Category Archives: Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Performance-Enhancing Drugs ??

Performance-Enhacing Drugs ??

It seems far too common for college students/graduate students to present with the chief concern of not being able to concentrate in class and/or not be able to keep up with homework and school related projects. Often, the patient does not have an ADHD diagnosis from earlier school years in elementary-high school.  There has been the myth that a direct stimulant with improve concentration – if the person has a significant attention deficit.  I suspect the ability to concentrate is enhanced, but it is also true for most students. Only those with severe anxiety symptoms might find stimulants such as the amphetamines too anxiety inducing.

So such as strong demand for the direct stimulants (C-II scheduled – so highly addictive, rapid tolerance, and high street value…as a tab, snorted, or IV)

In Maia’s article, the question is raised of the double standard of “no performance-enhancing drugs in Sports,  but it is viewed as acceptable for improving school performance.  ??

Would welcome opinions about this issue, as it seems to be such a major source of use and abuse with the amphetamines….(am including methylphenidate in this class)  Brand Names with high street value- Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) and Ritalin (methylphenidate)  See a true desperation in amphetamine users that have become addicted………methamphetamine addicts, in particular 1.


 

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David Bransford MD More on Psychiatry Updates

After yet another week of “Cognitive Dissonace” (H.T. to www.1boringoldman.com for refreshing my memory of the classic work by Leon Festinger and his research on Social Psychology), I return to the theme of Companion Dogs and their unique role as … Continue reading

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DavidBransfordMD 2012 Better Living through Chemistry?

Anti-depressant-use-up-by-a-quarter-since-credit-crunch.html In viewing the London Telegraph this evening online, the common themes related to the field of Medicine are so often headlines. And, of course, it is not unique to the Telegraph..I have yet to find a major newspaper that … Continue reading

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DavidBransford MD Seasonal Affective Disorder?

After Thanksgiving and Black Friday – just hope to sleep for a long while" width=”448″ height=”336″ />[/caption] After an incredible Thanksgiving Meal on Thursday and lots of attention on Black Friday, it seems that so many hope to sleep…thinking perhaps … Continue reading

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DavidBransfordMD Genes- Genius-Service Dogs

My 3 brother and I have always grown up and later maintained dogs as a major part of our families..Large Breed Dogs, in particular. My older brother maintains “it is genetic” More on that later. About 10 years ago, I … Continue reading

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DavidBransfordMD Season of Changes

After a beatiful “Indian Summer” weekend this beginning of October, 2011, took many photos of the brilliant leaves changing in all their variety – often against the backdrop of our huge Pines and Spruce that will be with us all … Continue reading

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DavidBransfordMDBlog PBS Video – Psych Meds-Kids

This PBS video tells an extremely important story of how far too many young children are prescribed antipsychotic medications for behavioral control – not psychosis – with severe metabolic adverse side effects. Such practices must be closely scrutinized….long term effects … Continue reading

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DavidBransfordMD – Wretches and Jabberers

Musing on a life growing up as a psychiatrist’s son With this post, discussion childhood autism. Continue reading

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DavidBransfordMD-Medicating Children

Having finally witnessed the end of summer and having my office filled with desperate parents and students, preparing to start the new school year; I am overwhelmed with seeing what is happening to the many young children with disruptive behaviors … Continue reading

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DavidBransfordMD Music and Madness

Music and Madness

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