ADHD

[JackieLikesVariety]

since I was never the kid who couldn't sit still, when my therapist* mentioned ADHD to me I said nope, that's not me.

and then just about a week about I learned there was something called Inattentive ADHD and some of that sounds exactly like me. (since I have never been hyper, how was I supposed to know? hyper is right there in the name!!)

I did two self tests online but they are inconclusive because I can't rule out anxiety - in fact, I have anxiety. but I didn't as a child and I always had trouble with organization, finishing things, and I've always been easily overwhelmed.

speaking of overwhelmed, there is a ton of support for anyone with it but feels like 90% of it is aimed at the parents of children with it and/or about medication and I do not want to try any medication. but here's a quote from Radical Edward on the subject of autism and what I'm hoping for with this thread.

If you have a name for it, you can access information about it and learn more coping mechanisms and life hacks for it.

*I stopped going to the therapist mostly because I don't feel like he is helping me. I gave it a good, long try though.

since you two have mentioned having it, I'm hoping you'll post here @raventhief @Kaiveran

[Radical Edward]

I don't know if you're on the clock app, but there are a ton of autism and adhd channels that give out hacks and advice for overcoming the associated obstacles. I don't have adhd but some of the stuff is just great advice in general. It's worth making an account and checking it out.

[SisterCoyote]

I have it, and I wasn't diagnosed until this year. Women, especially Gen X women, weren't diagnosed because we channel the "hyperactive" part into being motormouthed among other things. Basically because it doesn't manifest in girls the way it does in boys.

I recommend the "How to ADHD" channel on YouTube. Also, when you're searching look for "Adult ADHD -child" and see if that narrows things down for you.

Also, re medication: I hear you -- I didn't, either, because reasons. BUT. If you had diabetes would you refuse to medicate that? ADHD is no different. And, because ADHD brains *very* different, I question the "common sense" knowledge that Adderall and the like will actually be addictive for us.

Again: Medication is a very personal matter and I am not pressuring you either way. But I wanted you to have other data points.

[Dragonlady]

I agree on meds. I guess Im addicted to my diabetes meds, I have to have them? I take antidepressants, maybe thats a better example. I can live without them, but my quality of life is better with them. Am I addicted?

[SisterCoyote]

For me, it's more:

I got the diagnosis and I resisted meds; we added Wellbutrin to my usual antidepressant and it made a little bit of a difference but not much. And then I had an ADHD-related (time means nothing) catastrophic occurence and I said to the doctor: let's try it.

I'm on a minimal dose and for the three months I had it, it didn't change much -- but it changed enough that when I thought "Dishes need doing" instead of having Executive Disfunction issues and not doing them I got up and did the dishes. Small executive function things that I hadn't realized were holding me back got easier. It wasn't a miracle but I didn't expect a miracle. I got more than I expected.

And because of the ADHD med shortage, I haven't been on them for a month and I have had a couple of moments recently where it's like: Oh, right. Stuff like this is why unmedicated ADHD is considered a disability.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by Radical Edward

I don't know if you're on the clock app

I search and cannot figure out what this is - can you give me a link?

Originally Posted by SisterCoyote

I recommend the "How to ADHD" channel on YouTube.

thank you!

[Radical Edward]

Lawl, it's TikTok

[Dr. Winston O'Boogie]

Originally Posted by Dragonlady

I agree on meds. I guess Im addicted to my diabetes meds, I have to have them? I take antidepressants, maybe thats a better example. I can live without them, but my quality of life is better with them. Am I addicted?

No, that is not an addiction, not even a psychological addiction.

Maybe one way to put it... Remember your life before taking antidepressants? If you stop taking the antidepressants, you are in exactly the same place. If you were addicted (physically or psychologically) you would feel a whole hellova lot worse.

I drink a mug of coffee every day. If I don't drink my coffee, I get headaches. That is a very slight withdrawal symptom.

We've got a housefull of ADHD here. Both my wife and I might have been diagnosed when we were kids, except it wasn't a diagnosed (much) in the 70s. When my adult children are off their meds, I can tell and they can tell. I've never heard them complain about withdrawal symptoms, but even they can see the cognitive changes when they're off their meds.

