I was wondering this. I was diagnosed two months ago by my family doctor after seeing her for 3 years. She treated me for multiple health issues including mental health and when her efforts to treat anxiety and depression didn’t work we switched and she felt confident diagnosing me with adhd. I agree with her assessment after learning more about it, if you look at my entire life there are a ton of signs, plus i was diagnosed at 13 but it was hidden from me until my 30s, I am 42 now. I just didn’t know what to do with that information back then.

I see people here say they were “officially diagnosed”, so what is my diagnosis considered? If it’s not done by a psychologist it’s not really valid, or what does that mean?

I’ve taken a lot of “do you have adhd?” Assessments ive found online done by people who diagnose others and they keep saying I don’t have it. So if I was to go for an “official” assessment the likelihood of them agreeing with it would be slim I think. I have no way of proving anything. I dropped out of school way back in like 1997, my parents are dead and I don’t have relationships with my siblings. I don’t even remember which hospital i had my psychiatric evaluation done at when I was 13. The only proof I would have is my stories and how my life has gone, and my husband.

I hear a lot of conflicting things about drinking on Vyvanse, but… I need to hear accounts from HEAVYWEIGHTS. I did not drink much prior to Vyvanse because it genuinely took me 5-6+ drinks to even get a little bit buzzed and at that point it was just too expensive. However, my friends club a lot and if you club you know one of the only ways to enjoy it is to be a little out of it lol. I’ve been avoiding clubbing with them because I was under the impression that drinking on Vyvanse gives you violent hallucinations (don’t ask me. I have no idea where I got this assumption.) but finally did some research and have been like… oh I want to go out with my friends! I’m on 40mg if that matters. I’m only 5’3” but comical heavyweight (I think it’s genetic?) have been like this for my whole life and I was lucky that Vyvanse even… worked. So, heavyweights, I know there’s some risk, but is it even WORTH it? Thanks!

Hi I was recently prescribed Ritalin for my ADHD. it’s only been 3 days but I am getting headaches. I take 5mg in the morning and 5mg at lunch. Is there anything I can do to help with the headaches?

I tried Wellbutrin before this and it did not work for me. I felt terrible and had low energy. It also gave me unbearable headaches.

Thank you in advance

Hi, so I was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD at 24 years old. So I am still learning about ADHD and how to work with my brain instead of against it. I feel like my brain works a lot better when I have something to look forward to. For example, this week I was under budget by $28 for my transportation. I have never done that before I have always been over budget instead of under budget. I have been trying to think of new and free rewards I can give myself to help me with doing things like saving money. The ideas I have come up with are:

1. Print out coloring pages
2. Getting a book from the library
3. Watch a movie I’ve been wanting to watch
4. Do a facials night
5. Paint my nails
6. Use my credit card reward points to buy a new coloring book

Is there any other free rewards you can think of to help keep yourself motivated to work towards your goals. Also does anybody know any books I can read on my adhd to better understand my brain?

I HATE meditating because I cant focus and my brain WONT shut up. But my doctor recently upped my meds, and now that I can focus a little better I want to try again. Has anyone had any success and are there any guided meditations that you prefer? I dont expect to find perfect zen the first time, but I do want to try to work on it

There are at least 5 articles based on studies. The study summaries can be found on Medscape Medical News website. Search under "ADULT ADHD DIAGNOSES, OUTCOMES" and "TREATING ADHD WITH MEDICATION LINKED TO LOWER ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY." While there is a bit of downer news for ADHDers included, it's definitely offset by the good news.

I have had terrible ADHD struggles, that has only worsened since I started college, to the point where I cant take care of myself. My psychiatrist hardly wanted to hear me out, instead taking most of I said as a sign that I was bipolar, saying nothing about the rest of my symptoms. He said that he wants my head to be clear when I describe my symptoms (which wth does that even mean??), so that we're sure stimulants won't make my issues worse. I don't know if he thinks I'm an addict or what.

Granted, the medication has helped a lot with my anxiety and mood swings in the few days I've taken it. but couldn't that also just be emotional dysregulation being fixed? I started a new job recently so I'm not sure I could have started without it. Either way, I still listen to music to get things done, I still forget important details, I still can barely sit down and complete my assignments, I miss stupid details, my head is still loud.

