The Changing Face of ADHD: Addressing Changing Symptoms, Adjusting Treatment Management

An Internet CME Newsletter
Vol 2 No 2, July 2007

WELCOME

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a tumultuous time for most people. For the patient with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the period between the end of childhood and early adulthood presents unique challenges. As a clinician, you can help your adolescent and young adult patients with ADHD navigate this difficult time by elucidating the diagnosis, assisting them in understanding the serious problems they may experience, and developing a treatment plan specific to their needs.

You can also assist by prescribing safe and efficacious treatments that minimize the impairments associated with this disorder. Comprehensive treatment of ADHD may be associated with improvements in many aspects of a patient’s life: The individual may be more likely to finish school and maintain a job, and less likely to divorce, become involved in a traffic accident, or abuse drugs or alcohol. By working together with your patients and their families, you can choose the appropriate treatment, including both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches, that will enable your patients to function with as little impairment as possible.

The previous issue of The Changing Face of ADHD: Addressing Changing Symptoms, Adjusting Treatment Management covered the changing symptomatology in persistent ADHD, as well as commonly observed comorbid disorders. This issue focuses on pharmacologic treatment options, including proper medication selection, titration, and dosage, as well as on safety concerns and adherence. Relevant psychosocial therapies are also discussed.

We hope this newsletter helps you choose the best treatments for your adolescent and adult patients with ADHD. We invite you to send us your feedback.

Sincerely,

Timothy E. Wilens, MD

Director, Substance Abuse Services
Pediatric Psychopharmacology Research Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital
Associate Professor, Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts 

Method of Participation
Read this newsletter, complete the CME Activity Evaluation, and submit the Request for Credit Form. You will receive your certificate immediately. This activity is provided free of charge to participants.

Intended Audience
Psychiatrists and other health care providers who treat patients with ADHD

Effective Dates
July 2007 through June 30, 2008 

Accreditation/Designation of Credit Statements
Veritas Institute for Medical Education, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Veritas Institute for Medical Education, Inc. designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Sponsorship and Support
Sponsored by Veritas Institute for Medical Education, Inc.
Supported by an educational grant from McNeil Pediatrics Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. administered by Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC.

Editor
Timothy E. Wilens, MD
Director, Substance Abuse Services
Pediatric Psychopharmacology Research Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital
Associate Professor, Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts

Financial Disclosure Statements
In accordance with the ACCME’s Standards for Commercial Support, all CME providers are required to disclose to the activity audience the relevant financial relationships of the planners, teachers, and authors involved in the development of CME content. An individual has a relevant financial relationship if he or she has a financial relationship in any amount occurring in the last 12 months with a commercial interest whose products or services are discussed in the CME activity content over which the individual has control. Disclosures are as follows:

Timothy E. Wilens, MD: Abbott Laboratories (grant/consultant), Eli Lilly and Company (grant/consultant), Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (speakers bureau/consultant), Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc (grant/speakers bureau/consultant), and Shire (grant/speakers bureau/consultant).

The staff of Veritas Institute for Medical Education, Inc. has nothing to disclose.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure Statement
Participants are advised that this CME activity will contain references to unlabeled/ unapproved/investigational uses of drugs to treat ADHD.

Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect those of Veritas Institute for Medical Education, Inc. or McNeil Pediatrics Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. administered by Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC. Please consult the appropriate package insert for full prescribing information on all drug therapies discussed.

Copyright © 2007 Veritas Institute for Medical Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Using evidence-based methods, you will be able to select and titrate ADHD medications and recommend psychosocial treatment to improve academic, social, and occupational performance in your adolescent and young adult patients.
2. Using relevant safety and efficacy data, you will be able to educate your adolescent and young adult patients with ADHD about their medications in order to increase adherence, reduce adverse events, and minimize the risk for misuse.