Why is raising awareness about ADHD important? Did you know that ADHD can be a very serious, disabling illness?
What are some very serious consequences that can occur with ADHD? Importantly, does treatment with stimulant medications reduce those risks?
Some clinicians and family members have mixed feelings about using stimulant medications to treat attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) even when the diagnosis of ADHD is not in doubt.
In discussing the potential benefits of treating ADHD with a stimulant medication, all concerned commonly focus on the clinical benefits of being able to focus on reading or work, getting more things done, and so on. Certainly, those are important to the patient.
But I recommend that, especially when we encounter ambivalence about the medications, we should also take into consideration other potential benefits of treating ADHD with stimulant medications that are not typically discussed in clinical settings.
The treatment of ADHD with stimulant medications is not only very effective for the core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, but has also been shown to reduce the risk of:
– Serious traffic accidents or dying in a traffic accident
– Substance use disorders
– Depression or Suicidal behavior
– Criminal convictions or Violent reoffending
– Premature death
(For references to the research on these benefits, please click on this link.)
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ADHD—Screening
How to screen all adult patients for *possible* ADHD
Why don’t we screen every patient for adult ADHD?
ADHD—Evaluation
Tips on history-taking in evaluating adults for possible ADHD
Executive functions: A simple and practical introduction
Emotional dysregulation is a HUGE problem in ADHD
In ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, specifically look for the other
ADHD—Neuropsychological testing
Neuropsychological testing for diagnosing ADHD?
What is the role of neuropsychological testing in patients with ADHD?
What neuropsychological deficits may be present in patients with ADHD?
“Objective” tests for diagnosing ADHD and evaluating treatment response?
ADHD—Treatment—Medications—General Articles
Consider the many possible benefits of treating ADHD with stimulant medications
Tips for prescribing ADHD medications
Converting stimulants: Equivalent doses
Tips for managing abuse potential of medications for ADHD
Tips to help patients with ADHD who struggle in the morning
How are methylphenidate and amphetamines metabolized?
Combine a stimulant and atomoxetine?
Pros and cons of short-acting preparations of psychostimulants
Converting from OROS methylphenidate to amphetamine is a two-step process
What if you refuse an early refill of a stimulant medication?
What to look for in stimulant withdrawal (including a physical sign that is little known)
Stimulant “holidays” (breaks) in adults with ADHD?
How to get full-day coverage with stimulants
Eight tips for reducing the risk of abuse/diversion of stimulants
Laws about prescriptions for psychostimulants
Are stimulants useful after traumatic brain injury?
ADHD—Treatment—Methylphenidate preparations
Methylphenidate preparations: Index and links
Should we prescribe dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) rather than methylphenidate (Ritalin)?
Converting from OROS methylphenidate to amphetamine is a two-step process
Should we combine methylphenidate and guanfacine?
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Ritalin SR®, Ritalin LA®): Basic information
Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin®, Focalin XR®): Basic Information
First ADHD medication to be taken at *bedtime*–Why? How?
ADHD—Treatment—Amphetamine preparations
Amphetamine preparations: Index and links
Pros and cons of dextroamphetamine versus levoamphetamine
Does lisdexamfetamine really have lower abuse potential?
Amphetamine (Dynavel-XR®) extended-release oral suspension: Basic information
Amphetamine extended-release orally disintegrating tablets (Adzenys XR-ODT): Basic information
What is the maximum dose of mixed amphetamine salts?
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®): Basic Information
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®): Basic Information
Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall®, Adderall XR®): Basic Information
Mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine product (Mydayis®): Basic information
Triple-bead preparation of mixed amphetamine salts (Mydayis®)
Ketogenic diet and amphetamines
ADHD—Treatment—Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera®): Basic Information
Don’t ignore atomoxetine for ADHD in adults
Order genetic testing for a patient on atomoxetine?
Seizure risk if atomoxetine and bupropion are used together?
Combine a stimulant and atomoxetine?
