Dave Pughe-Parry - ADHD Treatments

I belong to a couple of Social Media ADHD groups. At least 85% of the comments and questions are about ADHD medication. These questions are mostly from Moms struggling to cope with their children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.

Understandably, they are terrified of giving their children ADHD medication because it is a Schedule 6 drug and the prescription is only given for 30 days at a time. The drugs are also very expensive and can only be prescribed by a psychiatrist, neurologist, paediatrician and GPs who have an extensive interest and knowledge about ADHD.

According to Statistics South Africa, only 15% of South Africans have medical aid. That is 3 out of 20 South Africans. Even those who do have medical aid, often have limited or no cover for ADHD medication and visits to specialists.

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Written by: Pat Pughe-Parry

Read more: The Role Players in ADHD Diagnosis and Management

How does anyone who has - or is living alongside ADHD treat this most common neurological condition? The simplest answer is therapy with medication or without medication. But under each of these two top-tier methods are a whole series of what we might call niche treatments.

But first, let’s understand what we mean by treatment or therapy. ADHD is a complex condition. It exists on a continuum from those almost fast-asleep to the continuously hyperactive. The one common factor is that our brains are always hyperactive, usually at full speed - or close to that limit!

I have a short little video below to show you the difference of neurotransmitter behaviour in our brains compared to the other 80% of the world´s population who don’t have our condition.

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Written by: Dave Pughe-Parry

Read more: ADHD and Medication