Do ADHD medications harm the brain after long-term use? Research reveals that long-term ADHD medication use changes the brain – and that all of these changes are clearly positive. ADHD medications are highly effective, both in the short-term and over decades, without any serious or long-term adverse effects.
You'll have to keep taking ADHD medication to manage your symptoms. In addition, up to 50% of children with ADHD will continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. If you have found a medication that helps you manage your symptoms, it may be helpful to keep taking it throughout your life.
Doctors haven't seen any negative long-term effects from using ADHD meds. There's some debate about whether the medication might start to work less well over time. If this happens, it likely means your child will have to adjust their dose.
ADHD is a common neuropsychiatric disorder with a strong persistence over time. Medication is frequently used in the clinical management of ADHD. After response, medication is typically prescribed for months to years.
If you choose to take medication for ADHD, that doesn't mean you have to stay on it forever. Although it isn't safe to bounce off and on any drug repeatedly, you can safely decide to stop treating your ADHD with medication if things aren't going well.
In general, ADHD doesn't get worse with age. Some adults may also outgrow their symptoms. But this is not the case for everyone.
If left untreated, ADHD can lead to problems with productivity, interpersonal relationships, and further mental health problems. Untreated ADHD in adults can also lead to problems with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
Long-term studies have demonstrated that methylphenidate is safe and effective, so these medications are popular choices. Methylphenidate is used in a range of different long-acting medications. Short-acting forms are also available.
ADHD is often a lifelong condition, whose presentation evolves across development. Fortunately, about 1/3 of children no longer have disabling symptoms by adulthood and show relatively unimpaired functioning.
“If you stop on the weekends, you basically start over on Monday,” he says. A person's body adjusts to the medication over the course of the first few months and side effects can lessen or disappear after that time.
Studies show working memory is less effective in children and adults who have ADHD than in those who don't. Long-term memory. People with ADHD often don't do well on tests of long-term memory.
The largest review ever of ADHD patient brain scans was carried out at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre and published in 2018. Parts of the ADHD brain mature at a slower pace (approximately one to three years) and never reach the maturity of a person who does not have ADHD.
Memory problems such as forgetfulness and poor working memory are linked to ADHD. People with ADHD may have difficulty encoding and processing information in their working memory, which may lead to problems with long-term memory.
Living with ADHD is about monitoring your symptoms and actively working toward finding what works best for you. With the right support and treatment, you can create a life that allows you to reach your greatest potential.
You can have a successful life with ADHD; however, like anything else, it will present challenges. But there are positive aspects of ADHD. And when you can see these as benefits, resources, skills or strategies you can begin to use it to overcome many challenges.
“Nobody has perfect memory… but for [people with ADHD], it's extreme. They feel like they're lost all the time,” Almagor said. He believes this is why people don't take ADHD seriously. “I think that's why some people don't respect the severity of what [a person with ADHD] can experience,” he said.
ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.
Stimulant alternatives to Adderall include Ritalin, Concerta and Daytrana (methylphenidate); Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine); and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine). Nonstimulant alternatives to Adderall include Strattera (atomoxetine), Intuniv (Guanfacine) and Kapvay (clonidine).
Untreated ADHD makes focusing, remembering details, and controlling impulses harder. It can feel like you're swimming upstream against a strong current. You can make progress, but it takes a lot of time and effort. ADHD is also linked to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.
Stimulants are believed to work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement. For many people with ADHD, stimulant medications boost concentration and focus while reducing hyperactive and impulsive behaviors.
“In evaluating the health consequences of ADHD over time, we found that ADHD adversely affects every aspect of quality of life and longevity. This is due to the inherent deficiencies in self-regulation associated with ADHD that lead to poor self-care and impulsive, high-risk behavior.
Physical and mental health problems.
The symptoms of ADHD can contribute to a variety of health problems, including compulsive eating, substance abuse, anxiety, chronic stress and tension, and low self-esteem.
If you or your child has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it's important to seek treatment. If you think you or your child has ADHD but you haven't been diagnosed, ask a doctor for their opinion, in case treatment is needed. Untreated ADHD can cause problems throughout life.