Questions to ask your doctor when discussing treatment options for Alzheimer's disease.

The medications currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease belong to a single class of drugs. This means that although the key ingredient is different in each of the drugs, they are all designed to perform the same function in the body. Therefore, it is not always easy to answer the question, "Which Alzheimer medication is the best?"

Alzheimer's Disease Treatment Options: Variation in Outcomes and Side Effects

Responses to most medications vary for reasons that we do not fully understand. This circumstance is common in all drug treatments. For example, many common over-the-counter pain medications belong to the same class of drugs. Ibuprofen may work better for one individual, while naproxen may be better for another, and neither of these drugs may be as effective for a third individual.

These same variations also happen with Alzheimer medications. If a drug has little or no effect on a patient's symptoms, a physician may recommend trying one of the others.

Side effects can also vary from one patient to the next. For one individual, one drug may be more effective but have greater side effects. For another patient, the same drug may be less effective but have no side effects.

Alzheimer's Disease Treatment Options Questions for Your Physician

Clear communication between the physician and the patient or caregiver is essential. Ask your physician the following questions when you discuss any treatment options.

• What kind of assessment will you use to determine if the drug is effective?
• How much time will pass before you will be able to assess the drug's effectiveness?
• How will you monitor for possible side effects?
• What effects should we watch for at home?
• When should we call you?
• Is one treatment option more likely than another to interfere with medications for other conditions?
• What are the concerns with stopping one drug treatment and beginning another?
• At what stage of the disease would you consider it appropriate to stop using the drug?

These questions will not address all treatment needs, but the answers to these questions will help you understand the treatment options for Alzheimer's and make informed decisions.

Sources:

• Alzheimer's Society of Canada
• Alzheimer's Society of the Phillipines
• Alzheimer's Association
• Namenda website (namenda.com)

Sometimes, people taking Vyvanse, a prescription medication used to treat ADHD, decide to stop taking Vyvanse. This drug is an amphetamine and central nervous system stimulant that changes the brain’s neurochemistry. Vyvanse raises levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in order to increase concentration and attention span while simultaneously decreasing hyperactivity and impulsivity. Vyvanse can help adult ADHD symptoms, yet this medication isn’t for everyone.

Quitting Vyvanse is a personal decision based on a variety of factors. Sometimes, people want to manage their ADHD symptoms without medication. Other times, people experience unpleasant side effects of adult ADHD medications. The most common side effects (Healthine, n.d.) include:

• Anxiety
• Headache
• Loss of appetite/weight loss
• Sleep problems
• Nausea
• Vomiting

There are other side effects, too, many of which are very serious. These can range from dry mouth and the jitters to toxicity (a build-up of the drug in the body), heart attack, stroke, and death. If a woman takes Vyvanse while breastfeeding, the drug will be passed to her infant ("Vyvanse [lisdexamfetamine dimesylate] Patient Information").

Another risk of taking Vyvanse is dependence. This occurs when someone has been taking high doses of a medication for an extended period of time. The brain and body develop a tolerance to the drug, in this case, Vyvanse. The medication loses effectiveness, requiring higher and higher doses just to maintain the same level of effectiveness. If you become dependent, it’s important to talk to your doctor about getting off Vyvanse.

What Happens When You Stop Taking Vyvanse?

What happens when you stop taking Vyvanse largely depends on how you stop taking it. Your experience will be drastically different if you taper off than if you suddenly stop taking Vyvanse.

Quitting Vyvanse cold turkey will likely result in a period of ADHD medication withdrawal. According to Harvey (2015), the most common things people experience with going through Vyvanse withdrawal are

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Cravings for the medication and thus a risk of relapse

Other Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms include:

• Mood changes
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Restlessness
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability
• Increased appetite
• Vivid or lucid dreams
• Psychosis (occasionally)

If you suddenly stop taking Vyvanse, it’s highly likely that you’ll experience what is known as the Vyvanse crash. This is a sudden onset of possibly severe withdrawal symptoms, especially irritability, anxiety, and fatigue. Additionally, you may notice a sudden return of your adult ADHD symptoms.

Especially if you abruptly stopped taking Vyvanse and even if you are tapering off under medical supervision, you will do well to have support to help you handle the effects of Vyvanse withdrawal.

