What does ADHD medication do?

We are here to support you on your journey to manage ADHD effectively. This information provides essential details about starting medication for ADHD and what to expect during your appointment.

Medication may be an important part of your treatment plan for ADHD. There are many types of drugs to choose from to help control your symptoms. ADHD medications all work the same – to increase levels of certain chemicals in your brain (called neurotransmitters). These chemicals help reduce symptoms (such as hyperactivity and impulsivity), increase attention span, and help you manage your emotions.

Types of ADHD medications:

The medications most often used to treat ADHD include:

Stimulants. These medicines are called stimulants because they increase the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. These two chemicals have important effects on your ability to think and pay attention.

Non-stimulants. In cases where stimulants don’t work or cause unpleasant side effects, non-stimulants might help. These medicines take longer to start working than stimulants, but they may help improve your ability to focus, pay attention, and control your impulses. Sometimes, you may be prescribed these along with a stimulant to improve how both work.

Medications may not work for all ADHD symptoms or affect everyone the same way. A combination of medication, therapy, behaviour changes, and coaching is often the most effective treatment.

What to Expect for myself or my child

Some medicines need to be taken every day, but some can be taken just on school days. Treatment breaks are occasionally recommended to assess whether the medication is still needed.

When prescribed these medications, you or your child will likely start with small doses that may gradually increase.

Before your online appointment, you'll need to see a GP for health checks such as height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and a cardiac assessment (a healthcare professional will listen to your heart and lungs to ensure they are functioning correctly). In some cases, a cardiology referral might be necessary if you have had personal or family history of heart defects or chest pain; please contact us for more information.

Regular check-ups are also needed to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and check for any side effects or issues.

It's important to let your GP and specialist know about any side effects and talk to them if you feel you need to stop or change treatment.

Your specialist will discuss how long you should take your treatment but, in many cases, treatment is continued for as long as it is helping.

Why These Steps are Important

These steps ensure ADHD medication is safe for you, especially for your heart health. Our goal is to help you manage ADHD safely and effectively.

If you have questions, please contact us. We are here to help you every step of the way.

Fees

Fees may vary dependent on the medication required; we will be able to give you an accurate estimate of fees once you have spoken with our psychologists.

Initial appointment - £250
Follow up - £200

Thank you for taking these important steps with us. We are committed to providing you with the best care possible as you begin your ADHD treatment journey.​

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