11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your ADHD Medication
How to Get ADHD Medication in the UK
It can be difficult to get a prescription for ADHD medication due to a shortage. This is true for all pharmacies as well as doctors.
You should seek your evaluation via the 'Right to Choose route if you wish to avoid lengthy wait times. Before prescribing iampsychiatry.com , your local mental health provider might require a recent ADHD specialist review.
Stimulants
In the UK, stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat ADHD. They work by increasing the quantity of various neurotransmitters in the brain - chemicals that allow the brain to communicate. They are extremely effective and can help with many of the issues that arise from living with ADHD. As with all medications they can cause adverse negative effects. It is crucial to communicate with your GP how you feel and if any modifications are required in your treatment.
Stimulant medicine is best suited to adults, but can be used by children and adolescents. There are many different stimulant drugs available. The most popular include methylphenidate (Ritalin), amphetamine salts and dexamfetamine (Dexamethasone). There is also atomoxetine, or Prozac but it's only approuvé for children over eight years old.
They are typically started at low dosages and gradually increased over a few days. This is known as titration. It allows for adjustments to be made as you get to know the effect of the medication on your child or adult. The psychiatrist will work with you and consider any adverse effects you might be experiencing to determine a dose that is right for you while minimizing the negative effects.
It could take a while to determine the right dosage of stimulant ADHD medications, but it is vital to stay on track because long-term use is necessary. Regular appointments with your GP can help you find the appropriate balance.
Currently titration of ADHD medications is only undertaken by psychiatrists who specialize in this area, but this may change. In the meantime, general practitioners are advised not to prescribe stimulant medication to new patients until the shortage is over.
You can help support the fight for a better diagnosis and access to medication by writing to your GP asking them to refer you to an assessment. You can print and download the letter of support from ADHD UK to give to your GP.
Stimulants are the most widely used psychiatric medications and are available at most pharmacies. They are typically prescribed as tablets and are available either as an extended-release or immediate-release drug. Extended-release drugs are given each day in the morning, and can last up to 8 hours. Many people supplement their extended-release medication with an instant-release medication between mid-late afternoon and evening to ensure that they have a constant supply of their medication during the daytime.
It is difficult to support the notion that ADHD medication is not enough, and that children are 'drugged up" to control their behavior and improve their grades in school. In the UK there are 2.6 million adults and children who suffer from the condition. However only 200,000 of them are on medication. The number of people diagnosed with ADHD is likely to rise as the stigma surrounding the condition diminishes and more people are being referred for an ADHD assessment.