I'm thinking to wait until our next appointment and ask how long he plans to trial this medication, so I can see what stimulants might do for me. Is that a good plan moving forward?

Yesterday morning I was in a rush for work and somehow I threw away my bottle of Adderall. The lid was loose and they spilled out of the bottle and into the trash. They ended up covered and soup and so I was only able to salvage a few. I took pictures of them In the trash clearly ruined. I contacted my nurse practitioner and she said that on Monday she will be back in office but she will need the Doctor to sign off on it.

I think that means they will provide me a limited prescription until my next full script is due but I am anxious that they are going to tell me on Monday that for whatever reason I have to wait 2 weeks until I can get a new prescription. I’m anxious because of my job and how hard it is for me to complete my responsibilities without my medication.

Does anyone have any past experiences they can share that might calm my anxiety? I am hoping some may have similar stories where they were able to get an emergency refill or even stories that they had to go a couple weeks without meds and that it wasn’t as bad as I think it would be? Lastly, does anyone have some advice on how what I can do to make the two weeks as easy as possible in the event I can’t get an emergency refill?

Thank you to anyone that takes the time to respond.

Is anyone able to tell me some past stories about this that might help.

Edit - I figured I should add some context. I am prescribed 60Mg IR per day (3 20mg tablets) although generally I only take 40-50 consistently. I am 26 years old and have been prescribed for about 4 years for ADHD and as an off label use for depression.

I started taking 10mg of long-lasting Ritalin 3 weeks ago. This week I started to have pain in the front of my legs below knees. I try to identify if it could something related to Ritalin. It’s a bit similar to the pain you are feeling after walking for whole day or doing sports.

Did anyone felt something similar?

Doctor sugested i take it after i eat protein and sometimes it works but other times i feel like the food just delays the onset of medication super much and generally just ruins the whole effect making it barely noticeable.

Is there a thing as "too much food" with it? Because generally i eat 2-3 boiled eggs and they work wonders but whenever i eat more it feels like it's not working properly.
Comments highly appreciated.

I (f,25) wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until I was 20 but have struggled so much my whole life. I can't ever get anything done, my emotions and my thoughts are all over the place. I feel like I have so much potential but it just goes to waste and it sucks so bad. I did try Ritalin which was fine but didn't work too well, Lisdexamfetamine worked best for me. I felt like I could be at peace for the first time in my life.. sadly it wasn't too great for my heart (gave me slight heart palpitations) so my doctor recommended I try Strattera. I have yet to try it, I will pick up my prescription next week. What worked best for you guys? any apps, books, workbooks, websites etc. you can recommend as an aid? which medication was best for you? I know what works for some might not work for others and it's a trial and error thing but I'd be so thankful for any advice or recommendations.

I took it yesterday for the first time (after calling 11 pharmacies to find one that stocked it), and didn’t do much but just be mildly freaked our by the sheer reduction of noise in my brain and sit around and overanalyse what I’m feeling.

Anyway, I took it today, and told myself as I usually do “ugh I’ll get out of bed at half past.”, Not at all expecting myself to do that because I always end up fighting to get up for ~half an hour (minimum), and I always feel so tired for a whole after because of all the effort it takes, but the moment I saw it was half past I just stood up? Without even thinking about it?

I then realised what I did without even thinking and started crying my eyes out. It’s just so crazy how quick theres such a huge change? I’ve had to deal with using all of my energy budgeted for the day on getting out of bed and now I just did it without even thinking?

Even though this is massively positive it’s still such a weird adjustment, but I’m grateful. This shit is crazy.

Just wanted to share my experience :)

I get insanely fixated on what I last said to people, I get scared I said the wrong thing all of the time. That they are going to not like me because of it. It’s like how there is always a song playing in the back of my head, except it’s the conversation. I’m not sure if this is just anxiety but it has always happened, and I’m so tired of it because it is always okay.

Are there things that bring you back to reality during the day or at night?

I feel like my mind never stops — even when I sleep, it’s still thinking. But I remembered that my relatives used to have a ticking mechanical clock, and when I focused on its sound, it helped me think less. I’ve also heard that lava lamps can have a similar effect.

