ADHD Protocol
You may be at a time in your life when you may feel like you cannot control your brain. You may be having difficulty concentrating, feeling as though many tabs are open at one time, your memory seems less reliable, or you struggle with completing tasks. You may start to wonder if you have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or others may comment that it seems like you have ADHD. Medications can be helpful to calm the brain to increase focus and productivity.
However, ADHD medications that are stimulants are considered Schedule II drugs, meaning they have high misuse potential, leading to stricter prescription rules (e.g., no refills, 30-day limits). These include medications such as Adderall (amphetamine), Ritalin/Concerta (methylphenidate), and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) which are highly regulated.
Additionally, these medications can pose risks to your health such as increased cardiovascular stress, sleep disturbances, reduced appetite, growth rate suppression in children, and lead to psychosis or mania with some clients.
Optimal Moments has a specific protocol that needs to be completed for those seeking medications for ADHD/ADD. This is to accurately rule out any other diagnoses that could be leading to these executive functioning symptoms (difficulty concentrating or completing tasks, feeling overwhelmed, memory issues, etc.) as well as ensuring you are medically stable enough to take stimulants. Please read more about ADHD here.
Documentation Needed:
Documentation that you have been officially diagnosed with ADHD prior to starting the ADHD medication. Please upload a copy of this report to the Client Portal.
a. If you have not had an official diagnose or do not have access to the previous report, you will need to schedule a psychological evaluation. This can be completed at OM or at another office.
A copy of your last physical, including assessment of personal and family history of cardiovascular risk factors, should be uploaded to the Client Portal
a. An electrocardiograms (EKG or ECG) may be requested if there are any concerns about your current cardiovascular health.
b. If there are any concerns about your medical health, you must obtain medical clearance from your primary care provider (PCP) to verify you are medically stable for stimulant medications.
You must undergo a urine drug screen prior to starting stimulant medications and consent to random drug testing during treatment.
If you are changing providers, a copy of your last 3 office visit notes from your current prescribing healthcare provider must be uploaded to the client portal.
Alternatives to Stimulants:
Non-Stimulant Medications (Not Controlled): Non-stimulants generally do not have the same risk of addiction or dependency. These would include Atomoxetine (Strattera), Viloxazine (Qelbree), Guanfacine (Intuniv), and Clonidine (Kapway) which have been approved by the FDA for use in treating ADHD.
These medications work on different neuropathways than stimulants but can be as effective in managing symptoms. There are different considerations of adverse side effects and health concerns, such as low blood pressure, that should be discussed with your provider.
Neurofeedback: If you are not interested in medications or have tried medications before but would like alternatives, we recommend neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is similar to biofeedback as it allows the clinician to understand what is going on with your body. However, neurofeedback will assess your brain waves and the clinician will train you on having more control over your brain’s functioning.
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy can be beneficial in helping you explore the negative thoughts or low self-esteem that can be associated with the struggles of having ADHD. We see an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms in individuals with ADHD both as an emotional symptom of ADHD and because of the impact of ADHD on daily functioning or lack thereof. We encourage parental or family therapy as well so loved ones can provide alternative supportive environments for the individual with ADHD.
Lifestyle Modifications: Our providers can work with you on establishing routines and structure, improving sleep hygiene, establishing a healthy diet, and consistently engaging in moderate exercise as these all can assist in managing ADHD symptoms.
Read more about treatment options for ADHD here.
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