As many of you will be aware, there is currently a global shortage of several medications commonly used for ADHD. Unfortunately we have no way of accessing this medication for patients, and the hospital are also in the same situation. We understand that a lot of patients will be frightened and stressed at the prospect of running out of medication, and the families, partners, carers and teachers of them may be significantly affected as well. Medication is just part of the solution, a piece of the puzzle, but it is absolutely not the whole picture. It is a good opportunity to see if the non-pharmacological options have been utilised to their full benefit. So in the meantime, here are some links to information that people may find useful:
The ADHD Foundation have a wide range of videos, podcasts and downloads to help with concerns such as sleep support, preparing for exams, impulse control and risk management, supporting social skills and relationships, and staying calm and positive.
CBT is very helpful for many people with neurodiversity. Low self-esteem is prevalent, as many people will have frequently been told that they are lazy or disruptive on a regular basis, and the frustration with not being able to achieve as they would like to can be difficult to come to terms with. CBT can also be helpful for those common issues such productivity, executive function, problem solving, and active listening skills. There is good range of free CBT modules on CCI and NHS Scotland has a free module on problem-solving.
There are now a plethora of apps to help people with ADHD. Time management is a perennial issue and there are apps that help to organise time, block distractions for a period of time, track how much time is being spent on activity and assist in managing procrastination. There is a good overview of apps on the ADDitude site and also a good round up from Devon NHS Trust .
Sleep disturbance is an incredibly common issue in ADHD and the ADDISS website has a very useful download for parents who are struggling to manage their child’s ADHD sleep and the ADHD foundation has a page of different resources here.
Exercise is well recognised for its mental health benefits and anecdotally helps keep the fidgets at bay. In addition, it has become more apparent that the benefits go further than this in ADHD, helping to improve attention, impulsivity and executive functioning.
We are hoping that this issue will be resolved over the next few months. As always, if you are really struggling then please do make an appointment to speak to someone.
