Keith Carman-Chief Administration Coordinator “I don’t want my kid drugged up for the rest of their life.”
“It’s the only way to manage ADHD.” “Doctors are lazy; jump to meds as soon as they hear the term ADHD.” “Big Pharma has the medical industry in its pocket, pushing ADHD pills for profit.” If we here at Artemis had a dime for every time we’ve heard one of these lines when discussing a potential ADHD diagnosis—let alone comforted parents bristling at the thought of the recommendation coming from a doctor—Warren Buffett would be coming to us for financial advice. It happens multiple times every single day. That’s fine, though. We’re here to help, inform and support. We all start our journeys at different points, sharing what we’ve learned along the way. Sometimes, that means steering people to—or even away from—the idea of ADHD medication. More often than not, however, it means clearing up some pretty heavy misconceptions. Here are what I consider to be the Big Four ADHD med mistruths:
Again, there are many more misconceptions and realities regarding this subject, but let’s take a moment to unpack these specifically. DIAGNOSIS: Being diagnosed doesn't mean medication will immediately be recommended. There are various types of ADHD: inattentive, distracted, hyperactive and impulsive. As every person is unique, these can present themselves independently or in any configuration possible. To that extent, there are degrees of severity: mild, moderate and severe. Some people can even slide just between two degrees. There are also comorbidities to ADHD: the things that interact with it, feeding off each other. Stuff like anxiety, depression, executive functioning issues, hyperfocus (yes, ADHD people can be overattentive), psychosomatics…I could go on. Again, those can also be in any configuration and to any degree. Psychologists need to navigate all those tidbits and see what’s presenting in their patients and the extent. Recommending medication to someone with barely even mildly inattentive ADHD and zero comorbidities would be like trying to kill a fly with a nuclear warhead. Who does that? In this case, they’d probably benefit from a few coping strategies such as coaching, reminders and such, not pills, so the psychologist will act accordingly. Also, keep in mind that doctors want to HELP, not HINDER. Why would they dole out medication like it was Halloween if it’s unnecessary? Let alone its negative implications on a doctor’s practice, reputation and self-respect. However, someone with severe hyperactivity, severe anxiety and moderate depression may benefit from pharmaceuticals. It’s a case-by-case situation, not the default starting point for an ADHD diagnosis. HISTORY: These medications have been around for almost a century (some are clearly newer) and have been tested in every conceivable way to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The acknowledgement of ADHD goes back over a century, while the first documented usage of medication was in 1936. This isn’t something brand-spanking-new we’re dealing with. Add in that Health Canada heavily trials/monitors/restricts brands and production as some medications are controlled substances, and it’s easy to see that there’s simply no wanton disregard for exactly what ADHD medication is and how it impacts patients. Compare this against something as new as, say, semaglutide, which was only approved for use in 2017. While it’s also under tight control, it’s more than 80 years younger than Ritalin, yet it is in such high demand that there have been supply issues lately. People clamour for it, using it for reasons that are actually a side-effect of its intended purpose while thumbing their nose at ADHD medication. You may know it via brand names Ozempic or Rybelsus. Check out this Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (CHADD) article for an insightful glimpse into the history of ADHD. EFFICACY: No, ADHD medication doesn’t work for everyone. Sometimes, it’s just not an option. ADHD medication isn’t a one-stop, one-size-fits-all scenario. While it can be the Holy Grail for some ADHD-ers, for others, it must be utilized in conjunction with a host of other practices such as therapy, checklists, coaching and so on. Even then, type and dosage do take dialling in, like a set of old-school rabbit ears on the television: “A little more…a little more…too much! Back it off! Ah. There’s the sweet spot.” Despite all of this, though, it flat-out doesn’t work for everyone. Some of us (my hand juts up) actually feel WORSE from medication, so it’s not an option. Personally speaking, at least I can say I gave it a shot. So, for those parents out there using the old “You don’t know unless you try it” line on your kids with some food or sport they hate, back atcha. CHOICE: It’s just a recommendation, not a life sentence. The old axiom states, “It’s better to have and not need than need and not have.” In the dead of January, you can bet I want mitts and a snow shovel in my car ‘cause I really don’t want to be stuck in some middle-of-nowhere ditch with frozen hands and spinning tires. Odds are you feel the same. Take that idea and transfer it to ADHD medication. If you or your loved one have been diagnosed and given a list of strategies to manage what has been tripping you up for years, but none of it is working, at least you have that recommendation sitting there if you say, “Aww, heck with it. Let’s see what happens.” That’s a lot easier than the rigamarole of phone calls, appointments, tests and possibly even further assessment (read: time/money) to obtain what could have already been waiting for you. Moreover, these psychologists—doctors—suggest this course of action. To this day, I find it strange that a parent will be so obstinate about ADHD medication that could potentially improve their child’s life, writing it off as any of those aforementioned misconceptions. At the same time, if ANY other GP or specialist said, “Jimmy has a heart condition. He should be taking these pills daily,” you’d probably see Roadrunner-style puffs of dust as they made a beeline for the pharmacy. Who wants to see Jimmy stuck in a middle-of-nowhere ditch without his emotional mitts/shovel? To solidify the point, let’s replace “recommendation” with “suggestion.” Sounds a bit…lighter, doesn’t it? It’s there. Use it or ignore it. It’s up to you. The doctor isn’t forcing pills down anyone’s throat, and you are in control of who you share your diagnosis with. The power is and always was yours. A
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