1. Pick the right time. "Do it during a period of stability, not stress," says Lenard Adler, M.D., director of the adult ADD/ADHD program at New York University. For children, summer is often the safest time for a trial discontinuation.
2. Don't go cold turkey. Physicians often recommend tapering. If symptoms return at the halfway point, don't wait for a "crash" to starts meds again. If problems don't surface until all the meds are gone, you can probably take a lower dose.
3. Enlist the help of a therapist or ADHD coach. Work together to add structure and coping strategies—such as exercise, organization techniques, and so on—that will help control symptoms that arise.
4. Stay in close touch with your doctor. Weekly or monthly visits while you discontinue the medication should be sufficient, but make sure to alert your doctor to problems as soon as they arise. Don't wait until they reach crisis proportions.
5. Ask friends and family members to keep an eye on you. Teachers and co-workers can provide valuable feedback as well, although carefully consider whom and how much to tell.
No comments yet:
