What s All This About Medications?

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Grace Barnett
5 years ago
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1 What s All This About Medications? A Teenager s Guide to ADHD Booklet 5 In a Series Chesterfield County Public Schools

2 Why is everybody always talking about medication? Medication is a choice among you, your family, and your doctor. Nobody at school can tell you to take medication for ADHD. Many people with ADHD find medications help them Focus Keep their attention to the task Handle distractions. Many students talk about medication helping them stay awake during school which can be very helpful if you want to succeed. Many students say medication makes school more INTERESTING!! And you know boredom is the greatest problem for people with ADHD. 2

3 What kind of meds are you talking about? Most people with ADHD take one of three medications Ritalin, Adderall, or Wellbutrin. These medications come in different strengths. They also have forms of the pills to make the medication last different lengths of time. Some forms last longer during the day than other forms. 4 Hours? 6 Hours? 8 Hours? 12 Hours? 3

4 How often do you have to take the medication? It used to be that people only took ADHD medication during school hours. And only on school days. And not during the summer. Most experts now agree that students with ADHD should take their medication after school, too. And during the weekend. And maybe even during the summer. 4

5 Why take meds when I m not in school? ADHD affects people in more parts of their lives than just school. How well do you handle chores at home. How often does your ADHD interfere with relationships at home or with your friends? How does ADHD affect your driving? Do you have trouble sitting through movies church family gatherings parent lectures? Do you have any trouble with homework and studying Starting? Finishing? Staying focused? How often do you forget to do something outside school? How often do you lose track of time when doing things you enjoy doing? How often do you lose things or misplace them? 5

6 How do these pills work? Scientists are still working on how this exactly happens. Right now it seems the best answer is that it helps the brain cells send and receive messages better. We know ADHD is a chemical transfer problem and medication helps with the transfer of messages. It makes the wheels turn better! 6

7 How will I feel on medication? Am I going to feel weird? No, or at least you shouldn't feel weird. You should feel different, though. As mentioned earlier, you should feel: more alert; more interested in school; more focused when studying; more in control. Occasionally, students will say they feel like they are not having as much fun. That may be somewhat correct. They are not acting like the class clown or goof-off. 7

8 But a friend said she felt like a zombie! Occasionally, that gets reported. There is no reason for you to feel that way. If that happens, ask your parent to take you back to the doctor and talk with the doc about it. The doctor may change the dosage or amount you are taking. Or, the doc might put you on a different medication. The main point, though, is to talk with the doctor. Don t just feel miserable. Or don t just give up on getting a medication that works for you! 8

9 What about this feeling I have I want to fix this on my own? It s good you feel you want to handle things on your own. That shows your motivation to handle things on your own. It also shows your pride. Pills do not make you study. They don t make you do anything. You have to plan to study. You have to sit down with your books. You have to learn the material on your own. 9

10 How long will I have to take medication? The rest of my life?! Probably not. But we don t know for sure. Many students take medication only during their school years. Some learn what types of tasks go best when taking medication. But, there are many adults now using medication for ADHD and they report Better job performance Improved marital relationships More accomplishments outside work. The main thing is to help yourself now. Earn better grades. Improve your relations at home. Feel a sense of accomplishment. 10

11 The Chesterfield County public school system does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, disabilities, or national origin in employment or its educational programs and activities. Thanks to the Author Kenneth S. Roach School Psychologist 2003

I m NOT Interested in Anything I m NOT Interested In!!

I m NOT Interested in Anything I m NOT Interested In!! A Teenager s Guide to ADHD Booklet 1 In a Series Chesterfield County Public Schools I don t want to hear anymore about this ADHD junk!!! People won