Experts discuss both sides of the conversation about ADHD medication, See also: Supplements
There several options in creating an ADD treatment plan. Working with the healthcare provider, you can decide on one of serveral options that exist for your child’s or your own plan.
Dr. Margaret H. Sibley discusses what to do if you’re interested in a supplementary or alternative ADHD treatment you have learned about online.
Samuele Cortese, MD, PhD discusses types of useful medication available and the importance of clinicians and patients working together to find the “sweet spot” that allows the right medication, at the right dose, to provide the maximum benefit as part of a treatment plan.
Good sleep practice has an impact on daytime executive function. And nutrition is related to weight gain problems and other physical conditions. So sharing healthy meals can also help parents address some of their children’s symptoms and make family life go a little more smoothly.
Self-care strategies can play an important role in supporting ADHD treatment and managing symptoms. Samuele Cortese, MD, PhD points to habits such as good sleep hygiene, regular exercise, stress management, ADHD coaching, therapy, and a balanced diet. These can all help a person address ADHD symptoms and strengthen treatment approaches. We are coming to a better understanding of how these self-care strategies are beneficial.
Medications and non-medication, often lifestyle, approaches have their roles to play in a treatment plan for ADHD. Often, the two approaches support one another, making each more affective. Samuele Cortese, MD, PhD discusses the roles of both.
Unlike illegal drugs, prescription stimulants are effective and safe treatments for many people with ADHD. However, people taking stimulants should be carefully monitored for signs of abuse and dependence.
A number of single nutrients have been tried to treat ADHD but apart from the omega 3 fatty acids, this approach has been largely unsuccessful. Research that combines minerals and vitamins at higher doses has been shown to be more powerful at managing ADHD symptoms in the long term than any single nutrients alone.
The medications used to treat ADHD reduce the symptoms of the disorder and many functional outcomes: delinquency, substance abuse, criminality and suicidality. They can cause unwanted side effects but, for most patients, these side effects can be controlled by reducing the dose or changing medications.
FACT: The therapeutic use of stimulant medications for ADHD prevents addiction