Clinic Director: We understand that people with ADHD can have severe difficulties with time management and keeping up with things. Reinforcement and punishment are extremely unlikely to produce any lasting change in these behaviors because, you know, ADHD. Really, the only thing that makes a meaningful impact on that kind of thing is medication.

Office Manager: Of course, doctor.

CD: We also know that punitive methods of behavior change are even less effective for people with ADHDthan for the general public, with even worse negative consequences.

OM: Mmm hmm.

CD: If the consequences happen hours or even days after the behavior you're trying to change, forget about it. Zero effectiveness plus anxiety, negative mood, lower self-esteem, loss of trust...

OM: That's very interesting, doctor. How do you want to manage prescriptions for our ADHD patients?

CD: Punitive methods, obviously. Those people have to learn to manage their time and tasks. Let's refuse to fill the prescription unless they jump through a few hoops within an arbitrary time frame.

OM: [taking notes]

CD: And let's make sure the punishment is separated from those time management failures by at least a few days.

#ADHD #psychiatry #neuroatypical #meds #rx