Posted by Christ_empowered on June 15, 2010, at 20:39:22
In reply to Re: My doctor doesn't believe i have ADHD, posted by Mike1988 on June 15, 2010, at 19:50:30
Some shrinks are more cautious with stims, just like some shrinks hate rx-ing benzos (some flat out refuse to do it, even in private practice). A lot of them seem to think the diagnosis has lost all validity and that there are other treatment options, like Tenex, high-dose stimulating antidepressants, Straterra, etc.
If you really think taking a stimulant will improve your life, get a new doctor. In larger cities, some shrinks even advertise themselves as ADHD Specialists. If you "really" have ADHD (this is impossible to determine, since ADHD doesn't show up on bloodwork or brain scans..its like asking if man "really" has a soul), then one of these docs will probably help you out. They might be inclined to try some other therapy first--Straterra, tenex, high-dose burpropion or effexor, whatever...but, then again, they may go straight for the stimulants, especially if they operate on a "cash only" basis (self-pay shrinks tend to be more...accomodating).
Keep in mind that there's no indication that stimulant-treated children actually *do* better than non-treated kids; there's no indication of an improvement in academic performance or test scores, at least on the aggregate level. Also, the stimulants are schedule II substances. Psychosis, mania, agitation, anxiety, and dosage escalation are potential risks.
poster:Christ_empowered
thread:951172
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100615/msgs/951179.html