Treating ADHD
Intervening
Strategies to live better with ADHD
The clinical picture and the response to the treatments for ADHD are the same regardless the cultural background. Recognising ADHD and knowing it well is essential in order to live better with this disorder and to develop your full potential. Often, just to « finally understand » is a great relief. It is quite impressive to realise how the adaptation techniques and the specific strategies can help reduce the impacts associated to ADHD.
The Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) provides the CADDRA ADHD Practice Guidelines, which gives information regarding the diagnostic process and the treatments for ADHD. The content is regularly updated and is available online.
- ADHD can manifest itself in various ways and bring consequences in many aspects of life.
- The treatment of ADHD begins with the confirmation of the diagnosis and the education that follows.
- The suggested strategies aim to lower the symptoms’ intensity and to increase the adaptability of the person living with ADHD, allowing him or her to access his or her full potential.
- When the ADHD symptoms are persistent despite the nonpharmacological strategies, medication can be offered, integrated in a multimodal approach. Ask your health professional for information about the treatments.
What about medication :
- The medication acts a little like a biological pair of glasses. It allows to increase the brain capacity to focus and self control.
- Many ADHD pharmacological treatment options were proven effective. Some people will have a better therapeutic response with a certain product rather than another one.
- These products are generally well tolerated. However, every medication can cause side effects. It is important to find a good balance between the therapeutical effects and the side effects.
- Regardless of the drug being used, the adjustment of the dosage must be progressive and done under medical supervision.
- When the right dosage is reached, the clinical response is noticeable within a few days for psychostimulant drugs and it takes a period from one to many weeks for non psychostimulant drugs.
- The doctor must take into account the presence, if so, of other associated problematics. When ADHD is complexified by a depression or an anxiety disorder, he must measure the level of each problematic and adapt the treatment plan so the most severe is taken care of first.
In Canada, general practitioners and specialists have the authorization to prescribe and adjust medication. The ADHD standard pharmacological treatment consists in taking amphetamine-based or methylphenidate-based psychostimulants. The non-psychostimulant drugs are generally used in 2nd intention. The types of drugs approved for ADHD as well as the name of the products can be different depending on the country you are in.
Canada
ADHD Medication Charts
You would like to have more information
about the treatment of ADHD?
Visit the TIPS et VIDEOS sections and choose the tools you consider to be interesting.
Enjoy your exploration!
You would like to have more information
about the treatment of ADHD?
Visit the TIPS et VIDEOS sections and choose the tools you consider to be interesting.
Enjoy your exploration!