How to Properly Taper off Vyvanse

Gradually tapering off Vyvanse under your doctor’s guidance is the safe and effective way to stop taking Vyvanse. The drug is in your system, and it needs time to slowly diminish to avoid shocking your system.

This process of reducing and then eliminating Vyvance from your body is called detoxification, or detox. Your doctor will build a schedule, and you’ll see him or her for regular visits during the weeks that you are weaning. Sometimes, people participate in outpatient or even inpatient detox programs, but most people are able to use the schedule their doctor created for them.

Dealing with the Effects of Vyvanse Withdrawal

The withdrawal period for Vyvance depends on how you stop. When you taper off the medication with the guidance of your doctor, the period of time when you experience withdrawal symptoms is typically quite short, often just a few days. If you’ve been on a high dose for a long time, though, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms longer than that. The exact length depends on the individual.

If you abruptly stop taking Vyvanse, your withdrawal symptoms can last approximately three- to four weeks, depending on the individual. The first week will be the Vyvanse crash period.

There are ways to deal with the effects of withdrawal. Unlike other drugs, Vyvanse has no medication that is proven to be effective in treating the withdrawal symptoms. While your symptoms can’t be eased medically, they can be eased psychologically.

Therapy can be an important component of the process of getting off Vyvanse. Working with a therapist can help you develop coping skills as well as ways to deal with the cravings for Vyvanse you may experience.

Getting off Vyvanse is okay to do if you and your doctor agree that it’s a good choice for you. However, it’s unpleasant at best and dangerous at worst to quit Vyvanse cold turkey. Go through the detox process with your doctor’s monitoring, and you’ll soon be Vyvanse-free.

Description of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer's and Alzheimer's treatments.

Alzheimer's Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms

When Alzheimer's disrupts memory, language, thinking, and reasoning, these effects are referred to as "cognitive symptoms" of the disease. The term "behavioral and psychiatric symptoms" describes a large group of additional symptoms that occur to at least some degree in many individuals with Alzheimer's. In the early stages of the disease, people may experience personality changes such as irritability, anxiety or depression.

In later stages, other symptoms may occur, including sleep disturbances; agitation (physical or verbal aggression, general emotional distress, restlessness, pacing, shredding paper or tissues, yelling); delusions (firmly held belief in things that are not real); or hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there).

Many individuals with Alzheimer's and their families find behavioral and psychiatric symptoms to be the most challenging and distressing effects of the disease. These symptoms are often a determining factor in a family's decision to place a loved one in residential care. They also often have an enormous impact on care and quality of life for individuals living in long-term care facilities.

Alzheimer's Medical evaluation

A person exhibiting behavioral and psychiatric symptoms should receive a thorough medical evaluation, especially when symptoms come on suddenly. Treatment depends on a careful diagnosis, determination of the possible causes, and the types of behavior the person is experiencing. With proper treatment and intervention, significant reduction or stabilization of the symptoms can often be achieved.

Symptoms often reflect an underlying infection or medical illness. For example, the pain or discomfort caused by pneumonia or a urinary tract infection can result in agitation. An untreated ear or sinus infection can cause dizziness and pain that affect behaviors. Side effects of prescription medication are another common contributing factor to behavioral symptoms. Side effects are especially likely to occur when individuals are taking multiple medications for several health conditions, creating a potential for drug interactions.

Non-drug interventions for Alzheimer's

There are two distinct types of treatments for agitation: non-drug interventions and prescription medications. Non-drug interventions should be tried first. In general, steps to managing agitation include (1) identifying the behavior, (2) understanding its cause, and (3) adapting the caregiving environment to remedy the situation.

Correctly identifying what has triggered symptoms can often help in selecting the best behavioral intervention. Often the trigger is some sort of change in the person's environment:

• change in caregiver
• change in living arrangements
• travel
• hospitalization
• presence of houseguests
• bathing
• being asked to change clothing

A key principle of intervention is redirecting the affected individual's attention, rather than arguing, disagreeing, or being confrontational with the person. Additional intervention strategies include the following:

• simplify the environment
• simplify tasks and routines
• allow adequate rest between stimulating events
• use labels to cue or remind the person
• equip doors and gates with safety locks
• remove guns
• use lighting to reduce confusion and restlessness at night

