Photo: AFP / Thom Leach / Science Photo Library
New rules allowing GPs and nurse practitioners to prescribe drugs to treat ADHD increase the risk of over-diagnosis, over-prescribing, addiction, psychosis and other harms, some clinicians are warning.
Christchurch hospitality worker Caity became increasingly anxious in the month after starting on ADHD medication.
"I just couldn't shut my brain off at night, so I went 11 days without sleeping, which was definitely not fun."
Then the TV started talking to her.
Caity had been prescribed atomoxetine by her GP while on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment.
It is not a controlled stimulant drug like Ritalin - but in rare cases, it can also trigger psychosis.
Admitted to Hillmorton Psychiatric Hospital, she was discharged too quickly.
"At that point I still believed probably about 50 percent of my psychosis, but I wasn't a danger to myself or others so they didn't really have a place for me.
"I was back within a month, and they were like 'What happened? Why did you stop taking your meds?' And I was 'I don't know'."
Caity has since been diagnosed with ADHD but doe
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