Guanfacine Prescribed for ADHD? Don't Fall for This

The YouTube Algorithm loves SPICE, so I figured I'd give you this hot take. Many don't know about ADHD medications, and will take whatever they are given. Then if it doesn't work they think it's their fault. Bottom line is, when it comes to the medication, you want to know what is doing what. It's a numbers game, and stimulant medication like Adderall, Concerta and Vyvanse are first line because they work 95% of the time. ⚠️ This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are in crisis, call 988. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment. The controlled substance act exists to give access to the people who depend on medical access to these substances. On the internet people share their medication lists, hear about what works, what doesn't. Come to think of it, it's become sort of a social currency. In a time of rising diagnosis, fear and concern over stimulant medication being prescribed in tele-psychiatry appointments, don't think it's beneath the person on the other side who you trust to write an RX that works to hand you some Guanfacine and just hope you go away. If you're still reading this I found it interesting that the research regarding Guanfacine lately is funded by Japan. They are one of the more stricter countries about stimulant medication. I've had patients switch to Methylphenidate to go on vacation, they don't allow Amphetamine but might have softened on Vyvanse. Just a reminder that it's not good enough to say there's studies, we have to think about any potential study bias, among other things. That said, every patient that has been there, has had an awesome time in Japan and it seems like a really cool country to visit! This "hot take" has less to do with the medication itself and more about challenging the perception of ADHD. I know for me, I didn't really start to experience the game changing life improvements until I took out a DSM 5 and checked off the list of symptoms. That way you know what you're working with and can develop behavioral strategies. I wanted to keep it real also, because I know many of my patients know very little about ADHD in general. Therefore it can look like this: someone sees something online that actually does explain their experience. Maybe it was even this video    • Undiagnosed ADHD: The Pattern That Explain...   then for one reason or another their prescriber hands them Guanfacine and seriously don't know anything about Adderall XR. I've actually been seeing this a lot lately, patients coming to me on the lowest dosage of Strattera or Guanfacine and they literally were confused and defeated about ADHD treatment. I wouldn't take this video too seriously, and at the end of the day, it's always about understanding people first. the medication is one thing that you alter, but it's really what we move through that matters. Our involuntary automatic reactions of distress or anxiety. My hope is that nervous system dysregulation never be misinterpreted as "hyperactivity". 00:00 - lntro 00:23 - The Problem 01:17- Guanfacine benefits 01:50 - 0.0001% 02:21 - Rebound HTN 02:45 - Adults v. Children 03:01 - I'm Here 03:30 - Why? 04:00 - Bonus hot take! Go ahead and subscribe if you want to receive practical strategies from a Nurse Practitioner that won't sell you short. My name is Jonathan Murphy, PMHNP-BC. For the past decade I've provided medication management and therapy for adults with ADHD. I also have ADHD myself, but you may have noticed that already. Traditional ADHD education is incredibly boring, which makes it nearly impossible for people with ADHD to actually learn from it. So I translate what actually works in clinic into YouTube videos that hold your attention. What you'll find here: Medication information and optimization strategies Practical approaches that go beyond medication Understanding how ADHD overlaps with trauma and autism Proprietary frameworks (Survival Modality, Reinforcement Matrix, Stimulation Gap) Patient education for adults who need help and guidance My clinical work has expanded beyond ADHD to include common comorbidities: autism spectrum disorder, complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I take a holistic, trauma-informed approach because these conditions often overlap. DISCLAIMER: Educational content only. Not a substitute for professional mental health treatment or individual clinical advice. 📧 Free resources: https://mailchi.mp/myfocuspath/focus-... 📖 Book "Cheat Codes: An ADHD Transformation Guide": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMJLQKBW 📝 Blog: myfocuspath.blog 🩺 HAVE A QUESTION? Drop it in the comments of my videos! I try to answer as many as I can based on what I see in my clinical practice. ABOUT THE CREATOR: Jonathan Murphy, PMHNP-BC (NPI 1821441965) Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Licensed: MA, NH, OR, WA | ANCC Certified 2017