ADHD is a serious condition that impairs daily functioning with regard to attention, focus, short-term memory, organization, motivation, task completion, impulsivity, emotional sensitivity, defensiveness, irritability/anger, and relationship skills. It should be treated with medication and psychotherapy or coaching. The best known and one of the most widely used drugs to treat ADHD is the stimulant drug Adderall. While Adderall is definitely efffective for many people with ADHD it has a long list of troublesome side effects which include: anxiety, insomnia, nausea, weight loss, increased blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, and ED in men. Guanfacine is a blood pressure drug which has proven effective and safe for treating ADHD and it can be used with much fewer side effects.
I have recommended to my clients with ADHD that they check out Guanfacine with their physician or psychiatrist. So far all clients who are taking Guanfacine are reporting very positive results with no apparent side effects. Clients are reporting increased calm and focus; reduced hyperactivity; reduced irritability, anger, and aggression; retention of normal weight, and fewer dark, distressing thoughts associated with common struggles for people with ADHD. Guanfacine appears to be somewhat obscure and little used by prescribers, and yet it could be an excellent solution for some people with ADHD.
