Comments on: Dr. Phil, ADHD and Snake Oil http://www.askdrjones.com/in-the-media/dr-phil-adhd-and-snake-oil/ Ask Dr. Jones Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:48:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dr. Jones http://www.askdrjones.com/in-the-media/dr-phil-adhd-and-snake-oil/#comment-175 Dr. Jones Tue, 02 Nov 2004 18:08:43 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/?p=6#comment-175 Thanks BB for comments regarding OCD and medication. Some conditions like hoarding were previously thought to be OCD and didn't respond well to medication. But hoarding is closer to ADHD and is more like a behavioral addiction and may respond somewhat to stimulants. True OCD is associated with some of the most dramatically abnormal activity on brain imaging studies, ironically in somewhat opposite ways from ADHD. OCD has been shown to respond to behavior therapy, but it may need to be done several times per week. Medication (SSRI's) is usually helpful, often markedly so - but tends to require higher doses and to take longer (up to 12 weeks) to work. Medication works best combined with behavior therapy. Side-effects can usually be managed by adjusting schedule, changing dose, switching meds, or other strategies. In prescribing meds for any condition, I always think long term and this means benefits must far outweigh any side-effects. For more information, my newsletter on OCD will be available on the website soon. # posted by Wayne Jones : 10/19/2004 01:53:31 PM Thanks BB for comments regarding OCD and medication. Some conditions like hoarding were previously thought to be OCD and didn’t respond well to medication. But hoarding is closer to ADHD and is more like a behavioral addiction and may respond somewhat to stimulants.

True OCD is associated with some of the most dramatically abnormal activity on brain imaging studies, ironically in somewhat opposite ways from ADHD. OCD has been shown to respond to behavior therapy, but it may need to be done several times per week.

Medication (SSRI’s) is usually helpful, often markedly so – but tends to require higher doses and to take longer (up to 12 weeks) to work. Medication works best combined with behavior therapy. Side-effects can usually be managed by adjusting schedule, changing dose, switching meds, or other strategies. In prescribing meds for any condition, I always think long term and this means benefits must far outweigh any side-effects.

For more information, my newsletter on OCD will be available on the website soon.

# posted by Wayne Jones : 10/19/2004 01:53:31 PM

]]> By: BB http://www.askdrjones.com/in-the-media/dr-phil-adhd-and-snake-oil/#comment-174 BB Tue, 02 Nov 2004 17:19:05 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/?p=6#comment-174 I am cautious about using meds for my OCD. From what I've been told by others who have been on medication, it seems to be a 'hit and miss' situation - often minimal improvement with unpleasant side affects. I understand OCD is a different condition from ADHD. I am not anti medication treatment of OCD - I'd like the odds to be a bit better for trying meds. Thanks for the good info on your blog. BB www.baileysbroadcast.net # posted by Anonymous : 10/19/2004 12:30:38 PM I am cautious about using meds for my OCD. From what I’ve been told by others who have been on medication, it seems to be a ‘hit and miss’ situation – often minimal improvement with unpleasant side affects. I understand OCD is a different condition from ADHD. I am not anti medication treatment of OCD – I’d like the odds to be a bit better for trying meds.

Thanks for the good info on your blog.
BB
http://www.baileysbroadcast.net

# posted by Anonymous : 10/19/2004 12:30:38 PM

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