As August comes around, our thoughts tend to turn away from summer fun and drift more toward the start of yet another school year. I certainly remember the days when the school year basically went from Labor Day to Memorial Day and that schedule still exists in certain parts of the country. However, more and more schools are beginning earlier and earlier in August. This gives students a better chance to complete a semester before the winter break and not have to return for a short time period before taking finals. Also, with all of the days the kids have off for everything from teacher workdays to holidays to mid-winter breaks, it's no wonder why classes begin earlier to factor in those off days. These "Back to School" days can be very trying for students, parents, and even teachers. [Read More]

Summertime is upon us. With it comes a variety of questions about how patients should take their medications during these months. Some patients ask about the necessity of taking ADHD medications when school is not in session. They wonder if it is alright to take time off from their medicine. I remind them that ADHD is a 24/7 condition. Just because school is out for the summer doesn't mean your ADHD will take the time off as well. Others ask about trying to taper down medications--often anti-depressants--during the summer. This is a strategy I am more willing to consider. For some, stress is lessened during the summer. The combination of less-structured time and longer days is more likely to make people feel good enough that they want to see how they might do off their medications. [Read More]

Another Memorial Day weekend has come and gone. For most students around the country, the school year has already concluded or it will be over fairly soon. For those who have been diagnosed and treated for ADHD, this time of the year has often marked the start of another holiday season--a "drug holiday" from the medication they have taken during the school year. There was a time when ADHD was thought of as a school condition that was only seen in the population under age 18. Just as schools had the policy of "no pass, no play" when it came to eligibility for sports, parents and some clinicians went by the policy of "no school, no meds" when it came to ADHD. [Read More]

As the month of April concludes, there is more than April showers bringing May flowers. This is particularly true in the academic settings around the country with students coming down the home stretch of the school year. This is a time of year for considerable anxiety for students. How will I do on my finals? Will I be able to graduate with my class? What do I do once I graduate? Those are just some of the questions that are being posed by students and family members during this stressful time. It is uncanny how often over my years of practice that new patient appointments are set up at this time of the year by parents and young people for a variety of reasons. [Read More]