When Ritalin is prescribed to children and teens, it's to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Some people take Ritalin or other prescription drugs in ways that they’re not meant to be used; this is called drug abuse. Drug abuse is when someone takes someone else’s prescription or takes his or her own prescription in a way that it’s not intended to be taken.

Abusing prescription drugs can have serious effects. There are many prescription drugs out there. In the case of Ritalin, it can cause serious headaches, anxiety, paranoia and delusions. Paranoia is when you think that everyone is talking about you or out to get you. Delusions are things that you think are real when they’re not—like seeing someone appear in front of you and then disappear, or hearing voices when no one’s there. Misusing prescription drugs or taking prescription drugs that weren’t prescribed to you is very dangerous.