r/ADHD • u/nerdshark • Nov 05 '24
Articles/Information Why can't we rename ADHD? This is why.
Russell Barkley has put together a brief discussion on his YouTube channel as to why we can't just rename ADHD.
tl;dr: ADHD is mentioned by name in various laws and regulations that grant us access to protection from discrmination, to accommodations, educational services, etc. Renaming ADHD would immedately eliminate that access and protection until those laws could be updated. It would literally disenfranchise millions of people overnight, and the harm caused would be immense.
That's all, please stop posting about this every day.
r/ADHD • u/AutoModerator • 6d ago
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r/ADHD • u/anonanonanon2019 • 19h ago
Medication A symptom I didn’t know was a part of ADHD until I started medication…and I almost cried
I was recently diagnosed as an adult and started medication and have been taking it for a month. I hadn’t noticed any dramatic shift besides my anxiety going away completely - something I was nervous medication would make worse. I honestly started doubting that I have ADHD at all.
However, I recently went with my family to a very loud and busy setting that would usually give me a headache and make me irritable. But what I noticed was so shocking I couldn’t believe it. I could hear my family talking loudly and clearly and the sound around me was muted!!! I could still hear it of course but it was super quiet and I could hear my family perfectly. Normally I would have had to put in effort to be able to hear and I thought I might have hearing loss or challenges with auditory recognition at one point.
I did everything not to cry, as I just assumed this was something everyone experienced. I genuinely did not think it was an ADHD symptom. I guess the point of this post is just to ask whether anyone else has experienced this or has researched ADHD symptoms and can shed light on it.
And if there are any other symptoms you noticed that went away with medication that you found interesting I would love to hear about it.
TLDR; You might not have hearing problems it might just be ADHD
r/ADHD • u/Every_Discipline_392 • 1d ago
Discussion ADHD is a severely imparing disability : Example
I went ten days without washing my face, showering, or brushing my teeth. As a result of poor hygiene, I noticed a small cyst on my neck two days ago, about the size of a nut. Treating it would have been simple—I just needed to apply some ointment, and it would have healed on its own. But I couldn’t bring myself to do even that.
Because of my inaction, the small cyst became infected and grew into a large wound, roughly the size of a lemon. A doctor advised me to use warm compresses and apply ointment to help it heal. Yet, for three days, I couldn’t bring myself to follow those instructions either. I spent hours sitting on my bed, thinking about doing it, but I simply couldn’t manage to start.
During this time, the wound worsened. Eventually, I took my Ritalin in the evening, and only then was I able to use warm compresses and apply the antibiotic ointment. Even taking my Ritalin was a struggle, and I only managed to do so because my girlfriend insisted.
This experience highlights just how crippling ADHD can be—it’s not just a lack of focus but a profound inability to act, even on the simplest tasks.
r/ADHD • u/AndyWilonokous • 9h ago
Questions/Advice What is something your undiagnosed ADHD cost you?
For me it would be a romantic life. I’m 25 years old and was finally diagnosed last year. I never dated while growing up as I always felt like I was never enough, (internalised ableism). Now that I have a diagnosis and finally understand myself, I now get why I always felt that way. Nonetheless, I feel like I’ve lost the window of time for formative romantic experiences that people are supposed to have while they’re young. What is something your undiagnosed ADHD cost you?
r/ADHD • u/LargeDoubt5348 • 12h ago
Questions/Advice what do 2 and 7 have in common?
at my appointment, with out skipping a beat, i replied that they look the similar.
i could immediately see my testers face and it looked like she just saw a train wreck. i don’t think she was supposed to but she said that “no, they’re both numbers. but i suppose the do look a bit alike.”
i added that i argue five would also fit in with them.
i would later fail to give her the answer she wanted for what deny and accept had in common. apparently.
had other tests but we shall see how this goes.
r/ADHD • u/v01ded2016 • 1h ago
Medication Walgreens mistakenly gave me 60 tablets of Adderall on a 30 count script.
So I picked up my Adderall script refill yesterday and noticed I had more than 30 pills upon opening it today. I counted it out and sure enough, there are 60 tablets instead of the usual 30.
