Does an ADHD Diagnosis Require Medication?

With modern medicine has come a reliance on medications that can do everything from elevating our moods to preventing blood clots. That said, while medications can be very beneficial, they’re often not the only way to tackle a health issue.

For the millions of Americans with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this has become a leading question: Are medications the only way to successfully manage this common neurodevelopmental disorder? 

And we include the more than 6 million children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, as well as the more than 15 million adults who are living with the condition in this discussion.

For answers, we turn to our team of multi-speciality providers at LaSante Health Center, including our behavioral health experts, who have considerable experience helping patients of all ages to navigate the world of ADHD. Here’s what we’ve learned.

ADHD affects people differently

The first thing to understand about ADHD is that no two people follow the same path and display the same symptoms. That said, there are some similarities and common symptoms, such as:

• Lack of focus
• Inability to follow directions all the way through
• Challenges with organizational skills
• Distractability
• Trouble staying still
• Impulsive behaviors

The last two on this list are part of the hyperactivity component, and they’re usually more noticeable in children than adults because many adults have learned to control their hyperactivity over time.

Our point in bringing this up is that there’s no single treatment path, as ADHD can affect people differently, and the impact of ADHD can change with age.

The role of ADHD medications

In many cases, medications can prove to be very useful in managing the symptoms of ADHD. This is an important distinction — medications are for managing ADHD, not curing it.

ADHD medications work by stimulating the neurotransmitter activity in your brain to help you focus and block out distractions.

There are different types of ADHD medications, including:

• Stimulants, both fast-acting and extended release
• Nonstimulants, including norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists
• Antidepressants

Stimulants are, by far, the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD and have an impressive track record for helping people to better manage their lives.

Nonmedical treatment of ADHD

If you opt for medications, they are usually only a piece in the overall ADHD treatment puzzle. There are other, nonpharmaceutical treatments for ADHD, including:

• Behavior management interventions, especially in kids
• Behavioral training, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and neurofeedback
• Physical activity

These therapies focus on positive skill building, and they train patients, both young and old, to work around the noise of ADHD. 

Choosing the right treatment path for ADHD

Treating ADHD is highly personal, and we collaborate with parents, kids, and adults to find the best approach for each patient. 

If you don’t like the idea of medications, we’re happy to work with you on the other therapies that we mentioned above. In fact, studies have shown that starting with nonpharmaceutical strategies first before turning to medications can be successful.

That said, if you want to try medications right away, there’s benefit to that, too, especially if these medications are used in combination with behavioral therapies.

Bear in mind that finding the right ADHD treatment can take time, so patience is key as we explore what works best for you or your child.

To sit down with one of our behavioral health experts to explore ADHD treatment options, you can start by calling our Brooklyn, New York, clinic at 718-487-9707 or using our online booking tool to set up an appointment. We also offer convenient telehealth appointments for ADHD care.

Our team proudly serves the Flatbush and East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Little Haiti, Little Caribbean, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens communities.