Another ADHD one! If you have a diagnosis....

[HumanbyDesign]

Undiagnosed, but absolutely certainly ADHD - all the usual issues etc but with it being lifelong am quite adept at managing most "symptoms" in day to day life (immediate alarm setting, lists, timers, etc) and don't care about a lot of others, but am acutely aware that procrastination and distractibility - ie not being able to stay "on task" - are ruining my life somewhat... Or at the very least hampering progress through it! Especially in my work as I'm self employed, but also with other plans - social and leisure - as I'll often find my day has just gone nowhere when I had plans for so much more for it 🤦🏼‍♀️

Aibu to think medication will help??! Anyone with a diagnosis have experience of medication helping with this? As I said I'm not diagnosed for various reasons but if meds are likely to help I am seriously considering it!! 😩

Hasn't stopped my task paralysis and my hair is falling out 😐

I can’t speak from person experience but I’ve got a child who has been on ADHD meds for nearly two decades now, for the majority high dose. They have never had side-effects and no long-term issues. They have never wanted to stop taking it as they like being on it, they say their head is clear and it allows them to think properly (analogy being someone with sight deficits who puts glasses on). Importantly, from my perspective if they ever did choose to stop they have to move out as DH, myself and their siblings can’t cope if they are not on medication.

Yep. I haven’t been able to get hold of any (even trying generic, different strengths etc) for a few months.
In my experience they can work but it’s definitely not a silver bullet magic fix. I still procrastinate and waste time. You need other strategies alongside IMO

It took until I was in my forties before I got an official NHS diagnosis, which enabled me to have a trial of meds. Frustratingly for me, the NHS have a mediocre selection of ADHD meds, none of which help me. It can be life-changing though, so worth a try. Might be worth getting a private diagnosis if you can afford it because you could wait MANY years on the NHS.

@HumanbyDesign

I'm on slow-release stimulant for the last 2-3 years and the medication has been hugely helpful for me.

I procrastinate easily 90% less. On medication, I actually want to do things even if it's smaller daily tasks.
I have some sort of massive, invisible barrier when it comes to things that might place a demand to act straight away - I struggle with opening letters, reading and responding to emails, answering phone calls, getting back to people, making appointments... On medication those things are a pleasant breeze and I gain a weird satisfaction from doing them.

I can focus more on here and now, instead of some grandiose, impulsive adventure that might have crossed my mind a second ago. I can paint a fence and feel a sense of accomplishment for the day. I'm safer as a result too - god knows how I made this far in life and whole!

I find it much easier to keep in touch with friends - before meds I preferred new, random, temporary acquaintances to lasting relationships. Now I actually pick up the phone or show up.

Some drawbacks to medication:
I can get bogged down on detail in work (almost like hyper-focus) and so quality goes up, output goes down.

Medication doesn't help with time keeping - I'm still seen running everywhere.

I still talk a lot and over-share.

I'm convinced the medication has killed my libido and general interest in relationships.
When I started the stimulants, I experienced a ridiculously heightened sensation down there - like electric currents running through and I could orgasm 10 times in a quick succession without any relief. It was quite unpleasant and I nearly gave up those pills there and then. That side effect was gone in about a week and instead I seem to have lost all inclination for sex, which is rather strange for me. I feel very content instead and just want to crack on with my plans. Luckily I'm single, otherwise this could be a stumbling block.

There is a definite "crash" on those days I don't take my dose. I can sleep for most of 24h and feel quite low. So I'm aware that going cold turkey would be a pretty unpleasant process if I ever had to. I do skip a couple of days of medication every week if I have not much on and plenty of time to sleep.

All in all, the meds suit me right now (loads to do) but if there was a point with less on my plate (and maybe time for romance) I would try to go without and see what difference that makes.

My DD is 20, was diagnosed at 16 and has been on meds since then, she only takes it for studying and school purposes and it really turned things around for her, although it has been prescribed for her to take it daily whether she is studying or not. She is home from Uni, not taking meds, and has been totally wired, talking non stop, hungry and eating all the time, really giddy and highly reactive. I have palpitations most days just being around her. I have been so tempted to suggest to her to take her concerta, but have managed to refrain.

Today I noticed she was much calmer and guessed she must have taken the meds, turned out she had, as she had something to do for Uni.

