I've been on slow-release methylphenidate for a while but am starting to question whether it's right for me.

The positive effects became apparent very quickly: It helps me getting started with things and finishing them, as well as being more aware of what needs to be done (i.e. taking out the trash). Instead of making me wanting to put chores and errands off it makes me almost eager for tasks and responsibilities, I suddenly want to get things done and be more reliable than I usually am.

So far so good. But I have also noticed that it sort of "untangles" my emotions in general. It makes me feel more "emotionally confident" as in: Instead of ignoring things that I need to work on regarding my mental or emotional state I'm able to perceive / feel more clearly how I feel and it also makes me less reluctant to tackle more difficult emotional matters.

Sometimes it feels like a light is being switched on inside of me and I feel like I can suddenly be or become more easily the best possible version of myself.

Which sounds great but I've also noticed that it makes me want to take my meds more often than I should. I'm on 2x20mg atm but I've noticed that I'm starting to develop a craving for my meds because of the good feeling they give me.

This makes me worry if these meds are really a good idea for me or if I should switch to something else. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

I'm in US. Every year it gets harder and harder to get my meds. Since my doc is in another state, I have to drive 80 miles to get ADHD, anxiety, and sleep meds. However, I can just get my other meds near my current house.

Also, instead of have refills on my sleep meds, they have to be prescribed by the month. It's really annoying because I drive to get them and pharmacy doesn't have them due to a mistake while interfacing with my doc. It's happened a few times now. All the docs here are insurance billing farms so I never switched any doctors when I moved.

ADHD and all comorbidities seem to create a need for meds that are harder and harder to get. Drug tests, drug shortages, sleepless nights... At this point I want to sue the DEA. (Drug enforcement agency - Sorry for American defaultism) Anyone else have these issues?

Hey everybody! I wanted to follow-up on my original post from a month ago.

A few comments suggested taking Magnesium supplements. I did more research and found other examples where magnesium appeared to help with ADHD related insomnia. Specifically Magnesium Threonate. I've been taking it for just over a month and have definitely noticed improvement.

I actually feel tired when it's getting close to bed time. I typically fall asleep within 30 minutes of laying down and sleep through the night with minimal interruptions. It's hard to quantify but if I had to guess, my sleep habits have improved by 85 - 90%.

I also feel like my emotional state is more "stable" throughout the day. Not sure if this is an effect of the Magnesium, getting adequate rest, or maybe a combination of both.

I stopped taking melatonin supplements because I think they were making me feel groggy the next day. I also stopped wearing blue light glasses since they don't seem to be necessary.

At any rate, I'm liking the results so far.

So, this is a fairly lengthy discussion.

I am active duty, for context. Generally, ADHD is at enlistment is a disqualifier, to my knowledge. I Wonder now, of my medical providers in the service saw.my symptoms and decided not to probe it or inform in an attempt to keep my record 'clean'. I did not have any inclination at enlistment to my having ADHD.

So, I suppose I am for one, complaining, and for 2 making the statement that for service members with ADHD, spec. undiagnosed, we are are far behind in identification, treatment, and care compared to private enterprise and that it is shameful and I will now make an effort to educate my peers and ensure they consider the possibility of ADHD as likely-if they have it- they are [blissfully] unaware and the system is not helping.

I've not read the whole thing- to be honest. Its just so ironic that despite the zeitgeist of highlighting the importance of mental health in the military, social media prevalence of spreading awareness amd acceptance of all kinds of disorders amd lifestyles, here we are, here I am in exactly the situation people have been warning us (the general population and the military) since COVID and maybe before.

I must also say that I am grateful in a sense. Had I not been able to enlist I do not think I would be in the socioeconomic status I am now. It is like a trade- sacrificing medical care and work accommodations for money- and sacrificing my semse of morals as well---I am not a fan of being a part of this machine amd what it does. But now I have agreed to be complicit for a while longer until retirement.

For ADHDers who were diagnosed earlier, I would be lying if I did not say I was jealous. But I am also sympathetic to you if your symptoms (or just in general) led you to dowm a rougher path without the assurance of job which undoubtedly jas built in safety-nets. I know comparrisons is not always healthy.Life is one big gamble innit?

Let's make the most of it.

I do think the military has some unique effects on ADHD, especially life aboard a boat.

• "Their findings revealed an estimated ADHD prevalence ranging between 7.6% and 9.0%, depending on the diagnostic method. Intriguingly, the highest prevalence was found not in the youngest age group (18-19 years), but rather among those aged 25-29."

• "The findings indicate a higher ADHD prevalence in military personnel than in the general population, with adult ADHD primarily manifesting as impaired executive functioning and more inattentive symptoms"

Ritalin/Concerta have served me well as an aid for ADHD for several years.

I've currently been given 3 bottles of Concerta 36mg, but it turns out that they are a bit too strong for me as the come-downs have gotten quite brutal. (Idk why my tolerance fluctuates like this, 36mg fit me well in the past). What I really need is an 18mg Concerta or a 5mg Ritalin. The problem is that my psych has shut down meaning that I'm stuck with these pills or nothing for several months.