I’m aware that they may call me inquiring about this, and I’m not sure how to approach this. I plan on just keeping the extra 30 instead of purchasing a refill next month, but I’m not sure if that would be acceptable or not.
Any advice or similar scenarios anyone else has experienced?
r/ADHD • u/ConversationOk442 • 21h ago
Questions/Advice What is the worst ADHD symptom(s) for you?
What is the worst ADHD symptom(s) for you? For me, it's probably the anxiety and depression that comes with it, and the intense emotions. I also struggle a lot with controlling my emotions, and i get mentally exhausted so easily. Hygiene and keeping it clean around me is a big struggle too, but i'm getting better at it.
r/ADHD • u/tequilagoblin • 1h ago
Questions/Advice Please give me a reality check about this doctor because I can't tell if I'm crazy or not
I recently decided to try switching from Adderall to a non-stimulant medication, so I messaged my doctor about it. By now there have been multiple messages where I thought I made it clear that I would like a non-stimulant prescription sent to a particular pharmacy so I can try it out. Twice the doctor responded with "what do you want me to do?" so I thought I somehow was unclear each time I made the request and made a point of stating I wanted to try a non-stimulant medication (my words. I did not name a specific medication) and the address of the pharmacy to send it.
Then he warned me that Strattera is expensive (at my last appointment we specifically had a conversation about Strattera being discontinued in 2023) and to check if my insurance covers it/has extra steps I need to take in order to get it. I checked and told him they still offer the generic, gave its name, and that my insurance only restricted quantities. I even told him how much they would allow to be dispensed at each dose. But today he messaged me with: "write me exactly what you want me to order with name, dose, quantity, and where you want me to send it." And I replied yet again that I want atomoxetine, the generic name for Strattera, sent to that specific pharmacy, and then added that I thought the doctor was supposed to decide the dosage and quantity.
So here's where I want a reality check. Am I wrong to think that this is a little weird coming from a doctor? Like, patients aren't supposed to be telling the doctor the medication and dosage for the doctor to prescribe them. That seems dangerous to me.
Up until now the doctor has been friendly and fairly cooperative. I would request medication refills and they were sent on to the pharmacy without any of this back and forth and "what do you want me to do" nonsense.
tl;dr: doctor giving me a hard time getting a non-stimulant medication and wants me to dictate the dosage and quantity for him to prescribe
r/ADHD • u/eeboffiG • 2h ago
Questions/Advice My doctor just gave me meds without a diagnosis?
I've always been under the impression that I would need to be officially diagnosed with ADHD to be prescribed medication. Yesterday I went to the doctors office for the first time in probably 7 years, and this was my first time seeing this doctor. I told them I wanted an eval or to be seen by someone for a diagnosis and after a few questions, he just prescribed me Straterra. Is this normal? I just feel like more should've been looked into other than the 5 questions he asked me. I'm grateful it was that simple compared to some of the other stories I've read. Just looking for someone who might have had a similar experience, like where does it go from here. Thank you for your time.
r/ADHD • u/SuperPizza64 • 17h ago
Seeking Empathy I meditated, ate a good breakfast, worked out, took a vyvanse, and sat down with my coffee, and still couldn't get my work done.
I'm at a loss for words at this point. I've been trying to focus on finishing this task for the last 3 weeks and I can't just get it done. It's due tomorrow and my boss will be back from his vacation asking where it is, and I'm just absolutely fucked. I've done everything I'm "supposed to do" such as meditate, take meds, work out, try the pomodoro technique, install web blockers, change my environment, go for a walk, break down the task to easy checklist items, and I just can't start on this daunting awful task.
I honestly don't think I've done five minutes of work in the last month.
I'm starting to think I just am an awful employee, and I'm almost 40 years old.
Anyone else?
r/ADHD • u/FaceYourToast • 16h ago
Seeking Empathy The most tiring of ADHD is people thinking I'm lazy
Like, I wanna do stuff, I just can't, it's not easy trying to make a plan and follow it without my brain skipping everything.
I hate that I need to "convince" people that I'm capable of something, immediately gets my drive back to zero and I lose all momentum.
