Deb knew she had ADHD for quite a long time. Deb delayed her diagnosis because she didn’t think she needed medication. Deb was wrong. Deb couldn’t try harder, do better, be less lazy or more motivated, or more organised, or think her way to not being ADHD. Deb, like others with ADHD, has lower availability or inefficient regulation of some neurotransmitters, especially in areas like the prefrontal cortex (behind your forehead), which is responsible for executive function (planning, focus, inhibition, etc.). Deb was a chronically late, over-committed, easily excitable, over-enthusiastic, pushy, stressed out, chaotic, impulsive yesser. Deb describes that life before ADHD medication was like trying to live life two thirds drunk all the time. Deb believes that the emotional burden of living an unmedicated life was worse than the filthiest, nastiest hangover she’s ever had.
This post isn’t to convince you that you should be on medication for ADHD, but to let you know why medication IS recommended and beneficial. That’s because there is strong, well-established scientific evidence that medication is the most effective treatment for reducing core ADHD symptoms — in both children and adults. Here’s what’s real and evidence-based about why they likely think medication could help you.
What ADHD Medication Actually Does (According to Science)
ADHD medications target neurotransmitter systems in the brain that play key roles Executive Function which really means
- Attention and focus
- Impulse control
- Motivation and reward processing
- Working memory
Medication helps by increasing the availability or sensitivity to naturally occurring brain chemicals, which improves the brain’s ability to regulate attention, impulses, and motivation.
Evidence-Based Benefits of ADHD Medication:
Improved attention span: Easier to stay focused on tasks, follow through, or listen to others = greater achievement and satisfaction.
Reduced impulsivity: Fewer interruptions, blurting, or acting without thinking = less regret and apologising.
Decreased hyperactivity or restlessness: both physical and mental = less stressed, bored, anxious or depressed
Reduced procrastination or need for a deadline: you can just get stuff done, when you want to do it = I mean, it’s just amazing! less guilt, regret, apologising, missing deadlines, unpaid bills or begging for more time.
Better emotional regulation: Less irritability, more ability to pause and reflect, more control over how you respond = happier and easier relationships and daily life, less anxiety, stress, depression.
Improved executive function: Better time management, planning, and task initiation = less running late, more doing what you want to do or said you were going to do.
What Medication Does Not Do:
- It doesn’t cure ADHD; we must live with our brains and how they’re wired.
- It doesn’t replace therapy, coaching, or behavioural changes – it’s not a magic wand!
- It won’t change your personality or give you skills you haven’t learned — but it may make it easier to use the strategies you already know or to learn and implement new ones.
ADHD medication, can help you function better day to day, and reduce how your ADHD interferes with your daily life, relationships, work, or mental health when therapy and behavioural strategies alone may not be enough.
If you struggle with time blindness, procrastination, overwhelm, motivation, impulsive decisions, or self-esteem due to poor follow-through or achievement medication could “level the playing field” for you and help your brain work with you, not against you.
Want to know more? Then check out:
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) is are the experts in evidence-based best practice health care and value for money for people and health systems. They provide general information for the public, and information regarding managing ADHD, medication, including monitoring, review and adherence to treatment.
If you find that you’re struggling to understand how or why you might want to commence taking medication please speak to a psychiatrist. If you want additional support to unpack your thoughts or feelings about medication or ADHD, Deb is here to help. Deb is a clinical psychologist and lives with ADHD. Deb has the ADHD benefit of hyperfocus, so has deep dived the heck out of ADHD. Deb is always here to help you adjust to living with a recent ADHD diagnosis. If you aren’t diagnosed but suss that you have ADHD, Deb can help you decide if formal diagnosis is likely to be beneficial to you. Deb won’t waste your money or time on expensive assessments. Deb offers in clinic appointments and telehealth (video) sessions for those not able to conveniently get to Watsonia.
Recent Comments