin (methylphenidate): an important element in the remedial program. Only accurate medical diagnosis can differentiate the child with MBD from the child who is simply overactive, as many normal children are, and from the child who has personality disorders not associated with MBD. When the diagnosis is MBD, Ritalin can prove to be an important element in a remedial program that can provide immediate and long-term benefit. For Ritalin has demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing such manifestations as hyperactivity, distractibility, and disorganized behavior. Ritalin can improve classroom performance, interpersonal relations The alleviation of these symptoms often makes the child more responsive to the non-pharmacological modalities, thus helping him to improve his classroom performance and his interpersonal relations. Therapy with Ritalin should be considered after a medical diagnosis of MBD has been made. Dosage should be periodically interrupted. Often these interruptions reveal some "stabilization" in the child's behavior even without medication. In some MBD children they permit a reduction in dosage and eventual discontinuance of drug therapy. Ritalin (methylphenidate): an important element in the remedial program. Only when medication is indicated ~ Please turn page for brief prescribing information. CIBA Pharmaceutical Company Division of CIBA-GEIGY Corporation Summit, New Jersey 97901 |