ADHD medication holiday

[andyb74]

Hello all - this is my first post, i have suffered and been diagnosed with GAD/depression and been taking ssri medication for the last 8 years. I was diagnosed with adult adhd in January 2019 - i'm 45 years old.

Now I'm on medications for both - no issues, the adhd diagnosis has been pretty life changing in a good way, everything about my past (although not dwelling in it), has started to make sense - anxiety/addiction/lack of focus, etc - sounds similar to lots of other people on here diagnosed with adult adhd.

My question is - my psychiatrist mentioned I should be taking adhd medication holidays every month for a day or two (definitely not talking about holidays from anti depressants - just to make that clear.) My GP hasn't heard too much about it. My psychologist has suggested rather than take no adhd medication - maybe take reduced adhd medication for a day or two.

Has anyone else with adult adhd had experience with this subject? There is alot of info on the internet about kids taking adhd medication holidays - but very little about adult adhd.. I currently take instant release adhd meds.

Also - i'll add - I did take 2 days off in February 2019, but felt it didn't really help. Since then I have been taking adhd meds everyday as prescribed. I'm back to see my psychiatrist in August.

cheers

Andy

[Croix]

Dear ndy

You seem to be in a classic situation, the GP without specialist knowledge, the psychiatrist making suggestions and your psychologist sort of half way in between.

I guess as psychologists do not prescribe that it might be a matter for your GP and your psychiatrist to consult together about. Have you been told of any specific benefits of these 'holidays' by your psychiatrist?

Croix

[andyb74]

Hi Croix - thanks for your reply. The psychiatrist has mentioned that it's really to do with building up a resistance to the medication. I don't know how true this is, although it does concern me. Also - last time I saw him was when I started the meds so he might have been concerned with appetite suppression or other side effects - and that a med holiday would act as a break from these side effects. I haven't had any side effects at all. Does this apply more to kids with adhd - I have read about med holidays being used in case it stunts growth and other side effects in kids. I'm pretty sure I have now stopped growing..

cheers

Andy

[Croix]

Dear Andy~

I'm afraid that this is outside anything I can say, developing a tolerance to a medication sounds possible, but you will need a medical professional to advise you. If you are stuck between two opposing views all I can suggest is seek a second opinion

If they are effective and you have no side effects that's excellent.

Croix

[andyb74]

Thanks Croix - i'll wait till august and discuss more with my psychiatrist, in the meantime i'm following up with regular appointments with gp and psychologist so they can keep an eye on me,

cheers

Andy