ADHD is overdiagnosed. Everyone is a little ADHD. Stimulants are addictive. Medication changes personality. Children grow out of it. Sugar, phones, or even the gut microbiome, cause ADHD.
In the final episode of this eight-part series, pharmacist Kate Thomas examines some of the most common myths surrounding ADHD and its treatment.
We look at what the evidence actually tells us about diagnosis, stimulant dependence, adult ADHD, intelligence, diet, screen use, probiotics and the idea that ADHD medication changes who someone is.
This episode also brings together the key lessons from the entire series. From how ADHD medicines are selected and titrated to the differences between methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine and non-stimulant treatments.
Designed for pharmacists, pharmacy students and other clinicians, this episode encourages listeners to challenge misinformation while responding to patients with accuracy, empathy and respect.
Reflective questions:
Which ADHD myth do you hear most often in practice?
Have any of your own beliefs changed during this series?
How can you correct misinformation without making a patient feel dismissed or embarrassed?
This concludes the eight-part ADHD medicines series from Prescribe or Pass: The PoP Pod.
