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> I am still struggling to get back to a decent baseline. First, if you want to radically change your life by no longer taking stimulants, you need to recalibr
by swatcoder 4y ago
> I am still struggling to get back to a decent baseline.
First, if you want to radically change your life by no longer taking stimulants, you need to recalibrate what you expect your life to look like.
You know they change how you think and behave, which is why you took them, and so it’s a given that your life just won’t look the same without them.
It’ll take time, but you need to figure out what your life can look like without them and make that your baseline. You’re always going to have an “additional strain on your emotions” when you try to make an unmedicated life look like a medicated life.
Maybe you work less or on different things. Maybe your home is less organized. Maybe you nap more. Maybe you’re friendlier and more empathetic with people you care about. Maybe you have a dozen slowly progressing hobbies instead of one diligent passion. Maybe you exercise or meditate more. Maybe you chill with woo hippie vibes instead of chasing life as a type-A achiever. Who knows. As you adapt, try to identify positive changes and define those as the new baseline you’re measuring yourself against.
You didn’t need medication in the first place. It’s a choice you made to live a certain kind of life. Now, you’re revisiting that choice and are pursuing a different kind of life. That’s exciting! But you have to embrace that rather than fear it, or you’re just going to torture yourself.
- glomgril 4y agoThis is the best advice on the topic that I've seen.
- sibeliuss 4y agoAs someone who has suffered from various addictions over the years, from stimulants to alcohol, this rings so true. My life after quitting them was pretty rough for a while, and it took a long time to find my way. But I knew that pattern wasn't healthy, and things needed to change. Now, a few years out, things have stabilized and its a whole new world, and it looks entirely different than the one I was previously living in. It is possible to push through this, but the expectations had to change first.
- nickthegreek 4y agoI would also add that now is a good time to figure out what things could happen that would make you get back on your medication. Set yourself up a list of items that if you feel you can no longer accomplish, you will talk to someone about getting back on your meds. I am starting to realize that I should have saw someone last year about getting back on my adhd medication and I wont get that lost time back.
- nerdyadventurer 4y agoIn addition to what commenter suggested I also suggest reading and trying out things on following books, I listen to the first one, it is really good, you can implement life style changes in that book. I am hoping to read the second one, as I heard 2nd book need you be on meds, when working through the book, but I do not think you need to be on meds any longer than you change your thinking, since it is CBT book it will possibly help you to adapt your thoughts necessary. For meds I suggest you to try out lowest dosage of pro-drug(non abusable) like Vyvanse instead other stimulants, it is also long lasting, have ease in and ease out effect unlike other stimulants as I heard. 3rd book also will fit your needs, since it is also a CBT book. All those three books are recommended by Dr. Barkley, first one authored by him. 1. https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Adult-ADHD-Second/dp/1462546854/145-0592918-9374931?psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Adult-ADHD-Second/dp/14... 2. https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-Adult-ADHD-Dysfunction/dp/1462509630 https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-Adult-AD... 3. https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Your-Adult-ADHD-Cognitive-Behavioral/dp/019023556X/145-0592918-9374931?psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Your-Adult-ADHD-Cognitive-B...