Kate Sikora
The Courier-Mail
October 12, 2009

CHILDREN as young as five have attempted suicide or are severely depressed while on the controversial drugs to treat ADHD.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained the adverse reaction reports from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which showed at least 30 children have had severe psychotic episodes and wanted to kill themselves.

One seven-year-old boy last year became so depressed while on Ritalin he tried to commit suicide.

The number of serious reactions to ADHD drugs has doubled in three years, now up to 827.

But the true extent of the side effects is unknown, with many doctors and parents under-reporting the impact, experts said.

The use of heavy stimulants has been questioned by child experts who believe the drugs, including the failed adult anti-depressant Strattera, could be masking true psychological problems of children.

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