ADHD doctors prescribe stimulants for the treatment of child, adolescent or adult ADHD because it is a neurological disorder caused by the deficiency of the neurotransmitter, epinephrine, in some parts of the brain. After doing a comprehensive psychiatric examination which reveals symptoms of this disorder, standardized tests and questionnaires are administered to confirm and document statistically valid levels of inattentiveness and/or hyperactivity.
The two main classes of medications which “stimulate” production of epinephrine in the brain are methylphenidate and dextro-amphetamine, in use since the 1960’s.
Dr. Covert is an ADHD doctor. The primary Ritalin-based medication prescribed by Dr. Covert for ADHD is Concerta. The main amphetamine-based medication he prescribes is Vyvanse. The benefits of both these medications are that they are effective for 12 hours, they cannot be abused, they have no value on the street and they are the gold standard of psychiatric care for ADHD patients.
Posted on 8-3-2011
