Medication
Many young people with ADHD feel the need to cease treatment and to ‘break-free’ from something they associate with the childhoods, and with the assumption that medication was advised as a means by which their behaviours could be ‘controlled’.
Extensive research demonstrates that many young people choose to come off their medication during the teenage years for a variety of reasons:
“I don’t want to be seen to be different, or to feel different”
“I want to just be myself”
“Medication is provided so that adults can ‘control’ me”
“It doesn’t do anything for me”
“It blunts my personality and my creativity”
Clinicians rarely have time to explain in full how medication works nor why it might be of benefit, but taking that decision to stop at a time of increased environmental risks could be very damaging.
Before making that decision, think carefully. Try to find out more about what the treatment does.
The medication is not designed to ‘change’ you but to enhance your ability to make decisions. Across the general ADHD population, ADHD treatment has been shown to:
Reduce accidents (e.g. fractured limbs)
Reduce the risk of self-medicating through recreational drug and alcohol abuse
Improve academic performance
Improve family relationships
Listen to what others say about how the medication may be helping you, and the risks associated with untreated ADHD.
[Note: This video is in German. Just click on the settings icon (the cog) at the bottom of the video and choose English.]
If you stop taking medication as a teenager it can be difficult to re-start once you reach 18 because CAMHS will often close your file and you will have to start all over again with adult psychological services.
The evidence presented does not suggest that treatment solves all or even most of the difficulties associated with ADHD.
Treatment with medication does have some benefits, but the long term value is still not fully evaluated or understood.
Some, including clinicians argue against its use as anything other than a last resort. It does not work for everyone and there is no way or predicting which medication is going to work. So it may take some time to get the right type and the right dose.
Still got questions about medication?
Whether you are trying to get an assessment, are questioning whether you should still be taking medication, or simply want someone to talk to about your ADHD, send us a message and we will help you or find someone who can!