[Detroit Hoser]

Yeah, life can be pretty unmanageable when I'm off of Vyvanse. I'm at 70mgs which finally seems to be the magic number, but when it wears off it's obvious to me and everyone who has to interact with me. It's not just absent-mindedness, it affects my mood and ability to safely do things like, you know, drive. My new therapist asked me to talk to the psychiatrist he works with, my med was increased to 70mgs and he added Luvox -- not for OCD, but because he's found it helpful in other ADHD patients. And he was right, I'm feeling a lot more in control of my days now.

Except that I take my meds around 5AM every day so by this time I'm sorta all over the place. But at least I don't get frustrated by it now. Also, Vyvanse has finally gone off-patent so my copay is 60% less, which is sweet.

I'm sorry, what were we talking about again?

[Diamonds02]

Heh. Diagnosed as “hyperactive” around age 5. Dr considered it as a borderline case, didn’t bother medicating me. I had serious issues paying attention though. Parents/teachers/doctors didn’t make that connection until 8th grade…sigh. Been on and off meds since then.

Most people usually see the unmedicated me. In the real world and online. I tend to take meds when I have to do tasks that require sustained attention and when I do long distance driving. People in real life don’t acknowledge it much, and a few are shocked when I tell them about my diagnosis. They just consider me as “quirky”. Complete strangers online, however, have picked up on it back in the day. I found that totally crazy lol.

People with ADHD are more likely to have accidents, more serious accidents, and moving and non moving violations. But I just learned on Reddit that you can get charged with a DUI if a cop consider you driving recklessly and you have your medication in your system. Happened to a guy in Ohio. Check your state’s laws on what is considered as a DUI. Don’t mention being medicated if pulled over, consider leaving your meds at home. Speaking of…if you must bring your meds with you leave it in the prescription bottle and not in a pill box or down your pants pocket. Another person on Reddit got arrested for loose pills even though it was prescribed to them. This is fucked up and counterproductive, because of the high accident risks driving unmedicated. Damn if you do, damn if you don’t.

The idea floating around on the internet that ADHD presents differently in males and females is kind of inaccurate. Dr. Russel Barkley did a hour long video on ADHD and gender differences. He concluded that it presents in mostly similar ways. Some differences, but slight. And it mostly relates to comorbid conditions. Someone who has anxiety (more common in females) and ADHD may present differently than someone who has Oppositional defiant Disorder (more common in males) and ADHD.

I second “How to ADHD” YouTube channel. I also recommend Dr Russel Barkley’s channel, he goes through a TON of research. Dr Tracey Marks has a lot of good information too. Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman has video about the various ADHD medications out there and he has another video on supplements and techniques to increase focus.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

People with ADHD are more likely to have accidents, more serious accidents, and moving and non moving violations. But I just learned on Reddit that you can get charged with a DUI if a cop consider you driving recklessly and you have your medication in your system.

wait, WTF?? what ADHD meds are not legal? and if they are controlled substances and you have a script, how is that not legal??! I mean, if you are driving recklessly that's different, but what does legal drugs have to do with it.


thank you for all the good recommendations!

I already have a book by Dr Russel Barkley on hold at the library but will look at youtube, too.

[Diamonds02]

Originally Posted by JackieLikesVariety

wait, WTF?? what ADHD meds are not legal? and if they are controlled substances and you have a script, how is that not legal??! I mean, if you are driving recklessly that's different, but what does legal drugs have to do with it.


thank you for all the good recommendations!

I already have a book by Dr Russel Barkley on hold at the library but will look at youtube, too.

Some police are eager to arrest people, unfortunately. They’ll come up with anything possible.

Here are the threads I’m talking about:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/s/HQ7FiTNq9Z

https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/s/ww3m0oLok5

https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/s/1X5juiwdxm

[Diamonds02]

Think of alcohol. It’s legal if you’re over 21. Even legal if you blow below .08 under most circumstances. It is not legal to be driving under the influence of alcohol. Those damn field sobriety tests are easy to fail. Fail that test and have any controlled substance in your system, and that is likely considered driving under the influence.

Sure ADHD medications aren’t impairing, mostly the opposite. But science and technology progresses ahead of laws. If you know what I mean. We have all of these advances in science and technology, but these ancient laws are slow to catch up.

Adults consuming stimulant medications is a somewhat recent thing. When many of these DUI laws were created most prescribed controlled substances were pain pills and downers. A lot those are indeed impairing.

[TheChileanBlob]

I have adhd but medicine never worked for me. Adderall made me grind my teeth. Because it's speed.