I'm sad. I'm tired, my sleep schedule is a mess, I am losing weight and I don't know why, and I'm oversleeping a ton.
Seeking Empathy ever felt like you're friendly, but have no friends, liked but not wanted, etc?
well, no friends is probably an overstatement, since I do have a few people I'd call close friends, but they all have Other friends too, and if I wasn't their friend I don't think they'd mind at all.
it's a really weird feeling. I'd be in class, minding my own business, and I'd look up and see all my classmates talking to their friends, playing games together, having fun and all that, and I'd just be like "oh." it's like there's Their world, over there, and then there's Mine.
also, it's really hard for me to keep a conversation going if I'm not interested in the topic, which is probably why people don't reach out and talk to me first lol which is hard since a lot of what my classmates want to do is gossip, and because I don't talk to anyone, I don't know anything that goes on
in primary school, I used to think people just had their 2 best friends and weren't close with anyone else. but now I'm in secondary school and realise everyone is connected with everyone? and I'm just... Not?
even in the discord server i used to be in, I get along well with people, but people don't reach out to me, and when I stopped talking in there no one noticed
I don't know what I'm rambling about gang I'm sorry 😭😭😭
r/ADHD • u/xiximaluco • 14h ago
Questions/Advice What is your relationship with addiction?
I know ADHD individuals have a higher risk of developing addictive behaviours to increase dopamine levels. This cycle of dopamine seeking behaviour is really hard to break.
I’m curious to know what sorts of addictions you’ve developed over the years, and how you managed to overcome them to have a more healthy and balanced lifestyle.
r/ADHD • u/uglyarmpits • 1h ago
Seeking Empathy Sometimes it is frustrating to have friends with ADHD
I need to preface this with the fact that I also have ADHD and I also struggle with maintaining friendships.
I moved to a different country to study for uni and I’ve been living here for almost 6 years now. I immediately clung to people who also have ADHD or who have autism because or way of communicating was very similar.
Now that I finished university, everyone went their separate ways and moved to different cities or even different countries, and as expected the friendships weren’t as steady as they were when we lived in the same city.
What bothers me is that I have some friends that still live in the same city as I do, and it’s very hard to get a hang of them. I send them messages and memes and they respond a month later with “omg i’m so sorry i didn’t respond! We should definitely hang out!” And we wouldn’t hang out and the cycle would repeat. They post pictures with the friends they had before uni and how they’re hanging out with them and stuff which makes me even more sad and lonely lmao.
I live alone in this foreign country and I feel like I stuck myself in this city. I wish my friends put in half the effort I put into trying to contact them. I’m just sad that I think about these people so often and they probably don’t think of me at all.
TL; DR: my friends with adhd have their already established friends and life from before uni, and even if we live in the same city I still feel super lonely. I am trying to contact them but they’re terrible at answering messages.
r/ADHD • u/taynarassauro • 17h ago
Questions/Advice I wanna be a part of the 5am club and go to the gym but I have ADHD
So the thing is: I wanna wake up at 5am, enjoy the morning from 5-6 (have breakfast, get dressed, play a little) and at 6 head to the gym. The reason is because I work from 8-6pm and if I don't workout in the morning before work I just KNOW I won't have the energy to go after work.
I've tried a couple of times waking up at 5 but I just couldn't bring myself to get up. Some of the reasons (or self-sabotaging idk) being:
1) heart pounding when I wake up, so I associate it to not having slept enough (idk if that is indeed the case) 2) rain (I don't have a car and the gym is like 7min by foot, so it just doesn't make sense to me going by Uber or something) 3) just couldn't grasp any reasons as to why I should get off of my warm bed, so I just hit the snooze button until time for work
Can someone please help? 🥺🥺
r/ADHD • u/Dry-Amount-3033 • 11h ago
Seeking Empathy always tired
does anyone else just always feel tired no matter how much sleep they get? I’ve tried every amount of sleep, five hours seven hours nine hours 12 hours shit even 14 hours and no matter what, I’m still always tired! and caffeine only works if I take it literally once a week. If I take more than that, it just makes me MORE tired. I’m about 97% sure I have ADHD, but in the process of being diagnosed, but when I take addie, I actually feel awake. does anyone else have the same problem?
