I’m curious to know why some people decide to stop taking ADHD meds and whether other alternatives have worked for you. I’ve been thinking about eventually switching to different ways of managing my ADHD, especially because meds make me a bit anxious and they’re also kind of expensive.
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I got my meds and diagnosis when i was 20/21. Back then it helped me verry much in my studies, after that i decided to only use it when nessecairy because i did not want to have to medicate myself to live my life.
I feel that! I honestly don’t want to feel like I depend on it! Also because it can be expensive haha
My dad took away my medicine like 1,5 years ago then he got the idea that low screentime and strict discipline would be enough. My life changed a lot then and in beginning my dad I had a lot of fights. It was around my 12 birthday. Then it worked alright but 1/2 year ago he practically took away all my screentime for fun things (that’s probably the reason I’m a lot here cuz one of few apps that are “free” but he took away my Xbox, my computer for games and actually all good games from the phone except Pokemon go and I only have my phone family linked/qustodio controlled and a Chromebook for schoolwork. It have been hard to adjust cuz actually no other kid my age have this many restrictions but actually I have to give him right cuz my life really works a lot better and we don’t fight very much anymore. Most of all have schoolwork get a lot better and also I’m not sick as often as before. It’s probably cuz I don’t really like to be sick and home from school cuz there is nothing to do so today are rather play that im less sick then I am instead fake it so I could stay home like the time then I had screens. And okay some Xbox at friends house and dad is ok with that.
Hey!! Thank you for sharing 🙌🏼 That’s so interesting! I think limiting screen time could help because at least in my experience, social media can be so addictive because it triggers dopamine. One thing I did on my phone is set time limits for certain apps. For me it’s social media or shopping apps. But for this to work so I don’t click the “15 more minutes” lol, I had my sister set a password that I don’t have. It was frustrating at first, but then it helped me be more intentional about it. Like only going on it when I wanted to interact with friends’ content, or looking for inspiration for my work.
Yes me. I did it because I just didn’t feel like myself anymore. Now I feel better and I have other things that help me.
I see! 😮 Why do you say you didn’t like yourself anymore? That’s intriguing!
I have been mostly unmedicated my entire life. Meds make me feel sick and sedated. Hmmm daily exercise like yoga, swimming or running + meditation or some breathwork + journaling + neurodivergent friends + coffee & 🥬. Now I’m slowly taking the 🥬 off but that’s what helps me with anxiety and insomnia. Not proud but is what works for now.
That’s awesome! Glad you found something that worked! I am currently medicated but lately I’ve been feeling sick at times. I did talk to my doctor about this and we made some adjustments for the following weeks so we’ll see how that goes 😬
I actually started taking meds because of menopause. I never had any before because I wasn’t diagnosed until last year. If you do go off them, wean off slowly. I had some anger issues when I didn’t realize I ran out of meds. I would ask your doctor. I’d also look for coping strategies if you go off meds. I follow How to ADHD on YouTube and a lot of the coping strategies she and other people recommend have been things I figured out all along on my own.
Hey! Thanks for the advice!! I feel like I eventually want to go off them! But I guess now they are a good tool while I’m also trying to find strategies that work! And I’ll check that YouTube channel out! 🤗
Unfortunately the anxiety is a side effect at the beginning but it does go away. When anxious hour would approach always at 3:00 pm I would put on a podcast to redirect my thoughts. It worked. It took about two weeks for it to go away. Now I’m thriving. Don’t give up.
Yeah! Same thing my doctor said!! We made some adjustments and I hope it gets better!
I want to…
