The Negative Impact of Over the Counter Drugs on the ADHD Adult
We think of over the counter medications as things that help us when we are sick.
They make it possible for us to do our jobs when we are in the throes of that terrible cold, or bought of seasonal allergies.
But ironically many of the helpful medications that help us keep going also produce symptoms that mimic those common seem with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity/restlessness.
The chances are you have taken some type of medicine to manage the fever, chills, runny nose, sore throat and other symptoms that are a big part of the flu.
You may have even found a way to drag yourself to work and claim you symptoms are just a bad case of ragweed, as your co-workers roll their eyes and run for cover.
But you seem to notice that during the work day not only are you feeling lousy but many of your ADHD symptoms such as nervousness, irritability, and just feeling like you are on pins and needles seem to be popping up.
You write it off to being sick, but guess what, most flu medications produce at least some ADHD symptoms.
Let's take it up a notch and say that you took the nighttime formula in a desperate attempt to get some much needed rest.
You finally are able to grab a few hours of quality sleep but rather than waking up feeling alert you wake up exhausted and disoriented along with the other symptoms above.
Is it the flu causing the ADHD like symptoms or the medications? Sometimes not even your doctor can tell which one it is.
If you are being tested for a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder your doctor will likely suggest you stop taking that over the counter cold or flu medication until he can determine which symptoms are naturally occurring and which are caused by the over the counter medication you are taking.
Let's look at some more examples Your eyes are red and your nose is running due to seasonal allergies.
You ask a friend brand they prefer when allergies blow in and they suggest the very popular name brands of Zyrtec and Claritin.
You have heard these brands advertised and feel good enough about the advice to stop at your local drug store on the way home an pick up some 24 hour allergy relief.
What you probably weren't ready for was the hyperactivity/restlessness, nervousness, sleeplessness, excitability, and diminished coordination that came with that box of 24 hour relief.
Wow, talk about getting something extra for your money! In summary, the list of over the counter medications that can and often do produce primary ADHD symptoms (inattention, restlessness, impulsivity) or a cornucopia of secondary ADHD symptoms is quite long.
The best rule of thumb is talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find over the counter solutions free from such ingredients as pseudoephedrine and/or phenylephrine that are known to produce symptoms similar to those seen in ADHD adults.
Additionally, large number of people are finding solutions to the above dilemma through the use of herbal or homeopathic remedies.
These all natural formulas have been shown to be a side effect free way to treat common health maladies including ADHD.
They make it possible for us to do our jobs when we are in the throes of that terrible cold, or bought of seasonal allergies.
But ironically many of the helpful medications that help us keep going also produce symptoms that mimic those common seem with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity/restlessness.
The chances are you have taken some type of medicine to manage the fever, chills, runny nose, sore throat and other symptoms that are a big part of the flu.
You may have even found a way to drag yourself to work and claim you symptoms are just a bad case of ragweed, as your co-workers roll their eyes and run for cover.
But you seem to notice that during the work day not only are you feeling lousy but many of your ADHD symptoms such as nervousness, irritability, and just feeling like you are on pins and needles seem to be popping up.
You write it off to being sick, but guess what, most flu medications produce at least some ADHD symptoms.
Let's take it up a notch and say that you took the nighttime formula in a desperate attempt to get some much needed rest.
You finally are able to grab a few hours of quality sleep but rather than waking up feeling alert you wake up exhausted and disoriented along with the other symptoms above.
Is it the flu causing the ADHD like symptoms or the medications? Sometimes not even your doctor can tell which one it is.
If you are being tested for a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder your doctor will likely suggest you stop taking that over the counter cold or flu medication until he can determine which symptoms are naturally occurring and which are caused by the over the counter medication you are taking.
Let's look at some more examples Your eyes are red and your nose is running due to seasonal allergies.
You ask a friend brand they prefer when allergies blow in and they suggest the very popular name brands of Zyrtec and Claritin.
You have heard these brands advertised and feel good enough about the advice to stop at your local drug store on the way home an pick up some 24 hour allergy relief.
What you probably weren't ready for was the hyperactivity/restlessness, nervousness, sleeplessness, excitability, and diminished coordination that came with that box of 24 hour relief.
Wow, talk about getting something extra for your money! In summary, the list of over the counter medications that can and often do produce primary ADHD symptoms (inattention, restlessness, impulsivity) or a cornucopia of secondary ADHD symptoms is quite long.
The best rule of thumb is talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find over the counter solutions free from such ingredients as pseudoephedrine and/or phenylephrine that are known to produce symptoms similar to those seen in ADHD adults.
Additionally, large number of people are finding solutions to the above dilemma through the use of herbal or homeopathic remedies.
These all natural formulas have been shown to be a side effect free way to treat common health maladies including ADHD.
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