What are the hidden dangers of ADHD medications?

Can ADHD meds be harmful?

The right ADHD medication can make life much easier for children and adults who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD). But ADHD medications can also make things worse and cause severe side effects, including headaches, sleep problems, and a blunted appetite.

Why you shouldn't take meds for ADHD?

Despite the widespread belief that medications for ADHD are relatively safe, the research says otherwise. The research demonstrates that your child will likely have a side effect from the medication. Side effects range from reduced eating and growth, irritability, rage, and personality changes to psychotic behaviors.

Are there long term effects of ADHD medication?

There is evidence that taking ADHD medications, which can suppress a child's appetite, can affect a child's physical development. Several studies in the last 10 years show that children on medication for as little as 3 years are behind other kids by as much as an inch in height and 6 pounds in weight.

Why is there a stigma around ADHD medication?

People may mistrust best practice guidelines around ADHD, including medications that experts often recommend. And parents sometimes decline to pursue diagnosis and treatment for their children. They may be hesitant because they feel some treatments could affect a child's growth.

Long Term Effects of ADHD Medication

Does ADHD medication affect social skills?

Medication produces direct changes in the executive function of the brain and may therefore help children with ADHD more reliably use newly acquired social skills. Researchers have also added components to social skills training that help children with ADHD reliably apply what they have learned in various settings.

Why Is ADHD a controversial disorder?

ADHD has been a subject of great controversy and debate. A number of people who have been diagnosed with the syndrome—some of them psychologists and psychiatrists—have challenged the notion that personality traits such as inattentiveness, impulsivity, and distractibility deserve the label symptoms.

How can I control ADHD without medication?

Can you take Adderall for life?

Long-term use of Adderall could lead to addiction, heart problems, slowed growth in children, or mental health issues.

Can ADHD meds make behavior worse?

Mood changes

But there is a small subset of kids with ADHD who seem to get moody and irritable when they take stimulant medications, even if we have the best possible dose. It usually happens right away, as soon as they start taking the medication, and goes away immediately when they stop taking it.

Is it worth taking medication 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.

When should you not take ADHD medication?

It might be time to stop the meds if: Your child has been symptom-free for more than a year while on medication. Their symptoms have improved without a dose increase. They missed a few doses but didn't have any symptoms.

Is ADHD considered to be a disability?

Yes. Whether you view attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as neurological — affecting how the brain concentrates or thinks — or consider ADHD as a disability that impacts working, there is no question that the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers individuals with ADHD.

Does ADHD medication change your personality in adults?

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.

What is the most effective treatment for ADHD?

Stimulants are the best-known and most widely used ADHD medications. Between 70-80% of children with ADHD have fewer ADHD symptoms when taking these fast-acting medications.

What does it feel like to be on ADHD medication?

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.

Does Adderall age your skin?

Stimulants, such as Adderall, can also cause dry skin, which can make your skin appear worn out and aged. Another possible reason your skin is not looking as healthy as before is because Adderall can reduce your appetite, which can lead to not getting enough of the proper nutrients.

Does Adderall cause hair loss?

Hair loss is an uncommon but possible side effect of taking Adderall. People who experience hair loss or other concerning side effects while taking Adderall should seek medical advice. A doctor may recommend lowering the dosage or switching to another treatment, such as behavior therapy or an alternative medication.

Can Adderall cause permanent damage?

Chronic central nervous system stimulation from Adderall use can cause potentially long-term effects, including the following: Damage to nerve cells. Seizures. Psychosis.

What is a natural alternative to ADHD medication?

Iron, Zinc, and Vitamins C and B6 for ADHD

Vitamin C is a building block of neurotransmitters, while iron and vitamin B6 increase dopamine levels. Zinc regulates dopamine, and may help treat ADHD symptoms in some children when used with conventional medication and treatments.

What does severe ADHD look like in adults?

Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger. Adult ADHD symptoms may include: Impulsiveness.

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.

Who is the most famous person with ADHD?

1- Michael Jordan: He is known as the greatest basketball player of all time. Yet, he was never completely content with what he had achieved and he always tried to discover himself, which is also considered a common symptom of ADHD.

What is the biological reason for ADHD?

Biological: ADHD is associated with the way certain neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain that help control behavior) work, especially dopamine and norepinephrine, and this difference causes changes in two different attentional networks of the brain — the default network, associated with automatic attention and the ...

What are the stigmas around ADHD?

Why does ADHD carry a stigma? Despite evidence to the contrary, many people still don't believe that ADHD is a bona fide medical condition. They see it as an excuse for sloppiness or laziness. The fact that ADHD symptoms appear to come and go, depending on the situation, only feeds the doubters' contempt.