Why Use Medications to Manage ADHD?

[@jimwilliams3816]

Thank you for addressing the matter of psychotherapy interventions and side effects. As you note, anything that alters brain functioning can have upsides and downsides, and this includes coping strategies that individuals implement subconsciously and on their own. I eventually realized that I have long leveraged my anxiety to moderate my inattention. It has worked, but at a cost. Being terrified that I will lock my keys in my car keeps it from happening, but at the cost of further strengthening my overactive fear response. The thing that people often miss regarding psychological modification is that neuroplasticity via behavioral retraining likely works best if problematic neural patterns are a result of learned behaviors in the first place. If an individual has weak executive functioning by design, cognitive interventions are presumably less effective. The “old fart” analogy I sometimes use is trying to get an older auto to start by correct use of the gas pedal. Technique mattered back then, but even so, if there was water in the tank you were unlikely to get the engine to catch, even with impeccable skill. What was needed was to add dry gas to the tank. So I cannot emphasize this enough: it can be deeply frustrating for those of us with executive dysfunction to try and modify our behavior through cognitive adjustments alone. Sometimes, implementing good technique is difficult or impossible without the ADHD equivalent of dry gas. And the worst thing another person can do when we are struggling is to imply that our difficulties are no different than anyone else’s, and that our problems therefore constitute moral failure. THAT is a cognitive and behavioral modification of the very worst kind.

[@projectpiano5231]

@@jimwilliams3816 Wow, I didn't realize why I had resistance to CBT techniques but I think this might account for literally the majority of it. The price is invisible and the price is also normal to me so I became used to not even thinking of expressing it/I just didn't consciously know why I had resistance. It's because it reinforces unhealthy coping mechanisms that exist already. I always rationalized it as my brain having really good pattern recognition and needing to get to the root cause which I think is true and not mutually exclusive I guess lol. I notice many ways that Adderall has eased that for me (and some ways that it's reinforced unhealthy mechanisms because I'm more patient on Adderall).

[@chusna.ummusyifa]

7 years taking medication for my 11 yo boy, its really help him to progress as fast as his pace. In this year, he show incredible functional in cognitive, behaviour, communication and social skill 🥰. The key is take the medication as prescribed, discipline behaviour, and family affection. ❤❤ And what dr russell says in this video is totally informative. Can't wait for next video 😍

[@LucarioBoricua]

I'd say one overlooked aspect is that, in cases of high severity / greater impairment ADHD, learning skills and adjustment will be oppressively difficult to apply--there's not enough executive function to learn these for this portion of the patient population. In better masked and usually less severe cases, the meds can help counteract exhaustion and frustration related to maladaptive or ineffective coping mechanisms. Now I do want to see an informed explanation of reasons against the use of medication: - Intolerable side effects, which may be greater than the gains in executive function for some patients. - Bad interactions with mental health conditions that can worsen with increased dopamine and/or norepinephrine concentrations in the brain (ex. inducing mania in bipolar disorder, or inducing psychotic episodes). - Some people experience decreased efficacy as they habituate to their dosage over time. - ADHD stimulant medications are controlled substances, often subject to very strict regulations. Access to them is subject to shortages, limited amounts prescribed per refill (more executive function challenges to access them), potential occupational or legal problems if detected in drug tests and not justified, or even countries which prohibit the medical use of some or all of them, which can impact people who travel internationally. - Excess dependence on the medications can lull the patients into a sense of convenience, such that they don't develop healthy adaptations for themselves to do things and behave appropriately when they're not feeling the effects of the medications. It can also lead to bad days if the person skips a dose without meaning to. - Stimulants tend to have an appetite suppression effect, which can be problematic for growth (in children) and nutrition of people who tend to be more lightweight. It can also lead to insufficient executive function if the person isn't feeding themselves adequately. - Certain professions discriminate against people who use these medications for their self-management, so it can interfere with occupational opportunities. - Formulations that use fancy delivery systems can be quite expensive, think of Concerta (OROS pill / osmotic pump pill) or Vyvanse / Elvanse (prodrug that breaks down into the active compound).

