Running on Ritalin: A Physician Reflects on Children, Society, and Performance In A Pill

by Lawrence H. Diller

Diagnoses for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have escalated dramatically over the past few years, and right along with these diagnoses have been prescriptions for Ritalin. Considered a family-saving wonder drug by many parents, Ritalin gives children who have trouble in school or difficulty socializing (due to poor impulse control) the ability to slow down, focus, and behave. Success stories abound, but not everyone is convinced.

Pediatrician and family therapist Lawrence H. Diller thinks it's time to reexamine the ADD "epidemic" and our responses to it, particularly our eagerness to use medication as a first strike. In Running on Ritalin, he poses many thoughtful questions: Are behavioral problems in over 15 percent of elementary school-age boys really the result of neurological aberrations? Is performance pressure so great that parents seek out ADD diagnoses (and Ritalin) to give their children an edge? Does it make sense to give so many kids daily doses of a drug with as much potential for abuse as speed? His answers are equally thoughtful. Refusing to polarize the issues (he prescribes Ritalin to some of his own patients), Diller explores the roles played by advocacy groups, drug companies, schools, and the government in creating the ADD mania, and makes a plea for calmer thinking about behavioral problems. He can only hope that adults take the time to sit down and pay close attention. --Rob Lightner

Genres: Nonfiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Beth A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very thorough discussion from a pretty balanced perspective. He believes in and prescribes Ritalin, but he believes people should try other treatments first, reserving treatment with Ritalin as a last resort. It seemed to me to be a very honest discussion about his experiences treating people with ADHD.

[Sarah]

Lol. I can't remember reading this but must have read it bc of my pharmacy degree. Just laughing now as I have two children with ADHD. Thankfully, ADHD is more understood now than when this book was written.