ADHD medication experience

[Oshinxx1]

Hello there, I have been newly diagnosed in my late 40's with Inattentive ADHD, likely had it all my life. I also have anxiety and depression and for the last four years complex grief after the death of two close family members. I started taking medication for ADHD 3 times a day, the first time i took it, I felt so clear for the first time, it was like I could choose what I wanted to think about and focus only on what I wanted. Overthinking about negative things disappeared. I was generally calmer and could think positively about the future. The issue has been that one, it only really lasted for an hour and a half and after a week or so it has stopped working that well which is making me reconsider taking it anymore. It has left me feeling very disappointed and hopeful of a better life. Would you mind sharing your experience with medication ongoing? Thank you.

[white knight]

HI, welcome

I've found the learning curve with medications, psychiatrists, therapists and so on is steep and takes a few years to realise a number of possible outcomes from all of the above.

At 43yo diagnosed with anxiety, at 47yo diagnosed with ADHD, at 53yo told it wasnt ADHD but was Bipolar2 which answered why I had mood swings/mania/depression, this year told I'm highly likely to be under the high functioning autism spectrum which answered why noise bring a rapid response and domineering people is taken so abrasively.

During my 7 years taking ADHD meds I tried I think 12 types and none worked (of course) so that period was horrific. It takes 8 weeks for meds to work then find out they dont, wean myself off them try another and so forth. I was always sleepy and having a job whereby I'd drive up to 500 km a day I nearly have many accidents. I'm 68 now and feel so much wiser.

So my message there is to not feel embarrassed in getting a second opinion nor feel it to seek out alterations in meds or the dosages advised. This is your mental well being so stop at nothing to make sure you are getting the best care.

We are not professional medical people but lived experienced advisors, so our charter is limited. However you seem to express that you could be on the right track with the positive experience you got initially. Therefore there is only one action to take and thats to convey that experience to your mental health carer as they might need to tweak things to help you out.

I hope I've helped.

PS there is a book I'd recommend called "ADHD in adults" by Weiss. It is about 3 adults with ADHD.

TonyWK

[Oshinxx1]

Hi TonyWK,

Thank you for your response, I appreciate your insights and sharing your experiences. Yeah I have been seeing a Psychiatrist on and off for over 30 years, tried a lot of different medications and worked out that I generally do not respond to medication so for the last few years have not been taking anything. Like yourself I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, more recently complex grief and most recently ADHD. When I look back on my life from childhood ADHD does make sense, at first I was dismissive because I was never hyperactive however learning about inattentive ADHD it makes more sense. I was hesitant about taking medication again because for me it has been a cycle of being hopeful and nothing really coming of it but I am only in the early stages of taking it and like you said it might be a case of fine tuning but ultimately it has been a positive experience. I am fortunate that I have a good Psychiatrist.

Thank you.

[white knight]

It does appear you are doing all you can

As people woth mental health issues we can only be optimistic enough to bring our behaviours to within the boundaries of "normality". In my earlier days I was seeking cure which was unrealistic and was met by disappointment. Once within that boundary if we can accept any obvious flaws then we've achieved our best and our best is always good enough.

"Possessing a mental health disorder has challenges but history has shown us we usually hold a spin off that's creative or musical or has adventurism...like Van Gogh, Fry and the rain man. Embracing that uniqueness can find you not wanting to be free of your illness...

TonyWK 

[Oshinxx1]

Hi TonWK

Yes you are right, seeking a 'cure' can lead to disappointment and frustration, I have been seeing a Psychiatrist since i was 15 and am now in my late 40's, I discarded the notion of a cure a long time ago. I would say that this should not be taken that there is no hope of improvement and that changes can't occur.