A buddy of mine is reeling with the recent diagnosis of his teenage daughter with ADHD and OCD. He admits he really doesn't know anything about it, and has been reading everything he can find.
So, I've decided I'd like to do a quick note on the 2 basic types of meds for ADHD, how they help, and any side effects. He’s also reading what we write, and I'd like to simplify some of the jargon used, for others here who may have recently been recently diagnosed.
I'll start with this disclosure: I'm not a medical professional, anything I add here is solely my understanding as an adult with ADHD. You need to talk to a medical professional, trained in helping someone with ADHD, before starting any medication.
The two main types of medications used for ADHD are:
1. Stimulant medications:
- Benefits:
- Improves focus and attention.
- Reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity.
- Can provide immediate relief.
- Pitfalls:
- May cause side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia, and irritability.
- Potential for misuse or addiction.
- Effectiveness may vary from person to person.
2. Non-stimulant medications:
- Benefits:
- Provides long-lasting symptom relief.
- Does not carry the risk of misuse or addiction.
- May be a suitable alternative for individuals who cannot tolerate stimulant medications.
- Pitfalls:
- Takes longer to take effect compared to stimulant medications.
- May cause side effects such as upset stomach, dizziness, or headaches.
- Effectiveness may vary from person to person.
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NotAChevy
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I'd never say that. My intent is go back and simplify some of the jargon used by others. But, others of us need the more nuanced explainations (jargon filled) to help us.
Aside from Rx, I'd recommend your friend pick up a good book by Dr. Daniel Amen on ADHD, specifically for teenagers. In case he has it as well, which can be a revelation, I'd recomend Change Your Brain Change Your Life by him, which I'm currently reading.
The most important things, I would say, would be to research first, as calmly as possible, and we all know that this can be like drinking from a firehose and can cause a lot of undue stress and anxiety. I believe that knowing it's complex and will take time is likely the best thing to understand at a 70k ft level to keep them from feeling overwhelmed.
Yes, Rx is important, but before even going there, reading up on a good diagnostic book (in concert with health professional, of course) to determine behavioral tendencies that his daughter has to better understand the specific type of ADHD she has, or how it manifests in here.
So, stay calm, look for the right Rx (start with a very low dose to check tolerance), continue researching, and based on the specific type of ADHD, also add in the nutritional biochemistry component (diet and supplementation). Some types react better to Vitamin B6 supplement than others, for example.
Lastly, as supplements and vitamins are added to morning sunlight in the eyes for 15 minutes, magnesium at night for good sleep (perhaps later other aids such as L-Theanine as well and Ashwaghanda, depending on her cortisol levels) and ensuring a consistent bedtime every night, I believe they will be well on their way to her feeling much better and living a more productive and satisfying life.
All that said, they have to learn, experiment and find the right mix. As you guys know, this gets everyone in similar ways, but different symptoms are dialed in differently in others with ADHD, so it is a trial and error process.
Long story short, I hesitate to just jump on the 'get her drugs' bandwagon immediately, as it tends to oversimplify things and it puts pressure on the child to 'make it work', when in fact, she could do better without the Rx, and for sure will do much, much better by complementing with the right vitamins and supplements.
Last note, I'd say reiterate that it takes a full menu of tools to manage well. It's sleep, nutrition, supplementation, morning sunlight, meditation, eye exercises, routines, behavioral tools used in a consisten manner every day, etc.
It sounds overwhelming, but if you think about it, it's really doing all the things that experts say to do to be healthy, for the most part. It's just that for those of us who have ADHD, they are critical and a huge help, whereas for those who do not, they may benefit from it, but they will not notice it as much.
Who knows... It may be a blessing that we have this? It MAKES US be disciplined. Most 'normies' I know (immediate family most definitely included) don't get it, don't want to get it, and they have terrible diets, don't sleep well, don't exercise, etc. and they keep repeating 'they're fine', 'they don't need that' because 'they don't have that problem'. A-ha. I see. Talk to you in five years when you're in your late 50s, 60s, and we'll compare life markers then.