If anyone here uses things like that — I’d love to hear about your experience!

Hi I have ADD and I take my ADHD medication every day and when I'm somewhere that's not home all day and I have a tendency to crash if I'm surrounded by people and stuff and can't get away to a quiet place or something for a whole day and then I crash and I've had that I'm both mentally and physically exhausted and now I have it every time I go out and kind of shop in a department store I always crash.

It's like I'm really tired but not like you're usually tired if that makes any sense and I get kind of nauseous and can't do anything at all and sometimes I can sleep even though it's still day but it lasts for several hours so it only goes away when I sleep all night.

It's very hard and it could be that I've been out in the morning and then I come home at lunchtime and am just completely crashed all day. My mom said that I can't just let myself go everything because "now I've done it so now I can let go of everything" and that I should kind of do other things but I haven't been able to do that.

I need tips on what I can do and do any of you know what it is? Because it wasn't like this before because now every time I am out like and shopping I crash after. It's like my brain works so hard with what I'm doing and then when I get home and can relax I feel physically bad/sick because of it. Do you feel like that too?

anyone else consistently have issues mentally on weekends, it’s the lack of structure and sometimes i just end up in bed crying because it triggers my depression so bad. does anyone else have this issue, is it specific to adhd, and any tips.

i don’t know what reddit requires so many characters BLalalalalalalalalalala

Hi. (Diagnosed 4 months ago)

I feel ashamed bc I in every relationship I have the other side wants WAY more than I can give and GIVE way more than I can handle. I don't love them as much as they love me, I don't need as much and they overwhelm me with what they give - but for most it's normal about of contact/need/love.

I don't miss them, I almost never thinks about them. I don't feel need to know what's happening in their life. If it's not one of my 2 best friends, I don't feel the need. Even with my family with is little - mom and sis. When I see them, IL talk for hours probably but I don't want to see them to often!!

They have expectations and needs of contact that is way over what I can give without discomfort. And they guilt trip me over it. And I feel what we all feel most time - SHAME.

So in like every relationship I have: if I tell them what I am truly feeling, or rather what I'm not feeling, they will be hurt. And I know that they deserve more, they all deserve "normal" relationship. They have normal expectation. I know my sister, she will not understand (if I can you can - mentality) she is the one that shames me the most for it, "not caring/calling/being tired/late/not enjoying what they do"

I feel like bad person, cause I hurt all of them with my "lack of need for contact". I super empathetic with situations ON HAND and super sensitive, but this?? HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THAT? I'm afraid I will be alone in the end, cause even telling them the truth will push them away, cause they don't (want/have) to understand.

I can't unmask this. Il be isolated and misunderstood even more and more. I just don't LOVE/NEED as much as they, I never did, and they can't handle it. I feel like some sort of sociopath (I know it's not that, I mean the apathy part) and they will probably see one in me partially.

Please help me.

My whole life I've been self taught, mainly using khan academy and youtube. I never ever took notes, and I've also never felt the need to. In classes where notes were part of a grade, I wrote the bare minimum and never went back to them, never has to study for any test. Now that I'm teaching myself more advanced topics, I feel obligated to take notes, and I've started using textbooks instead of videos. I'm starting wonder if I'm forcing my ADHD brain to do something that only really works for people without it. I never really review the notes I write, reading and taking notes is more like 5 minutes reading 5 minutes note taking and 30 minutes on my phone or somewhere else loligagging. Should I try harder to focus, and continue what I do now, or should I go back to my old method with khan academy, youtube, etc, and allow my brain just be a sponge? I was thinking perhaps building fundamentals through videos and just skimming textbooks to fill in the gaps? I just want to learn a lot of things, and I know I can, but I'm not quite sure what the right method is for me. So what do you guys do?

Recently after quitting my job and starting nursing school I lost my work insurance. My PCP prescribed me 20mg Aderall XR and it’s getting too expensive for me now. On top of that I would like to get officially tested so I can get help from my university since I’m doing somewhat poor. Unfortunately I’m ineligible for soonercare at the moment as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My hand hurts, my eyes hurt, I'm hungry, I smell bad, my mind feels exhausted, brothers and sisters I don't even have pants on. I didn't bother to dress today. Most of the things I have scrolled have been negative so now I feel like my sense of reality has been temporarily twisted. I haven't finished any of the things I had to do today. Neither have I been in contact with my friends.

