ADHD medication: What do I need to know?

How does ADHD medication work? Is it addictive? If you think you might have ADHD or were recently diagnosed, find out what you need to know about ADHD medication, like how to tell if you’re taking too much or too little.  

For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood. 

Timestamps

(00:00) Introduction

(00:51) How does ADHD medication work?  

(03:39) Does everyone with ADHD need medication?  

(04:21) How can medication help manage ADHD symptoms?  

(06:05) What are the limitations of ADHD medication?  

(06:50) Is ADHD medication addictive?  

(08:26) Will ADHD medication turn me into a zombie?  

(09:41) How can I tell if I’m not taking enough ADHD medication?  

(10:31) What do I need to know about possible side effects of ADHD medication?  

(12:25) Key takeaway, next episode, and credits  

Related resources:

• How ADHD medication works in the brain
• ADHD medication side effects
• Study finds that ADHD medication reduces risk of drug use for people with ADHD
• Is it really ADHD?

Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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