Question: What exactly is an ADHD specialist? Answer: Unfortunately there is no formal training or certification to reflect a certain minimal level of competence in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. The most important factor in determining a clinician’s expertise in treating ADHD is experience. What percentage of their current […]
ADHD
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Question: Can my physician diagnose and treat ADHD in adults or is a specialist required? Answer: In a recent survey the majority of primary care doctors felt comfortable diagnosing and treating anxiety disorders (85%) and depression (95%) in adults. Only 15% were comfortable diagnosing and treating ADHD. The main reason […]
Question: How is Desoxyn different from Adderall and Dexedrine? Answer: There is a lot of literature to support the fact that abuse liability is related to reuptake blockade and/or increased release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens. The best resource is ADD Treatment with Stimulants, by Solanto, et al, 2001. […]
Question: I have trouble falling asleep when I take Adderall or Concerta. What can I do about it? Answer: In evaluating any presumed side effect of medication it is important to ask how the side effect (e.g. insomnia) relates to the last dose of medication. Adderall tablets reach peak blood […]
Question: Can sleep disturbances be caused by the “rebound effect” of stimulants? Answer: Rebound means worse than if you hadn’t taken the medication. What’s worse? Symptoms that are helped by the medication may be worse right after it wears off. This is especially true of tablets, less with XR form […]
I finally realized that I’m inspired to do a blog when I’m stirred up, aroused, upset. Yesterday morning while watching CNN news and the Today Show, I said to my wife, "Where in the hell is Bush?" Then I saw his picture on page 2 of the Dallas Morning News […]
Harvard psychiatrist Tim Wilens uses the tornado metaphor to describe the problem of diagnosing ADD in an adult. When you look back over the life of an ADD person you see the evidence that a tornado went through. There is underachievement and attempts at compensation. The ADD adult may have […]
You would think that I would be sick of the seven habits of highly effective – you can finish the sentence with people, dieters, psychopharmacologists, zoo keepers. (I’m kidding about the zoo keepers). Now comes doctors Hallowell and Ratey with their new book Delivered from Distraction. They include a chapter […]
I just received an email from a man who has been diagnosed with ADHD and is afraid to try stimulants because of some of the bad press and unfavorable articles he has read. He wants to try the medication Amantadine (Symmetril). Amantadine is being used successfully by a clinician named […]
You would think that I would be sick of the seven habits of highly effective – you can finish the sentence with people, dieters, psychopharmacologists, zoo keepers. (I’m kidding about the zoo keepers). Now comes doctors Hallowell and Ratey with their new book Delivered from Distraction. They include a chapter […]