Day 20: 31 Ways to Make ADHD Medication Less Scary Before Halloween

Non stimulant ADHD medication zombie horror story

When we were talking horror stories, it seemed like I was picking on the stimulants a little bit. Both Concerta and Adderall had a horror story. But non-stimulants have horror stories too. Like the patient that I saw who had been on Strattera for years, and didn’t blink and really had that zombie appearance that parents fear. The problem was he had it so long his parents had decided that this was normal and they weren’t aware of his zombie-ish appearance.

When I asked them how long he had been like this, meaning that he didn’t blink and was very straight-faced, they said, “Like what?” But four weeks after stopping the Strattera when he was a regular ADHD teenager, they knew what I meant. Changing him to stimulants actually was the right thing for that particular patient, and the zombie effect didn’t come back. Today he’s doing well, off of Strattera and on a stimulant medication.

So there is no right medicine or no better or worse stimulant versus non-stimulant. Don’t be afraid to find the right medicine for your child.

This information should not be relied upon as a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Use the information provided on this site solely at your own risk. If you have any concerns about your health, please consult with a physician.

James Wiley is the founder of Focus-MD. Focus-MD is devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and related problem patients. They provide objective testing, medical treatment as well as behavior modification strategies to help or patients transform from frustration to focus. To find a Focus-MD clinic, click here. 

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