I don’t know if anyone else uses the “321” method to get out of paralysis, but I discovered today that counting down from 30 helps more than counting down from 3 because it gives you more time to think about all the consequences you will face if you don’t get the fuck up right now.

Hey, you. I know you’re doomscrolling right now. Ready. Set. 30—

I was talking to a friend about how I suspect I might have ADHD. When I told her I zone out all the time, including in conversations, she asked "Are you just losing focus or are you thinking about something else?" I told her it's a little of both, but usually it's because I'm thinking of something else.

Does this distinction mean something? Is one of these an ADHD symptom while the other isn't? I'm curious why she asked and confused how it can be possible to lose focus without that implying that your attention shifted elsewhere. I should've just asked her but I'm shy and then I forgot lol

I’ve been on adderall (10mg twice a day) for a little over a year and while it definitely helps while it’s working the feeling I get as it wears off is enough to stop me taking it. I get very depressed in that I feel nothing at all for a few hours until I go to bed.

I’ve tried taking more, taking less, using certain supplements (fish oil and magnesium actually do make a difference in this but not enough), extended release, and varying what part of the day I take it and still struggle with the comedown depression.

If you experienced this with adderall how did other stimulants work for you?

I see my psychiatrist next week so might see about trying something else. I am also currently on straterra which helps with mood regulation but not so much focus.

I was taking 80mg of strattera for a few weeks but still wasn’t having any luck from it so my psych has had me lower the dose back to 40mg in preparation of switching to qelbree, but after being on 40mg again for a few days I got really bad stomach pain, which has now turned into really bad constipation and acid reflux. Is it possible that it’s something to do with the strattera? It seems weird for side effects like this to start after lowering my dose, but I can’t think of any other reason I would be experiencing this.

Hey everyone! Not seeking medical advice just looking to soothe some anxiety I’ve been having.

I’ve been on 2x20mg Adderall IR for about two months now and I have a drug screening with my psychiatrist coming up this Thursday and I’m feeling a bit nervous about it.

I’m out of town from Thursday through Sunday and didn’t bring my meds bc I didn’t think I need them on vacation (I completely forgot I would be tested at my next appt). If I start taking my meds again on Monday morning, do you think my levels will be back to normal by Thursday? My appt is first thing Thursday morning. Any advice and experience is greatly appreciated!!

I simply need to know I'm not the only one. So, here's the deal: I'm diagnosed with adhd and I suspect that I'm also asd. Anyway, it seems like nobody ever understands me,except my mom and my husband. When I'm with one of them, it is so much fun! My jokes are cracking, I'm beyond creative and I feel so light and easy. But when it comes to other people, it's like there's a language barrier. When I'm at my high, people think I'm too much. When I'm at my low, people think I seek for attention. When i'm being vulnerable, i come across as needy. And as if it was not hard enough before, it got so much worse with war going on in my country. We had to run from our city to a town at the other end of the country and basically start all over. We got lucky to meet nice people that invite us to do things, but I never relax with them, cus they talk like twice as fast as people from my region. And they talk all together, at once, so I don't understand shit and get overstimulated and end up feeling broken and socially homeless. I love my family, but sometimes I need a friend, just a friend, and it seems like an unreal request. Who can relate and what do you do?

This has become an issue since I have more work that I need to do and more plans that can be cancelled. It happened so many times and I can't afford to lose time like this.

I think I need to mentally prepare to work and if something gets cancelled last minute I can't, it can even mess up my whole day if it happens in the morning, I feel guilty and still can't work.

It has happened so many times, I have Asperger's Syndrome too, might be related, how do I fix this?

Hi everyone. Has anyone found relief from high blood pressure caused by Adderall after making some lifestyle changes?

I’m currently on Adderall for ADHD caused by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I’ve been mostly happy with low dose I’m currently on (10mg XR). I do have some of the classic side effects like dry mouth, headaches, elevated resting heart rate and unfortunately high blood pressure. I went from around 120-130/80 to around 140/90.

I have some additional factors that are probably contributing to less than ideal blood pressure in general. I have two servings of caffeine a day, eat a high sodium diet and am also about 20 lbs overweight.

I’m physically active throughout the week and exercise often, but yeah.

