Are ADHD medications bad?

ok so i have lived for 17 years and um today i was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia and the doctor thinks that i should take medication . umm i have heard they can mess you up and they also mess up your personality . is that true? im just a little scared one day i dont have to take any medication at all and the next they want me to take medition ?

The medication will not mess you up. If you were just diagnosed with ADHD, chances are it was because it was causing you problems. Try the medication and see if it improves how you work. You'll probably find you feel more motivated and more focused. If you don't like how it makes you feel you don't have to take it, or you could try something else. ADHD medications in normal therapeutic doses are quite safe, talk to your doctor about it if you are worried.

Where have you heard that they "mess you up" and "mess up your personality"? Because that doesn't really sound like sound science to me.

ADHD medications help you focus. They can make you act less hyper, which can be considered a change of personality, but they will not "mess you up". I suggest taking the medication that your doctor recommended, and not worrying about side effects unless you experience any, which you very well may not.

Neurotherapy and biofeedback are 85% effective in clearing up ADHD for a sustained amount of time. Neurotheray and biofeedback are around most cities if you search, and there are at home games and equipment for neurotherapy. If you google it you will find it. It is like technologically enhanced meditation It is as effective as medication. Many school children will not have symptoms for years after doing it. The issue for some is that while it is effective, insurance doesn't cover it beacause of some shady reasons.

Here is a cheap alterative to paying to see a practitioner for bifeedback. It was developed by a former engineer in the space program and a psychologist who is well versed in biofeedback. Please look at www.drbate.com. He has developed a brain balancing cd based on biofeedback-I am a mental health counselor getting certified in biofeedback. His CD makes it affordable ($150 versus 4-5000 for biofeedback to clear up ADHD) and you listen to it at night. Biofeedback is as effective as medication without causing damage BUT insuranse usually doesn't cover it except for pain and anxiety. I urge you to look at that site...he focuses on the brain wave balancing which is increasing thought frequencies in a way drugs try to do but biofeedback does as well.

They will mess you up if you abuse them. Some of them have a high abuse potential (Adderall and dextroamphetamine, ritalin (methylphenidate)) but others don't. The most affective one and most over prescribed is Adderall XR. It's the strongest stimulant besides methamphetamine. I would say if you take your meds like you are instructed to, there shouldn't be a single problem!

first of all, let me start of by saying 'i love u', ok, now, do not take the pills, you just think a lot. the pills will only psychologically neuter you. u just need to find some things to occupy your mind, so the devil doesn't get a chance to. or we will say so the random thoughts don't get a chance to interfere with you living your life. good luck, and medicine can be hazardous, only take if you have a life threatening condition. peace

I think they are personally. I used to take them at age 13 to 15 and after that I started getting depressed very easy and my friends mentioned that i was almost a "zombie" so i stopped taking them completely. My grades increased but my social skills almost died. I don't think people should take them. I think they help some and hurt some. Didn't work for me. But it might for you