[@lizsaskia]

I've been on Elvanse for about a year now, and I've found it incredibly helpful - basically I always wake up with a brain fog and within an hour of taking it my head clears like the fog has lifted. My attention is better, my memory had improved, and I am much more motivated to do things. The main problems I have had are supply, as if I run out, I have now lost my ability to compensate for not having it. So where I used to manage to think fairly well because of extreme anxiety helping me to remember things or motivate me to do things, I now have a complete brain fog and lack of motivation all day if I don't have it. I have also had some side effects when taking it - insomnia improved after a few weeks, dry mouth improved by taking electrolytes, but I've had awful constipation which I can't seem to fix despite several lifestyle and diet changes. I really don't want to have to reduce my dosage as it works so well for me, but I might have to if I don't want to spend the rest of my life taking laxatives!

[@bomcimtube]

how does it affect your sleep?

[@lizsaskia]

@@bomcimtube had a bit of trouble sleeping to start with but was fine after a few weeks.

[@lizsaskia]

@@mdp_lady Thanks - I do already add Chia seeds to my porridge in the morning, plus I drink prune juice twice a day and eat prunes and bananas as snacks. Struggling to think of what else I can add in to help!

[@deecee7042]

My GI doctor told me to start taking magnesium in the evening. It has helped me

[@mrjohncrumpton]

My doctor told me you need to take it with protein in the morning, IE a protein shake. Seems like there is a good supply ATM in the UK

[@mariannaark5899]

I feel very lucky that of all the things I was diagnosed with it's ADHD that stuck/caused them. As u say it's very treatable and medication makes a day and night difference in ways I cannot yet put into words and doesn't compare to treatments for other conditions I had/was told I had.

[@issy0613]

Thank you very much for your videos, Dr Barkley (and, of course, all of your many years of research conducted since way before I was born!). You feel like my mentor and guide in helping me understand my new identity of having ADHD (and accepting the death of my old identity as neurotypical). It's also reassuring and relieving to watch online content about ADHD that is factual and based on science, rather than misinformation.

[@HowndsOfDoom]

Actually, my psychiatrist has said the very same thing about brain connection repair after several years of stimulant use! Cool.

[@si7len9cio13]

Takk!

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

this was very kind of you to do. sorry for the belated thanks. I appreciate your support.

[@amandadeoliveira770]

Thanks for so much doc ❤ After years of studying and talking to different professonals, you were the only one with the detailed information that o need

[@mohamedelfatih9826]

Thank you for the dedication you put on this issue. Waiting for the next part

[@Magicme79]

I’ve been on European Ritalin since January. I was diagnosed at 44, and had no idea that I had ADHD or even what ADHD really was for most of my life. It’s working great, but it dries out my mouth so I take a week off, here and there, when I get tired of dealing with that. I’m noticing that me au natural isn’t as bad as it was before medication. I can still get things done. It does require extra mental effort, so I do start to feel much more tired after a while. Then I know that my medication break is over 😊

[@md82892]

Don’t worry I had the same dry mouth the first couple of months, now it’s ok. Just chew sugar free gum and sip water during day and hold on for a couple of months

[@Magicme79]

@@md82892I’m not sure it’s going away. It’s been quite a while and I’ve only recently started taking the odd break.

[@projectpiano5231]

My takeaways: "Behavioral therapies don't generalize across environments, medications do" "Behavioral therapy depends on when, where, and by whom they're implemented (e.g. a teacher implementing, caregiver, ...)" "Medications work when caregivers aren't present" "Stimulants in some cases may improve brain growth in areas affected by ADHD" "It's cheaper across the same span of time [caveit being that medication may be used for years and therapy may be used for only weeks or months]" (sorry if I misparaphrased anything)

[@Haydezzz]

Incredibly informative as always, thank you

[@Mindyours5512]

Side effects: Major mood swings or "Come downs" as some parents report. They also stunt growth. Others report that they "zombify" their children.

[@pauljb07]

So far Adderall and Wellbutrin combo has helped so much

[@MeadowgreenStudio]

As always, very informative, useful, and interesting...thank you!

