In this video, Dr. Jim, ADHD specialist and founder of FastBraiin, answers the question,

"Should I be concerned with ADHD medications?"

The following is a basic transcript.

I'd like to talk a minute about the concern many parents have about ADHD medications. When I give parent talksIi always ask my 40-50 parents in the room, "How many of you have come to visit me and come to the clinic for medication?"

Very rarely do I have someone raise their hand. If I do it's because their child is already on medication and they've just moved into the area.

You need to understand that medication has problems. And that's what I know you do understand. The side effects are huge. Therefore, if we use meds, it's very important that we watch to see how your child responds to the medication.

Is it important to use meds? Yes. Do we prescribe it for everyone? No.

For you as the parent, it's very important for you to understand and learn how medications work (there are different types), the particular responses, the side effects, and all the interactions that can happen, even during the course of the day.

You need to know both the downside and upside of medications? There are pros and cons to it that you need to be aware of.

Your physician that you are discussing medications with also needs to understand the side effects and needs to be up to date on the latest studies. We want to use evidence based medicines. this means that there have been plenty of medical

We want to use evidence-based medicines. This means that there have been plenty of medical universities that have studied the medicine several times.

We are also a believer in supplements. We will discuss supplements further in our blogs, but understand that supplements do have a place in caring for ADHD. However, many supplements are coming under a lot of scrutiny from the federal trade commission as they are promising things that they really don't deliver.

You need to understand ADHD medications and that they are important, but you also have the responsibility to know your child and know your child's particular response.