Medications to treat agitation

Medications can be effective in some situations, but they must be used carefully and are most effective when combined with non-drug approaches. Medications should target specific symptoms so their effect can be monitored. In general, it is best to start with a low dose of a single drug. People with dementia are susceptible to serious side effects, including a slightly increased risk of death from antipsychotic medications. Risk and potential benefits of a drug should be carefully analyzed for any individual. Examples of medications commonly used to treat behavioral and psychiatric symptoms include the following:

Antidepressant medications for low mood and irritability

• citalopram (Celexa®)
• fluoxetine (Prozac®)
• paroxetine (Paxil®)

Anxiolytics for anxiety, restlessness, verbally disruptive behavior and resistance

• lorazepam (Ativan®)
• oxazepam (Serax®)

Antipsychotic medications for hallucinations, delusions, aggression, hostility and uncooperativeness

• aripiprazole (Abilify®)
• clozapine (Clozaril®)
• olanzapine (Zyprexa®)
• quetiapine (Seroquel®)
• risperidone (Risperdal®)
• ziprasidone (Geodon®)

Although antipsychotics are among the most frequently used medications for treating agitation, some physicians may prescribe an anticonvulsant/mood stabilizer, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol®) or divalproex (Depakote®) for hostility or aggression.

Sedative medications, which are used to treat insomnia or sleep problems, may cause incontinence, instability, falls or increased agitation. These drugs must be used with caution, and caregivers need to be aware of these possible side effects.

Source:

Alzheimer's Association

If you're a parent of teenagers, you know how important it is to talk with them about their changing bodies. You probably also know how hard this can be. The following article addresses some of the most common questions that boys have about their changing penises during puberty. Reading up on the basics may just help you when the big talk comes time.

How big should my penis be?

The size of your penis is simply determined by genetic traits, which you inherited from your parents. There is nothing you can do to increase or decrease the size of your penis-it will develop into its adult size as you change from a boy to a man through the process called puberty. Most boys start the changes of puberty between 10 and 14 years of age, though a few will start earlier or later than these ages.

First, the testicles (balls) begin to enlarge and then hair starts to grow around them. The penis then starts to enlarge, first in length and then later in thickness. Though there is much normal variation, the final penis size is reached four to six years after the testicles first started to enlarge.

This process of normal penis growth can be disturbing for many young men. Since the testicles enlarge before the penis, many young teens don't notice any development at all in the beginning, and worry that they're not changing and that their penis is too small. Also, if you are overweight, fat tissue can hide the penis somewhat and give an impression that the penis is smaller than it really is. Some boys in your class may have started puberty well ahead of you and it may seem like they have an adult-sized penis-that can be very upsetting! But remember, it is difficult to know how large a penis will be in its erect state, simply by looking at it when it's not erect (or when flaccid).

Adult penis size varies considerably from person to person. And we live in a society that encourages us to think that a man with a larger penis has a better sex life than one with a smaller penis. This is constantly noted in sexual jokes and in the media. Well, the truth is that normal penises vary tremendously in size, and sex can be good for all sizes! You will need to wait a year or two after your overall height has stopped changing to see what final size your penis will be. If at any time during your growing, you are worried that your penis is abnormal, just go to your doctor and ask him or her directly about this. In almost every case, you will be told that it is fine.

The skin on my scrotum (balls) is getting darker. Is that normal?

Yes. It is normal for skin over the scrotum to get darker as you change from a boy to a man. During puberty, there is an increase in chemicals in the body called hormones. Darkening of the skin over the scrotum or balls is actually one of the first steps of puberty. It is noted to occur at the same time that skin over the balls changes from a smooth appearance to a more rough appearance (called stippling). Also at this time, the testicles or balls themselves will begin to enlarge. These changes are all the first visible signs that puberty has begun. The darkening of the scrotal skin is perfectly normal and will be followed over the next few years by even more dramatic changes: adult pubic hair, growth of the penis, hair in the armpits, larger and stronger muscles, facial hair, growth to an adult size, among others. These changes are all determined by factors called genetic traits-these traits come from your parents and determine how fast these changes will occur and what the final results will look like. So if you see this normal darkening of your scrotal skin, you will know that many changes are about to happen over the next few years-changes that start out looking small, but result in taking you from being a boy to being a man!

When do boys start growing hair around the penis?

