I am newly diagnosed ADHD inattentive type and severe, at 46 years old. I have started learning as much as I can about treatment options and ways to manage, hence this app. I wondered what everyone's thoughts were on using medication to help? Is it worth trying it? Right now I worry that all of the "hacks" I'm learning aren't going to work if I can't get on top of my executive function working first.
Can I ask how you came to be diagnosed. I'm not diagnosed but I have a very strong feeling. I only looked into ADHD because a new college has it. The symptoms blew my mind and explained so much of my life.
It was a game changer for me. I did get a psychiatric nurse who specializes in adhd about 5 months in because I was also starting to go into menopause at 54 in the middle of the pandemic. Hormones wreak havoc with adhd meds. Also I apparently metabolize amphetamines in a bizarre way. I was initially prescribed 10mg of Adderall. That was way too high for me even though it’s the entry dose. I had to titrate down, where my initial doctor titrated me up. Also the manufacturer of the meds is critical for me. The additives in my first scrip made my legs so itchy and restless that I gave myself bruises from rubbing them. Teva is the mfg that my nurse prescribes all of her patients. There’s one other, but I can’t remember it right now. Additudemag.com is a great resource. Dr William Dodson is freaking brilliant, and he explains everything so it’s understandable and not overwhelming. I hope this helps. 🥰
Definitely worth trying. I was diagnosed at 41, meds help me and I don’t feel drugged up
Medication is worth trying to experience what it is like to feel a way you may have never felt before. Then it’s up to you whether you continue it or implement strategies to try to mimic the medicated feeling aka different psychology techniques, organisation techniques etc. But medication will at least enlighten you to the end goal which I personally couldn’t have ever experienced without medication. When people say - why can’t you self motivate? You can’t answer because you don’t know. You’ve never felt any other way. Medication at least gives you the feeling. For me, Ritalin is too uneven between doses and long acting takes my appetite away. But I’m grateful to it for giving me insight into how I should aim to feel.
