Is My ADHD Treatment Plan Working?
One thing that I have always struggled with is: What is normal? What is it like to not have ADHD? I am always going to have some level of distractibility. Even non-ADHDers do. So, where should I be? When it comes to treating and managing ADHD, am I where I should be? Do I need to be doing more? Do I need to up the dosage of my medication? Do I need to switch medications? Do I need more coping skills? Do I have non-ADHD issues getting in the way of managing my ADHD? Is my ADHD treatment plan working? I do not have any solid answers to these questions, but I do have some things to consider that might help you determine what, if anything, you need to change.
What Are Your Treatment Goals?
First, think about what you would like to improve in your life. In what areas does ADHD hold you back? What would it look like for you to have satisfaction in those areas? Are you at that point? If not, something might need to be changed.
Medication
The goal of treating ADHD with medication is to get the most amount of benefit at the lowest possible dose. Determining if you are at that point is not easy. There is no guidance for which medication to prescribe for ADHD or what dose is best. ADHD affects everyone differently, and there is no way to know which medication/dosage is going to be most effective. Doctors are forced to experiment. If you feel like you are not getting the benefit you need from your medication, it would not hurt to try increasing your dose or trying a different medication. Do watch for side effects, though. If you experience an intolerable level of side effects, stop taking your medication and contact your doctor.
Multimodal Approach
The best ADHD experts recommend a multimodal treatment plan. By multimodal, they mean using multiple approaches to treating and managing ADHD. This could mean combining medication and therapy or combining vigorous exercise and coaching. It could be any combination of a number of options. No option should be ruled out as long as it is effective and economically feasible. If you feel you need more support in your treatment plan, perhaps it is time for coaching.