4 ms·

I've heard this so often, even from family. "It sounds like things everybody has to deal with". It's infinitely more difficult with ADHD. I use phone apps to r

by zaarn 6y ago

I've heard this so often, even from family. "It sounds like things everybody has to deal with". It's infinitely more difficult with ADHD. I use phone apps to remind myself of everyday things and track my shopping lists. This may sound normal but it's a coping strategy and when it's gone I am unable to function as a normal human being. I cannot go shopping without a shopping list because I will grab things I think I need but that I actually do not need (which is why I have 3 glasses of chocolate spread for bread and 3 packs of cereal, but no bread or milk on most weekdays). And I will point out that children in Europe are regularly treated for ADHD. I was treated for ADHD. As an adult however, it's impossible to be prescribed ADHD medication (all of which requires a prescription). In a lot of cases, coffee or other stimulants can help but aren't always available and don't fix it all. Without suffering from ADHD, I'd say it's impossible to even comprehend the mental strain one experiences even for menial everyday tasks like remembering to brush your teeth (I require an app to remind me of doing that when it is not a workday, as my usual routine of going to work and going to bed early for a workday involves it. On weekends or vacation, I do not remember on my own to do basic things like that).

scns 6y ago
Caffeine can make it worse
- zaarn 6y ago
  Can but in my experience, most ADHD-affected persons will self-medicate with caffeine in atleast low doses.
  - spiralx 6y ago
    I took amphetamines daily (week-daily at least) on and off for a decade before my diagnosis and the realisation that I was medicating with it was a large part of seeking my diagnosis. For me speed was calming and focussing and a tool to help me manage my life, not a fun thing for going out.
    - zaarn 6y ago
      What a lot of people probably don't realize is that stimulants like Coffee (or even Speed) depend on the brain's structure. ADHD Brains work differently and they respond different to stimulants. And people don't like it when ADHD people self-medicate with coffee because they think it would make it worse (Heck, I've gotten detention for consuming coffee because I had ADHD. "Concerned teachers" they called it).
      - nullserver 6y ago
        It’s a nightmare when dealing with doctors. Another example, Benadryl makes me insanely hyper. One of my kids is same way. Telling a doctor results in being labeled a liar. At least a dozen medications that I respond in weird ways to. A 4 hour adderall (20mg), lasts me about 30 hours.
  - tokamak-teapot 6y ago
    Working from home, I drink about four coffees through the morning and early afternoon, plus one later in the day once the others have worn off, if I feel like it. I drink half-caff double shots (sounds odd but I want a decent amount of flavor but not too much caffeine), making macchiato first thing in the morning, americano later. People laugh at how I’m always carrying a coffee when I’m working. I tell them I’m just keeping my caffeine at the perfect level, which is true.
- nullserver 6y ago
  Sometimes makes it a lot better, sometimes worse. Worked better when younger. Now it’s role as a vascular-constrictor is dangerous for me.
- LocalH 6y ago
  I will add my anecdote to the mix. I previously consumed caffeine in the form of soda for many, many years. I quit soda cold turkey two months ago after a mild but particularly meaningful magic mushroom experience, and coupled with the regular mushroom experiences my focus control has been better than ever (but still extremely difficult, just enough less so that I can tell the difference).
BatteryMountain 6y ago
Caffeine puts my behaviours into overdrive. Not in a good way.
- zaarn 6y ago
  Caffeine helps immensely with my ADHD, it helps me calm down and focus.
vbsteven 6y ago
As a 33yo in Europe who got diagnosed and prescribed medication 2 months ago I can attest that it is possible to get a prescription as an adult. I just started working again (on medication) after a 6month work break and it is so refreshing to be able to focus on work for the full 8 hours in a work day. Like you said, the medication doesn't really help with all the "other" stuff that comes with ADHD. (forgetting to brush your teeth is a real struggle) but at least it helps me to be productive and have a stable income again.
- zaarn 6y ago
  In my experience, it is possible but the process isn't exactly geared towards people who actually suffer from ADHD. Getting an appointment via telephone can already be a struggle if you obtained Socanx due to ADHD symptoms (and the plain ol' forgetting for weeks to make the call).
- spiralx 6y ago
  I'm in the UK and was diagnosed at age 31 - ADHD was barely recognised as a thing for kids when I was at school and if I hadn't met two adults with it during my 20s I'm not sure I'd have ever sought out my diagnosis - and that process wasn't particularly simple. There were definitely years spent afterwards unrolling maladaptive coping strategies I'd developed, and I've just had six teeth out leaving me with less than half of what I should have, so definitely use reminders to brush, it's super-easy to forget. PS. I've been on Ritalin (the Concerta XXL slow-release) for a decade now and it's a life-changer. The first time I woke up in the morning and remembered what it was I'd been thinking I needed to do before I went to bed was amazing.
rswskg 6y ago
yep, same. Adult diagnosis of adhd and I'm on medication.
drewbug01 6y ago
> I require an app to remind me of doing that when it is not a workday, as my usual routine of going to work and going to bed early for a workday involves it. On weekends or vacation, I do not remember on my own to do basic things like that My personal version of this hell is remembering to take the meds at all: if I don't have the "getting ready for work" routine (which is when I take my meds) ... I usually forget to take my meds. In fact, this just reminded me that I told my doctor I was going to try and download an app to try to remember to take them. Yay for not being able to remember things!