edit: i always sleep through the night too, it’s not like i’m waking up or anything.
r/ADHD • u/Long_Soup9897 • 15h ago
Medication I'm medicated now
This is unbelievable. I met my new psychiatrist, and she put me on ADHD meds. I purposely found someone who specializes in ADHD, hoping I would get somewhere. And I did. We formed a new prescription plan for anxiety and depression as well. She said the ADHD meds should relieve the symptoms I'm having and help me function better, and that that will also help with anxiety and depression. I nearly cried when she said that, but I managed to hold it in.
r/ADHD • u/cromatkastar • 9h ago
Medication Anyone who had experience with undiagnosed ADHD, but was on SSRI antidepressants? (lexapro)
doctor gave me lexapro for my anxiety and depression though i told him i think i have adhd (fit lots of the symptoms, problem with motivation, addiction, saying the wrong thing, lack of self care, going all in either 0% or 100%, incredible annoyance and despair over small things, intense RSD, masking)
been taking it for nearly 2 weeks now and i've got some SERIOUS side effects (though they've gone down a little compared to the start)
heart palpitations/panic attacks and anxiety going through the roof, almost daily suicidal ideation, that last for hours.
lexapro sub says its not uncommon and that it gets worse before it gets better but i've also found posts where people say ssris dont help and actually make adhd worse.
idk if my reaction is because i have adhd or not. just trying to find shared experiences
Questions/Advice why do I never have appetite even tho I'm literally starving?
basically what the title says. I never feel like eating anything, even to the point my stomach is hurting so bad from the hunger. usually I have a packet of milo (the only food I can stand? or willingly eat?) then carry on until I get hungry again.
I used to eat fried rice from the school canteen everyday but since starting secondary school the queues are so long I don't even bother waiting so I just drink milo.
also, when I actually do eat something, after about 5 bites the hunger fades away and I immediately don't feel like eating anymore. plus I literally won't eat unless I have to, like dinner when my grandma cooks, which is currently the only meal I've consistently eaten the past 4 years.
also, I'm gonna sound like a brat when I say this, but even during dinner, if no one actually serves me the side dish (veggies, meat, wtv), unless I really like it (chicken wings for eg) I won't serve myself. Like, I know I should take it, but unless my parents order me to or something, my arm just ain't moving 😭😭😭
also, I get "sick" of certain foods if I eat them too much? I used to adore ice cream but now the thought of it wants to make me throw up. same thing with peanut butter and butter and some other stuff.
I haven't been diagnosed (tho I strongly suspect) but I didn't know where else to ask about this.
r/ADHD • u/invignite • 16h ago
Tips/Suggestions Struggling to maintain a routine? Here's a tip: routines don’t have to be time-based.
Instead of sticking to strict schedules, try setting simple rules based on conditions or triggers in your daily life. These small habits can help you build consistency without feeling overwhelmed.
Here are some that have helped me through my ADHD:
-If I sit down to watch TV, I drink a glass of water first.
-Every time I pick up a snack, I also grab a piece of fruit.
-If I go to the toilet after dinner, I brush my teeth immediately after.
-Every time the kettle is turned on, I clean one thing in the sink or kitchen.
-Every time I turn on or shut down my computer, I take three deep breaths.
These condition-based habits are simple and effective for me because they’re tied to things I’m already doing, making them easier to stick to over time.
Do you have any similar rules or strategies to build better habits?
r/ADHD • u/frakthal • 5h ago
Discussion Little trick : giving up is sometimes the right thing to do
Ok so first thing first, maybe that doesn't apply to everybody but it helped me and I'm curious to read your experience.
Sometimes when I'm at work and I know I should do some chores at home afterwork, I ruminate all day long about it. Imagining the steps, the what ifs, etc..
And then once I'm home, i've already overthought (is it right to say it that way ?) it so much that I've got no motivation left and the executive dysfunction is at 100%.
Now the trick that helped me many times in this situation is to just lay in my bed and totally give up the idea of doing those chore. Like sincerly go :"Ok fuck it, I won't do it today." but like I really admit it and accept it. And like 5mn after that, many times, the motivation was back and I was doing what I've just given up on doing.
