Question: I am unmedicated currently due to my mother's concerns (she saw adhd meds turn my dad into a monster). Are there any tips for us who don't have the option to be medicated?
Answer: While there are lots of psychosocial treatments that can help, they are only about 1 third as effective or useful as ADHD medications.  So avoiding them is really tying one hand behind your back when it comes to treatment.  Maybe it would be better for your parents or others to read about the evidence for the usefulness of these medications, such as the chapter in my new book, or Dr.  Wilens book, Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications for Children.  The research on the benefits and safety of the medications is voluminous.  Yes, there are annoying side effects but none are life threatening.  And you father is hardly a representative case of what stimulants or other ADHD drugs do to help ADHD.  As I note above, CBT for adults focusing on EF deficits can help, mindfulness practices perhaps, exercise, adult ADHD coaching, are the major forms of evidence supported treatment.  Though helpful for many, they are not equivalent to ADHD medications and the best approach is to combine them.
content: Q: I am unmedicated currently due to my mother's concerns (she saw adhd meds turn my dad into a monster). Are there any tips for us who don't have the option to be medicated?
   Ans: While there are lots of psychosocial treatments that can help, they are only about 1 third as effective or useful as ADHD medications.  So avoiding them is really tying one hand behind your back when it comes to treatment.  Maybe it would be better for your parents or others to read about the evidence for the usefulness of these medications, such as the chapter in my new book, or Dr.  Wilens book, Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications for Children.  The research on the benefits and safety of the medications is voluminous.  Yes, there are annoying side effects but none are life threatening.  And you father is hardly a representative case of what stimulants or other ADHD drugs do to help ADHD.  As I note above, CBT for adults focusing on EF deficits can help, mindfulness practices perhaps, exercise, adult ADHD coaching, are the major forms of evidence supported treatment.  Though helpful for many, they are not equivalent to ADHD medications and the best approach is to combine them.