Treatment Options for ADHD Part I: Medications
Author: Erika Kawamura, Psy.D
If you were recently diagnosed with ADHD or have been diagnosed many years ago but continue to struggle with finding effective treatment, you may be thinking “Ok, now what?” There is no one-size-fits-all because ADHD can be experienced differently in each person, but the good news is that there are several treatment modalities to consider to find the right fit for you & your needs.
To Medicate or Not to Medicate?
When you receive a diagnosis of ADHD, one of the first questions you may have is whether you need to take medication or not. Some people may feel very eager to seek medication in hopes that it will be the “cure” for all their chronic ADHD-related symptoms and struggles, whereas others may feel strongly opposed to it and prefer to try everything possible to avoid ever having to take medication.
Since ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, there are certain ways in which the brain is “wired” and the neurotransmitters involved that contribute to the executive function difficulties and other symptoms and behaviors that are experienced by people with ADHD. For example, people with ADHD tend to have lower dopamine and norepinephrine levels than people without ADHD, which can lead to thrill- or reward-seeking behaviors, easily becoming bored, and difficulties with motivation, attention, and regulation of emotions and impulses. This is where medication can help alleviate or improve these symptoms that are directly impacted by these mechanisms.
Oftentimes, people who try medication for ADHD find relief in the following ways:
- Notice that they can think more clearly & no longer have that sense of “brain fog”
- Can start tasks and sustain focus long enough to finish them
- Are less distractable
- Find themselves being less impulsive
- Feel calmer
- Feel less overwhelmed or “paralyzed,” especially when bombarded with too many demands or decisions to make at once
There are two classes of medications that are typically prescribed for ADHD:
- Stimulants work increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters, & fall into the categories of amphetamines (e.g. Adderall, Vyvanse, Dexedrine) or methylphenidates (e.g. Concerta Ritalin, Focalin). They are also controlled substances so there is a risk of misuse.
- Non-Stimulants (e.g., Strattera, Wellbutrin) are not controlled substances so there is less risk of misuse, but can typically take up to 4 weeks of taking it regularly to feel the full effects of the medication.
Common potential side effects of these ADHD medications include:
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety, irritability, or other mood changes
- Changes in heart rate and/or blood pressure
As with any medications, it is important that you work with a psychiatrist to find the right one for you because the medications can affect each person differently, and other factors need to be taken into consideration, such as personal health history and potential interactions with other medications. It is also common that you may be asked to present written documentation or a comprehensive evaluation by a psychologist, get labwork, and/or have an EKG completed, so that your psychiatrist or physician can appropriately evaluate your health prior to prescribing medication for ADHD.
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