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[guido911]

Don't worry, many psychiatrists hadn't either. ADHD is diagnosed similar to ADD, but without requiring the patient to meet as many criteria.

My favorite is "Social Anxiety Disorder" (SAD)

I think I'm going to invent "North American Inherited Vacillating Empathy" syndrome.

+1

[Conan71]

That they did not have a name for them until the 90s doesn't make them any less real.

That they've come up with names for diagnoses doesn't mean certain drugs are not over-prescribed, nor that people aren't over-treated for a period far longer than necessary with certain meds.

[TURobY]

That they've come up with names for diagnoses doesn't mean certain drugs are not over-prescribed, nor that people aren't over-treated for a period far longer than necessary with certain meds.

No one said that they weren't over-medicated. Nathan and myself only corrected the concept that ADD/ADHD weren't real disorders.

[nathanm]

That they've come up with names for diagnoses doesn't mean certain drugs are not over-prescribed, nor that people aren't over-treated for a period far longer than necessary with certain meds.

Oh, I completely agree that they are in some cases overprescribed, but that doesn't mean that there aren't people who need those meds.

[custosnox]

And actually ADHD had a name a long time ago, it was called brain damage.  I'm not making this up, they actually thought it was brain damage.  When more sophisticated means of studying the brain came about and no damage was apparant, they called it MBD, or Minor Brain Damage.  It has since gone on to several other names and I'm sure it will go through even more over the years.  As far as it being a disorder, that is debatable as well (medically I have ADHD).  However, the problem I have is that 98% of the kids diagnosed with it and drugged up on it have been done so by an MD.  I want to know why a problem that has no physical indications, only psycological, is being diagnosed by MD's instead of psycologists and psychiatrists. [/rant]

[nathanm]

I want to know why a problem that has no physical indications, only psycological, is being diagnosed by MD's instead of psycologists and psychiatrists. [/rant]

There's nothing wrong with an MD starting treatment when it's a fairly standard presentation. They should be more emphatic in their encouragement for their patient to see a psychiatrist, however. (or at least a psycologist, even though they can't prescribe)

A lot of people who are willing to see MDs about physical ailments refuse to see psychiatrists for some reason. Probably because people with mental health issues are still stigmatized in society. Even this thread has some of the usual "it's not a real disorder, just work harder/get over it" attitude.

Sadly, getting over that would probably help all sorts of other problems in society, like homelessness and some petty crimes. People with undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues have a much harder time being productive members of society and are more likely to turn to crime as a result. (I'm going beyond ADD and ADHD here)

[sgrizzle]

No one said that they weren't over-medicated. Nathan and myself only corrected the concept that ADD/ADHD weren't real disorders.

ADD and ADHD are too different disorders. Might as well say Catholic/Episcopal.

[custosnox]

ADD and ADHD are too different disorders. Might as well say Catholic/Episcopal.

can you please define the differance between the two?  ADHD has, as far as I have seen, replaced the diagnosis ADD. 

[custosnox]

There's nothing wrong with an MD starting treatment when it's a fairly standard presentation. They should be more emphatic in their encouragement for their patient to see a psychiatrist, however. (or at least a psycologist, even though they can't prescribe)

There is a lot wrong with an MD treating something based in psycology/psychiatry.  They are trained in physialogical illnesses and ailments, not in the treatment of the mind.  It's along the idea of a neurologist treating you for ovarian cancer.  Both are medicines, but two differant areas.  This is why they have referals.

[nathanm]

There is a lot wrong with an MD treating something based in psycology/psychiatry.

Sure, if they don't send you to a psychiatrist or are trying to prescribe you something like Effexor (or even Wellbutrin, IMO..I've seen people really go off the reservation on that one) that can have serious side effects. But a temporary scrip for Prozac, Ritalin, or Xanax as a stopgap until you can get in to see a psychiatrist isn't really an issue.

Sometimes it can take a couple of weeks to get in. If you're having a depressive episode or you're at one of those times when your ADHD is making you nonfunctional or you are having a severe anxiety issue due to a life event, there are many relatively safe drugs that will at least take the edge off until a real treatment plan can be implemented.

Of course, part of the reason you see GPs treating people with psychiatric issues in the longer term is that many health plans either don't cover psychiatric services or cover them only with a much higher copay.

[Steve]

I'd never heard of ADHD until they invented Ritalin.  I can't even begin to count the number of kids who were friends of my kids who were on it at one point or another.  They didn't medicate the ADHD's when I was growing up, they just sent them to the principal's office.

Right on Conan.  Actually the stimulant Ritalin has been around for years before the current ADHD/ADD fads, but since discovered to have a depressive effect in adolescents.  Forget proper discipline and parenting, just drug the kids into a stupor.

Funny how major TV networks still refuse to accept advertising for distilled spirits (hard liquor), but they bombarde us daily with ads for prescription drugs, many potentially addictive.  I am personally sick to death of the ads for ED drugs, "woody pills."   All TV advertising of prescription medications should be banned, IMO. 

[Conan71]

Sure, if they don't send you to a psychiatrist or are trying to prescribe you something like Effexor (or even Wellbutrin, IMO..I've seen people really go off the reservation on that one) that can have serious side effects. But a temporary scrip for Prozac, Ritalin, or Xanax as a stopgap until you can get in to see a psychiatrist isn't really an issue.

Sometimes it can take a couple of weeks to get in. If you're having a depressive episode or you're at one of those times when your ADHD is making you nonfunctional or you are having a severe anxiety issue due to a life event, there are many relatively safe drugs that will at least take the edge off until a real treatment plan can be implemented.

Of course, part of the reason you see GPs treating people with psychiatric issues in the longer term is that many health plans either don't cover psychiatric services or cover them only with a much higher copay.

I'm in the camp that believes that GP's should not be prescribing psychotropic drugs.  A well-meaning, but utterly clueless GP who doesn't understand the effects of a drug like Effexor on the adrenal system can spin someone out on it when a patient comes to them with a depressive issue.  Xanax is probably one of the most abused and over-prescribed scrips I've ever seen, and it's almost always from a GP who gives someone a 12 month evergreen scrip.  Depression and anxiety are complex disorders which really do demand a doctor who specializes in brain chemistry.  Most good Psychiatrists will also advocate counseling in depression/anxiety disorder patients.

[sgrizzle]

can you please define the differance between the two?  ADHD has, as far as I have seen, replaced the diagnosis ADD. 

ADD = Inattentive (can't focus)
ADHD = Hyperactive (shift focus frequently)