I don’t want to get off of Adderall. In addition to helping me focus it really takes the edge off of my fatigue and some other neurological issues I have because of the brain and spinal cord damage from my MS. If it’s relevant, I’ve only been on it for 1 month and don’t plan on increasing the dosage since it’s already having this effect at such a low dose. Thank you in advance.

ETA: I’ve already started doing low sodium and cutting out caffeine. My husband also has ADHD and takes a higher dose of Adderall in an addition to Wellbutrin. He was put on blood pressure medication because his is quite high despite being a triathlete (resting heart rate in the 40’s!). I suppose I could monitor my blood pressure here at home with a cuff I purchased a while ago, but yeah…just wanted to know if anyone else has gone through this.

Hello everyone, My question is pretty basic and is already in the title, but I'll provide some context regardless.

I have had a passion for language learning for a while now, but I keep going back and forth when learning my target language; it's either I stop for a month and then come back only to stop for a month again. Or I just start a new language for a bit and then repeat the same process. I've been learning my target language for almost a year, but due to my ADHD, I only really achieved 3 months of progress, which made me feel really down about it, and now I'm having a hard time returning to it.

Same deal with drawing; I can't stick to it for long enough, and due to that, I'm not seeing the benefits.

I recently came across an interview where Trevor Noah mentioned he was diagnosed with ADHD but chooses not to medicate, as he feels it helps him with his creativity and comedy. It got me thinking—how many of you here have made a similar choice? If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD but prefer to stay unmedicated.

Hey everyone. For context, I (22F) was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD and GAD about a year ago, and was finally able to speak with a psychiatrist and get a prescription. I was prescribed 5mg of Adderall and had been taking it for a couple of weeks. I honestly didn’t feel any effects from the medication. I still find it difficult to get out of bed and feel ready for the day, and I feel like I can’t ever get a peace of mind. Even on my days off, I struggle to relax because I’m constantly distracted with myself and my own thoughts. I’ve always wanted to sit down and read a book but could never get myself to; I can’t even get through a page without re-reading the same passages, my mind just goes blank. Even when talking to people, l will space out as they’re speaking to me. If anything, I’ve been feeling more tired since I’ve started the meds, which is most likely due to my stressful sleep/work schedule so I’m working on it. I was honest with my psychiatrist and told him that it didn’t have an effect on me. His response was that there was no way someone with ADHD would have no response to some form of Adderall as it is a stimulant, even if it was a small dose. He suspects that it might just be the GAD. I told him about my troubles with reading and listening, and.. he basically thinks it’s just a skill issue. I tried my best to explain that I could read just fine and that in fact, I liked to read and write, it was one of my better subjects in school. I emphasized that it wasn’t about my ability to read, but my focus. He ended the session with some “words of encouragement” basically by saying that some people are better at reading than others and that I shouldn’t feel pressured by how others are doing. He granted my request to increase the dose to 10mg just to see what happens, but now, I’m not sure how to feel. Maybe I don’t have ADHD?? Maybe it’s not that serious?? I have no one else to talk to, so that’s why I’m here. Has anybody struggled with something similar?

I’m aware the title isn’t exactly right as I’m pretty sure the diagnostic criteria includes all letters (including hyperactivity). I’m pretty sure however hyperactivity in people with ‘ADD’ (me) display it in a different way to those with ‘ADHD’. What I mean is that I’ve done some research and I think some types of ADHD present hyperactivity more outwardly whereas some types present more internally I guess. I think it links to hyper focus or something (someone may need to fact check that). What I’m saying is that I’m kind of envious of those with outward presenting hyperactivity because they seem so cool, in some cases it’s easier to get a diagnosis because people realise earlier and people like me kind of don’t get the help we need unless we fight for it. Obviously this isn’t true for everyone with outward hyperactivity because I’m aware there are still so many struggles and getting any diagnosis isn’t easy, so please don’t think I’m trying to minimise their struggles. But can anyone relate?

I was diagnosed at the end of August and have been on medication since the beginning of September.

All my life since I've had a job I was never able to save any money. Literally none of it in the 17 years I've been working, until recently. I've been working a professional career since the age of 26. Outside of the 401k contributions, I have 20,000 that I saved up, IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. I did the math and I've only managed to save 3% of my total gross income, and literally all of it was in the last 12 months. It's fucking pathetic.