[@ashleyboots3386]

I've done CBT, DBT, talk therapy, organization planning, stimulant medication, etc etc etc And nothing NOTHING Has worked anywhere near as effectively as the Strattera I started just over a month ago

[@mariannaark5899]

I've had some exceptional therapists who have helped me a ton but correct medication is leaps and bounds ahead. All this time people have been trying to explain to be how to swim without ever putting me into water or like they've been using a secret third robotic arm to do things, which I lack. But poof, a certain pill and I finally wow I am in water so I can use what they've been telling me instead of flailing on the floor. And I thought they were lying about that robotic arm but now I have it too and I can just do things.

[@Finkeldinken]

@@ashleyboots3386 It's so interesting how different we all respond to different meds to help the same symptoms - my mood and EF completely tanks on Atomoxetine/Straterra, I get extreme side effects and sleep issues on Ritalin, Wellbutrin was the closest I've ever been to psychosis and Elvanse works super well for me with very manageable side effects. Just goes to show that it is worth to keep trying! I'm so glad Straterra works so well for you - I am looking for great stories about non-stimulants for ADHD to share with a friend of mine who has lost hope and momentum after learning that she can't start stimulants because of a heart condition. Thank you for sharing! 💝

[@TheDavveponken]

you will notice the negative effects soon enough

[@TheDavveponken]

@SamHadfield-yv3kg Likely nerve damage to the central nervous system, causing sensory blunting, cognitive, emotional and sexual dysfunction. Development of cardio-vascular disease, alzheimers, parkinsons and premature death. Don't mess with neurotransmittors. It's a delicate system and there are no biomarkers to even suggest adhd, especially not during diagnosing. Your brain can regulate itself better than any drug can. It's not broken. You just are neglecting your health or mental health. Take care of yourself. Create boundaries. Relax. I was injured myself and after two years I am still suffering.

[@tati9867]

Can you make a video explaining the "crash" from stimulants? It's so disorienting.

[@ay_U_K_Buddy]

Thanks for great video. Also thanks for the transparency!

[@samlee9401]

I wish I could take medication fpr my ADHD. I had to stop because a medical illness got way worse and left me with horrible side effects. I feel robbed of a real chance to manage my life better, especially because my neurologists told me, therapy (pscychotherapy) would be pointless without medication. I don't know if it is true but I guess I can see his point. Changing ADHD caused behaviour without medication is incredibly hard, if not impossible.

[@littlefrosty9793]

Sorry to hear about your specific situation. Although I'm not a health expert, I would still recommend at giving psychotherapy a try if you have the resources. Research has shown that psychotherapy is significantly effective for treating ADHD but not as effective as stimulants. So you could potentially still benefit from a psychotherapy session.

[@Finkeldinken]

@@samlee9401 How many different ADHD medications have you tried? I think some doctors only count Ritalin and then just give up on their patient if they can't take that. As someone who had to go 15 years without meds at one point, I understand your feeling of being robbed, but while talk therapy may not be your best hope right now, I really can recommend if you can get access to a more "hands on" kind of coach who knows ADHD. I have one that comes to my house and helps me identify and plan and catch up on practical things sometimes. It is not medication, but it is external structure, or what Russel would call "prosthetic environment" and over time it can really help. That + the right medication is even better, but don't count out a good ADHD coach just yet. 🦄💕

[@littlebumgorf]

There are different types of ADHD meds too. One might not work but another might.

[@HowndsOfDoom]

Incredibly interesting!!! Side effects of psycho therapy!! A video please???

[@jimwilliams3816]

I’d like to hear more about that too. I can tell you that a lot of autistic people feel that they were damaged by CBT, and the most common cite is that they felt they were being told that the problem with bad experiences was that their view of them was wrong, that it was dysphoric and all them. It would often be likened to gaslighting.

[@ErnestPiffel]

I love my meds 😊❤

[@tati9867]

Medication, especialy Vyvanse, helps, but the crash makes me so miserable. It's like I become a different person.

[@NummyScrum]

I got prescribed adderal and it took a year from my life to being a zombie in high school. Ruined relationships ect. Scared to try another.

[@guapocat203]

So sorry to hear that. The path to healthcare that is a good fit for us can be scary and lonely sometimes. Adderall has been life changing for me, but it took decades and going through many poor-fitting solutions for me to get there. Wishing you all the best on finding what fits best for you.

