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.
The end of the video shows when methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta and their generics) is present the neurotransmitters start to behave themselves and go to the right places at the right time.
So, you would think that’s it then, the brain is working, so problem solved. Sorry, but NO!
I will try to explain this as clearly as possible.
The earlier your diagnosis the less likely you will need complementary and supplementary treatments. The later in life you learn about the diagnosis means just the opposite.
For instance, I was diagnosed at the ripe old age of 45, which is 40 years to late! I immediately, impulsively, and with ADHD super-excitement set up the first of my small support groups.
Despite being on Ritalin 10mg three times a day, the only thing that happened is that I was able to concentrate for longer periods of time, and my short-term memory improved - not always a good thing for an untreated ADDer!
But it was only later in the day - or even at the end of the day, when I realised what improvements had had happened. You see, for my whole life up to that point I was distracted, and it was usually hours before I returned to reality and did what I was supposed be doing.
With the medication I was still distracted, but I was quickly able to refuse the enticing invitation to follow the distraction. My decision-making was still made using the wrong criteria, my self-esteem was still low. My relationships were just as volatile, and so on.
Only a track record of success can improve your self-esteem, and it needs parents, partners and even best friends to point out the change for them to become self-sustaining.
You see, medication doesn’t teach you how to make good or right decisions, it doesn’t teach you how to be a good friends, or partner, or parent, or worker, or manager, etc. The older you are the more these have to learnt. That is why I have developed around 35 modules to coach my clients to implement these in their lives. This takes time, 4 months minimum up to year before they are part of the fabric of your being.
I tried every year from the end of my eighth year on medication to go without. Trying very hard to act like a non-ADHD person was so difficult that it became a monster barrier to everyday living. I had no modules or coaches to teach me, support me, or guide me.
Finally, after 12 years I found myself in a place of confidence where ‟I can take it when I need it.” Whenever I work with clients, or do a talk or workshop, I take my short-acting meds. It is essential to me to be at the top of my game.
When I am writing, or creating content I seldom take it, because mostly when I drift onto Mystification Mountain, that is when some of my best work is born. Also, it is only me, and there is no time pressure.
In short, medication alone is essential from the diagnosis until new and acceptable habits are embedded. The older you are, the longer it will take, and the more behaviour and productivity skills you will need to implement.
A helpful document here is my ADHD Basic Treatment Wheel which lists 8 discrete remedies all of which have Powerful Affirming Love at their core.
The only (vital) reason to take medication is to build new habits and learn all those life skills we did not learn while we were in the Desert of Distraction.