She had a horrible headache and felt nauseous, which always happens after a long break even though she only took a half dose. Then this evening she said she really didn't want to take the meds anymore as she hates how it makes her feel, that time goes so fast, she could take the meds at 9am and suddenly she realises its 4pm. But mainly it is because her boyfriend told her, she is not 'her' when she takes it. He has been around a lot since she got back from Uni and I had noticed he finds her very amusing when she is hyper, (he is the complete opposite, a real introvert, who barely converses with us). She was feeling guilty because she said she got so caught up in whatever she was doing that she barely spoke to him, so he went home.

She knows the meds are the key to her being able to reach her full potential with her studies, but she really doesn't see the difference it makes to her hyperactive behaviour, she struggles to keep friends and I can see how she must be tiresome when the hyper kicks in. She is so much easier and more pleasant to be around when she takes the meds. Although when it's wearing off, she does tend to get quite moody and irritable.

I really wish she would take them daily, as I don't know how we will get through the summer until she heads back to Uni.

I should add, without medication there is no way she would ever have made it to University,she was failing everything until she took the medication. It took several different trials before finding the one she is now on.

I'm one who hasn't found the medication helpful. Have tried stimulant and non-stimulant. Some had side effects - bupropion for instance gave me intense anxiety.

I haven't read all the comments since i posted but this made me laugh out loud 🤣 I actually have a magic mushroom growing kit - for micro dosing - in the bottom of my wardrobe where it has languished since I was gifted it 18 months ago 🤣

I currently take a locally grown lion's mane powder in my cacao (ie raw cocoa) but the lady who grows it has changed the process and it doesn't seem as "pure" 🤔
Bristol fungarium do a good tincture I may go back to.

I know the ADHD community is doubtful but I have 100% found it's helped me with emotional regulation and anxiety/stress if nothing else....

This is really interesting thanks and also familiar in relation to my sixth former. The difference in his personality/behaviour when he is taking meds compared to when he is not can be quite striking.

i’m less restrained than you though and have sometimes suggested he takes his meds at home when he is in full on hyper mode.

Hi. We moved one of my dc to a none stimulant which he has to take all the time. Helps keep him level and avoids the ups and downs. There's no appetite suppression. Downside is they have to remember to take them the same time everyday and cannot miss a day

The NHS has a pretty fun range of medications
I'm not sure which ones you tried and what you think wasn't available
I don't think anything is unavailable

I came on here to say once I started taking ADHD medicine it made me unmask so many autistic traits I hadnt realised I was hiding. I have an ASD assessment in July

Really helped me functioning with everyday tasks and focus but same as above poster,

I knew sounds and textures bothered me but once I started taking the meds I realised how much sensory things bothered me that I'd just ignored... and wondered why I cried and got stressed all the time 🤦‍♀️

Since I've been treating myself like I am autistic my life has gotten a lot easier

The NHS has a pretty fun range of medications
FULL. FULL range 🤦🏻‍♀️ ffs

It’s mostly resolved now.

They were game changers for my dd. Absolutely changed her outlook on life and confidence. Anti depressants did nothing.

Hi, I have been the same, treating myself like I have ASC. Has the assessment process been long for you !

Sorry I can’t delete previous! Hi, I have been the same, treating myself like I have ASC. Has the assessment process been long for you !

It is mostly resolved but I know some people having big trouble. I reccomend to my parents they ask for an alternative or generic medication (but know from personal experience some GPs are reluctant!) One of my students was on Xaggatin but given Concerta for example

No not at all! I got in touch with my GP in March this year about it! They put me onto a referal with ASD axia and my appointment is July this year. I honestly couldnt believe it was so easy and simple,

I had to do a little questionnaire thing with the GP , I cant remember the questions but it was some markers for ASD

I found the ASD form difficult to fill in though as I mask so much I wasnt really sure how to answer

"Would you go to a party or the library"

I'd actually enjoy the library more but I would probably force myself to go to the party and then spend days recovering afterwards wishing I'd just gone to the library instead. Questions like that I found difficult to answer because theres a massive difference in what I do and what I'd actually like to do

I totally relate. However, my GP who is usually great rolled his eyes and said ADHD in middle aged women is mostly hype perpetuated by social media. Feel so hopeless as have struggled since I was a teen, it’s negatively impacted my life, my house is a tip and I’ve been in freeze mode ever since becoming a parent! He did agree to prescribing bupropion for my anxiety/depression but it seems to increase my PMDD rage! Gah