I only properly started saving a year ago after a tough discussion with my girlfriend of 10 years telling me to get my financial shit together or we're done. Of course as we all know nothing kicks ADHD brains into functioning harder than the threat of imminent doom.

Since the diagnosis I've been able to piece together that my ADHD and my financial situation is likely related. All my life I've always thought I was irresponsible and just needed to stop spending, and I'm sure part of it is just that. Doesn't make it feel any better, though.

I've been doing so well the last year even before the medication. But my girlfriend went on a 3 week trip with her family recently, and my willpower absolutely evaporated overnight; I mean literally eating out every day and buying things the moment I felt like I wanted it. I mean holy shit I did not realize how much of my ability to resist the impulse of spending is tied to her being present. This is of course, not ideal. Even the medication wasn't able to assist me in this regard.

What in your experience works for curbing destructive impulses?

Anyone who managed to stop relying on external factors to control symptoms? Any advice on how to break free of them or be less reliant on them?

I know good habits and routines go a long way, but I realized so much of those were tied to the girlfriend being around.

Thanks for getting here, I know it's a long read.

Hi all, I was recently diagnosed with ADHD via my psychiatrist and we’ve been trying to find a medication that works for me.

First we tried out 10mg of Adderall extended release and while it worked I had very bad reactions to the medication, food didn’t just not sound good the smell actually made me nauseous, I couldn’t sleep no matter how early I took it and it made my anxiety I’m also on medication for worse. However it did wonders for my ADHD, it felt like for the first time on my life I could function and focus.

However due to the side effects my doctor decided to switch medication and I’ve been on 18 mg of Concerta for the last two weeks and have my follow up on Monday. The issue with the concerta is that now all of the side effects are gone, I can eat, I get hungry, and my anxiety is back to usual levels (still have issues sleeping though) BUT all the positives are also gone. Its not helping me focus, I’m back to being all over the place etc.

I’m tempted to ask to try adderall again because while the side effects sucked maybe I can just manage them? At least the medication worked. Right now it feels like I’m taking the concerta for literally no reason.

Any advice on people dealing with similar issues would be helpful because I really just want to find something that works and be done with two week follow ups constantly while we try and figure it out

I got prescribed Ritalin 36mg last week but I found out the insurance rejected it due to maximum age being 17. (I’m 28) I used to take Vyvanse before the shortage so we switched to Ritalin now. Idk what to…. Also the pharmacies won’t tell me if they have the medication or not because my doctor said she would switch me to something else if they don’t have it.

I’ve been struggling a lot to study for my exams and every single time I try I get so distracted. I have these focus patch things but they don’t really work all that well. Also executive dysfunction (as I mentioned) is a large contributing factor to my lack of studying. Please can someone give me tips on how to prevent this.

I recently moved into a new apartment, and of course having executive dysfunction, I could barely get any unpacking done over the course of 5 days and just procrastinated unpacking and organizing. I felt so unmotivated and sluggish for so long. The only way I was able to get some basic necessities out of boxes was to have friends over and help me (a.k.a. force me to work) a couple times. But even with their help I was only able to get about half of my stuff unpacked.

Then, out of nowhere, I felt sudden motivation to unpack and organize one morning, so I just got started on my own. Well I ended up working for like 12 hours straight, only stopping to have a couple small meals. Now my apartment is absolutely gorgeous and I'm still feeling kind of wired a day later. I have bipolar disorder as well and it felt a lot like hypomania, but hypomania develops over weeks and not in a moment like that. Plus I'm not doing any risky or irresponsible behavior, so I don't think it's due to bipolar.

Anybody else experience this? I feel like in life I am either completely nonfunctional, or the most productive human being on the planet. Also I'm not taking stimulants at the moment, just wellbutrin and qelbree, which have a moderately small effect on my ADHD symptoms.

I dedicated all my time in order to find the best way to think, trying to find the best thought process we can use in order to plan and make decisions, finding the best way to learn in general, the best way to learn specifically through pure observation using your 5 senses only, how to find patterns, how to be logical and analytical thinker,etc...

