Can Ritalin Help Asperger’s Disorder and Pain?

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Clinical psychologist Dr Joseph M Carver, PhD, offers replies to reader questions submitted anonymously to Ask the Psychologist.

Reader’s Question

Q:

If an adult of 30 yrs. had Asperger’s with a lot of pain. would Ritalin help? I read that with this disorder they had less beta endorphins. Please help!

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

A:

Ritalin, Concerta, and other ADHD-stimulant medications have been successfully used to treat the inattention, inability to focus, and concentration problems associated with Asperger’s. In clinical practice, folks with Asperger’s describe being unable to attend and “keep up” with social interactions — something that is also improved with the ADHD psychostimulants. These ADHD medications work in a way that is not directly associated with beta endorphins and for that reason, may show more improvement in Asperger’s Disorder than in pain symptoms.

About the Author: A Clinical Psychologist with 36 years in the field, Dr Carver is currently in practice in southern Ohio in the US. He became Consulting Psychologist with CounsellingResource.com in 2007.

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This article was last reviewed by Dr Joseph M Carver, PhD on Monday, 26th November 2007. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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