ADHD Psychiatrist Houston

 The Best Treatment for Inattentive ADHD/ADD

Ritalin is not the best medication for ADHD Inattentive or Inattentive ADD. Some psychiatrists believe that ADHD-PI or Inattentive ADD may not be ADHD. Patients with this subtype may respond differently to stimulant medication than patients with other types.

Dr. Ashley Toutounchi MD is a leading authority on ADHD Psychiatrist Houston. He wrote this about ADHD treatment: "These children don't respond to stimulants anywhere near the same as AD/HD hyperactive and impulsive children." After a period of adjustment, only one fifth of these children will experience a sufficient therapeutic response to continue on medication. Although you will see that most of these children show slight improvement, they are still not clinical responders or therapeutic responders. Ninety-two percent of children with AD/HD respond to stimulants. These children respond to stimulants in 20%. The dosing of stimulants is also different. Children with AD/HD tend to respond better to moderate to high doses. Children who are not attentive will respond better to very low doses.

However, stimulant treatment is often successful for ADHD-PI patients. Some people find that even mild improvements in symptoms are enough to keep them on the medication. Although the best medicine should be tailored to each person, there are data showing that Ritalin is less effective for ADHD-PI than Adderall. It would be helpful to have a quick and easy reference to the medications used to treat Primarily Inattentive ADHD. A basic lesson on the biology of ADHD can help you understand the available treatments.

ADHD can be caused by neurotransmitter problems in the brain. Dopamine (norepinephrine) and Epinephrine, the neurotransmitters responsible for ADHD's major symptoms, are Dopamine (norepinephrine) and Epinephrine. Simply put, low levels of dopamine will lead to hyperactivity and impulsivity. Low levels of epinephrine can lead to mental fatigue, lack of focus and lethargy. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter that is secreted in tandem with epinephrine and dopamine. It can also be depleted or secreted. Low levels of serotonin can make us tired, irritable, and depressed. The levels of these neurotransmitters are related to the level of serotonin in circulation, and vice versa.

All ADHD treatments work together to improve neurotransmitter function in your brain. The Ritalin (Methylphenidate), family increases brain dopamine as well as epinephrine. The Adderall (Amphetamine family) works by increasing brain dopamine and brain epinephrine. However, this family of drugs only increases dopamine about half as fast as Methylphenidate. Strattera (atomoxetine), increases brain norepinephrine. Guanfacine (Intuniv), regulates brain neurotransmitter receptors flow and effectiveness in a manner that decreases hyperactivity, works memory better, reduces impulsivity, and minimizes distractibility.

What is the best medication for ADHD-PI? Doctors believe that the Adderall medication is better for ADHD-PI patients than the Ritalin, as it has a greater effect on norepinephrine than dopamine. ADHD-PI patients tolerate amphetamines better that the Ritalin family, but all stimulants can cause some inattentive anxiety.

Strattera would appear to be the best treatment for ADHD-PI if it was based on this simple understanding of ADHD biology. Strattera is only effective for certain patients with ADHD-PI. We don't know why. Intuniv may not work well for people with ADHD-PI because it primarily affects hyperactivity. Some doctors have discovered that Intuniv is effective for Best ADHD Doctors Houston.