The growth of pubic hair over the penis and testicles is a normal part of puberty-the time when boys physically change into men. Most boys begin this time of puberty between 10 and 14 years of age and notice many changes in their bodies that occur over several years. Growth of the testicles is a first visible sign of puberty, followed by growth of the penis. Though much variation is noted, pubic hair usually begins to develop several months after the testicles, or balls, begin to grow. In some boys, the hair may even start growing before any changes in the balls are noted. At first, this hair is sparse, straight (or slightly curled), and soft; it is found at the base or beginning of the penis. Over the next several months or few years, it becomes much darker and curly; it also spreads over the balls and inner parts of the thighs. The final amount of hair is usually reached as other parts of puberty are completed-such as final size of the penis and testicles, final height, and facial hair. However, there is much normal variation in the amount and distribution of this hair.

Most of the other guys in the locker room have circumcised penises. I am uncircumcised. Is that normal?

All males are born with a fold of skin over the tip of the penis. Doctors call this fold of skin a prepuce, and the surgical removal of this skin is called circumcision. It has been practiced in many cultures for many centuries, often for religious reasons. There are some doctors who feel that boys should be circumcised for medical reasons and note that circumcision will reduce the chances of infants getting infections in their bladders. Some doctors feel that circumcised males will have fewer infections when sexually active and will have less cancer of the penis as adults. But-not all doctors agree with these theories and the medical debate continues regarding the medical need for circumcision. But both choices are perfectly normal. When you were born, your parents or guardians chose not to have you circumcised. You are part of a large number of men in the world who are not circumcised-and you are all normal.

Why does the doctor have to touch my testicles during the medical exam?

The main reason to touch your testicles (balls) during a medical exam is to check for any abnormality with them. It is important to be sure both balls are approximately the same size, and that there is no unusual lump or bump on them. Cancer of the testicle can occur in teenagers and it can be discovered when the doctor touches your testicles. If this cancer is found early, most of the time the testicle can be removed successfully. Finding the cancer early is the key to the best outcome. Your doctor should advise you to check your balls on a regular basis-once a month or so. It is often easy to do this while taking a shower. You will quickly learn how your testicles feel and will be able to discover a new lump or bump on them. If you do feel a lump, see your physician immediately to have it checked out. If you notice pain in or around the testicles, have it checked out also. For example, a lump in the scrotum may not be a tumor of the testicle, but a collection of veins called a varicocele. Sometimes surgery is recommended to remove it. At any rate, expect that a physical examination will include an examination of your testicles. The doctor needs to examine them by touching to be sure they and you are healthy! In fact, if your doctor does not do this during an examination, ask him or her why this very important part of your body is being ignored!

Are you wondering if you have adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? It can be difficult to figure that out because sometimes ADHD comes along with other mental health disorders. Bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and addiction are some of the illnesses that both coexist with adult ADHD and can disguise the neurodevelopmental disorder’s symptoms. The answer to, “Do I have ADHD?” can be complicated, so let’s explore what adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder might look like.

What Does ADHD in Adults Look Like?

If you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, it can drastically reduce your ability to concentrate on one task or make you hyper-focus on one task to the exclusion of all others. For example, you may be unable to pay attention in a meeting at work, but able to intently focus on a work of art or a video game.

Some adults who have ADHD find it difficult to keep a job. In addition, due to poor decision-making, ADHD can cause relationship problems and financial issues.

Other people may carelessly describe you as tactless, unorganized, incompetent, forgetful, and even lazy. Unfortunately, those people do not know what it’s like to live in your brain. Some people who have ADHD describe it as a buzzing in their brain. A constant “noise” that won’t quiet down. Interestingly, some people with ADHD find peace in a busy environment, the outside stimulation calming the inner racing chatter.

Learn more about the impact of ADHD on adults and on women with ADHD in particular, as well as what it’s like to live with ADHD.

What Are the Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder definition is “a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.” (1) The symptoms of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are the criteria laid out in the “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).”

A very small overview of the symptoms of adult ADHD is as follows:

• You often cannot pay attention to details and make careless mistakes.
• You are often accused of not listening when spoken to directly.
• You tend to blurt out answers before questions have been completed, have difficulty waiting your turn, or often interrupt others.

Learn about the diagnostic criteria and full symptoms of ADHD.

Take an adult ADHD test.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment

Treatment for adult ADHD is quite effective with the right ADHD doctor. Adult ADHD treatment usually includes ADHD medication. Treatment can also include ADHD coaching or adult ADHD therapy, both of which rely on your cooperation to work well.

