In reply to:Deficits in dopamine levels are implicated as one of several possible causes for Adult attention-deficit disorder (AADD), and some types of medications used to treat Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD) will help to stimulate dopaminergic systems, leading to potentially heightened sensation, for those afflicted by it and receiving treatment for it.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine Welbutrin affects dopamine and norepinephrine, which is why it is occasionally, but not often, used in ADD/ADHD as opposed to most anti depressants which work on serotonin levels. Funny enough, amphetamine medications like Adderall and Dextroamphetamine (another one I used when I was younger) also act on norepinephrine and dopamine, but work primarily by increasing their release rather than preventing them from being taken up after being released. Methylphenidates like Ritalin have the same function as Welbutrin, except they act solely on dopamine. As I read on wikipedia, apparently there's also a recent ADD medication that acts solely on norepinephrine without affecting dopamine (which is usually held responsible for the symptoms of ADD).
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How long for the meds to take affect?
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They act on chemicals in the brain - generally serotonin, or sometimes dopamine and norepinephrine, to increase their availability in the brain. These chemicals are associated with feeling good and enjoyment. They're not the only solution, but a combination of medication to correct what is truly a chemical imbalance (or more specifically deficit) and good social help such as psychotherapy or even just having someone to talk to can lead to alleviation of depression. The social aspect is necessary because talking with people is a great way to enhance mood and also helps to sort out any other problem that a person may deny or not address on their own.
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Not directed at you RobBobThis is a good link that tells you when the meds start working and how long they last, how effective they are etc.: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/107/108528.htm
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That's a good site, but I wish I could enlarge that chart because it's difficult to read.
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I wish I could enlarge that chartIf you're using Firefox, hit "CTRL +". Opera has something similar, or go to View-->Zoom-->150%.
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Unfortunately I'm just using IE 6. And because the chart isn't written in plain text changing the text size does nothing for it.
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Actually, it is in plain text, inside a table, but the font size is specified (horribly) by a style sheet.In IE6, go to Tools, Internet Options..., and on the General tab, click Accessibility..., then check "Ignore font sizes specified on Web pages".
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IE 6Yet another reason to scrap that steaming pile of s**t. The other browsers are freely downloadable; I'd give them a shot, and see if you like at least one of them. All else being equal, I'd lean toward Opera, although I tend to use Firefox out of inertia.
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I totally understand where you are coming from but you also have to understand that my son has been dealing with this problem for quite sometime now. He has been through preschool where he couldn't pay attention to simple instruction. And is now here in Kindergarten is becoming a big problem. He wasn't making friends becasue of his behavior. And the other kids tried and so did he. His problems with inattention and hyperness are beyond his control. Even a specialist that comes to the room a few times a week for another child can't keep him even semi focused on what is at task. He couldn't learn like that and neither could anyone else. I myself really looked for other ways to control his behavior but the whole simple truth is is that I can't be there with him his whole life and if this is going to help him for a short time then this is what has to happen. I personally didn't want to give him these drugs but his is to hyper at school. He doesn't get these drugs for at home only for school. My son doesn't have the ablity at this young age to focus. I will when he is only and is able to understand how to control his behaviors better get him into behavior therapy so that I can hopefully get him off of the drugs all together.
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Ritalin starts working right off the bat. Basically it doesn't change brain functions like anti-depressents. It is a stimulant, but it usually has a calming affect on hyperactive people. Adderall is composed of I believe 3 amphetamines, but either way they basically kick in at different times which helps a lot in avoiding the roller coaster up and down when the drug wears off like with ritalin. They have long acting ritalin which someone mentioned above, but I only have experience with these two. How much does you child weight, because ritalin is usually prescribed at a weight/mg ratio, but a lot Dr.'s will still start the dose low seeing that they are working with stimulant.