Does anyone know if it's possible to somehow extract the MPH from the pills and consume it instant release the way you would with Ritalin?

I tried grinding down+drinking half of the inside of a Concerta pill (≈18mg), but that made me vomit as one of the compounds that usually stays inside the pill evidently irritated my GI tract. I also tried leaving a pill in tepid water for 24h in the hope it would leach the MPH the way it does in your gut (I'd then drink the appripriate portion of that), but the pill released some sort of goo which I couodn't bring myself to consume.

I am going in for the assessment I asked for, today.

Purpose of this post is primarily for me to set some realistic expectations based around the results I am increasingly ( perhaps desperately )hoping for. I have specifically asked for an Autism and ADHD assessment. Although Im quite sure about latter, the former I am really not sure about. (Sometimes I think No its not possible, other times I think 50/50, amd other times I think it absolutely must be true- lately I've been thinking maybe 30/70 its true -30 its true-70, not true-).

So....I walk in, do it amd he says no you dont have ADHD nor the other nor any other conditions not spoken of.

Perhaps you can give some words of advice for how to handle this in the most healthy way.

I suppose my first thought is...wow so Im just not trying hard enough(performance/professional/personal), im not willing enough to put myself in uncomfortable positions, (social issues) and Im not disciplined enough (routine housework/errands, exercise, hobbies, etc)

Then I have to come to terms with that for a moment and consider if I habe enough suspicion still that this assessment was simply incorrect.....and I have to find a different place.

It was hard in thr first place to ask for this because it conflicts me morally, I dont think it is right for me to say "I may have this or that or I definitely do" and so on..that is the "doctors" job. I have been getting better at refraining that thought but if this occurs then it may be resurface more starkly. I will have to rely on myself (and hopefully you all, ) to find another assessor.

Should the opposite happen, I think I am ready for it. (Opinions?)

Alternatively he says I have some condition not considered and in this case i am also not so sure. I suppose worst case scenario I am sociopath, psychopath, and or narcissistic---I have no idea how to accept that. But I know maybe I should consider it?

Anyway- just trying to make sure my expectations are set and any words of consideration are appreciated but I suppose not needed

cross-posted from: https://piefed.blahaj.zone/c/microblogmemes/p/664144/i-really-can-t

I really can't

I was using a magnet to try and find a bolt i dropped while working on my kids bike. Instead, I found the keys that went missing 1.5 years ago. No, they don't still work.

Just now, I'm standing on my porch, and I see a bird fly down to the sidewalk. She then walks across the street as fast as her little legs can take her. Once she reaches the other side, she flys off.

I laughed and thought "That's some shit I would do and have no idea why."

I suspect I have ADHD (maybe inattentive).

Never have suspected this to be true until a few months ago - I am 31 years old.

Sadly, I used to think about people who said they have ADHD were making excuses for their poor behavior or work performance. (Sorry I guess)

'Everyone has a little bit of ADHD' 'We are all a little autistic'

How do you folks deal with statements such as these? And is it possible the people saying this are undiagnosed amd projecting (like I think I was)?

Recently when someone says that I simple say 'No, (disorder x, y, z) is a (category i.e. developmental) disorder meaning the person's CNS or psyche has developed incorrectly'

Which simply yields more arguing. . .

My next question---

Background - I have struggled my whole life with life. My apartment is constantly messy save a few weeks out of the year, my insurance goes un updated and I drive illegally, I do not speak to people for days on end (family included), deadlines are almost never met, the phrase 'anything without immediate and serous consequence, is invisible and impossible to do' is very accurate to my entire life.

I have been searching for 31 years (more or less) for explanations as to why I am so much more dysfunctional than my peers

Question: Is ADHD/ADD really this debilitating, or must it be a combination of things?

Because if this ultimately explains most if not all of my difficulties, why isnt this treated as a severe disability? Because I am barely capable of doing anything if there.

Are no immediate consequence - and for many adult things- there are not.

Additional ramble- I initiated an assessment with a psychologist outside of my insurance coverage as it has been too difficult for me to navigate the system so I am paying out of pocket. I initially asked for an autism/ADHD assessment/ but after doing more learning I see autism as less likely in my case although perhaps I dont know.

I am so frustrated that at 31 years old and multiple encounters with psychologist, psychiatrists and other MDs none have ever even hinted at ADHD the most I've gotten is--mild and or moderate depression, general anxiety/social anxiety

Neurodivergent people have always been part of the engineering world. Their creativity, curiosity, pattern‑spotting and ability to hyperfocus have shaped entire industries.

Definitely an improvement over last time when the sink was full of dirty dishes:
https://sh.itjust.works/post/19002111

Hi all! I was formally diagnosed with ADHD in my mid 20's. Currently taking generic Vyvanse and Guanfacine. Getting on meds was a huge quality of life improvement. One thing that I still struggle with is chronic insomnia, which is a common commorbidity with -- or maybe symptom of -- ADHD. The insomnia started around the time I hit puberty and I can count on one hand the number of great nights sleeps I've had since then.

I've tried a lot of environmental changes like:

• Having a rigid bedtime schedule.
• Wearing blue light filter glasses for 3 hours before bed.
• Taking melatonin supplements.
• Minimizing screentime.
• Using a weighted blanket.

