Though there are many alternative methods for treating ADHD, medicine remains one of the most effective means to care for ADHD children and adults. I average over 60 new patients per month. Nearly 90%, however, come into my office not wanting any medication for treating ADHD in their child. They are usually sent by way of the school system. Frequently, that visit comes with either the threat of failing the grade or failing end of grade testing. Sometimes schools have told parents that their child is “really” going to struggle next year!
They want help treating ADHD. But they don’t want medicine.
While we respect that viewpoint, oftentimes alternative means of caring for ADHD are not strong enough. Some fail to deliver the brain with the immediate assistance needed. Usually, with a little coaching of how we use medicine in conjunction with other therapies, parents open up to it.
FastBraiin is not against alternative means.
We love them and use them all the time. Our program is comprehensive. We look at diet and nutrition, supplements, study skills, music, mindfulness, and many other ADHD treatment options. Medicine must fit within this wider strategy if we are going to maximize its effectiveness.
If you love FastBraiin, it’s probably because you love our positive approach to treating ADHD.
We believe the ADHD brain is uniquely gifted for certain tasks and activities. Because we believe this so strongly, we have even changed the label from ADHD (negative) to FastBraiin (positive).
But just because we celebrate the true gift of ADHD, doesn’t mean that the weaknesses and struggles disappear. Relational difficulty, inability to focus, impulsivity, inability to pursue long term rewards, difficulty staying on task, focusing, or being organized, are all weaknesses of the ADHD individual. Patients can take months or years to work through these things. Alternative therapies, while helpful, on their own do not always give powerful enough or immediate enough assistance to help the client overcome these obstacles. Medicine fills in this gap where alternative means fall short.
What happens without treating ADHD?
Recent research is a bit unnerving, but it will help you see why we are concerned about ADHD and why ADHD treatment is so important for ADHD individuals:
- They will have an increased likelihood of substance abuse. Treating ADHD adolescents with medication will significantly lower substance usage and addiction.
- They will have an increased likelihood of committing suicide. A study from Canada noted that there was a 50% lower suicide rate in those treated versus the non-treated ADHD individuals.
- They will have an increased likelihood of dropping out of school.
- They will have an increased likelihood of being arrested. (Sadly, the police end up arresting 70% of those that drop out of high school!)
- They will tend to have lower jobs, lower job satisfaction, and lower job advancement.
- They will be more likely to exhibit an increase in health issues such as obesity, asthma, and mental health problems.
- They are nearly guaranteed to commit a major auto violation or have an accident in early adult life.
Don’t be scared about treating ADHD…
That list is not meant to scare you, especially if you have ADHD or are a parent of an ADHD child. It’s simply to bring awareness to the issue. If you find the right help, all these stats are preventable. We see it over and over in our clinic. It seems ridiculous after reading this list, though, to ask, “Should these kids be treated?” We should instead be asking, “How are they being treated, by whom, and with what degree of effectiveness?”
At FastBraiin, it is our joy to see lives transformed. Though it is tough work, it is good work, and it is work that produces results. We love that 82% of our clients have significantly improved school success, even moving from D’s and F’s to A’s and B’s. And for us, it’s not just about the grade. We know these grades translate into smiles, inner confidence, and hope for the future.
