Adhd. Trying meds again after coming off them as a teenager??

[curiousgeorgie247]

I was diagnosed with adhd at age 8. Medicated from age 9-15. During these years, all I wanted to do was come off the meds so I was like everyone else. Although I'm glad I was on them so I could focus and learn while at school.

Over the last 15 years I have done well at suppressing feelings and thinking the problem isn't there. To the point where I convinced myself I'd grown out of it. Until a couple of years ago that is.
The last 2 years I've become increasingly aware of my lack of/decline of focus and the energy inside me iykwim.
I don't know if it is possible for ADHD to improve for a time and then get worse again in adulthood.
I'm pretty sure I haven't just ignored these feelings. I'm so confused.

I've been wondering for a while now what effect the medication I took as a child would have on me now.
I don't want to but it's getting to the stage where I need to feel some relief. If that makes sense.

Over the last couple of months I've tried a few things, coffee to make me more alert and help me focus in the day and cannabis in the evening (Not every evening, maybe twice a week) to help me wind down.

I'm considering visiting the doctor to ask if trying medication would be an option to see if it helps with my symptoms. As I don't think self medicating is a good idea.

Is this an option after so long?
Would I need to be reassessed?
What is the process? Would the gp decide and prescribe it based on my history and current symptoms or will I have to see a psychologist like I did as a child/teenager?

HI there,

I have a daughter who is ADHD and takes long acting Ritalin, and as a result of her diagnosis I was referred to a psychiatrist and diagnosed as an adult. I take the same as her. I was fine (if a bit fuzzy) all my life, have always had trouble controlling emotions, and disorganised/difficulty finishing/procrastinating/good under pressure etc.

I reached a point in my life where my execution function reached its limit and I just unravelled. I've had diagnosis, counselling, treatment for PTSD and depression.

We both take the meds or we are both quite aggro - even though we have different types of ADHD, my daughter and I both anger easily - the best way to describe it is as if our "fight or flight" response is always switched to fight, rather than neutral. But other than that, i feel almost no difference on meds, it just gives me a little more control and a little more focus- the rest is up to me.

There are 2 main categories of drugs for ADHD, and usually one won't suit...we tried the other (Vyvanse) with awful results..

You will need to see a psychiatrist as ADHD drugs are under a very restricted pharmaceutical control (at least they are here in OZ) but i see mine every 6 months for review (also taking anti depressants) so no biggie. Ask you GP about process - depends how good your medical files are - it might be still there listed as a diagnosis although neurological changes as you mature might mean a reassessment is needed....sorry - this all might be different in the UK but assume it's fairly standard..