Notice that all of my interests are about learning how to learn

I think this is as a result of having ADHD which considered a learning disability, so my intuition knows that my inability to learn properly is what I miss in my life so he pushs me to search and find the missing pieces in my mind

But never found communities or people here on reddit that share the same interest at all

So is it just me, or it's something ADHD people have in common?

So, like many others who get tested…i am a little confused on the testing? They did a bunch of random tests:

-remembering words -random information -remembering numbers -math problems -putting blocks into shapes -recognizing patterns -remembering patterns -putting shapes into this 16 square grid

It felt easy for some of it but also not??I also feel like for some of the pattern ones and putting them in the squares that I could have done better. I’m nervous that I may have messed up my results if I didn’t try hard enough to remember them? I don’t know does that make sense??

Despite being diagnosed with ADHD by a psychotherapist at my outpatient clinic, the doctors at that same clinic are saying that I may not have ADHD, but I might be bipolar (I seriously think they said this because I said my mother is bipolar some time ago). So they have to put me on bipolar medication "to see how I react" before they can discuss stims with me.

So guess what? Now I'm on 750mg of Valproic Acid a day along with 50mg of Sertraline. It's only day 1, still not able to focus, in addition to feeling like I'm constantly dissociating, and wanting to puke thanks to this crap... God only knows what other side effects may appear. I'm expecting the worst for the next 4 weeks before my next appointment.

Maybe I should get used to being tortured at this point.

I’ve been reading some threads about experiencing anhedonia and having ADHD. This happens to me 3-5 times a year and my previous psychiatrist thought it was bipolar depression. It definitely looks similar but I never get the highs. I just feel normal and productive. I’m triggered when I start to feel bored. It gets bad to the point where my meds don’t work and I can barely put together a sentence. I get no pleasure out of anything and I start to feel guilty when my cats come to me for attention and I feel nothing when I normally feel warmth and love.

To those who experience this, how do you manage it? I just let it pass. It lasts about 2 weeks, but to be honest, I haven’t felt pleasure the way I used to in many years. It started when I graduated from college. I was so stimulated from learning and being around my peers with the same goals and aspirations. Now, I work full time and every day is the same. It was exciting when I first started and was learning something new, but I’ve hit a dead end. I am looking for a new job that obviously pays well for me to survive and save (I’m not a big spender), and won’t be the same for too long. So my next question is, what do you all do for a living that keeps you interested?

I'm so sick of trying only to give up. I'm tired of feeling like a pointless human being because I make a mistake. I have no impulse control in these moments. One tiny mistake, the slightest adversity, and it's like my brain is getting dragged into a black pit by its ankles. Even before the message reaches my brain, I've given up. My body has decided that it's time to stop.

With the understanding that adhd medication helps with focus, motivation and emotional regulation, I've brick-walled myself from any of those interests that caused me pain before. No matter how much I want to, I will not indulge them until I'm medicated and capable of actually achieving something without getting depressed.

I'm still waiting to get medicated, so I'm just ranting. I honestly, truly hope that once I'm getting treated, I'll be able to do the things I want to.

Thanks for reading.

Yesterday I wanted to control myself and not go on Reddit while I was studying, I tried everything, but it was impossible and I had to grab the tablet and make a post about something that was on my mind.

Also, in college almost every time I'm studying I start thinking about other things or start imagining dumb things (like me being rich), once my hand was shaking and I had to leave earlier than usual (yes, I have a schedule but it's not always followed).

Worst of all, I believe that even though I'm only 18, I won't be able to change these bad habits and that I'll be the same failure for the rest of my life.

It's horrible and I'm having problems because of it, but I don't know if it's something psychological or if it's me being irresponsible (I think it's the second option).

I know I'm going to fail in life because I'm a fat idiot with no friends but I'd like to know if lack of concentration is curable, thank you.

Starting ADHD medication again after nine years has been quite an experience. I was on it briefly as a child, but since I don’t have the hyperactive type of ADHD, the bursts of energy from the medication were challenging, especially with sitting still at a desk. Now, as an adult, that’s less of an issue with a different work setting.

So far, being back on medication makes me feel noticeably happier. There’s a productive euphoria that boosts my mood, though I feel a bit “buzzed,” and I’m not sure how long that sensation will last.