To supplement treatment, you might find an adult ADHD support group, some natural ADHD treatments and ADHD self-help useful tools in learning to cope with ADHD.

More About Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD Help: Where to Get Help for Adult ADD

Adult ADD, ADHD Testing and Diagnosis

All ADHD Self-Help Articles

Sources

1. DSM-5™ Diagnostic Criteria, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2020, from https://images.pearsonclinical.com/images/assets/basc-3/basc3resources/DSM5_DiagnosticCriteria_ADHD.pdf

ADHD and caffeine might not seem like a good match.  Yet, as studies continue to emerge, the benefits of using caffeine in the treatment of ADHD are becoming apparent. Commonly, those with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication.  These drugs can help improve focus and attention span while aiding in the management of impulsive behaviors. Caffeine (also a stimulant) rouses the central nervous system and increases the production of dopamine in the brain, supporting the ability to concentrate and focus. With this, an increasing number of medical professionals and researchers are exploring the potential benefits when it comes to ADHD and caffeine.

ADHD and Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the most widely used stimulants in the world. Caffeine is also considered a vasoconstrictor. Vasoconstrictors decrease the size of blood vessels and reduce blood flow. While the specific reason is unknown, reduced blood flow decreases the activity of overactive brain regions. This process essentially allows for those overactive brain regions to work better with the rest of the brain.

Yet caffeine alone may not be enough to manage ADHD symptoms, especially in more severe cases. Additionally, caffeine is more difficult to monitor in terms of dosage, as many foods and drinks already contain caffeine. Also, caution should be taken when using caffeine in addition to ADHD stimulant medication, as stimulant overload can occur.

Downsides of Caffeine When You Have ADHD

Although there are clear benefits to using caffeine for managing ADHD symptoms, there are drawbacks as well.  For those with ADHD, caffeine dosage is important, and doctors warn consuming more than 400mg of caffeine per day may result in:

• Insomnia – difficulty sleeping will affect anyone’s mental health and overall well-being. Yet for those with ADHD, lack of sleep can contribute to an increase in symptoms
• Irritability – stimulants, including caffeine, have been linked to increased anxiety, jitteriness, and overall irritability.
• Headaches – caffeine can trigger headaches, in that it constricts blood vessels, and can sometimes result in pain.
• Upset stomach – nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and general discomfort occur for some people who have caffeine.

ADHD and Caffeine in Adults vs Children

Regarding children with ADHD and caffeine, it is not a recommended treatment approach (Best Diet for Your ADHD Child). Children are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of caffeine. Additionally, caffeine has been shown to impact brain growth, and a child’s brain is not yet fully developed.

Studies on ADHD and Caffeine

Although the studies on ADHD and caffeine have been minimal, and some results inconclusive, there are some positive indications. For instance, a study conducted in 2005 on hyperactive rats found that caffeine intake improved certain spatial learning deficits. Another study compared children with ADHD who were given caffeine to children with ADHD who were given no treatment at all. The children given caffeine were found to have decreased hyperactivity when compared to the children who had no caffeine.

Research around the possible benefits of treatment in terms of ADHD and caffeine is fairly sparse, and additional understanding is needed. Either way, if you are thinking about using caffeine to manage your ADHD, it is recommended to seek advice from a medical professional.

Each person is different, and as with any other ADHD treatment, a medical professional should be consulted before adding a caffeine regimen to your ADHD diet plan.

article references

Not everyone has positive results when taking medication for ADHD, and many wonder what happens when you stop taking Adderall. That is a good question to ask before stopping, as Adderall must be stopped in a certain way to avoid Adderall withdrawal symptoms.

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. It boost the effects of the brain’s neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and in so doing, it helps people with ADHD concentrate and be less distractible and impulsive. Adderall is a legitimate treatment for adult ADHD. That doesn’t mean, however, that taking Adderall is right for everyone. Many people stop taking Adderall for ADHD, but you should never do it without first talking with your doctor.

Adderall has numerous unpleasant psychological side effects as well as physical side effects that can affect every system in the body. RxList, an authority on medications and supplements for both professionals and consumers, lists 30 distinct side effects of this stimulant.

Whether you want to avoid the harsh side effects of Adderall or you simply want to manage your ADHD without medication, quitting Adderol is possible, but it must be done properly.