[Detroit Hoser]

Adderall does that to me as well, but oddly enough Vyvanse does not, possibly due to lisdexamfetamine being a prodrug that is metabolized in the liver before crossing the blood brain barrier. Adderall hits the stomach and scoots into the blood and straight to the brain. Concerta was pure hell. I'd get neck aches from muscle tension, jaw aches, and when it wore off my mood would drop and irritability would shoot to the red zone. Just a nasty, nasty med. So it's been Vyvanse since 2009 or so.

I used to think ADHD was a blessing in a way, giving me a different outlook with creativity. Nah, I was full of shit. ADHD sucks.

[Diamonds02]

Yep, that’s why I didn’t mention Dr Hallowell. He is one of the most popular ADHD experts. But he promotes that “ADHD is a super power!” junk. He’s very insightful otherwise, but he loses credibility promoting ADHD as a gift. I mean having high energy is certainly an advantage, but the downsides override that benefit. If someone is primarily inattentive that’s even worse. No high energy to compensate for one’s lack of focus.

I’m excited about Vyvanse going generic. I’ll give it a try whenever it’s back in supply in my area.

[Dr. Winston O'Boogie]

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

The idea floating around on the internet that ADHD presents differently in males and females is kind of inaccurate. Dr. Russel Barkley did a hour long video on ADHD and gender differences. He concluded that it presents in mostly similar ways. Some differences, but slight. And it mostly relates to comorbid conditions. Someone who has anxiety (more common in females) and ADHD may present differently than someone who has Oppositional defiant Disorder (more common in males) and ADHD.

Originally Posted by TheChileanBlob

I have adhd but medicine never worked for me. Adderall made me grind my teeth. Because it's speed.

My daughter has the ADHD + anxiety. Doctors took her off of stimulants and put her on depressants non-stimulants, and she's doing well - less ADHD, no anxiety. Different people, different solutions.

[Detroit Hoser]

Sativa strains give me an added bit of focus when I microdose. Unfortunately, dry vaping also gives me chest pain and uncontrollable munchies.

Doc WO'B, was your daughter on Strattera or possibly Wellbutrin? Strattera was the first med I tried but we soon found that it didn't play well with my other diagnoses.

I'd really just like to be normal, whatever that is. I know this isn't it.

[Dr. Winston O'Boogie]

Originally Posted by Detroit Hoser

Doc WO'B, was your daughter on Strattera or possibly Wellbutrin? Strattera was the first med I tried but we soon found that it didn't play well with my other diagnoses.

Vyvanse. The entire family was on Vyvanse at one point (OK, not the Mrs. or I, but you get what I mean)

[Diamonds02]

Does ADHD make you drive up on curbs? It’s like you never notice they are there until you drive over one. No major accidents yet…just fucked up many tires, bumpers, undercarriages. Asking for a friend.

[raventhief]

I'm currently on Adderall, finding it helps less now than it did when I was younger... I feel like I might have some grass is greener sort of thing going on. Vyvanse helped, bit there were supply issues, so let's try Ritalin, meh on that, okay Adderall.... And frankly I'm wondering what my next step is. I'm very frustrated at work, but I'm in a high stress position right now, so that's a factor too.

Feeling kind of bleh about things right now, including myself.

[Detroit Hoser]

Tolerance comes into play, don't forget that lovely fact of life. I've also found that it's getting worse as I get older, but: I've got a lot of stuff going on in other areas of my brain, too, so don't discount the stress factor. Vyvanse isn't the creme brulee of stimulants, either -- it's simply a little cleaner than the others (at least for me.)

A year ago I quit my job driving the back roads of rural Michigan for the Census. Driving became dangerous when I was already preoccupied about the next idiot to spit at me and what kind of dog would trap me in my car at the next house. The second time I drove the wrong way on a one-way on the campus of Michigan State University while dodging jay-walkers? Yeah, that was the sign it was time to admit there are some things I can't do safely. My wife drives when we go somewhere, anyway, since her truck is new and she likes to drive. So I sold my car two days ago. Why insure something that doesn't get used? If I need to run to town for something I'll drive the truck, that's fine, but that's all I'll do. I wish I'd had the maturity to make this self-realization a couple decades ago.

Raventhief, if it makes any difference I don't find anything about you to be bleh at all.

