"I don't believe in medication." You have heard people say this, right?
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, believe means:
1
a: to have a firm religious faith b: to accept as true, genuine, or
real <ideals we believe in> <believes in ghosts>
2: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something <believe in exercise>[1]
I think we can agree that medication:
Ø is not a religion.
Ø is real.
Ø is effective and necessary when used properly.
So, what does it mean when someone says, "I don't believe in medication"?
I don't know.
Here is what I do know:
Ø It is necessary to have an accurate diagnosis by a professional who specializes in AD/HD before embarking on any treatment plan.
Ø Treatment
for neurobiological conditions, like AD/HD, may include medication to
mitigate the challenges of the condition in order to function well.
Ø Medication, when warranted, has been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for AD/HD.
Ø It
may be ineffective, however, if it is the only intervention.
Medication is usually most effective when it is part of a treatment
plan that may include therapy, coaching and behavioral interventions,
as well as exercise and proper nutrition.
Ø Children,
teens and adults who take medication as part of a complete treatment
plan may do better socially, academically and emotionally.
I also know that the decision to take any medication should be made with great care.
So,
the next time you hear someone say, "I don't believe in
medication," ask them what they mean. Perhaps, by asking them this
question, you can help them to become clearer in their
thinking.
"What
you perceive, your observations, feelings, interpretations, are all
your truth. Your truth is important. Yet it is not The Truth." ~Linda Ellinor
[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/believe
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