It makes a big difference—atomoxetine once a day or twice a day
What can we do for somnolence/ sedation on atomoxetine?
ADHD—Treatment—Viloxaxine (Qelbree®)
ADHD—Treatment—Guanfacine
Guanfacine versus clonidine for ADHD
Does guanfacine work for ADHD in adults?
Which symptoms of ADHD is guanfacine effective for?
Should we combine methylphenidate and guanfacine?
How to manage stimulant-induced hypertension
Guanfacine (Intuniv®): Basic Information for Prescribers
ADHD—Treatment—Clonidine
Guanfacine versus clonidine for ADHD
Why clonidine isn’t usually recommended for ADHD in *adults*
Clonidine (Kapvay®) extended-release tablets: Basic Information for Prescribers
ADHD—Treatment—Bupropion
Do you prescribe bupropion for ADHD in adults?
Seizure risk if atomoxetine and bupropion are used together?
ADHD—Treatment—Modafinil/ Armodafinil
ADHD—Treatment—Medications—Side Effects
Which side effects are associated with non-adherence to ADHD medication?
Tips on managing loss of appetite due to a stimulant (in adults)
Stimulant medications and irritability in children with ADHD
Effects of different stimulants on irritability in children with ADHD
How to manage stimulant-induced hypertension
Can psychostimulant medications cause or worsen Raynaud’s phenomenon?
It makes a big difference—atomoxetine once a day or twice a day
What can we do for somnolence/ sedation on atomoxetine?
Do modafinil/ armodafinil need cardiovascular monitoring?
ADHD—Treatment—Drug Interactions
Important interactions when using two medications for ADHD
Vitamin C if on a stimulant?
Seizure risk if atomoxetine and bupropion are used together?
Be careful if a person is on both a stimulant and an antipsychotic
What could happen when changing from an antipsychotic to a stimulant?
Can a dopamine agonist (pramipexole, ropinirole) and a stimulant be combined?
Ketogenic diet and amphetamines
ADHD—Treatment—Non-Medication Interventions
ADHD and driving: Serious risks and tips on reducing the risks
Do you consider a full range of accommodations for students with ADHD?
Plan BOTH short and long-term accommodations/ interventions for students with ADHD
What are 504 plans?
Tips for remembering to do things
ADHD—Comorbid Disorders/ Conditions
ADHD in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Why we must plan for managing ADHD during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tips on planning for pregnancy and breastfeeding in women with ADHD
ADHD with comorbid anxiety/depression symptoms
Which medication(s) for anxiety/ depression symptoms in patients with ADHD?
ADHD with comorbid autism spectrum disorder
In ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, specifically look for the other
ADHD with comorbid bipolar disorder
Comorbid Bipolar Disorder and ADHD
How common is ADHD in persons with bipolar disorder?
How to treat ADHD in persons with bipolar disorder
ADHD with comorbid substance use disorder
Tips for managing the abuse potential of medications for ADHD
Does lisdexamfetamine really have lower abuse potential?
Key facts about ADHD and cannabis use (and their practical implications)
How should ADHD be treated when cannabis use is also present?
Stimulants for ADHD with a history of a substance use disorder?
Should stimulant medications be avoided in ADHD patients who use cannabis?
How should ADHD be treated in persons with stimulant (including cocaine) use disorder
ADHD with comorbid suicidality
Is ADHD associated with increased suicidality, and does treatment reduce that risk?
ADHD—Recommended Resources
Start here to learn about ADHD and executive dysfunction
BEST Books on Adult ADHD: for Clinicians
BEST Books on Adult ADHD: For Patients and/or Families
Book Review: ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
Book review: Mindfulness Prescription for ADHD
Alarmy: An alarm that makes you PROVE that you are really awake!
Famous People with ADHD (external link)
ADHD as a difference in cognition, not a disorder. Talk from TEDx (YouTube video)
Four C’s for dealing with ADHD (YouTube video)
Things that can masquerade as ADHD (YouTube video)
ADHD—Miscellaneous Articles
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