Category: Medicine: Treatment and Research

Non-Stimulant Medications for ADHD

Adderall and Ritalin are proven medications for managing attention deficit in adults.

Unfortunately, these two drugs — both stimulants — can also amp up blood pressure, which can be extremely hazardous for many adults who are already at risk from hypertension.

Several non-stimulant meds are available for adult ADHD. Atomoxetine (generic Stratera) is specifically intended for ADHD and is extremely affordable. Guanfacine and Clonidine are anti-hypertension meds that help some adults with hyperactivity and (less so) with attention deficit. Buproprion (generic Wellbutrin) is an anti-depressant that helps some adults with hyperactivity and attention deficit.

Here is a nice summary article from WebMD: Nonstimulant Therapy and Other ADHD Drugs

Posted on by Phil Marsosudiro

Adderall + Thomas Jefferson =

“When Ben Franklin gives you some of his Adderall and you write the whole Declaration of Independence in one night.”

Source: adapted from a joke found on the internet. The original joke-writer said the Adderall was from John Locke but that would be anachronistic. Jefferson drafted the Declaration in 1776; John Locke died in 1704.

Posted on by Phil Marsosudiro

ADHD and Depression, Anxiety, etc.

Depression, anxiety, and other conditions often accompany ADHD in adults.

If you have ADHD, consider screening for common co-morbid traits.

Some statistics:

ADHD occurs in 3% to 5% of the US population. The risk for comorbidity is high, and the presence of comorbid disorders warrants special consideration in the treatment of patients with ADHD. For example, a comorbid diagnosis of ADHD and depression occurs in approximately 20% to 30% of patients, and ADHD and anxiety in more than 25% of patients.

from What Are Common Comorbidities in ADHD (Psychiatric Times); Julie Sherman, PhD and Jay Tarnow, MD (July 26, 2013)

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It estimated the prevalence of ADHD to be 4.4% in 18- to 44-year-olds. Comorbidity rates were significantly elevated in this group compared to adults without ADHD. Respective rates were: mood disorders 38 and 11% (p < 0.05); anxiety disorders, 47 and 19% (p < 0.05); SUD, 15 and 6% (p <0.05), and intermittent explosive disorder, 29 and 6% (p < 0.05). Among the mood and anxiety disorders, all the individual component disorders were significantly elevated in the ADHD adults. Not so in the case of SUDs – only drug dependence was significantly higher in the adults with ADHD (4.4 vs. 0.6%, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, and drug abuse.

from Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults. Key Issues in Mental Health; Rachel G. Klein, ed. (2010)

Posted on by Phil Marsosudiro 0

Take Your Assistant to Therapy

I brought my assistant to a few of my psychiatric appointments so she could share her observations about how I work.

My psychiatrist and I both learned some new things about me, like:

  • I cheat at the reward game (“You can have a snack after you finish Task X”. Apparently I’m really good at redefining Task X midstream.).
  • If I’m successful on one day, the next day can be harder.
  • Etc.

In sum: the experience was shocking, useful, and highly recommended.

Posted on by Phil Marsosudiro 0