ADHD in Post-Secondary

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The Medication Debate

The word treatment can have the unwanted impact of emphasizing pathology/illness and overlooking strengths. It also conceals difficulties exacerbated by contextual factors (e.g., certain styles of teaching and learning). However, medication has a direct impact on brain function that can be helpful when a person is matched with the right type and dosage (See Dr. Russell Barkley speaking to physicians on this topic). What is important to remember is that medication is only one of many other possible resources available to a person who wants to improve their functioning. Exercise, social connection and support, meditation, counselling to improve time and self-management skills or your relationship with self and others, and the acquisition of learning strategies, are just some of the ways to make life more like you want it.

The medication debate:

There is continued debate about the use of ADHD medication but many of the top experts see medication as a valuable intervention.

The experience of university students is varied. Some have been on medication through grade school and continue to benefit from this post high school. Some students have developed sufficient strategies, support, and practices, or use short-action medication that can be taken as needed for specific tasks (e.g., writing an essay or studying for an exam). Some students find they are significantly helped with medication for the first time as they enter post-secondary, or they change their dosage in response to the increased demands. Some students have only recently been diagnosed as adults and are only beginning to explore how medications might be helpful.

Knowledgeable doctors and psychiatrist, and sticking with them through the process of finding the right type and dose, is key for medication use.

As well, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who says medication alone is sufficient. The “pills are not skills” saying is often invoked to capture this idea.