Os usos e sentidos do metilfenidato: experiências entre o tratamento e o aprimoramento da atenção.

Abstract

Methylphenidate hydrochloride is a mild central nervous system stimulant with properties similar to amphetamines, primarily indicated to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). According to UN reports, its worldwide production expanded by approximately 357 % between 1996 and 2012, while its marketing in Brazil, during the same period, increased from 9 kg to 578 kg, which represented an increase of approximately 6,322 %. Some authors have discussed about the expansion in consumption of methylphenidate. They point out that the likely cause is the expansion of the diagnostic category of ADHD, since the transient disorder that affected a smaller number of children was transformed into a psychiatric condition including a larger number of signs and symptoms, persisting throughout adult life. Another possible reason for the growth in the commercialization of the drug is the use for cognitive enhancement, in other words, the use of methylphenidate by people without the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in order to improve performance at school and work deficit. Thus, seeking to understand the uses and meanings associated with the consumption of the drug, we performed field research with qualitative and exploratory objects. Sixteen semi-structured interviews with users of the drug were performed. Eleven men and five women, between 23 and 48 years old participated in the investigation. Data analysis showed that all respondents, regardless of whether they have a diagnosis of ADHD recognized themselves with attention difficulties, which could be constitutional or passenger. Nevertheless, for most respondents, the demand for the drug only occurred when this feature become a problem, hindering the preparation for an important step in professional life, like as a proof or residence to public tender. It was also noted that the report of friends about the benefits of the medicine and the personal experience of the first tablet of methylphenidate was fundamental for many investigated users to seek medical prescription. In this sense, most of the survey started taking the medicine when their friends told them about the benefits of the remedy to overcome the problems in concentration that hindered the achievement of an important career goal. Survey participants indicated that consumption of the drug would have helped to improve the performance in studies, since the stimulant would have increased the provision, concentration, memory and efficiency of cognitive performance. However, it was not possible to identify amount of the positive effects that could be the result of psychological suggestion, question raised by some users. Qualitative analysis of the data also revealed that stimulant use was sometimes experienced as a treatment for ADHD, either as cognitive enhancement which suggests an ambiguity in the valuation of methylphenidate for the group investigated. The results of this study may represent an important contribution in the field of public health by increasing knowledge on that users associate with this specific stimulant and meanings that users place on their stimulant.