RT Journal
A1 Rogers GA
T1 EValuation of methylphenidate
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1959
FD June 27
VO 170
IS 9
SP 1108
OP 1108
DO 10.1001/jama.1959.03010090098024
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1959.03010090098024
AB To the Editor:— 
    I read with interest the article, "Double-Blind Evaluation of Methylphenidate (Ritalin) Hydrochloride" by Darvill, in The Journal, April 11, page 1739, because I am conducting a study of this drug in outpatient psychiatric patients, as an adjuvant to psychotherapy. The patients take the drug only once weekly, just prior to the psychotherapeutic interview. To date, I have spent about eight months experimenting with the dosage and the effect of the drug on various patients at various times. I have recently begun a double-blind study.There are two important criticisms of the above article that I would make. Darvill makes no allowances for the wide variety of effect of this drug. In some of my patients the drug produced a very pleasant effect, as if they were on "cloud nine"; in an almost equal number it precipitated anxiety symptoms and caused a rebound depressive hangover. It would be