[Dr. Winston O'Boogie]

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

Does ADHD make you drive up on curbs? It’s like you never notice they are there until you drive over one. No major accidents yet…just fucked up many tires, bumpers, undercarriages. Asking for a friend.

Originally Posted by Detroit Hoser

A year ago I quit my job driving the back roads of rural Michigan for the Census. Driving became dangerous when I was already preoccupied about the next idiot to spit at me and what kind of dog would trap me in my car at the next house. The second time I drove the wrong way on a one-way on the campus of Michigan State University while dodging jay-walkers? Yeah, that was the sign it was time to admit there are some things I can't do safely.

I think that answers it. Let's put it this way - ADHD makes you more easily distracted; yes, that little distraction can be the reason for hitting a curb.

Either that, or you're just a bad driver

[Detroit Hoser]

Originally Posted by Dr. Winston O'Boogie

Either that, or you're just a bad driver

I like to think I'm talented enough to be both.

[Diamonds02]

Originally Posted by Dr. Winston O'Boogie

I think that answers it. Let's put it this way - ADHD makes you more easily distracted; yes, that little distraction can be the reason for hitting a curb.

Either that, or you're just a bad driver

Heh. I guess I’m in the middle of the road, no pun intended. Not good, not bad. Hopefully not…I put a lot of miles in and don’t want to be a liability.

I have technology on my side!

My Garmin gps sends me alerts when:
-I exceed the speed limit (I don’t always pay attn to those signs)
-I’m approaching a speed limit drop ahead
-I’m approaching a speed or red light camera ahead
-I’m going down the wrong way of the road

My car beeps when I drive over a line without using a turn signal and when I drive two hours without stopping.

[JackieLikesVariety]

has anyone tried Flow Club or Focusmate? the former has a free trial but after that you pay and the latter has a "free 3 times a week forever" option.

when how they work* was explained to me by someone who has used both I was astonished and thought it was the biggest waste of money I'd ever heard of.

but now due to Various Reasons I'm going to try them.



* you sign up for doing your work, whatever that is, on camera with others who are doing their work, whatever that is, on camera. at the beginning you state your goals and at the end you celebrate reaching them (or making progress) but most of the time you are not interacting at all, just doing your work while on camera.

there, doesn't that sound dumb?

[Pogo]

It doesn't sound completely stupid; having other people working near you makes doing work yourself much easier.

[EmilyG]

I was diagnosed with autism at age 32. Suddenly, my entire life made sense!

I think now I probably also have ADHD.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by Pogo

It doesn't sound completely stupid; having other people working near you makes doing work yourself much easier.

I tried it this morning and all the others participating said they found it really helpful. I did get done what I want to, but I almost think just having a big red clock counting down on my computer might do just as well??

Originally Posted by EmilyG

I was diagnosed with autism at age 32. Suddenly, my entire life made sense!

I think now I probably also have ADHD.

it's good to have names for these things!

[SisterCoyote]

Originally Posted by JackieLikesVariety

I tried it this morning and all the others participating said they found it really helpful. I did get done what I want to, but I almost think just having a big red clock counting down on my computer might do just as well??

it's good to have names for these things!

The idea with sites like those is called "body-doubling" and it can be an extremely useful thing, though I don't actually care for computer video type things because cranky. But, for example, just having my BFF over can encourage me to do minor chores because she's there and I have "support" (aka if I'm getting bored I have someone to interact with other than the cat). Or I have an online friend who will say: Hey I have chores and I'm struggling, can you body-double me for half an hour or so? and it's enough for both of us to know there's someone else working.

The big red clock counting down might work for you but there *is* science behind the other idea.

I wouldn't pay for it, but the science exists.

There's a lot of correlation between people with ADHD and people with Autism; the Venn diagram isn't a complete overlap but.

[SisterCoyote]

Also, Jessica McCabe who is the person behind the How to ADHD youtube channel recently put out a book of the same name.

So far it's made me want to bite people from my past twice, so it's pretty informative.

[JackieLikesVariety]

I've been reading Thom Hartmann's blog about ADHD

Hunter in a Farmer's World

[JackieLikesVariety]

I'm listening to and enjoying an episode of The ADHD Lounge with decluttering expert Kayleen Kelly Decluttering part 1

[Mendie Taoma]

I'll go ahead and drop in here.

As I see some of the ""Usual Suspects"" in as well.