[@inkkrkn]

Consider a non stimulant . Intuniv changed my life. Stimulants at any dosage have me intense jaw clench, intuniv didn't. Maybe a few days of being tired but amazing results after a month.

[@Finkeldinken]

I am so sorry! That is not okay - you are NOT supposed to feel like that on central stimulants, and I am really mad at your behalf that the person writing your prescriptions did not catch that! I have had a really bad experiences with medication in my life time, and for what it's worth; this is my advice to you: The doctor is what you want to pay more attention to. The proper ones will be super on top of your side effects and keep taking your welfare VERY seriously. The right doctor is the path to the right medication and dose for you. If you are struggling, I hope you don't give up on meds just yet - I had almost two years of trial and error after many years off any kind of medication, but we finally stick the landing, with almost zero side effects. Best of luck if you give meds another go - and of not, I hope you find other tools that better your QOL! ❤

[@dawnwolfe6541]

Strattera and Prozac did that to me. I've been taking Adderall for 3 years now with great success. Everyone is different, don't give up! Keep trying different meds until you find the one that works for you. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 52 and didn't start medication until I was 60. Don't wait. My life would have been so much better if I had started earlier.

[@viniciusscala7324]

My main question regarding ADHD medication is: how is it possible to use it for life since it causes tolerance? The way I see it, it will get to a point where the needed dosage for the expected effect will be just to high

[@psychitsjames5302]

Also curious about this

[@KF75411]

I don't know how common that is. But a break should help lower your tolerance if that happens to you. The doctors that do that usually just recommend 2-3 weeks breaks around 3 times a year or so. I have only been taking meds for 6 months. The stimulating "everything is OK" phase lasted just a few days, the really high motivation lasted a month or 2, but I think these are not the primary purposes for the meds. What is consistently helping is my anxious/ADHD overwhelm has been great on the same very low dose this whole time. We are all so different though. I'm still not 100% convinced that I have the right diagnosis. All I know is that these are the first meds that halve helped me in any appreciable way and it seems to be lasting.

[@QuantPsychNZ]

Hi Russell, Is there any research that suggests stimulants can make symptoms (e.g., processing speed/working memory) worse for some people? Perhaps if the dose is too high? - I have heard this in clinical settings but not found research to support as yet. Thank you

[@gabriellawaldi]

The biggest downside of my ADHD-med is that I have to ditch coffee for the day - fortunaly I don't have side-effects. The upsides are too many to list here; the biggest. Thank you Dr. Barkley

[@P.08]

I still drink my coffee ( can't live without it). The first day I took my meds and coffee it gave me a horrible anxiety and palpitations, then from the next day I took propranolol then had my coffee n meds, after afew days i knocked propranolol out but of course I drink less coffee than before ( max 2 cups per morning ). Maybe you can ask your doctor if its okay for you to try the same or something similar

[@neithere]

​@@P.08 is this only about simulants or atomoxetin too?

[@P.08]

@neithere its a beta blocker, so it works in any situation by reducing heart rate, blood pressure so it basically reduces body anxiety. They use it off label for anxiety. But again check with ur doctor if it's suitable for you to try :)

[@neithere]

@@P.08 thank you! I was mostly referring to the situation when coffee is incompatible with meds and this thing becomes helpful - does any kind of meds lead to this?

[@P.08]

@@neithere sorry I couldn't follow, does any kinda meds lead to what ? :)

[@BladeAustralia]

After a few days of meditation, past trauma is unleashed. After dozens of attempts meditating, I stopped. Instead, taking Modafinil allows me to manage instusive thoughts and prevent rumination.

[@OMG_BeCkY]

I'm dying to try a stimulant medication but I don't feel like risking a stroke or heart attack. That's...kind of a big deal.

[@inkkrkn]

Pretty minimal chance if your doctor takes proper precautions and does tests to make sure you're safe to use. Then you have non stimulants that don't have that risk.

[@TheDavveponken]

don't take it. It will do nothing for you and the cognitive, emotional and sexual dysfunction lasts after stopping...

[@Rogerseegren271]

Psychedelics definitely have potential to deal with mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, I would like to try them again but it's just so hard to source out here

[@WalterFair130]

I’ve been researching on psychedelics and it’s benefits to individuals dealing with Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and from my findings, they really work and I’ve been eager to get some for a while but its been difficult to get my hands on them.

