This Is A ADHD Medication Success Story You'll Never Be Able To
How to Get ADHD Medication in the UK
It can be difficult to obtain prescriptions for ADHD medication due to shortages. This affects all doctors and pharmacies.
You should access your assessment through the 'Right to Choice' pathway if you want to avoid lengthy wait times. Before prescribing ADHD medication the local mental health service may require a recent ADHD specialist review.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the drugs most commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in the UK. They work by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters (chemicals that enable brain cells to communicate) in the brain. They are extremely efficient and can aid in overcoming the numerous challenges that arise from living with ADHD. However, like all medications, they can cause side effects so open communication is important with your GP regarding how you're feeling and any changes to treatment that may be necessary.
Stimulant medication is best for adults, but it is also utilized by children and adolescents. There are many different stimulant medications available. The most common ones include methylphenidate (Ritalin) amphetamine salts and dexamfetamine (Dexamethasone). There is also atomoxetine, or Prozac but it's only approved for children over the age of eight.
They are typically started at low dosages and gradually increased over a couple of days. This is called titration and allows for adjustments to be made as you get to know the effect of the medication on your child or adult. The psychiatrist will look at the effects of the medication observed and work with you to find a dose that works well for you, while minimizing side negative effects.
It can take a while to determine the proper dosage of stimulant ADHD drugs, but it is important to stay on track because long-term usage is required. Making regular appointments with your GP and staying in constant contact with any adverse effects can help ensure that the ideal balance is achieved.
Currently, only psychiatrists are able adjust ADHD medications. However, medication for adhd and anxiety may change. In the meantime, doctors are advised not to start new patients on any stimulant medication until the shortfall is gone.
You can support the fight for a better diagnosis and access to treatment by writing to your GP asking them to refer you to an assessment. You can download and print the support letter from ADHD UK that you can give to your GP.
Stimulants are the most widely used psychiatric medications and can be purchased from the majority of pharmacies. They are prescribed as tablets, and can either be taken as an immediate-release drug or an extended-release one. Extended-release medications are administered each day in the morning, and can last up to 8 hours. Many people take their extended-release medication with an instant-release medicine between mid-late afternoon and evening to ensure they have a constant supply of their medication during the day.
The argument that ADHD is over-medicalised and that children are being "drugged up" to control their behavior and improve their school grades has merit, but it is hard to endure when medications are so in short supply. There are believed to be 2.6 million children and adults suffering from the condition in the UK however only 200k of them are taking medication. This number is likely to increase as the stigma associated with ADHD diminishes and more people are referred to an ADHD assessment.