Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 7/2/2010

Question
Dear Doctor. I am in a horrible situation. I have been on Ritalin for a few years but feel they have lost there therapuetic benefit. My phychiatrist told me there are no long term dangers to prolonged use. However I do feel they are making me worse instead of helping me. I brought this up with him but he told me ritalin cannot lose its therapuetic benefits nor can it do more harm in my situation. I have looked for help all over the country but I can only see a government hospital doctor. I have ADD and Depression with severe anxiety all my life. I feel very let down by Ritalin because it always used to help me and now I do not know what other medication I can take. My seems to think it is due to my OCD that I am not well and I often wake up worried as to whether Ritalin is doing more harm than good. I have tried to stop taking it but it seems I cannot stop taking them. Can your body become immune to Ritalin or can Ritalin cause more harm than good. I have been on Ritalin for about 22 years. I am very worried doctor because I cannot even fuction anymore.

Answer
You keep on asking the same question every time. You doctor is corect. If you do need Ritalin and it is not working it is only because you are not taking it correctly. If you are depressed you should also be taking an antidepressant together with your Ritalin.