What Are the Pros and Cons of ADHD Medicine?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be managed with medication, making many of the symptoms of this condition much milder than they otherwise would be. This is the main advantage of using ADHD medicine, which is intended to allow patients to sit still and concentrate, thereby improving their overall outlook on life once they can function better. In most cases, this type of medication is safe and not physically addictive, though long-term effects are not yet clear, as of 2011. Some patients may end up psychologically addicted to this medicine, which can be a drawback. An additional problem is that ADHD drugs usually come with some side effects, which patients are encouraged to try to mitigate when possible.

The main point of ADHD medicine is to treat the symptoms of this condition and, for most patients, it does just that. The result is that people with ADHD are less hyperactive than usual, which may allow them to sit still long enough to learn, finish conversations and get their work done. An additional effect of ADHD medication is the sudden ability to focus, which often is nearly impossible for patients who endure ADHD without medicine. Therefore, the medication may lead to better grades or work performance, as well as better self-esteem once patients notice their strides toward improvement. It should be noted, though, that ADHD medicine is not effective for everyone, meaning some patients see no advantages from this type of drug.

Another benefit of using medication for relieving ADHD symptoms is that it generally is known for being safe. Most studies show few risks or serious side effects, and it is not known for being physically addictive. On the other hand, ADHD medicine has not been around long enough as of 2011 to draw conclusions about long-term effects, which is one of the drawbacks. In addition, some patients develop a psychological addiction to the drug once they get used to taking it each day, because they may heavily rely on it to treat their symptoms.

ADHD medicine side effects should not be forgotten when considering the drawbacks of taking drugs for this condition. Though the side effects usually are not life-threatening, and they tend to differ depending on the drug, they can be bothersome for patients. Some common examples include difficulty sleeping, dizziness and mood swings. Some people also find that they lose weight when taking ADHD medicine, in part because they may experience nausea, vomiting and general loss of appetite. Patients may be able to avoid many of these side effects by trying different prescriptions until they find out which one has the fewest negative effects, and also by eating prior to taking the medicine.