Current views of ADHD (i.e. ADD with hyperactivity, in contrast to
purely "inattentive" type) emphasize impulsiveness, impaired executive
function, etc.; to the extent that Ritalin or amphetamines boost
frontal functions, one would expect less (rather than more) acting out.
Unfortunately, the Littleton killings seemed to have been methodically
planned over a long period, not impulsive. Maybe it would have been
better if those boys had been more impulsive, less controlled and
goal-directed...
F. Frank LeFever, Ph.D.
New Yoork Neuropsychology Group
In <7g012v$e6j$1 at news1.epix.net> "Jeffrey P. Utz, M.D."
<utz at pilot.msu.edu> writes:
>>I think that Mr Murray was correct in his assessment that the increase
of
>school shoutings is, at least in part, due to changes in culture and
the
>violence on TV, in video games and song lyrics.
>>I have seen no evidence that kids on Ritalin (methyphenidate) or any
other
>psychoactive drug are more likely to commit any crime, including this
type,
>than similar kids off the drugs. As far as I can tell, the type of
side
>effect Mr Mali wrote about does not, as far as I can tell, lead to
serious
>crimes. Kids with ADHD (for which Ritalin is commonly prescribed) do
have a
>higher incidence of problem behaviors. However, these problems are
caused by
>the ADHD, not the Ritalin.
>>Jeff Utz, M.D..
>>
