Methylphenidate Improves Mood and Boredom in Children with ADHD

Topics: ADHD | Boredom | Depression | methylphenidate | Mood

REVIEW OF: Golubchik P et al, J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2021;31(4):310–314 TYPE OF STUDY: Open label, ­uncontrolled We are always looking for new angles to understand the conditions we treat. ADHD leads to significant academic and social impairments and is highly comorbid with depression and “boredom.” This study examines these associatio

What Do We Do About Dyslexia?

Topics: atamoxetine | Dyslexia | methylphenidate | phonemic awareness | Phonics | rapid naming | Reading disorder | structured literacy

Jack, age 9, is referred by his pediatrician for depression. He says that reading is “really hard” and that the kids in class make fun of him. When Jack submits drawings at school, they are quite detailed but the captions are difficult to read because the spelling is so poor. Jack’s teachers and parents feel that he just needs to work harder. Howe

Reduced Life Expectancy in ADHD

Topics: ADHD | attention | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Life coaching | Life expectancy | Longevity | Medication | methylphenidate | Mortality | stimulant | Teen | teens

CCPR: To start, tell us about how the thinking has changed in terms of health consequences from ADHD. Dr. Barkley: In the 1970s, we saw ADHD as an educational disorder with impacts on school behavior and academic achievement. Around that same time, there was a parallel path recognizing ADHD as a social problem in family functioning and peer relationshi

Methylphenidate Max Dosing

Topics: ADHD | attention | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Medication | methylphenidate | stimulant | Teen | teens

Review of: Ching C et al, JAMA Pediatr 2019;173(7):630–639 Methylphenidate was one of the first stimulants prescribed for the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. Its efficacy is clear, and its availability in immediate release, sustained release, osmotic release oral system (OROS, brand name Concerta), and transdermal patch keep

Crocus Sativus vs Methylphenidate for ADHD

Topics: ADHD | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Crocus Sativus | methylphenidate | Saffron

Review of: Baziar S et al, J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2019;29(3):205–212 The search for an equally effective, yet better tolerated alternative to stimulant medications continues. We often hear reports on the benefits of various non-pharmaceutical supplements. Now we have a new study looking at saffron (Crocus sativus). Saffron is reported to a

FDA Approves Adhansia XR

Topics: Adhansia XR | ADHD | adolescents | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Child Psychiatry | children | extended-release | methylphenidate | News of Note | pediatric | teens | treatment

We are always in need of a new formulation of stimulant medication that might capture a few more of our patients who just do not quite tolerate or respond well enough to the many existing formulations. So whenever a new one is released, we try to set aside our natural skepticism and take a look at the stated facts before judging its merit. Adhansia X

Risk of Psychosis With Stimulants in ADHD Patients

Topics: ADHD | adolescents | amphetamine | Child Psychiatry | children | Free Articles | Medication | methylphenidate | pediatric | Psychosis | Research Update | stimulant | teens

Review of: Moran LV et al, N Engl J Med 2019;380(12):1128–1138 In 2007, the FDA required stimulant manufacturers to warn of possible psychosis with stimulants. But what is the real incidence? This study set out to find and discern if there is a difference between methylphenidate and amphetamine classes of medications. Drawing from two large comm

How to Treat ADHD in Bipolar Disorder

Topics: ADHD | Alpha Agonists | Amphetamines | ArModafinil | Atomoxetine | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Bipolar Disorder | Bipolar II | Comorbidity | Guanfacine | methylphenidate | Modafinil | Nuvigil | Pharmacology | Provigil | Psychopharmacology | Psychopharmacology Tips | stimulant | Stimulants

Patients with bipolar disorder often present with cognitive complaints. Our October 2021 issue laid out a diagnostic plan for these symptoms, and in this article, I’ll cover some treatment approaches for patients with a DSM-based ADHD-bipolar comorbidity (ie, the ADHD symptoms began in childhood and persist after the mood episodes have stabilized).

Stimulants and Creativity

Topics: ADHD | Amphetamines | ArModafinil | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Creativity | methylphenidate | Modafinil | Provigil | Side Effects | stimulant | Stimulants

Your patient is a 25-year-old music teacher with ADHD. Though her organizational skills have improved with methylphenidate, she complains that it impairs her performance as a jazz musician: “I feel self-conscious, like a robot.” Popular lore holds that creative people have ADHD traits and that ADHD bestows advantages in creative thinking. Stock c

Stimulants as Cognitive Enhancers

Topics: ADHD | Amphetamines | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Cognition | Cosmetic pharmacology | methylphenidate

Depending on your practice setting, you are likely to encounter adults who seek stimulants for various “non-medical” uses, from cognitive enhancement to recreational abuse to outright diversion. Abuse and diversion are easier to detect these days with the controlled substance databases available in most states. Abuse of stimulants is relative