[@CarmenOrtiz440]

The Trips I've been having really helped me a lot. I’m now able to meditate and I finally feel in control of my emotions and my future and things that used to be mundane to me now seem incredible and full of nuance on top of that I'm way less driven by my ego and I have alot more empathy as well

[@RicardoSilva12299]

I was having this constant, unbearable anxiety due to work stress. Not until I came across a very intelligent mycologist. He saved my life honestly

[@AnaSolano190]

​@@CarmenOrtiz440 I feel the same way too. I put too much on my plate and it definitely affects my stress and anxiety levels. I am also glad to be a part of this community.

[@JamesFJohnson]

​@@RicardoSilva12299Does he deliver to various locations?

[@littlefrosty9793]

Thank you Dr.Barkley for the presentation. I want to ask, how did researchers determine that it was specifically the stimulant that led to the improvement in growth in certain regions of the brain? And can you provide references to the research please.

[@iliyanovslounge]

You can find references in the International Consensus Statement on ADHD (Faraone et al., Sept 2021), which concluded: "Meta-analyses and systematic reviews show that the medications used to treat ADHD are not associated with observed deficits in brain structure (Hoogman et al., 2017, 2019; Lukito et al., 2020; Norman et al., 2016; Spencer et al., 2013), *but with improved brain development and functioning, most prominently in inferior frontal and striatal regions* (Hart et al., 2013; Lukito et al., 2020; Norman et al., 2016; Rubia et al., 2014; Spencer et al., 2013)."

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

The topic of neuroprotection is covered in my lectures here on that topic and some references are in the description. You can find more of them using Google scholar as your browser and ADHD and neuroprotection as search terms.

[@JaredMurray-w2o]

Is there any information regarding taking a stimulant while also having epilepsy? Is there any evidence based material that stimulants increase seizure activity? And should medication be taken daily, including weekends/non school days particularly for the neuro protection effects down the line?

[@jrod7929]

Tried a bunch of medication. Low dose, higher dose, short acting, long acting. Did it "work"? Sure. While the effects lasted. Everything wears off eventually, and then brings your neurochemistry lower than befofe. Just living life like a zombie, one dose to another. Hated it. Most effective treatments for myself? Eating right, SLEEP (huge), working out consistently. More impactful regime than anything.

[@tomh5094]

The eating sleeping and exercise isn't effecting the adhd. It's separate. That doesn't mean it doesn't help but it's not helping by doing anything to the adhd. You can just compensate better for it when your body is healthier. If you were a zombie your dose was most likely wrong or else you were one of the % that can't take them. It doesn't mean they don't work.

[@quartamile]

What prevent of people experience neurro growth over years, how is that measured, and is it safe to take the rest of my life without consequences? Thank you.

[@06howea1]

Cool video

[@meghachawlla5045]

Sir I am from India and a special educator by profession and I watch most of your videos ..kindly guide me as my daughter is 9 years old with history of seizures and ADHD she is over talkative, irrelevant talks many times,major learning issues, currently she is on methylphenidate 18 mg in the form of capsule...which medicine is a better option for her .my current problem is her excessive talking and learning g issues.

[@Pulsereika]

The only treatment I have ever received for ADHD that has been most effective is neurofeedback. Drug treatments such as Concerta have temporary effects and have side effects, so I did not take them for a long time.

[@md82892]

Did it help you to manage adhd without drugs? What type of neurofeedback did you get?

[@Pulsereika]

@@md82892 I first participated in a clinical trial of neurofeedback using near-infrared light for ADHD in a university study. I then received nearly 200 sessions of remote neurofeedback using an EEG device that I could do at home in a private clinic. However, I am no longer receiving neurofeedback because the service has been terminated. However, perhaps because my brain has been enhanced by neurofeedback, my memory and concentration have always been improved and my life has become easier. These positive changes are changes that I did not have when I was on methylphenidate and other medications.