What Happens When You Stop Taking Adderall?

Adderall withdrawal can happen without problems, or it could cause you to experience symptoms that can be quite miserable. What happens when you stop taking Adderall depends on how you stop taking Adderall.

Suddenly stopping Adderall results in what is known as the Adderall crash. Withdrawal symptoms suddenly appear, and they can cause significant discomfort. Adderall withdrawal symptoms are both physical and psychological in nature, and they can include:

• Insomnia
• Sleeping too much
• Appetite changes (usually excessive hunger)
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Physical and mental sluggishness
• Intense cravings for Adderall
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Lack of motivation
• Difficulty concentrating
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Paranoia

This list can seem intimidating. While these symptoms of Adderall withdrawal can and do happen, you can avoid them by getting off Adderall properly.

Quitting Adderall the Right Way

Because Adderall is a highly addictive drug even when you take it for ADHD as prescribed, it’s very important to taper off of it with the help of a doctor. Slowly weaning off of this medication under a doctor’s supervision will help you avoid or minimize Adderall withdrawal symptoms. Quitting Adderall cold turkey is dangerous and feels terrible.

This supervised, incremental decrease in dosage is often referred to as medical detox. In extreme cases of addiction, this is done in a treatment center. However, despite the fact that the brain does become dependent on Adderall when it’s used as an ADHD medication, getting off Adderall for ADHD typically doesn’t require inpatient addiction treatment. Your doctor will create a dose-reduction schedule, and you’ll see him or her for check-ups as you taper off.

Even when done right, the process of getting off Adderall can be difficult, both because of the withdrawal process and because you’re still dealing with your symptoms of adult ADHD. While challenging, this process doesn’t have to be nightmarish. There are things you can do to deal with the negative effects of Adderall withdrawal.

How to Deal with the Effects of Getting off Adderall

Some drugs have pharmaceutical treatments for the withdrawal process; unfortunately, Adderall is not one of them. There’s nothing medical to ease the tapering process, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit idly by, helpless, and just wait out the symptoms.

You can develop and use coping skills to help you deal with this challenge. Things that are helpful in stopping medication are

• Eating healthy and drinking plenty of water
• Maintaining a regular sleeping schedule, going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time
• Doing calming activities and avoiding the use of electronics before bed
• Exercising regularly
• Keep a regular daily routine
• Be busy and stay active to distract yourself from cravings and other symptoms
• Attend support groups to get tips and encouragement

While it might feel like Adderall withdrawal drags on forever, in reality, it’s short-lived. The length of time it takes to complete the tapering process depends on how long you’ve been taking Adderall and how high the dosage is. Typically, the duration is anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, but it can be up to a few months. Physical withdrawal symptoms tend to disappear more quickly than psychological symptoms.

What happens when you stop taking Adderall? You might experience withdrawal symptoms for a while, but if you taper rather than quitting cold turkey, you’ll avoid the dreaded Adderall crash. And once the drug is out of your system, you will be free from the side effects of Adderall and ready to manage ADHD without medication.

Overview of alternative treatments for Alzheimer's disease including Coenzyme Q10, ginkgo biloba.

Herbal Remedies and Dietary Supplements for Alzheimer's

Several herbal remedies and other dietary supplements are promoted as effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The Alzheimer's Association says "claims about the safety and effectiveness of these products, however, are based largely on testimonials, tradition, and a rather small body of scientific research." The Association warns that the rigorous scientific research required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the approval of a prescription drug is not required by law for the marketing of dietary supplements.

Concerns About Alternative Treatments for Alzheimer's

Although many of these remedies may be valid candidates for treatments, there are legitimate concerns about using these drugs as an alternative or in addition to physician-prescribed therapy:

• Effectiveness and safety are unknown. The maker of a dietary supplement is not required to provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the evidence on which it bases its claims for safety and effectiveness.
• Purity is unknown. The FDA has no authority over supplement production. It is a manufacturer's responsibility to develop and enforce its own guidelines for ensuring that its products are safe and contain the ingredients listed on the label in the specified amounts.
• Bad reactions are not routinely monitored. Manufacturers are not required to report to the FDA any problems that consumers experience after taking their products. The agency does provide voluntary reporting channels for manufacturers, health care professionals, and consumers, and will issue warnings about products when there is cause for concern.

