Question: If Effexor XR helps decrease the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine uptake in the case of GAD, then why does it feel like I am racing all the time? — Ryan Answer: Generalized Anxiety Disorder presumably is due to genetic vulnerability, personality traits, and stress. We know of one […]
Q&A
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Question: I have been on Effexor XR 150 mg for 5-6 months now, but am disappointed with the weight gain – esp. around the belly. I was wondering if I can ask my doctor about Wellbutrin XL to help counteract that. What are your thoughts on that? — Mona Answer: […]
Question: I am searching for help with an issue my adult son with a history of ADHD has run into. As an adult, his physician put him on Paxil for his ADHD as other medications for ADHD were not as effective. My son is functioning very well, has never been […]
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder responds to medications that enhance serotonin levels. It can be inferred that the cause relates to dropping serotonin levels as estrogen levels fall (since estrogen increases serotonin). Lowering serotonin levels only causes mood symptoms in women who have a genetic predisposition or previous history of depression. Unlike […]
Question: How do we cope with our ADHD/angry/grown-child who is living at home? Answer: Unfortunately, I frequently hear “ADHD/angry/grown-child living at home with no job for several months and parents feeling helpless.” Blames you for ______ is also common. Not taking responsibility for one’s problems and life situations may be […]
Question: Are the terms “antipsychotic” and “mood stabilizers” the same? — R.M. Answer: There is no consensus about the definition of mood stabilizer – but at the least, it includes helping either mania or depression without worsening the other. The term antipsychotic at this point means medications that block certain […]
Question: How is ADHD diagnosed? Answer: The diagnosis of ADHD is made clinically. It does not require (and in fact can’t be made through) expensive neuropsychiatric testing or brain imaging. Neither is at a point where they should be used for clinical decision making. It is essential to get information […]
Question: What causes ADHD? Answer: Personality is thought to be 1/2 temperament which is primarily genetic. But personality disorders are thought to be primarily learned, maladaptive, and mostly deficits in character development. ADHD on the other hand has been found to be 75% genetically determined. Studies include comparing ADHD identical […]
Question: Can any physician diagnose and treat ADHD in kids, or does it have to be a specialist? Answer: Most pediatricians are comfortable at least screening for ADHD in kids and in many cases will try at least a couple of medications before referring to a specialist. One problem with […]
Question: What is genopharmacology? Answer: It is the interaction of gene variations with specific medication treatments. Although some people inherit both the subtypes of ADHD the majority of the time this is probably not the case. There are already over a dozen gene variations (polymorphisms) that have been found to […]