[@eliseholton9284]

Currently my Brain is being Fried whilst my body is turning against me and my expertise is Circles ….. until now …. I so need your informative posts …. I may even make a New Help Flag … Waving your Way… it’s so not funny but a sip of 11% After an afternoon of brain freeze and a glance in your direction melts the lot #Foxhole #unmedicated #Russelpower 💪

[@eliseholton9284]

Age 5 😂 ❤

[@meghachawlla5045]

She is using this medicine past 1 year..earler we have seen more positive changes but now her talking has increased her body wt is 29 kgs..please guide

[@Sereno44]

I need Elvance ... By the way there is shortage of ADHD medication worldwide

[@sugarcan1110]

How will taking the medication effect being a pilot I'd like to discover this

[@amypeggs9606]

You have to ask that question of whoever regulates aviation where you live.

[@MnMPryoBanana]

- saves time i get bad side effects from meds so I use non meds strats to deal with it. Problem is it takes up many hours everyday.

[@sonyaparkin7841]

💚

[@doctorhannah_]

“Psychosocial treatments cause side effects” - Can you explain what you mean by this? What should a person be aware of in regard to “negative” side effects from this?

[@LucarioBoricua]

Being traumatized by incorrect therapies, or incorrect applications of certain therapies, increased frustration and discouragement in patients who don't have enough executive function to benefit from the therapies alone.

[@TheDavveponken]

it is a ridiculous statement

[@cancerousamphibian625]

How are these medications neuroprotective? How do they do this?

[@cancerousamphibian625]

what specific medications and components?

[@argophontes]

Dr. Barkley covers that in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZO0h6RnpLCjetk

[@LucarioBoricua]

It's specifically stimulants, and especially amphetamine meds (Adderall, Vyvanse / Elvanse, Dexedrine, Benzedrine). These stand out by being dopamine agonists (makes the neurons produce and release more dopamine), not just dopamine re-uptake inhibitors (slow down the clean-up of dopamine after it's used). They promote further growth and optimized connection in the neurons forming the dopaminergic circuits, and make it easier to use said circuits (neurons that fire together wire together). The end result is an overall strengthened executive function, even after discontinuation of use after long-term use.

[@TheDavveponken]

@@LucarioBoricua no truth to this

[@mettevunsjensen4094]

No dad joke?

[@andrewness]

Sorry, can't cope with videos that refuse to get to the point. All very well giving stats on how effective they are, WHAT DO THEY DO? What is the effect? What is the intended outcome? What symptoms do they alleviate? Are they going to make me boring and give me the urge to waffle on about irrelevancies?

[@sebben13]

I've tried every type of medicine available to me and I haven't felt anything. I even went as far as going up to 4x the max dose without any effect. Turns out I have somthing called "hypermetabolism" 😢

[@insidiatori9148]

Shit that's tough man. I had that with methylphenidate sadly, it worked so great. Has atomoxetine not been a solution in your case possibly?

[@sebben13]

@@insidiatori9148 hmm, I don't know. It says it's available in my country, so I will ask my therapist. Thanks!

[@sebben13]

@@insidiatori9148 My therapist said it's metabolized by the same gene, CYP 2D6, so it probably wont work. But we could maybe try it after I'm done with guanfacine which I am on now.

[@inkkrkn]

Look into non stimulant perhaps?

[@sebben13]

@@inkkrkn We are, guanfacine being the first one I've tried :)

[@HowndsOfDoom]

Hey Doc!!! Where's the Dad jokes?

[@Millennial_Manc]

Thank you Dr B. Oh what I would give to pull you out of retirement for a 50 minute zoom call! Two questions on this if you will indulge us- one following from it and one adjacent. 1). If someone had a huge reduction in symptoms from stimulants and other dopaminergic drugs but builds a tolerance and is back to square 1 in weeks, and exhausts the usual non-stimulants, is there any hope? 2). What evidence is there for nootropics? For example, uridine, choline, EPA stacks for synaptogenesis, or supplants as simple as magnesium, zinc or chromium?

[@LionKingSimba84]

Huh, I am really look forward to the next commentary about therapy. Somehow I am hesitant to get my hopes up too much, though, as already in this video you only talk about outcomes in terms of short term behavioral changes. As an adult who has been diagnosed mid life some years back, I dont care too much about manipulation of just behavior. What I want is to lead a happy satisfying life. And with respect to that, I found that medication can give me some short term relief by improving certain capabilities. But real growth requires therapy (sometimes better with added medication). And I certainly don't refer to the classical behavioral varieties of therapy.

