Has anybody else been too scared to take ADHD medication?

[Wonder7855]

Late diagnosed in 50s with autism too. Been prescribed medication but too scared to take them.

What is it that you're scared of?

Getting clear on that (I mean like writing it down, so you can get it out of your head and so that it forces you to be very clear in defining the issues) might be a good first step, because then you can realistically assess the risk and likelihood, and make plans about what you would do if [whatever it is] did happen.

Plus, writing it down means you can do it in short bursts, if that suits you better. And being able to look at it changes it from "argh, scary nameless fear" to "set of things I can deal with one by one".

Have you looked into researching the meds you've been prescribed (lots of info online, from reputable sources), so that you can assess how realistic your fears are?

Once you've done the research, if you were still concerned, could you speak to your doctor or healthcare team to discuss your fears?

Also, anxiety often goes along with ADHD, so if that's relevant for you, you might find that CBT could be helpful in addressing those kinds of thought patterns, as could having someone to talk it through with.

You went to the effort to get a diagnosis, so presumably there are issues that you did want to address? It might also be worth drawing those thoughts/factors in - what positive outcomes might arise if the meds work as intended?

Good luck!

On a fairly simplistic level, my teenage son has just started taking ADHD meds. He says they help him to focus and they ‘quieten’ his brain. Downside is he finds it harder to switch off at night and struggles to sleep. He’s also lost his (previously big) appetite and is mainly having one large meal a day.

Sorry if this isn’t very helpful - everyone is different I know, but it’s new for us and I was apprehensive on his behalf but actually he seems very positive about them.

I didn’t really go to much effort getting the diagnosis as it came on the back of my autism diagnosis. I hadn’t really thought through medication properly. The meds are Xaggitin and the more I read the more scared I get. We have glaucoma in the family. Then I worry about strokes, heart issues, my ang(55) etc. I’m not overweight and have got good blood pressure but the fear of being on medication like this is huge and I worry if it’s worth it at my age.Pretty sure some of the fear is autism but just not sure what to do.

This is very helpful. I am scared of taking antidepressants rather than ADHD medication, being too anxious to take medication for my anxiety is a problem, and these sound like useful strategies even though I don’t have ADHD as far as I know.

@Wonder7855
So from your update, that sounds like a scenario in which maybe speaking to your doctor about your specific concerns might help, so that you know they're fully aware of your family history & have taken it into account?

There are multiple different medication options they could perhaps go for if you're concerned about that one, but that's something to talk through with a specialist who knows the field and will understand the possible options better.

@ForestofBears
Glad you found it helpful. My partner has severe anxiety and ADHD, plus is very sensitive to SSRIs, so I feel you on that.
Things that helped for him were:

• starting slowly with half doses to help the body acclimatise for the first ~2 weeks.
• knowing that it takes 6-8 weeks to settle and see therapeutic effects from it, so being kind to yourself and knowing it might be a bit rough before it gets better.
• giving yourself a set amount of time to try it (usually at least 2-3 months as per above) and then giving yourself permission to go back to the doctor and say "This one isn't working, I would like to try something different please".

There are plenty of people who need to try multiple options before they find one which works with their brain and body chemistry, so don't be shy about that!

Good luck to you as well!