I’m also a bit cautious about driving. Despite expecting the medication to improve my focus, I actually feel slightly impaired, like I’ve had a glass of wine—but one that boosts productivity! The bottle does warn about possible effects on driving, so I wonder how long this phase might last.

At the end of the day, I don’t struggle with sleep. I take the medication around 7 am, which seems to work well. However, I do experience a kind of “hangover” in the evening with dry mouth, headache, and tiredness.

Ii

Hello. I am a 53 year old who was just recently diagnosed with ADHD and was prescribed Vyvanse. I take 30mg daily. I usually take it immediately before I eat breakfast, and it seems to do a great job of helping me stay focused throughout the day.

Recently I have had to skip breakfast and I take the Vyvanse on an empty stomach after which I start feeling extreme anxiety. I have tried eating once this happens (thinking that not eating/hunger is what caused the anxiety) but once the anxiety kicks in - it's there to stay, and I become pretty useless for the rest of the day (every emotion I experience is unbearably exaggerated and unreasonable).

I know the simple and obvious answer is "Well then, make sure to take Vyvanse with food." I am just curious why I get so anxious, and why eating after the anxiety kicks in it doesn't help the situation.

Im 17 and recently got diagnosed with adhd and anxiety. My family always knew I might have it but never took the time to get tested. I am interested in getting put on meds.

I have taken my friends stimulant adhd medicine before and it was very helpful, it helped my anxiety stay low and made me motivated to get schoolwork done. But there was another time that I took my friends Ritalin and it did not do anything for me.

I was wondering how to go about this, I am aware that these were not my prescription so I should take my findings with a grain of salt, but I would like to get a prescription for the medicine that did help me but I don’t know how to request that from my doctor or parents without it seeming like I just want pills or adderall ykwim?

Hey all, I 26f just recently started 10mg xr Adderall. I’m only on day two and the calmness of the brain is amazing however, it seems to be triggering my GI track. I’m having to pee every 10 or so minutes which is causing my Endo to flare up. Does this go away? I ditched caffeine a year ago because it triggered my Endo and I’m really hoping stimulants won’t have the same effect because I’m always so tired and unmotivated to the point it’s been heavily impacting my life. I feel like I’ll need to increase my dosage but I’m terrified to trigger my Endo all over again when I have finally had it mostly managed this last year. I’m hoping it’s because this medication is new and will just take some getting use to. Tips. Advice is much appreciated.

I 19M, have had ADHD ever since I was a kid. Despite that Im doing finals for my sophomore year of college and it’s not bothering me. I can socialize perfectly fine, and I like to think i’ve got a handle on my college years between discovering who i am and constantly building on myself as a person. All that said, I find myself laying at home watching tv, not wanting to go out, getting frustrated at small things, and just rotting in bed. It’s like i’m one way infront of everyone else and i become dead inside when i get home. I just wanna understand if this is depression or what it is because it’s been frustrating me that I can’t mentally get out of my bedroom. Any advice would be much appreciated

Used to take guitar lessons in college and uber to the teacher's house. One time after I transferred schools I was stranded at the teachers house because I ran out of money for an uber back. My mom had to pick me up. I feel really bad about this and like my adhd contributed to it... What do I do?

Please help :(

Im a 17 year old female. Lately, I have ben struggling with remembering things. My mind just doesnt work anymore, whenever i try to recall something, it doesn’t work. it’s just BLANK and i feel like im going crazy.

Earlier today, i am sure my door was wide open. after a while, it’s already been closed but im alone in the house and I DONT REMEMBER closing it. i tried reenacting the way i could’ve closed hoping i could remember but ut didn’t ring a bell at all.

This started worsening recently and it’s affecting my daily life and my studies. I CANT REMEMBER things even tho i just learned it 5 minutes ago.

Since im a broke senior, i took the ADHD test online to see if this is related to ADHD since i am also having problems with focusing and other ADHD things (which i couldn’t remember) and the website said that i could possibly have ADHD. I haven’t gotten any check ups from a psychologist cuz i dont have the money so i am very much clueless of what’s happening to me.

Is this because of my lack of sleep??? it’s happening quite alot recently and i think its because i haven’t been getting any sleep…..

i am undiagnosed btw