[@amypeggs9606]

I don't know about you but for me the changes in behaviour, enabled by medication is what's allowed me to actually take steps which lead to a happy satisfying life. I was not very happy or satisfied when I was constantly frustrated with myself for my lack of motivation and follow through in anything at all.

[@LionKingSimba84]

@@amypeggs9606 I agree, medications certainly enable many to take steps in the right direction and grow. But I would argue that the healthy long-term solution to the frustration you described is to have a serious look at the underlying conflicting needs and integrate them rather than just overpowering by use of executive functioning. Which is what medications also enable you to do more easily.

[@musiqtee]

Yes, empirically fine, but aren’t we externalizing our own social normatives and expectations - and thereby carry forth imperatives towards (neuro-) diversities? I’m just asking, and observe that such sociological (philosophical) insights indeed shouldn’t be relegated to “politics” or idealism alone. We’ve tried that - and I’d posit that we maintain an unhealthy feedback loop. Starving science from holistics can be a predicament to individuals, as scientists or medical professionals - and those we treat and help. Shouldn’t we integrate such coincidental opposites better? 😊

[@gaba922]

Maybe talk about the negatives as well . This was focused on the positives

[@projectpiano5231]

@@gaba922 He does. Even in this video he (iiuc) mentions meds only fully working while still in use vs therapy which lasts longer after stopping, iiuc he mentions the (mild) evidence of dopaminergic downregulation etc. . Sometimes the negatives are so mild compared to the positives that it seems like he's not touching on them. He also has a lot of other videos if you need

[@jimwilliams3816]

I actually agree to some extent, but it’s hard to acknowledge the issues when there are lots of people who only demonize the meds. I just replied to one such person.

[@TheDavveponken]

he mentions NOTHING from the VERY LONG list of side effects including heart attack. I felt like a guinea pig on ritalin. Nothing safe about these so called "meds"

[@leumasnehpets]

The negatives are unmedicated adhd running rampant on your lifestyle.

[@JenHCoaching]

anyway we can change the language ‘normalizing’. What is normal anyway 😂

[@patrickkelly737]

Stimulants leading to drug abuse or stimulants are dangerous, is the ADHD equivalent of climate change denial. This is the single biggest issue we need to change on how people view/understand ADHD.

[@fkrose]

Prescribed CNS stimulants even made other drugs boring. Cigarettes or coffee-all cravings are gone.

[@projectpiano5231]

@@fkrose My seemingly endless need for additional stimulation went away. 3 200-mg caffeine pills, high energy music, gum, junk food, pomodoro, fidgeting weren't enough.

[@Ouiofcourse]

Is ADHD 2.0 a scam ? Or is it legit?

[@TheDavveponken]

adhd is a scam. It is no more accurate than "melancholia" as far as diagnosing goes

[@TheDavveponken]

Guess what? I now have NO executive function since ritalin gave me brain damage. Thank you very much.

[@simonahazel2377]

Medication is horrible for people and damages dopamine receptors diet and exercise is the best way. Stimulants cause loss of personality and cardiovascular and digestive issues.

[@jimwilliams3816]

Meds have downsides, and anything psychoactive needs to be taken very seriously. I have been on various meds for various conditions, and I’m very aware of that. And I do find that Dr. Barkley expresses a bit less concern about the issues than is merited. I think, however, that part of the reason for that is that so many people feel no obligation to acknowledge that there are legitimate reasons to consider meds. So I would ask you not to make such categorical statements about what people who are not you should do. Virtually everyone with any condition, up to and including cancer, hears at intervals from people who insist that western interventions are the devil, and that whatever ails them can be cured with lifestyle changes. It’s not that these things have no merit, but they are not magic bullets, and insisting they are does more harm than good. Among other things, the implication is that the malady in question is not real, the person with it simply isn’t taking proper care of themselves. If you would not want me to tell you that diet and exercise are useless boondoggles, and that you should absolutely treat your ADHD with stimulants - don’t do the opposite.

