How to Talk to Your Doctor About Medication for Adult ADHD

Adults with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) often struggle with a number of symptoms that can make everyday tasks feel impossible. These can take a serious toll on our quality of life, and often spin out into related problems like depression and substance abuse.

There are many different ways to treat the symptoms of adult ADHD. For a psychotherapist, the first steps involve discussing how ADHD is interfering with clients’ work, family, and social lives. The Cloud
Counseling approach is dialectical and mindfulness based.

This encourages those struggling with adult ADHD to observe their behaviors in a judgment-free manner and make creative changes in how they approach difficulties. It can include everything from regular counseling to meditation. Often, careful and consistent mindfulness practice coupled with lifestyle changes may be enough to stymy the negative influence of ADHD in your daily life.

But for some, the addition of properly monitored and dosed medication is a necessary step. And there is absolutely no shame in that! It’s okay to feel uncomfortable when approaching your doctor about medication.

You may feel there are negative implications associated with asking for this kind of help. While that’s understandable, I’d ask you to reconsider.

I want to share some strategies to help you approach the conversation about medication with your psychologist that will put you at ease and ensure you’re getting the treatment you need. Let’s get right into it!

Be Prepared

Do your research, but don’t overdo it. The pharmaceutical industry has had its fair share of bad press over the years, some of it associated with medications used for the treatment of ADHD.

You should be informed about your choices so you can ask the right questions. For instance, there are generally two types of medication: amphetamine-based and methylphenidate-based, which affect people differently.

Be Clear

If it is your first time seeing this particular doctor about your adult ADHD, make sure to describe your symptoms and the course of action you have taken with the utmost clarity and honesty.

Explain what you’ve tried in order to curb your symptoms, what works, and what doesn’t so he or she can get a full picture of how adult ADHD affects you.

Be Honest

Let your doctor know why you’re there. If it makes you feel better, get a referral from your psychotherapist for a doctor they trust. Ask your referral source what to expect—how does the psychiatrist operate? Will you run through a questionnaire, or an extended talking session?

This can go a long way to make you feel at ease when inquiring about these additional treatment options.

Be Curious

You’re there for you, so you should ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable. As desired, ask your doctor to explain the full gamut of medications, potential side effects, when to take it, what you can expect to feel like, or anything else that may be of concern.

If you’re at the right doctor, he or she will be looking out for your health and wellness. If for some reason they’re uncomfortable or unwilling to write you a prescription, it’s okay to ask why. And if you feel the doctor you have chosen to monitor your medical treatment of ADHD is not right for you, don’t hesitate to make a change.

Talk to your counselor until you find the combination of treatments that helps you get your life back. While ADHD is a vexing disorder, many adults manage their symptoms and live productive lives. It’s
just a matter of finding out what works for you.