by zaarn 6y ago

scns 6y ago

Caffeine can make it worse

zaarn 6y ago
Can but in my experience, most ADHD-affected persons will self-medicate with caffeine in atleast low doses.
- spiralx 6y ago
  I took amphetamines daily (week-daily at least) on and off for a decade before my diagnosis and the realisation that I was medicating with it was a large part of seeking my diagnosis. For me speed was calming and focussing and a tool to help me manage my life, not a fun thing for going out.
  - zaarn 6y ago
    What a lot of people probably don't realize is that stimulants like Coffee (or even Speed) depend on the brain's structure. ADHD Brains work differently and they respond different to stimulants. And people don't like it when ADHD people self-medicate with coffee because they think it would make it worse (Heck, I've gotten detention for consuming coffee because I had ADHD. "Concerned teachers" they called it).
    - nullserver 6y ago
      It’s a nightmare when dealing with doctors. Another example, Benadryl makes me insanely hyper. One of my kids is same way. Telling a doctor results in being labeled a liar. At least a dozen medications that I respond in weird ways to. A 4 hour adderall (20mg), lasts me about 30 hours.
- tokamak-teapot 6y ago
  Working from home, I drink about four coffees through the morning and early afternoon, plus one later in the day once the others have worn off, if I feel like it. I drink half-caff double shots (sounds odd but I want a decent amount of flavor but not too much caffeine), making macchiato first thing in the morning, americano later. People laugh at how I’m always carrying a coffee when I’m working. I tell them I’m just keeping my caffeine at the perfect level, which is true.
nullserver 6y ago
Sometimes makes it a lot better, sometimes worse. Worked better when younger. Now it’s role as a vascular-constrictor is dangerous for me.
LocalH 6y ago
I will add my anecdote to the mix. I previously consumed caffeine in the form of soda for many, many years. I quit soda cold turkey two months ago after a mild but particularly meaningful magic mushroom experience, and coupled with the regular mushroom experiences my focus control has been better than ever (but still extremely difficult, just enough less so that I can tell the difference).

BatteryMountain 6y ago

Caffeine puts my behaviours into overdrive. Not in a good way.

zaarn 6y ago
Caffeine helps immensely with my ADHD, it helps me calm down and focus.

vbsteven 6y ago

As a 33yo in Europe who got diagnosed and prescribed medication 2 months ago I can attest that it is possible to get a prescription as an adult. I just started working again (on medication) after a 6month work break and it is so refreshing to be able to focus on work for the full 8 hours in a work day. Like you said, the medication doesn't really help with all the "other" stuff that comes with ADHD. (forgetting to brush your teeth is a real struggle) but at least it helps me to be productive and have a stable income again.

zaarn 6y ago
In my experience, it is possible but the process isn't exactly geared towards people who actually suffer from ADHD. Getting an appointment via telephone can already be a struggle if you obtained Socanx due to ADHD symptoms (and the plain ol' forgetting for weeks to make the call).
spiralx 6y ago
I'm in the UK and was diagnosed at age 31 - ADHD was barely recognised as a thing for kids when I was at school and if I hadn't met two adults with it during my 20s I'm not sure I'd have ever sought out my diagnosis - and that process wasn't particularly simple. There were definitely years spent afterwards unrolling maladaptive coping strategies I'd developed, and I've just had six teeth out leaving me with less than half of what I should have, so definitely use reminders to brush, it's super-easy to forget. PS. I've been on Ritalin (the Concerta XXL slow-release) for a decade now and it's a life-changer. The first time I woke up in the morning and remembered what it was I'd been thinking I needed to do before I went to bed was amazing.

rswskg 6y ago

yep, same. Adult diagnosis of adhd and I'm on medication.

drewbug01 6y ago

> I require an app to remind me of doing that when it is not a workday, as my usual routine of going to work and going to bed early for a workday involves it. On weekends or vacation, I do not remember on my own to do basic things like that My personal version of this hell is remembering to take the meds at all: if I don't have the "getting ready for work" routine (which is when I take my meds) ... I usually forget to take my meds. In fact, this just reminded me that I told my doctor I was going to try and download an app to try to remember to take them. Yay for not being able to remember things!