THE NEW PLAYBOOK FOR ADHD

Meds are one option. But doctors (and patients!) see promise in drug-free tactics.

- JULIE STEWART

IT'S A CONFUSING TIME to have ADHD. There's misinformation: Of the 100 most-watched TikTok videos about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, about half contain falsehoods (think fearmongering about meds, claims based on personal experience rather than empirical data, and promotion of products not proven to work), according to anew PLOS One study. There's access trouble: A recent Adderall shortage left millions struggling to refill prescriptions. And then there's the RFK factor: Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has launched a government inquiry into the “threat” posed by “poisonous” drugs, like the prescription stimulants used to manage ADHD.

But while doctors can't do anything about TikTok, they can ease concerns that drugs are the only way to treat your symptoms. Drug-free interventions are on the rise and can even complement pills by addressing organizational skills, emotional regulation, and stress management, says Javier Quintero, MD, PhD, a psychiatrist and an authority on treating ADHD. “They can also help to reduce the dosage of medication and, by focusing on practical and emotional competencies, significantly enhance day-to-day functioning and quality of life.” Whether you want to go pharma-free or make your meds work better, consider these strategies.

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