ADD and Zombies: Fearless Medication Management for ADD and ADHD is now available for pre-order. Just go to this link and get your copy when it comes out June 15.
If you want to be on the list to be notified when the paperback, hardcover, and audiobook are ready, email me at ask [@] dr-wes.com. You’ll have to drop the brackets and spaces, of course. Trying to keep those spammers guessing.
In the meantime you can catch an audio preview from the February 20, 2020 segment of All Sides with Ann Fisher on WOSU in Columbus Ohio, a favorite public radio program of mine and really one of the best in the nation. You can click here to listen to the podcast. Advance to 32:34 to hear the interview.
And now for the first time anywhere, the chapter list. If you’re my age, you remember David Reuben’s book Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask. When it comes to the medication and treatment of ADHD, this is pretty much the same thing, except we hope you aren’t too afraid to ask.
Should I Read This Book?
Chapter 1 From Zombie to Expert
Becoming Your Own Expert
Chapter 2 Yes, ADD Does Exist
The Big Conspiracy
Mythbusting
ADD is Overdiagnosed
Everyone Improves on a Stimulant
Treating ADD Leads to Stimulant Abuse
These Medications Are So New That We Can’t Be Sure They’re Safe for Long Term Use
Kids Eventually Grow Out of ADD
I Want to Let My Kids Wait Until They’re Old Enough to Decide About Medication
Let’s Try Therapy and Coaching Before Doing Meds
Diagnosis. What Is It Good for?
Diathesis-Stress Model
Caring Too Much or Too Little
People with ADD
Anxious People
Anxious-ADD People
Hydraulics and Zombies
Chapter 3 Brain Journey
You Are Not A Diagnosis
Getting to Know You
Step 1: Seek A Highly Qualified Professional
Step 2: Psychiatric Interview
Step 3: Testing
Step 4: Rule Out Alternative Hypotheses
Step 5: Get A Referral For Treatment
Buyer Beware
Big Ticket Assessment
Chapter 4 Co-Occurring Diagnoses
What Else Could Go Wrong?
Bad Sleep
ADD-Related Insomnia (ARI)
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
Stimulant Related Sleep Disruption
Anxiety
Depression
Depression Leads ADD
ADD co-exists with Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Autism
Trauma
Personality Disorders
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
The Wisdom of Uncertainty
Chapter 5 Finding the Right Prescriber
Wither We Go For Meds?
The Doctor is Not In
Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs)
A Team Effort (Or Not)
Chapter 6 Inside the Medicine Cabinet
Not-So-Scary Science Stuff
Adderall vs. Ritalin
Which is Best?
Going, Going, Gone
Amphetamines: The Adderall Types
Methylphenidates Types
Give Me a Boost
Non-Stimulants
Generics Anyone?
Medication for Co-Occurring Disorders
Anxiety and Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Insomnia
Chapter 7 You Are the Guinea Pig
The Scientific Method and You
What We’re Going For Here
Preliminary Assessment
Step 1: Pharmacogenomic Testing
Step 2: Selecting A Trial Medication
Step 3: Testing a Trial Dosage
Step 4: First Five Days
Step 5: Second Five Days
Step 6: Second Appointment
Step 7: Find Your High End
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Managing Your Medications
Dealing with Insurance
Formularies
Prior-authorization (PA)
Deductibles
Health Savings (HSA) and Flex Spending Accounts (FSA)
Discount Cards
GoodRx
Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
Chapter 8 Side Effects and Workarounds
Is This Really Me?
Low Appetite
Irritability
Sleep Disruption
Tics and Habits
Physical Side Effects
Mania
Chapter 9 Stimulant Tolerance
Maxing Out
Yet Another Controversy
What Doesn’t Work
Give Yourself A Break
Chapter 10 Bad Stimulant Ideas
What Not to Worry About
What to Worry About
Study Drugging
Sale and Distribution
Snorting
Stimulant Fouls
Exceeding Dosage
Staying Up
Double Dipping
Addiction
Crossing Stim ulants and Other Substances
Alcohol
Marijuana
Benzodiazepines
Other Stimulants
Chapter 11 Alternatives To Medication?
What Makes a Treatment Conventional?
Evidenced Based: More, Less, and Snake Oil
Keep the Faith
