The most commonly used medications are the stimulant medications. If these do not work, or if depression or anxiety is present, an antidepressant medication may be tried. In some cases, a combination of two or more medications may be needed. These medications work by altering the levels of different brain chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters. Since we cannot know for sure which medication will be most helpful for a given individual, you may have to try a few different ones until your doctor finds one that works for you.
Many teens dislike the idea of taking medication.
You may worry that this makes you different from everyone else, that you may become addicted to it, or that it is a way that your parents are using to control you. If anything, medication can make it easier for you to control yourself. If you do not want people at school to know you take medication, there are medicines that only need to be taken once a day, which eliminates the need for a dose at school. In most cases, the side effects are mild and may eventually go away. The most common side effects of stimulant medications are difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, irritability, and upset stomach.