Tell your friend to be thankful they have this critical information of her diagnosis. They get to work on it so his daughter lives a long, happy life, instead of being diagnosed in her 50s when things have progressed greatly. Take it from someone who knows.
I hope this helps. I know it's not simple nor short, but I am not a believer in turning immediately to Rx without researching further. If it doesn't come up now, it will later. May as well broaden their scope in concentric circles a bit to get a more well-rounded understanding of how to manage ADHD.
A journal, a pen, and an exploratory approach to treatment is needed for ADHD. There isn’t much out there for young girls or adults with ADHD. Encouragement from him to get to know herself and how food, drinks, her medicine, people, and environments affect her is a wise method. Self-awareness early in life can be a powerful and preventative tool that will set her apart by capitalizing on all the potential and opportunities that will open for her because of the treated ADHD and the positive traits and abilities it brings into relationships and workplace. If not treated correctly and early she may struggle and life will be harder for her then it needs to be.
I can not agree more with Steph99. My ADHD was left untreated and boy am i STRUGGLING now. Awareness and guidance (healthy guidance) is PARAMOUNT to the success of children and later when they became adults. We are teaching these kids (our kids- OUR BABIES holding back the flood of tears) to rewire their brain. AND whenever there is a roadblock (self doubt, negative talk, etc...) to learn how to quiet things down and proceed in our own adhd creative way with better control and execution.
It is a risk for ADHD to go untreated. It will be left to chance if the child or adult has the right people and circumstances that support them as they are naturally. There are symptoms that can lead to wrong turns in life that place an ADHD person at an even greater disadvantage. It is a positive decision to choose treatment early. Once the building blocks of life and positive habits are set in place it is less risky for ADHD to be untreated.
Absolutely, especially a young person that has opportunity to strive and change course before becoming severely affected by their errors, lack of control, low self esteem and from there the cans that open up can lead to serious toxicity.
Lots of people with ADHD treated or untreated have great self-esteem and gifts that make them more likely to overcome and build resilience throughout their lives. There are social emotional challenges and barriers that may arise throughout the lifespan without treatment that makes it harder for an ADHD person to overcome —yet they do. That makes them resilient with great energy strength courage and self-esteem. Unfortunately since neurodivergent individuals think and see the world differently there can be stigma attached to their abilities and traits that put at risk for social dilemmas to arise in personal relationships and in the workplace. Treated early— there may be less risk for those social dilemmas to occur and play out in their lives. Instead the person with ADHD can rely on their wisdom and knowledge and experience to navigate social interactions and situations and make decisions more clearly from a strategic perspective and standpoint instead of solely relying on instinct and intuition and all of those wonderful unique qualities that the ADHD brain possesses. Treatment expands the brain for an ADHD person to not solely rely on those higher order abilities that they think feel and experience life from. It is sad to think that such an incredible mind with such extraordinary gifts would have low self esteem and difficulty with employment. That is one of the social aspects of ADHD. Placing a person in a world that does not have employment opportunities built into their kind of thinking and lifestyle or seeing and thinking at an ADHD pace or perspective. It can be difficult for an ADHD person to find their fit and team that reinforces their true self and worth in this world. An excellent way to view ADHD is that there is an original and compelling person existing with it. The ADHD in the person should be appreciated for their originality and abilities. Some systems and practices and people can impact ADHD in an unmindful manner that may contribute negatively to the social and emotional development of the person across their lifespan. The hope is that an ADHD person takes ownership of their identity early in life to overcome stigma and systemic challenges.
You are a breath of fresh air. My lungs have opened completely after reading your post.
So i have a couple of questions:
At work, i experience hardships. I am provided simple instructions and i just never get it right the first time. Even after repeating back. Sometimes, i just don't see it or i think i do and i then i realize, oh no, I am far off in China somewhere.
How does one receive information in a way to truly understand and convince your adhd brain to stay focused. Also, how would one measure the outline of the project? measure progress? Timeline? Execution? IN an ADHD brain.
Anything you could suggest or ANYONE could please suggest.
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adult Dad with ADHD who has tried stimulant meds for the last time!
Recently diagnosed & started meds
Adderall
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