I had this "I should put my phone down and stop" realization 6 hours ago but I didn't. No idea why not. I knew I would feel miserable after yet I still continued. I still kind of have the urge to continue. Insanity.

Stupid brain that gets stuck in certain activities and stupid self-sabotaging.

Anyway!

How is everyone else today?

Edit: ok thanks, I managed to clean my bathroom and eat something

I finally got diagnosed at the age of 35. After going through every non-stimulant I was put on methylphenidate, and it changed my life.

Beyond productivity and better executive functioning, I am less depressed and less anxious. It has been nothing short of life changing.

I can't help but think, what would life have been like if I'd been properly diagnosed at a younger age? Could I have actually sat down and practiced my instrument for 2-3 hours at a time, which I constantly struggled with as a music major in undergrad? Would my grades have been better? How would my life be different?

It's a bittersweet feeling. My life is not over, but I can't help but think that I've missed an opportunity. I've been plagued by procrastination my whole life...

I don't understand why, but sometimes I'll see an object or be holding it and just not realise, like to me it feels like there's nothing there or like I can't tell what the object is. It takes me a couple seconds to actually register stuff. It happens a lot when I lose a something and it could be in my line of sight and I still can't see it. I have a similar problem with hearing; I'll be listening to my friend speak, and it almost sounds like gibberish to me for a couple seconds until I fully register it. Just to add, this doesn't happen all the time; it's just kind of random. I'm just putting this here to ask if anyone is similar to this and if there's a way to combat it.

So im an AuDHDer 20(F). And i have a part time job that im relatively good at. So i get my own income to buy the things i need or want. Like my tablet, phone, and VR headset.

I had bought these things with my own hard earned money, so i think i get a say in what i can do with my things right? Nope because my mom takes my tablet and headset every night, gives it to me after i do all my things for the day but only gives me 2 hours a day to play on the headset (that includes breaks for bathroom or food), and makes me lock up the phone in a literal box that i have to keep downstairs that i can't open until the timer is up

Now i know i need structure for these things but i feel like this is a bit much. Keeping the things i paid for in her room and locked in a box downstairs while im upstairs is a little absurd.

Am i overreacting?

I am currently on the NHS waitlist for an ADHD assessment however considering going private (ADHD360) to speed up the process. In brief, my struggles are managing day to day tasks such as washing clothes & dishes, cleaning the house, starting and then completing any task, unable to meet any deadlines that involve independent planning such as university assessments, days where I just cannot stop then will be burnt out and awful financial decisions and planning. I have only thought for the past 2 years that I may have ADHD, however had an NHS referral rejected in 2023 as my symptoms could be down to other mental health conditions. Cut to now, taking antidepressants and having had a lot of therapy, I’m seeing no improvement in attention/impulse based things, I have noticed improvements in mood and ability to deal with problems but nothing more practical. Previously to get assignments done I would rely on the adrenaline rush of the night before deadline, however feel this rush has subsided since being on antidepressants and so I simply don’t do the task. It was asked of me today what I would “do” if I was assessed and did not have ADHD, I wondered if anyone else has been in this situation and what practical steps they took to help themselves? I currently cannot picture living the next 50 odd years of my life with my brain working this way without losing my mind.

I've been consistently taking methylphenidate for almost a year now. Recently, I’ve been noticing my legs shaking during regular stretches. I figured it was just my legs being pool noodles bc I haven’t worked out in so long, thinking focusing only on work would make me productive. 2 weeks ago, I was walking downstairs when I noticed they were shaking a lot vigorously. I immediately stopped and then started to go down the staircase slowly. The slower i went, the more they shook almost out of control. I was terrified.

I later read that shaking was a side effect of stimulant meds, but I worry if the shaking will get worse. I'm going through by far the most stressful time in my life rn, applying for graduate schools, and it worries me how ill I’ll do academically in the future if I ever have to stop meds bc of the shaking.

Has anyone ever experienced this?