Adderall vs. Vyvanse and Dealing With a Difficult Doc

I have a question for you pertaining to Vyvanse and ADHD in general. I’m 23 years old and currently living in Fresno, CA, and have been diagnosed by a couple psychiatrists here and elsewhere with ADHD. One prescribed me Provigil, which seems to work alright, but also gives me bad anxiety at the doses I . . . → Read More: Adderall vs. Vyvanse and Dealing With a Difficult Doc

My, Oh My, How Time Flies!!! Getting Off Antidepressants After Accidentally Taking Them For A Decade

Mike writes in with a frequently voiced concern:

I am a 48 year old male and I have been on Paxil for about 11 years now and have been wondering about getting off it. I am aware that there is “detox” time needed and I’ll feel like shit (among other things), . . my question . . . → Read More: My, Oh My, How Time Flies!!! Getting Off Antidepressants After Accidentally Taking Them For A Decade

Another Casualty of the Lack of Health Care Reform

Andrea writes in:

I have been taking 100 mg of Lamictal for about two years. In the last 1.5 yrs my doctor added 100 mg of Pristiq. I have recently lost my health insurance and need to get off both drugs as a result. How should I do this? I’m a full time student and . . . → Read More: Another Casualty of the Lack of Health Care Reform

Paddling Upstream . . . Figuring Out The Role Of TMS In The Treatment Of Major Depression

Whenever a new medication or new technology hits the market, there is always a learning curve for both the public and for practicing physicians. Tempering the excitement about receiving/delivering help with a dose of skepticism is healthy. It keeps the public and physicians from being bamboozled by snake oil salesmen. That is the whole idea . . . → Read More: Paddling Upstream . . . Figuring Out The Role Of TMS In The Treatment Of Major Depression

Patience . . . Patients . . . Stay On Your Medicine Till You Talk To Your Doctor . . . PLEASE!!!

Getting started on medicine is a relatively easy decision. When folks come in to see me, things are not going well. Be it depression or anxiety or an out of control kid who is going to fail third grade, they want help . . . like NOW. I will be the first to admit that . . . → Read More: Patience . . . Patients . . . Stay On Your Medicine Till You Talk To Your Doctor . . . PLEASE!!!

Picking Between the Least Worst Options

So great to stumble upon your blog. I am a single mom of an amazing 5 year old suffering from ADHD and Sensory issues who has tried every drug in the book. But, the side effects are grueling. With Vyvanse, although his symptoms practically disappeared, he developed severe speech dis-fluency. It was just torture for . . . → Read More: Picking Between the Least Worst Options

Generic Woes, Anxiety Shows and Sarcastic Doctor Blows

I am a 23 year old male, am currently on Adderal XR 30Mg bid, Xanax 1Mg bid, and Remeron at bedtime. I have been on Adderal XR for five years. (at 60mg) The last few months the pharmacy has given me (unbeknownst to me) generic adderal XR, and I noticed (without knowing it wasn’t the . . . → Read More: Generic Woes, Anxiety Shows and Sarcastic Doctor Blows

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation . . . A New Hope For Treatment Resistant Depression

A former patient wrote this to check in with me . . .

As a former patient of your practice, what are your thoughts on treatment resistant depression? Anything new or in the pipe line? At present I am doing well with Pristiq ,lithium, and Depakote. I am also involved in a sleep study with . . . → Read More: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation . . . A New Hope For Treatment Resistant Depression

Balancing The Need For Benzos and Antidepressants To Cover Anxiety

I noticed another fellow talked about being on 3 mg on klonopin for 15 years. For me, it’s been about .5 to .75 mg per day for 14 months but I have still been unsuccessful coming off of it. Do you recommend using acupucture and meditation during a slow taper? I also take 60 mg. . . . → Read More: Balancing The Need For Benzos and Antidepressants To Cover Anxiety

Treatment Resistant Depression–Under Recognized and Under Treated

As a psychiatrist . . . as an empathic person . . . it is very difficult to hear stories like the one listed below:

My heart is broke and i Feel I will never leave this deep black dark hole that I cant escape… Im tearing up heavily as I write this message… Ive . . . → Read More: Treatment Resistant Depression–Under Recognized and Under Treated