[@TheDavveponken]

this is true

[@TheDavveponken]

@@jimwilliams3816 "adhd" is NOT cancer

[@imapineapple15]

Please cite your sources

[@mrjohncrumpton]

Medication has transformed my life and my daughter's.

[@semieschmidt5240]

Like this comment if medication might even helped you but you stopped it because you felt strangely. Like not like yourself... I couldn't recognize myself

[@projectpiano5231]

I did, my dose was too high. Now it just helps me get what I need done which lowers my stress, helps me sleep better, helps me have better relationships, etc. . It's not a silver bullet but it has been life changing and I so wish I was put on it as a kid, I feel like so much of my life was wasted because I couldn't focus or get my work done so it took way longer, I got less out of it, and was a lot more stressful. I'm sorry if you were put on medication too high of a dose for you or that you didn't need!

[@adamm1117]

When I got my diagnosis I mourned for the person I could have been had I been able to get help earlier. I mourned for all the opportunities I messed up and mistakes I made over the years, unable to help myself from repeating history. Based on your 2 comments I'd guess with 90%+ surity that you don't have ADHD and you've never been on that medication either. Ignorant opinions like yours get passed to anxious parents and children now don't get help even when they could get life changing help earlier in life. Dont do that disservice to others and delete this

[@wanderingneophyte8183]

Only Ritalin/methylphenidate caused problems for me, Vyvanse has been my best alternative since Adderall gave me a heart rate side effect. I'm able to finally get a start on my life which I've never been able to do that well in the first place.

[@Magicme79]

Might be the wrong type of medication for you. I didn’t feel like I was on anything, at all. If anything, I felt like I was *more* myself, because I wasn’t as hampered by my adhd symptoms.

[@mariannaark5899]

No medication will work the same for everyone and usually I find in these cases is that the psychiatrist failed the patient by not bothering to adjust, inform abt other options etc. I'm sorry if this happened to you or if you tried all options and nothing worked x

[@TheDavveponken]

Liar

[@semieschmidt5240]

I will never get why children would need that medication... Children aren't slaves.

[@argophontes]

It has nothing to do with slavery or forcing children into submission, if it did I would NEVER get it for my children, and I certainly wouldn't take it myself. ADHD comes with all kinds of struggles that will put a child at a distinct disadvantage compared to other children (I speak from experience both as a parent and as someone who has ADHD). Getting medication completely and totally changed my life, in ONLY positive ways. If I had been medicated as a child, I have no doubt whatsoever that I would have been in a much better position to take advantage of opportunities than I was without medication. If you watch some of Dr. Barkley's videos explaining what ADHD is and how it effects a person's life, I think you'll see why medication is such a positive thing.

[@craigcleveland3431]

My granddaughter is currently taking medikinet xl 40mg. It works through the school day but it’s almost like it defers the issues as she really can be uncontrollable after school. Very unpleasant to her siblings, really nasty comments to people who try to engage with her and prone to ignoring any direction. Plus she eats next to nothing whilst the meds are active then wants to eat rubbish at home. No amount of healthy choices will sway her to the point that if there are no bad snacks in the house she will take money and run to the local corner shop to buy them. We’ve tried every other med on offer in the U.K.

[@Magicme79]

Uhm…receiving treatment for a medication doesn’t make you a slave. Honestly, this comment is so ignorant I don’t even know where to start. You clearly don’t understand medicine, let alone ADHD, or the history of slavery. Trying to explain anything to you, would be like trying to explain physics to a flat earther. Why bother.

[@nathanaelwidjaja4660]

​@@craigcleveland3431that's something that can happen after stimulant medication wears off, sort of like a rebound effect. Maybe your son/daughter could discuss this with your granddaughter's prescriber and see if they can come up with something?

[@alysonhenrique2924]

People with ADHD need these drugs for the same reason a shortsighted person needs glasses. It corrects a deficiency in something of their bodies and the improvements in both cases are equally profound.

[@demaskatorr]

[@meghachawlla5045]

Sir I am from India and a special educator by profession and I watch most of your videos ..kindly guide me as my daughter is 9 years old with history of seizures and ADHD she is over talkative, irrelevant talks many times,major learning issues, currently she is on methylphenidate 18 mg in the form of capsule...which medicine is a better option for her .my current problem is her excessive talking and learning g issues.