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I did - to have gotten this far with it, you’ve already been forced to come up with coping mechanisms and habits that allow you to succeed, but you’re still adding a degree of unneeded difficulty vs being properly medicated.
@OP- I take a non-stimulant SNRI (Strattera) and it’s been a game changer. It doesn’t impact my sleep, helps me stay on task without burning extra hours, and doesn’t give me some of the side effects (jitters) that stimulants like Ritalin did.
I don’t think meds are the be-all-end-all, and they’re not a substitute for other strategies like being intentional with my schedule and setting focus modes on my phone, but it’s helped me a ton. I’ve cut down on some of the late night hours I was spending previously trying to stay ahead, get to spend more time with my partner and children, and feel less overwhelmed.
I also set the expectation with my doctor very early that I wanted to have a “seat at the table” with respect to our approach. I see my doctor as a partner in this, and she takes my concerns seriously. At the end of the day, it’s a tool that’s worked exceptionally well for me and I think it’s at least worth the conversation for anyone navigating similar challenges. Feel free to DM me with questions.
Rising Star
Yes, a lot of my life makes more sense now. I strongly recommend therapy, and before anyone jumps at me, > therapy helps regulate the nervous system and anxiety, things that make ADHD worse when not controlled.
I personally can’t take the medication. It made me severely depressed and worse but it can work for some. Managing ADHD is trial and error. Other things you must manage:
-Adequate Sleep
-Balanced Nutrition (healthy fats, fiber, low carb help with my focus)
-Exercise
-Daily sunlight
-vitamin levels
Agreed with everything SM1 said above. Meds affect everyone differently, but without the foundation laid out above nothing else matters.
I have, Doctor told me I had ADHD and Autism so I got that limited edition social skills. It’s great I love my amphetamines…. It’s dope. I forgive myself so much now, and it’s really fun to hyper fixate on things without guilt! 🥹 I joke with my mom all the time about taking Tylenol during pregnancy 😂 poor woman, that’s the only meds they told her were ok 🤣
Just the fact that it was something that was odd to me and everyone else involved
Yes. Game changer. Appt with family doctor first to talk about it, then she sent me a short 2 page questionnaire to fill out, then we met to talk about it and she determined if it’s likely ADHD or not, then she is able to prescribe if I wanted but I wanted to get referred to a psychiatrist and get a proper full diagnosis so I did that. Got referred by my family doctor and then met with the psychiatrist for a 1-2 hour meeting where they asked me a bunch of questions about every stage of my life. And they gave my diagnoses right then and there. Then I asked them a bunch of questions that I wanted to clarity on around how the assessed, how they knew for sure, side effects of medication etc. Then I talked with my doctor about a plan for medication when I decided I wanted to go down that route. She walked me through the different forms of ADHD meds and the effects they have and types of ADHD meds, side effects, when to take them etc. and we decided on the plan together. And once I took them we had follow ups to see how it was goin and I increased or decreased the dosage until i found the right amount. And that was the process for me! I take them almost every day. It’s meant to be taken every day but you don’t have to. It’s really up to you. Happy to chat more about it!
Diagnosed in my 30s. My psychiatrist suggested I get tested after talking to him about my anxiety and trouble sleeping. I went to a specialist to take a four hour test with activities like remembering words and solving puzzles. The specialist diagnosed mild/moderate ADHD and recommended medication. The first year I went on medication, I improved so much at work that I was promoted. Go for it.
I always knew I was probably autistic, but it wasn't until I got my autism diagnosis at around 30 that they told me to seek out an ADHD one too. Surprise, I got the combination pizza hut and taco bell. Meds aren't for everyone, but for me it's no exaggeration to say they've been life changing. I can achieve a level of consistent productivity that was completely out of reach before and used to really depress me.
same here - I got ADHD diagnosis and I got a strong feeling I am on the spectrum. I have been reluctant to taking meds. Any side effects for you?
I was diagnosed at 19. Completely improved my grades, went from C’s to straight As. I stayed on it for 15 years & 4 degrees. A medicinal dose, so a very high dose. Would only take it weekdays when in my 20’s, hated the buzz etc. but daily in my 30s. I was traveling one year and needed a refill. I was sick of “needing” it. I cut cold turkey, took a couple years. Depression, weight gain - I think my metabolism is shot. Tons of cavities my whole life, realized it was from the meds — why meth heads have bad teeth.
May have been a midlife crisis but I woke up and was like WHAT am I doing with my life. It forced me into a career that was suited for a medicated mind, not my ADHD brain. I was on autopilot.
But, it did teach me how to “learn” —I never new. It taught me how to use my brain. Been off it 7 years and would never go back.
Tons of anxiety. I was happiest when I paired it with an antidepressant. That calmed the nerves.
Yup. Either you had it your whole life and coped, or in rare cases there is adult onset. Either way, once you have a diagnosis and find ways to manage (chemically or not) - your life will become better.
I’m actually curious about this. I’m in my 30’s and have always wondered if I had this condition but have never been brave enough to get tested. What is the test like? How do they confirm?
I had an annual check up today and my primary said I exhibit behaviors of ADHD and he referred me to a psychiatrist. I mean, as I think about all the symptoms — and what I experience personally — it all makes sense. But kinda crazy how in my 30s im just realizing this
I did, diagnosed at age 36
Oh no, I started therapy for other reasons and she was like... maybe we should investigate this. It was a lengthy process, they even asked my partner about my habits. Took a couple of sessions.
My doctor brought it up in my late 20s. It was a bit of a stressful experience but I think I understand myself a lot better now.
I am very interested to hear your experience post-diagnosis. Has treatment improved your lifestyle? Asking because I was diagnosed but I am skeptical about getting treatment
We will see! I was referred, so waiting on next steps.