Is it worth taking medication for ADHD?

Not everyone with ADHD needs medicine. But medicine can help most people with ADHD stay focused longer, listen better, and fidget less. People also benefit from therapy to learn and practice skills like staying organized, managing schoolwork, or dealing with stress. Medicine isn't a shortcut to mastering these skills.

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Is medication a good idea for ADHD?

Medications are the first line of treatment for ADHD. Studies have shown they're effective for about 80% of children with the condition. But you may be worried about the side effects of the medication or want to avoid taking them for another reason. For many people, behavior therapy is an appropriate option.

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Is it better to treat ADHD without medication?

People with ADHD can be effectively treated without drugs, improving brain dysregulation and help optimize brain function, leading to a reduction and/or resolution of symptoms and improved quality of life.

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Can you live with ADHD without medication?

Lifestyle changes. Healthy living may also help children with ADHD — as well as everyone else — maintain their focus. And unlike medication, it's free. Exercise is one powerful intervention, says Matthew B.

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Is medication necessary for ADHD in adults?

Most adults with ADHD will need to keep taking medications, but some will be able to stop. Your doctor may suggest: Going off the meds once a year to see if you still need them.

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Why Stimulant Medication Helps ADHD -- and How Stigma Can Hurt

18 related questions found

What happens if you don't medicate for ADHD?

Untreated ADHD can cause problems throughout life. People with ADHD tend to be impulsive and have short attention spans, which can make it harder to succeed in school, at work, in relationships, and in other aspects of life.

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What happens if you don't take medication for ADHD?

He says that some patients who stop stimulant drugs report a little more fatigue during the daytime. That said, they might sleep more soundly at night. Some suddenly feel ravenously hungry. Shifts in energy and focus tend to even out after a day or two.

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Does caffeine help ADHD?

Answer: Using caffeine, either in a drink or in an over-the-counter preparation, is not recommended by medical experts as a treatment for ADHD. Although some studies have shown that caffeine may improve concentration in adults with ADHD, it is not as effective as medication.

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Is ADHD a form of mental illness?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children.

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Why is ADHD hard to live with?

ADHD can make you forgetful and distracted. You're also likely to have trouble with time management because of your problems with focus. All of these symptoms can lead to missed due dates for work, school, and personal projects.

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How can I calm my ADHD brain without medication?

Exercise helps the ADHD brain function more effectively and efficiently. One well-known benefit of exercise is an increase in endorphins, which can improve mood. Exercise also elevates the brain's levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which increases focus and attention.

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What can I take instead of ADHD medication?

Alternative treatments for ADHD include elimination diets, supplementation with omega-3s, parent training, exercise, yoga and meditation, neurofeedback, and memory training.

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What does being on ADHD medication feel like?

If your medication is working, you'll notice less impulsivity — both physical and verbal. You will interrupt people or jump out of your seat less often. You'll notice that your thoughts are less impulsive, too.

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Can ADHD medication make things worse?

Can ADHD meds make ADHD worse? ADHD medications can have side effects that can make dealing with the condition more difficult, including headache, sleep problems, and low appetite. Some, like Adderall, can cause anxiety, irritability, or anger when prescribed at the incorrect dosage.

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What do ADHD meds do to your personality?

As long as the dosage is correct, the medication should not affect your personality or sense of humor. What it will do is curb your hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. An excessively high dose could temporarily “flatten” your personality, causing you to seem unusually quiet or withdrawn.

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Is ADHD considered a disability in Australia?

ADHD: a disabling condition

It is recognized as a disability under the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act.

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Is ADHD developed or are you born with it?

ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.

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What is the root of ADHD?

Causes of ADHD

Recent studies link genetic factors with ADHD. In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including: Brain injury. Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age.

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Why do stimulants calm ADHD?

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.

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How do you get tested for ADHD?

If you are concerned about whether a child might have ADHD, the first step is to talk with a healthcare provider to find out if the symptoms fit the diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist, or by a primary care provider, like a pediatrician.

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How does coffee make ADHD people feel?

How does caffeine affect ADHD? The effects of caffeine consumption on ADHD remain largely anecdotal. The stimulant calms some people, while increasing anxiety in others. However, many parents and adults with ADHD, (and some studies) report light to moderate caffeine use as a way to help boost focus and concentration.

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What happens if ADHD is left undiagnosed?

Adults who have ADHD but do not know it are at much higher risk than the general population for serious problems. Mood disorders, extreme sadness, and anxiety often occur when ADHD goes undiagnosed. Even if these conditions are are treated, the underlying problem, if left untreated, leads to other problems.

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What does it feel like to take ADHD meds without ADHD?

In people who don't have ADHD, because Adderall produces an excess amount of dopamine, users may experience feelings of euphoria and increased energy levels, as well as possible dangerous physical and emotional side effects.

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Can ADHD get worse if untreated?

However, adult ADHD often goes untreated. Untreated ADHD can lead to impairments in functioning. Treatments for adult ADHD, including medication and psychotherapy, are effective at improving quality of life.

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Does undiagnosed ADHD get worse with age?

Can Your ADHD Get Worse as You Age? ADHD is a developmental disorder that's typically diagnosed during childhood. While the symptoms of ADHD may change with age, this condition often persists into adulthood. Rather than intensifying with age, ADHD tends to improve, especially with ongoing treatment and management.

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