Dietary supplements can have serious interactions with prescribed medications. No supplement should be taken without first consulting a physician.

Alzheimer's and Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10, or ubiquinone, is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in the body and is needed for normal cell reactions to occur. This compound has not been studied for its effectiveness in treating Alzheimer's.

A synthetic version of this compound, called idebenone, was tested for Alzheimer's disease but did not show favorable results. Little is known about what dosage of coenzyme Q10 is considered safe, and there could be harmful effects if too much is taken.

Alzheimer's and Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a plant extract containing several compounds that may have positive effects on cells within the brain and the body. Ginkgo biloba is thought to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, to protect cell membranes, and to regulate neurotransmitter function. Ginkgo has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and currently is being used in Europe to alleviate cognitive symptoms associated with a number of neurological conditions.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (October 22/29, 1997), Pierre L. Le Bars, MD, PhD, of the New York Institute for Medical Research, and his colleagues observed in some participants a modest improvement in cognition, activities of daily living (such as eating and dressing), and social behavior. The researchers found no measurable difference in overall impairment.

Results from this study show that ginkgo may help some individuals with Alzheimer's disease, but further research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms by which Ginkgo works in the body. Also, results from this study are considered preliminary because of the low number of participants, about 200 people.

Few side effects are associated with the use of Ginkgo, but it is known to reduce the ability of blood to clot, potentially leading to more serious conditions, such as internal bleeding. This risk may increase if Ginkgo biloba is taken in combination with other blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin and warfarin.

Currently, multicenter trial with about 3,000 participants is investigating whether Ginkgo may help prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia.

Sources:

• FDA, Statement of Robert Brackett, Ph.D, Director Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, March 24, 2004
• Alzheimer's Association
• Journal of the American Medical Association, October 22, 1997.

Despite the brain-based nature of ADHD, it is possible to treat adult ADHD without medication. ADHD medication does have a purpose. Among other things, ADHD medication increases brain chemicals like norepinephrine and dopamine, thus decreasing impulsivity and increasing concentration. Some people respond well to medication. Others either don’t respond well or don’t want to take medication.

Medication decisions should always be made with a doctor, of course, but treating adult ADHD without drugs is possible (How to Handle ADHD Medication Withdrawal). The process starts by identifying goals and considering what symptoms you want to work on. From there, you get to take action to live and thrive medication-free.

Principles of Managing Adult ADHD without Medication

When treating adult ADHD without medication, there are some principles to guide you. These principles involve your mindset as well as your attitude toward your life and solving ADHD-related difficulties. Important guiding principles include:

• Awareness
• Motivation
• Priorities
• Focus

Awareness involves knowing yourself and your unique ADHD challenges. What causes the problems? What makes them worse? Better? Pay attention to and come to know well your emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and patterns. With this insight, you can better manage the symptoms of your ADHD.

Motivation is having a reason to want to thrive despite living with ADHD. What is your “why” for moving forward and for doing it without medication? What are your values, and what is important to you? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you choose the right actions to make progress.

Priorities involve choosing what is most important to work on now and what can wait. ADHD or not, it’s impossible to work on every challenge at once. Deciding what you can control puts your energies in the right place and allows you to target the most problematic aspects of ADHD first.

Focus is something to be aware of because it can shift without our even realizing it and get us off the healing track. Notice your thoughts. Are you blaming yourself for problems? This is inaccurate and hurtful. Blame your ADHD for certain difficulties you’re experiencing. You’ll have something concrete to target and improve. Also, is your focus positive and solution-focused, or is it negative and problem-focused? A positive mindset helps you move forward past problems rather than getting stuck in them.

Adhering to these principles will lead to your successfully managing adult ADHD without medication. The below strategies will help put the principles into concrete action.

Strategies to Deal with ADHD without Medication.

• Create written agendas and schedules, clear plans to help you stay in flow throughout each day.
• Develop structure and routine. For example, do morning tasks in the same order every day so you get out the door quickly. Your brain craves this regularity.
• Use ADHD time management strategies, such as using alarms, electronic calendar alerts, or adult ADHD apps to help yourself and by asking people to keep you on track.
• Help yourself stay focused and productive at work, school home or elsewhere by decreasing external and internal distractions. It’s often possible to deal with ADHD without medication by addressing your internal and external environment. What are your thoughts like? Your emotions? Do you do better with music, white noise, or silence? How do you like your lighting? Have you eliminated clutter and made your space aesthetically pleasing?
• Schedule time for fun. Relaxing, letting go, and creating some enjoyment does more for your happiness and wellbeing that any medication could.

