No one I talk to is happy with the state of health care. Doctors feel disempowered and pressured and do not have the time they want to spend with patients. And anyone who goes to see doctors feels about the same as they try to advocate for themselves.

At the national ADHD conference, for example, a theme arises: How can I even talk to my provider about my ADHD? ADHD is not a highly emphasized part of medical training—and it takes time to discuss the details. Rushed visits leave people struggling to communicate and feeling frustrated.

One of the greatest frustrations, for them and for me, is the under-management of ADHD medications. There is rampant judgment around taking them but there is also a large amount of misinformation, both online and in the community, about what the drugs do and do not do.

ADHD medication should be discussed like any other medication. It’s unfair and unfortunate for people with ADHD that these safe and proven treatments have been stigmatized. Since much of the misunderstanding arises from how they are managed, what follows is a path toward skillful and kind medication management in two parts.

Part One: The Bare Facts

ADHD is a confirmed medical disorder when correctly diagnosed. The easiest way to understand this may be that the genetics of ADHD are nearly as strong as the genetics of height.
ADHD medication has been used for around a century. After a hundred years of use there are no known long-term side effects. Robust longitudinal studies have shown, for example, no concern about growth. The medications appear to decrease the risk of substance abuse for someone with ADHD. They also do not change personality or limit creativity when properly prescribed.
ADHD medications work by activating the parts of the brain that are underactive when you have ADHD. This is the end point for both groups of ADHD medications, stimulants and non-stimulants, in spite of their confusing names.
The strong benefits of ADHD medication for individuals with ADHD have been shown across numerous studies. Between 80 and 90 percent of people can use these drugs without significant side effects when managed well. Recent studies show not only academic benefits but potential improvements related to lifespan, risk of substance use, and even criminal behavior. Since the medication is in and out of the body rapidly, if someone encounters a side effect and stops taking a medication, that side effect should resolve quickly.

The bottom line message about ADHD medications is this: No one should use a medication they do not need for anything in life, but no one should feel judged or scared about trying ADHD medication.

Part Two: Skillful Medication Management

The goal for ADHD medication is to end up with benefits and no significant side effects; getting there relies entirely on trial and error. There is no predicting what medication or dose will work for any individual. If a website or person is suggesting a single medication as best for all, they’re giving bad advice.
Stimulants have immediate effect, in terms of both benefits and side effects. There is no point monitoring long-term before making adjustments. Non stimulants take a little longer to reach peak effects, but quick adjustments are still possible. The ups and downs of life can confuse the picture, but after a week or two, little is likely to change.
The trial-and-error period can be difficult but keep moving until satisfied. Side effects are manageable unless someone falls into the small group of people who do not tolerate medication. However, it is common to try multiple medications, at various doses, or combinations of medications, before finding what feels right.
Start the trial-ans-error by tracking medication benefits. Focus, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness should no longer be disruptive once medication is working well. As dosing is not weight-based, as soon as the impact of a dose is clear, adjustments can be made. If the effects are not clear, various ADHD rating scales are available to track progress in a more structured way.
Track side effects. The goal is, again, no significant negatives. Mild side effects do sometimes resolve, so they can be monitored for a short time before making a choice. If there are persistent concerns, then either the medication can be changed or the dose lowered. Right away. Always.
The intention of medication is to cover a person’s entire functional day, seven days a week. This includes more than school or work hours but homework, family time, chores, and hobbies as well. Since larger doses do not make medication last longer, only changes in formulations or booster doses will improve length of effect.

The achievable goal for most individuals with ADHD is to feel completely themselves, better focused, and more on top of their life. ADHD medications are proven and safe medications when used appropriately, in spite of misinformation that suggests otherwise. There is no reason to accept limited benefits or ongoing side effects. In spite of all the pressures of modern medicine, time-related and otherwise, successful ADHD management relies on frequent follow-up and effective communication between patients and providers. When this happens, people with ADHD can expect a safe, effective treatment and to live their lives in line with their best intentions, meeting their full potential.

To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.