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adhd medication

Getting medication, and the type of medication depends on the type and severity of ADHD symptoms and the level and timing of its impact on the recipient's ability to function. 

​Up to 80% of people with ADHD also have other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, personality disorders, learning difficulties and substance use disorders. 

These additional challenges (called co-morbidities) and their treatment can affect ADHD and vice versa. For example, some stimulant medications can make anxiety symptoms worse, so it's important these are also understood as part of any assessment for ADHD. 

​Your prescribing doctor can usually safely combine treatments for comorbidities (i.e. depression) and ADHD. Your treatment plan will depend on your overall mental health.
​
What ADHD medication won't fix
Brett Harrington, 2019
What ADHD medication won't fix (5 mins)
ADHD medication
Dr Jamie Speedan, 2017
​To medicate or not? (30 mins)
Prescribing doctors can choose from many types of medications to control symptoms of ADHD. They differ in the way they work, how long they work and how strong they are.

You and your prescribing doctor will work together to figure out which medication is right for you, along with the ideal dose (amount) and schedule (how often or when you need to take it). As each individual is unique it can take some time to find the best result for you.

A good time to start the trial of medication is during the holidays or weekends so you can observe any changes and note any unwanted side effects. It’s important to seek immediate medical advice from a medical doctor should there be any serious unwanted side effects (although this is very rare). ​
Ensure you have regular follow up appointments to review the progress of effectiveness of the medication. Note any side effects that concern you. 

The broad types of medications most widely used to treat ADHD in New Zealand include:
  • ADHD stimulant medication
  • ADHD non-stimulant medication, or
  • antidepressants.

Experts generally consider these medicines safe when they're monitored properly by a specialist medical professional. Serious problems are rare. Discuss the risks and benefits of these medications with your doctor.

One of the best ways to gauge a person’s progress while taking ADHD medication is to monitor the medication’s effects on the individual’s target symptoms. These are the symptoms that impact you the most in your everyday life.
Dr Mirsad Begic on ADHD medication
Dr Mirsad Begic, 2020
​ADHD medication (15 mins)

FAQs on ADHD medication

Q: If my Specialist suggests medication for treatment, do I have to take it/give it to my child?
A: No, you do not have to take it/give your child medication if you prefer not to. It’s your choice, not the doctors. However, you might need to have an alternative plan.
Q: What are the alternatives to medication for ADHD treatment?
A: There are many things you can try which can help. 
  • Tips for you - check out some of our tips for parents of children with ADHD or adults with ADHD.
  • Tips if you work in education, check out our information for ADHD in schools or ADHD in tertiary education.
  • Attend support groups to share experiences and strategies with others who are in similar situations and can sympathise and support.
  • Educate your family - many other families have been through this so read what they have had success with and share these with your family.
  • Parenting programmes are worthwhile, especially if they have incorporated strategies that can help you manage ADHD in your family.
  • Other disciplines that have helped children and adults with ADHD are:
  1. acupuncture
  2. brain gym
  3. chiropractics
  4. counselling
  5. Cranial Osteopathy
  6. diet, including supplements (especially zinc and EFA’s)
  7. homeopathy
  8. naturopathy
  9. Occupational Therapy, and/or
  10. therapists of all kinds can help if ADHD is clearly understood (preferably on recommendation only).

Find a healthcare professional near you
Healthcare professionals near you
Co-morbidities
Why is ADHD challenging to diagnose?
Join us for ADHD Awareness Month 2021
Find out what happened during our October Awareness Month 2021 
The material on our website is provided for educational purposes only. Your use of our website is governed by our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer. We are a not-for-profit organisation that can provide you with ongoing support in your ADHD journey. However, we do not provide medical advice, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Your GP can recommend a suitable healthcare professional to you.

What's ADHD?

Adults with ADHD
​Children and teens with ADHD
​ADHD is more common than you think
Why it's good to have ADHD
​Inspiring stories from people who have ADHD
​
News and research

Have you got ADHD?

Think you're an adult with ADHD?
Think your child has ADHD?
How to get a diagnosis for ADHD

Getting an assessment and diagnosis of ADHD
Self-screening tool for adults with ADHD
Co-morbidities
​
FAQs

Succeed with ADHD

Find healthcare professionals near you
The different types of healthcare professionals
Managing ADHD
Families living with ADHD
​Tips on how to support children with ADHD
ADHD in schools
ADHD in tertiary education organisations
​
Tips for adults managing life and ADHD
​ADHD medication
​ADHD stimulant medication
​ADHD non-stimulant medication
ADHD anti-depressant medication

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Content on ADHD.org.nz is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International License.​
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  • What is ADHD?
    • Adults with ADHD
    • Children and teens with ADHD
    • ADHD is more common than you think
    • Why it's good to have ADHD
    • Inspiring stories from people with ADHD
    • News and Research on ADHD
  • Have you got ADHD?
    • Think you're an adult with ADHD?
    • Think your child has ADHD?
    • How to get a diagnosis for ADHD >
      • Getting an assessment and diagnosis for ADHD
      • Self screening assessment tool for adults who suspect that they have ADHD​
    • Co-Morbidities
    • FAQs
  • Succeed with ADHD
    • Access ADHD Healthcare Professionals >
      • The Different Types of Healthcare Professionals
    • Managing ADHD >
      • Families living with ADHD >
        • Tips on how to support children with ADHD
        • Parent Support is a Phone Call Away
      • ADHD in schools
      • ADHD in tertiary education organisations >
        • FAQs for staff at tertiary education organisations
        • Feedback from staff at tertiary education organisations
      • Tips for adults managing life and ADHD
    • ADHD Medication >
      • ADHD Stimulant Medication
      • ADHD Non-Stimulant Medication
      • ADHD Anti-Depressant Medication
    • ADHD Support Organisations
    • Become a member of ADHD NZ's community >
      • ADHD Wellington
      • Events and promotions
      • Vlogs, blogs and ADHD news
  • About Us
    • ADHD NZ 2021: past, present and future
    • Our People
    • Help Us By Volunteering
    • Contact Us
    • Sponsors
    • ADHD Ambassador