Yeah. I was Diagnosed with ADD back before the H decided to get involved, and I'm fairly certain that I had "combined" type, as well. This was back in the late 90s.

At a point in time, in more recent memory I was making the joke, back when the [apparent] prevalence of Autism was on the rise, from some number close to 1 in 125, to 1 in 88, to 1 in 43, .... I commented that, "at this rate ADHD is going to be [absorbed by] Autism".

Yeah. About that.

I would have paid attention to that, but, and I guess in a parallel conversation, but not directly implying that anyone else in here is on the same path or even concerning themselves with similar, .... I started looking at other things.

Gender.

I debated which of my two accounts [Yes] to use for this post. And that ultimately, if you knew me as Meeko the reveal would work more in my favor than the other way around. Not that, a later account for the same person can count as a reveal, but I digress.


And, there is the passed around stat, that those who are neurodivergent, are 11 times more likely to also identify as [any flavor of] Transgender. Correlation and Causation and all of that, but, 11 is the multiple.


Seeing Russell Barkley mentioned. He is amazing, I caught part of a lecture he did, someone posted it to you Youtube, and it gets taken down from time to time. [[I swear I posted about this before, to Giraffe before]] .... and McCabe as well.

I for one, am trying to figure out how I can get Devon Price's "Unmasking Autism". A Youtuber ( Red Means Recording ) mentioned it in a conversation, as a primer to Autism, and finally, I had a book recommended to me, that was using terms and vocabulary I was already using in my journal [From March 2000] entries. And I'm not sure I will ever find a book obviously more accessible than that.

I feel as if, you know, I finally found all of this out, in middle age [I'm 41, and a realist] ... and that, I can lament the loss of half of my life to not knowing / comprehending what I was dealt, .... if I look backwards, or I can look forwards, to a better second half.

You know?

I mean, I hope you do. That would help me, a lot.

[Mendie Taoma]

As far as medications go, we simply do not have time for me to list all the ones I have been, on, and have stopped taking, for various reasons.

But, name one, specially around 95 to 05, and I Was probably on it. Including Prozac and Ritalin, at the same time. Which I'm still trying to figure out.

I'm currently not taking anything.

And It's adding it's own piece to my being Transgender and HRT .

Again, it's all connected.

[Diamonds02]

Oh wow, you’re an OG like me. That’s same cocktail I started out with in ‘94. Prozac and Ritalin (and impramine for insomnia). Yeah, you were likely the combined type. Cuz you’re weren’t going to get diagnosed and treated back in the 90s without being “hyperactive”. The Prozac was actually the nail in the coffin. I was (and still am) high energy and restless, especially for a cis female. But that Prozac ignited full blown hyperactivity in me. And my teacher kept complaining to my mom that I couldn’t pay attention. This was mentioned to my shrink, and my shrink was like “Oh ohhhhhh”. I started Ritalin after the process of diagnosis.

Another shrink about three or four years later said she wanted test me for “Asperger’s”. My mom threatened to take me to another shrink lol. I have no idea in I’m autistic or not. I do have some tendencies like sensory issues. But I’m not sure if I would meet the criteria for diagnosis. The social awkwardness could be a false positive. I grew up very sheltered and socially isolated. It’s only natural that you would have issues understanding unwritten rules under those circumstances, right?

The SSRIs did their job in helping my depression throughout my adolescence. But it may have came with a cost. My nether regions were numb lol. Funny I didn’t become horny AF until I discontinued my Paxil at age 19. I don’t think it’s coincidence.

More than half of my hockey team are LGBT. Several of them have ADHD or autism.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by Mendie Taoma

Again, it's all connected.

thats for sure! and also

everything matters

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by SisterCoyote

The idea with sites like those is called "body-doubling" and it can be an extremely useful thing, though I don't actually care for computer video type things because cranky. But, for example, just having my BFF over can encourage me to do minor chores because she's there and I have "support" (aka if I'm getting bored I have someone to interact with other than the cat). Or I have an online friend who will say: Hey I have chores and I'm struggling, can you body-double me for half an hour or so? and it's enough for both of us to know there's someone else working.

The big red clock counting down might work for you but there *is* science behind the other idea.

my thread about the body doubling sites on the dope is going nowhere!

meanwhile, I am finding how what things help me, and these sites sometimes do. so that's a win!