The stress of ADHD makes you feel like you’re constantly rushing to find things, remember things, concentrate, keep emotions in check, and, in general, to just survive rather than thrive. There is more to life than that, and you can experience it by managing your ADHD even without medication.

ADHD self-help can seem impossible. ADHD creates a sense of being out-of-control. It may seem like a daunting task, but it is possible to be in command of yourself and your life. Use these 10 ADHD self-help strategies to give yourself some peace and personal power.

10 Adult ADHD Strategies and Self-Help Tips

1. Separate yourself from your ADHD. ADHD is something you live with; it isn’t who you are. You can come to embrace both your life and who you are when you separate yourself from your ADHD.
   To do this, make a list of the things that are frustrating you. Next, consult a list of adult ADHD symptoms. Compare the lists. Put a star by the items on your list that directly relate to ADHD. You’ll see not a list of personal flaws but a list of symptoms of this disorder. Now, make a list of things you do well despite your symptoms. You have a lot more to you than ADHD.
2. Check in with yourself. Tune into both body and mind. With ADHD, people have difficulty focusing on and picking up on cues not just from the outside world but their own inner world, too. (Weiss, 2005).This means that you might not notice things like hunger, thirst, or fatigue until it’s extreme and you’re at ADHD meltdown level.
   Make it a regular habit to check in with yourself during the day. Do a body scan to assess your physical condition in the moment, then do something about it. This is a good way to take care of yourself and prevent adult ADHD symptoms from overpowering you.
3. Put your senses on your side. Use your senses to create better conditions in your environment to promote concentration. Some people like music and others noise, while some just like it quiet. Ditto light levels. Experiment with different types and levels of sensory stimulation. Make your surroundings work for you by customizing sensory input.
4. Develop routines. Routines provide stability and predictability, something the ADHD brain craves. Having general routines for what you do, when you do it, and how you do it is an important component of ADHD self-help for adults.
5. Know Yourself. When living your life, know what works for you and what doesn’t. Consider your personality, interests, and your own manifestation of ADHD. Determining strengths and weaknesses, interests and disinterests will help you design routines that work.
6. Balance. ADHD can make people hyperfocus. This shows that people with ADHD can and do concentrate, but what often happens is that they ignore other things, other areas of their lives. This can be related to work, relationships, self-care, and more. Lack of balance exacerbates symptoms of ADHD and can even cause symptoms of depression comorbid with ADHD (Weiss, 2005).
   Be aware of the important areas of your life by creating a map or list. Add activities in each area, and schedule them into your daily life. Living a balanced life helps neutralize ADHD.
7. Exercise often. Frequent, regular physical activity is among the best adult ADHD strategies. Hallowell & Ratey (2010) explain that exercise decreases excess energy and aggression, quiets noise within the mind, soothes and calms the body, and positively affects the neurochemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, that are implicated in ADHD.
8. Scheduling and fun are key. With ADHD, if you don’t intentionally schedule something into your day, it’s likely that you will forget about it or run out of time to do it (How to Manage Your Time and Stay on Schedule with Adult ADHD). Also, make it fun. Pick what brings you joy.
9. Enlist support. Self-help doesn’t mean “by yourself.” Communicate with people in your life for help with difficult tasks. Some people use an adult ADHD coach to help them organize and prioritize. There are also ADHD self-help groups to join, in which people share frustrations, successes, and tips for what works.
10. Discover Purpose and Meaning. ADHD can make days turn into drudgery, ordinary tasks become struggles. When you’re so caught up in trying to stay afloat, you can lose sight of your bigger picture. What are your long-term goals and values? Create a visual representation of your passions and purpose. It will help you stay engaged when duties get frustrating.

These 10 adult ADHD self-help tips are good suggestions, but they may not work for you in every situation. Keep a running list of self-help strategies that you've tried gives you an accessible go-to file when you need it the most. Include self-help strategies as well as the successes you’ve had. In the height of frustration or times when you’re especially down on yourself, it helps to have this easy reference.

These 10 adult ADHD strategies can help you take back your life from the control of ADHD. Self-help strategies will help you live well in spite of ADHD symptoms.