5 Things I’d Try Before ADHD Medication (From a Psychiatrist)

📌 Is it ADHD? Get the free Before Your Evaluation Guide: https://go.enhancepsych.com/adhd-guid... Medication is not the enemy, and it is not always the first step either. As a psychiatrist who treats ADHD in kids and adults every week, there are five things I look at before reaching for a prescription, and the last one involves a kitchen spice that has actually been studied against Ritalin. In this video, I'm going to walk through the five things I check before considering ADHD medication, and explain when waiting on medication actually becomes the riskier choice. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 5 Things I’d Try Before ADHD Medication (From a Psychiatrist) 0:45 Fix the sleep before judging the ADHD 3:06 Give the brain a body that moves 5:53 Clean up nutrition without the miracle cure myth 7:45 Omega 3s and fish oil, what the research shows 9:03 Saffron versus Ritalin, the surprising study 10:52 When natural becomes the risky choice 12:17 What the MTA study proves about medication 13:38 My own experience taking ADHD medication 14:00 The real goal of ADHD treatment ❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED What can I try before starting ADHD medication? Fixing sleep, increasing daily exercise, cleaning up nutrition, and discussing omega 3s or saffron with your clinician are reasonable lower risk steps to try first. These can reduce symptoms enough to change how much medication, if any, is needed. Is saffron as effective as ADHD medication like Ritalin? A small six week pilot study found no significant difference between saffron and methylphenidate on parent and teacher rating scales, but it included only 54 children. Promising is not the same as proven, so it should only be considered with a clinician's guidance. Can poor sleep look like ADHD? Yes, sleep deprivation can worsen attention, impulsivity, and executive function in a way that closely mimics ADHD. A tired brain cannot fairly be evaluated for an ADHD diagnosis until it is actually rested. 🎥 WATCH NEXT    • Do You Actually Have ADHD? A Psychiatrist ...   Do You Actually Have ADHD? A Psychiatrist Shows You How to Know 📱 RESOURCES Website: https://www.enhancepsych.com Enhance 360 Health: https://www.enhance360health.com Enhance Peptide: https://www.enhancepeptide.com Patient testimonials: https://enhancepsych.com/testimonials... 🔔 If you found this helpful, subscribe so you don't miss the next video breaking down the real science behind your brain, your body, and how they work together. 💬 Have you tried any of these before starting medication? Tell me what worked and what did not in the comments below. ABOUT DR. RAJ LOUNGANI Dr. Raj Loungani is a double board certified psychiatrist in both adult and child and adolescent psychiatry, and an integrative mental health and longevity physician. He is the founder of Enhance Psych and Enhance 360 Health, where he helps patients and families optimize mental health, performance, and longevity using a personalized blend of evidence based psychiatry and integrative medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association with additional certifications in nutritional psychiatry, integrative women's health, and ketamine assisted therapy. He trained at SUNY Downstate and the Medical University of South Carolina, served as a Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in an inpatient setting, and is an Army veteran who has treated thousands of patients since starting private practice in 2019. #IntegrativePsychiatry #MentalHealthEducation #BrainBodyConnection #FunctionalMedicine #AnxietyRelief