The use of ADHD drugs is turning children as young as five into psychotics, a new study has revealed.

Many of them have attempted suicide or are severely depressed while on the controversial drugs.

According to reports from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, at least 30 children have had severe psychotic episodes and wanted to kill themselves.

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

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

Child experts have cast doubts on the use of heavy stimulants. They believe that the drugs, including the failed adult anti-depressant Strattera, could be masking true psychological problems of children.

It is difficult to know whether the drugs are causing a child to become suicidal or if the tendencies already existed, said Dr Jon Juriedini, head of the Department of Psychological Medicine at Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

“It is difficult to say whether a drug is good or bad based on the adverse reactions,” the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying.

“These results are critically important for supporting and stimulating our nation’s search to find successful ways to help reduce smoking by teens and young adults,” said Arthur V. Peterson Jr., Ph.D.

The findings are reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Source-ANI SRM