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you've got to be kidding me! *frustrated*
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<blockquote data-quote="susiestar" data-source="post: 333793" data-attributes="member: 1233"><p>Strattera is an antidepressant. It is more effective at treating ADHD than depression, but it still is an antidepressant. When it works it is wonderful. Both my difficult child and my gfgbro have taken it for years with great success. But it is generally not good for a bipolar child.</p><p></p><p>I have no idea what is going on in the minds of psychiatrists anymore. There is a medication protocol for treating people iwth bipolar. If there are other comorbid disorders the bipolar is to be stabilized first because it can look like a lot of other things. bipolar is also made worse by many medications, including stimulants, antidepressants, and decongestants.</p><p></p><p>Yes, strattera can make his bipolar WORSE. The proper protocol is to add a first line mood stabilizer. If this is at a therapeutic level and the patient is still not stable, a second mood stabilizer can be added. If aggression is still a problem then an atypical antipsychotic like risperdal would then be added. The atyp. antipsychotic can be added before or after the second mood stabilizer. </p><p></p><p>If, and only if, symptoms of ADHD or depression are still present after these medications are at a therapeutic level (some need to be at this level for 6 weeks to know if they will work) THEN you can try a low dose of either a stimulant or antidepressant medication. If the patient becomes unstable when this is added then it is likely that the patient will not be able to tolerate the type of medication.</p><p></p><p>psychiatrists seem to not want to follow this, though here on the board the best long term outcome comes from following this protocol. It is in The Bipolar Child, the bible for parents with a child with bipolar. I highly recommend reading this book. Most libraries have it, I think. You can also try to find it used on <a href="http://www.abebooks.com" target="_blank">www.abebooks.com</a> or <a href="http://www.alibris.com" target="_blank">www.alibris.com</a>.</p><p></p><p>The protocol is from the Amer. Academy. of Child and Adolescent. psychiatrists, so it IS the industry standard, even though many psychiatrists seem to have never heard of it.</p><p></p><p>medication changes must be made 1 at a time, though it seems frustrating. If you increase a medication and decrease another, how do you know which medication caused a change? Mes should always start low and increase slowly. remember to start low and go slow. (That phrase sticks in my mind and reminds me to ask the doctor which change to do first and when to start the second change.)</p><p></p><p>I hope this gives you some info to ask the doctor about. Ask for a mood stabilizer. Insist if you have to. Point out that it is proven to be an effective treatment protocol.</p><p></p><p>Hugs,</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="susiestar, post: 333793, member: 1233"] Strattera is an antidepressant. It is more effective at treating ADHD than depression, but it still is an antidepressant. When it works it is wonderful. Both my difficult child and my gfgbro have taken it for years with great success. But it is generally not good for a bipolar child. I have no idea what is going on in the minds of psychiatrists anymore. There is a medication protocol for treating people iwth bipolar. If there are other comorbid disorders the bipolar is to be stabilized first because it can look like a lot of other things. bipolar is also made worse by many medications, including stimulants, antidepressants, and decongestants. Yes, strattera can make his bipolar WORSE. The proper protocol is to add a first line mood stabilizer. If this is at a therapeutic level and the patient is still not stable, a second mood stabilizer can be added. If aggression is still a problem then an atypical antipsychotic like risperdal would then be added. The atyp. antipsychotic can be added before or after the second mood stabilizer. If, and only if, symptoms of ADHD or depression are still present after these medications are at a therapeutic level (some need to be at this level for 6 weeks to know if they will work) THEN you can try a low dose of either a stimulant or antidepressant medication. If the patient becomes unstable when this is added then it is likely that the patient will not be able to tolerate the type of medication. psychiatrists seem to not want to follow this, though here on the board the best long term outcome comes from following this protocol. It is in The Bipolar Child, the bible for parents with a child with bipolar. I highly recommend reading this book. Most libraries have it, I think. You can also try to find it used on [url]www.abebooks.com[/url] or [url]www.alibris.com[/url]. The protocol is from the Amer. Academy. of Child and Adolescent. psychiatrists, so it IS the industry standard, even though many psychiatrists seem to have never heard of it. medication changes must be made 1 at a time, though it seems frustrating. If you increase a medication and decrease another, how do you know which medication caused a change? Mes should always start low and increase slowly. remember to start low and go slow. (That phrase sticks in my mind and reminds me to ask the doctor which change to do first and when to start the second change.) I hope this gives you some info to ask the doctor about. Ask for a mood stabilizer. Insist if you have to. Point out that it is proven to be an effective treatment protocol. Hugs, [/QUOTE]
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