Those all seem to help somewhat but not to a huge degree. I still feel sleep deprived most of the time.

Apparently I also occasionally have jerking movements while asleep somewhat consistent with "Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS)".

Has anyone else had a similar experience and found any effective treatments?

I honestly do not know the difference between and a stim toy and I usually use the two terms interchangeably.

My favorite fidget toys is my flippy chain. I use this thing all the time and take it with me everywhere. And I love that it's discreet and quiet.

What's your favorite fidget toy, or thing yiu like to fidget/stim with?

I'll see about the compost lid some other day I guess.

Crossposted from https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/64470729

It’s called Evil Autism, because it’s a space based on the old subreddit that was so fun back in the day. Please join and help make this new space feel like another safe space for those of who are ND. I hope to see you there!

Join this space on Matrix https://matrix.to/#/#evil-autism:matrix.org

How am I meant to function like this?

Obviously, ADHD is no superpower, it’s a neurodevelopmental disability. ADHD is the hidden disability that ruins the act of living in most conceivable ways.

Hey guess what though? I have it worse than you. Not that it’s a competition friends. But lemme show you how much worse it can be:

On top of all of what we experience with ADHD, I have to some how navigate a brain that’s currently going through a prolonged SSRI taper.

I don’t have the ability to feel empathy anymore due to these SSRI’s, I don’t feel joy, my ability to think critically is essentially gone, the logical and rational part of me is kind of suppressed as well. All that's left is the talking part of me.

All because I was prescribed incorrectly by a doctor mistaking my ADHD for common run of the mill depression. I’m not even sure the taper will fix it, but I have no choice but to invest four to five years of my life weaning myself off of this drug in the hope that it will fix it. The irony is, I have to expend the limited dopamine available to me on this taper! What other choice do I have?

Also, I have a venous compression in my neck that raises the intracranial venous pressure so much that my brain gets squeezed. Because of the state of the healthcare system in my country, I likely won't resolve this for at least another two years, maybe longer. All the while it looks to me like it's encouraging my brain towards dementia.

Also I have obstructive sleep apnea that, while partially treated, guarantees my sleep now involves starving my brain of oxygen and placing it into hypoxia and no matter what I try I can’t seem to resolve it entirely.

And very recently, I’ve been given the gift of hydrogen sulphide SIBO (which is neurotoxic).

Essentially I have ADHD like always have had, but I now have multiple different kinds of brain injury on top of it. All requiring attention and self advocacy, whilst I lack the ability to do said self advocacy.

But, on the bright side, at least I can’t see just how fucked my life is like I used to be able to. The haze, the fog, whilst frustrating, is also comforting ignorance. Also, I can still talk and write reasonably well, so I can at least give the reassurance to those around me that I'm okay, when I'm not. Also, I have a wonderful partner who is still some how putting up with all of this. Amazingly.

It could be worse, but not by much.

ADHD is not a quirk. It is ruining my life. I am disorganized, I am in debt, I am paralyzed. I can't even get help; I have tried navigating the maze of finding a doctor who will accept my crappy exchange insurance but I always end up throwing in the towel. I thought I found one, once, but sike, he's an addiction counselor who refuses to prescribe stimulant medication on principle.

Not that I'm opposed to trying nonstims again, but I was prescribed Strattera in high school and it made me so drowsy I failed chemistry because I couldn't stay awake even with a full night of sleep. Also, bonus, his profile on the site I used to find him lied, and he doesn't actually accept my insurance. Here's a $500 bill for our 45 minute zoom call where I accused you of drug seeking. I got his practice to cancel the charge but still.

ADHD is ugly; ADHD looks like every chair in my apartment being full of clutter (and me subsequently freaking out because I hate clutter). it looks like brushing my teeth every two or three or five days. It looks like being able to hold on to my job as a waiter nothing else. It looks like me having the money to pay my bills, me wanting to pay those bills, and then me getting sent to collections anyway. ADHD looks like ghosting an old best friend because I'm too embarrassed to keep up with him. It looks like my partner shouldering more of the housework than is fair. And I get to look back on all this behavior, identify and accept that I am the problem, and then I get to do fuck all to fix it. ADHD looks like a horizon that gets narrower and narrower every day.

And I feel alone. ADHD is not cute. It sucks to suck.

I have a deadline for coursework this Friday, its only half done and I have an exam on Thursday yet I'm still struggling with having all these little ideas for fun/cool things I could do. Ive only recently gotten meds (elvanse) so I'm on a low dose right now and I wish the titration would go faster ;(

I've been on slow release methylphenidate for about a year and it's mostly been a great help with executive disfunction, focus and motivation.

But there's something strange I've noticed: I have a feeling that it's making me crave alcohol (or drugs in general but the only drug I'd take is alcohol).

Before starting meds the number of times I'd drink in a year had already gradually decreased to maybe four or five times and when I started meds I pretty much stopped completely, I've only had any alcohol twice since then.

But I miss it a lot more than I used to and on some days I get an insanely strong craving.

I've read people say that adhs meds helped them with addictive behaviour but has anyone experienced the opposite?