ADHD and the Eight Fold Path: The Mental Truths Part Three: Right Medication

There is so much discussion surrounding medication for people with ADHD. There are those who think medication should be the first line of treatment. There are other who think it's wrong to utilize medication, especially in children and teens, and advocate for a drug free approach. There is the usual collection of fringe types who insist that meds are not really effective and it's the pharmaceutical companies who are pushing this method of treatment. Finally, there is still a vestige of moral guilt on our parts that seems to whisper: "you're taking the easy way out by swallowing a pill. You should have the moral fiber to overcome your problems without medicating yourself."

As with any discussion that is charged with emotion and tinged with feelings of guilt, the decision whether or not to take medications for ADHD is not an easy one. But I urge you to hear me out on this; don't let emotion drive your decisions. Don't be cowed by the often times ill informed opinions of family and friends. Take a deep breath and consider the situation through calm, rational eyes. Remove the emotion from the process. Here is what we know:

1. Treating symptoms of ADHD with stimulant medications has been going on for quite a long time. It was first tried in 1937, and had such immediate and excellent results that it has continued to be used (albeit with better more advanced formulations) ever since. Think about that for a moment. We have been using stimulants to treat symptoms of ADHD for almost as long as we've been using antibiotics.

2. Clinical research and patient data show that approximately 90% of those who use medication to treat ADHD symptoms experience improvement in performance.

3. Use of medication in conjunction with other modes of treatment (Therapy, Diet and lifestyle changes, Coaching, etc) enhances the effectiveness of the other interventions.

Right Medication for ADHD is the decision made after careful consultation with qualified health care professionals. A person may decide to forgo medication all together, or they may decide to try it and see what works. Regardless of the decision, Medications must be evaluated as a key element of any treatment plan. You wouldn't deny a diabetic insulin, or a child with strep throat antibiotics because you "don't believe in giving kids drugs". Don't deny your child or yourself the opportunity for relief from the symptoms of ADHD out of ignorance. Educate yourself on the options and make an informed decision.