I am both an adult ADHD and Bipolar, my doctor told me that since strattera didn't work he wasn't willing to give me anything that had a stimulant in it I was on ritalin as a child and my motther was told that girls at puberty outgrow adhd. he wanted to try drugs that had already been tried by other doctors that didn't work. when I pushed the issue that I was just trying to help myself and get control of my life (which always seems to be crazy) he told me I needed to find another doctor that would. I brought my mother in to give him the "otherside" of the story and she confirmed everything, yet he refused. I am at a total loss because if the doctor that is supposed to be helping you refuse to do so what are you supposed to do?
Q: why would a doctor refuse to treat a patient who is both ADHD and bipolar with a stimulant drugs
Answers (1)
10/17/08 8:07pm
Hi Tara:
I am not a physician, but can tell you the reason your doctor doesn't want to give you a traditional medication for your ADHD is because stimulants will trigger manic episodes and rage in the Bipolar patient that can lead to hospitalization or worse.
To cause that in you would be unethical for your doctor. He took an oath not to harm you and knows that it would.
You can always find a doctor who will give you what you want, but remember you would do so at your own risk.
Your mother was correct in understanding that people "outgrow" attention problems as they mature. That is not to say that it goes away, but that adults learn to cope with the problem. You may want to find a professional in your area who can help you with attention, organizational skills and coping strategies for your ADHD.
You can locate one at Psychology Today.
Alternative treatment, that is non-medication treatment is also available through Neurofeedback.
Best of luck,
Dr. Diana Walcutt
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