I don't know if this kind of tricks have a name or what. I feel like it's worth sharing and trying
r/ADHD • u/thrillafrommanilla_1 • 1h ago
Questions/Advice Periods of lost motivation hurting my career
At various times over my 20+ yrs as a working adult, I’ve found myself feeling very distant from consequences of demotivation. I feel like nothing ultimately matters, not in a sad way but in a disconnected way from consequences like losing my job.
Other immediate things become important and I fixate on them while slacking off at my work. At some point, it had become impossible for me to give a shit about my job damn the consequences.
This makes me an unreliable worker and a disappointment to my bosses who previously had so much faith in me. And I hate being micromanaged so I have awesome bosses who don’t micromanage me. But is this part of the problem? Am I doomed to only work on stressful situations with immediate results so I don’t lose motivation?
I’m on meds, I’ve had therapy. But this executive function thing plus depression keeps biting me in the ass. I don’t know how to stop it.
r/ADHD • u/Sleeping_Koala783 • 1h ago
Questions/Advice Went in for an ADHD diagnosis, but was diagnosed with OCD instead
So, I went to a psychiatrist hoping to get diagnosed with ADHD. I listed all my symptoms, like trouble focusing, feeling unmotivated, difficulty starting tasks, and other common signs I've had over years. They also asked about my childhood and things like losing items, being disruptive, and other behaviors.
They also asked about my thoughts, and I mentioned having intrusive thoughts. As the questions continued, I ended up talking about my aversion to being touched, sensitivity to noise, a need for my things to be in order, and how I often find it hard to wrap up things, obsessing over smaller details. After this, they diagnosed me with OCD, saying it’s the OCD that’s making it hard for me to focus.
Now I’m confused and not sure what to do. I’m trying to process everything and figure out how to move forward. I guess I am seeking advice from anyone who has experienced something similar.
r/ADHD • u/Downtown_Story6185 • 2h ago
Seeking Empathy I want to just go
I don’t wanna be a victim, but I’m drowning. I have ADHD and I’m aware of it to some extent. I’m not able to do anything I’m doing nothing, I want to but I’m not. I wanna live but I’m not able to. Whom should I cry to, I feel like I’m drowning, I feel so bad I don’t know how to move forward
Questions/Advice Brain activity
Does anyone else get this, I’m feeling really low atm as it’s a huge struggle for me. I find it so difficult to engage my brain in things. Like it’s just blank, i feel quite muted, emotionally too (i’m not depressed, i do feel happy and sad) and then if there’s something fun or really interesting I can like physically feel my brain engaging and it sounds silly but it actually feels like the neurons are firing and working😂
I’m trying to explain as best as I can, but for like 98% of the time, my brain feels like numb? sort of as if i’ve just thrown a blanket over it and my thoughts (i still get lots of thoughts, but it’s more just like easy baseline stuff like repeating words to myself) as if you’re in school and you don’t understand or aren’t interested in the subject so you don’t really take any of it in and have no clue what’s going on. But then say very occasionally, there’s something I’m passionate about, I can suddenly feel my brain being used and me actually engaging deeply in something. So tricky to describe, but it’s really making me struggle cos i try and try with my uni work or for this job interview I have, but i just wing it most the time cos i can’t get my brain to feel like it’s engaging any thoughts just slide right off and don’t stick in my head.
I’ve been on a waiting list for medication (Uk NHS) for agesssss and i’m getting to a point now where i’m really struggling and want to give it a go if it will help me stop feeling like this. I feel almost emotionless at times and i can’t shake this feeling.
r/ADHD • u/MushroomMermaid80 • 2h ago
Articles/Information Genomics test
I reviewed my OneOme genomics test from a few years ago and it’s enlightening. Not only do i have abnormalities in all the enzymes that process psychedelics which answers a lot of questions, I found that my COMT, CYP2D6, and CYP1A2 are abnormal, these are responsible for metabolism of dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, melatonin, serotonin, and even caffeine. So I clear these neurotransmitters much more quickly than normal, makes so much sense.