Can Ritalin Help Asperger’s Disorder and Pain?
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 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.
