Importance

ADHD + Methylphenidate; the big picture

For this project, methylphenidate can be applied to the medical and social aspects of the world. In terms of medical, as stated in “Background Information: ADHD + Methylphenidate; what are they?“, methylphenidate is used to help treat ADHD. For social, however, there is the recreational and illicit aspect of the use of C₁₄H₁₉NO_2.

The reason methylphenidate matters in the context of the world, as well as its impacts, is that medically, the drug has been used to help improve the lives of people with ADHD. The reason why, is that it help/allows them to function just as a neurotypical personal would, whether it be focusing, being calmer, et cetera. Merriam-Webster defines neurotypical as “not affected with a developmental disorder and especially autism spectrum disorder:exhibiting or characteristic of typical neurological development.”

The importance and impact of methylphenidate in the social aspect, is that it has created another addiction. According to the National Institue on Drug Abuse, most people will abuse it “for purposes of weight loss or performance enhancement (e.g., to help study or boost grades in school […])” (2014), or for recreational purposes in order to cause a sense of euphoria. In order to do so, the user will typically crush the pill, and then either mix the powder with water, and inject it, or they will snort it.

But how does it exactly impact the lives of people with ADHD specifically? The compound, methylphenidate, while having a variety of positive effects as mentioned earlier, such as helping one concentrate, helping one calm down, et cetera, there are also many side effects and rules when it comes to using methylphenidate. Even if one uses it as prescribed. 

For starters, patients are not to drink alcohol while on medication for “[…] it can cause the medicine to be released too quickly” (Rodden 2018). After a long time of prescribed use, the person may develop a tolerance to the medication, and so they must either increase the dose, switch, or stop medication altogether in order to make sure that their symptoms and health are under control.

According to Additude, while most people do not experience most side effects when it comes to methylphenidate, the most common ones include “headache[s], decreased appetite, stomach ache[s], nervousness, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, sweating, shaking, fever, increased heartrate, weight loss, and dizziness” (Rodden 2018). The transdermal patch can also lead to “skin irritation, and permanent skin discolouration where the patch is applied” (Rodden 2018). Some more serious side effects that do not show up as often, include the “slowing of growth in children, seizures, priapism, and eyesight changes or blurred vision” (Rodden 2018).

Since methylphenidate is a stimulant, it can also lead to an increase in chance for “[…] sudden death, stroke, heart attack, and increased blood pressure” (Rodden 2018), especially if one has a personal or family history with heart or blood pressure issues. Warning signs include chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while on medication.

Methylphenidate can also lead to increased issues in circulation, especially with people who have a history of circulation issues. It can lead to and has been known to cause “[…] numbness, coolness, or pain in fingers or toes, including Raynaud’s phenomenon” (Rodden 2018).

People who have a personal or family history with other mental illnesses/disorders are also at greater risk because “methylphenidate may create new or exacerbate existing behaviour problems, bipolar illness, or Tourette’s syndrome” (Rodden 2018).

There is also a high risk of addiction and abuse, however, it is also said to decrease the chance and potential for abuse.

One other way methylphenidate affects the lives of people with ADHD is that although more people are speaking up about mental health and using medication more—there is even a World Mental Health Day on October 10th each year since 1992— there are still many negative connotations surrounding it. People are affected by the stigma in how family, friends, authorities, co-workers, et cetera, treat them because of it. Rather than choosing to understand the purpose of the medication, as well as understand the actual mental disorder, people will judge it instead. This can eventually lead to a decrease in self-esteem.

This is why it is important to educate oneself about the medications and reasons for using the meds.

*All sources are listed in the “Sources” link in the menu