ADHD

Then promptly get distracted and don't finish

Love that I have to call a bunch of pharmacies in the area waiting for several minutes just to check if my prescribed drug is available.

Anyone have a good way of dealing with this?

Edit: found a pharmacy after waiting through several automated messages 😩

POOF!

It's gone.

How bad are everyone else's side effects? I currently take a 30mgXR in the morning and 10mgIR part way through the day. I can get some facial tics and other OCD like symptoms. They aren't bad enough to lower my dose or make other changes at this point. Just wondering what others are experiencing and if anyone has any tips or tricks to dealing with stuff like that.

I'm only on day 2, but I feel so able to concentrate, it's ridiculous. I know it's expected to take weeks to start working, but I'm feeling it already. I spent the morning reading wikipedia, catching up with work, and doing laundry that I hadn't done for weeks. Now, I'm gonna go out to eat at a restaurant with a friend and his kids. Is this what NTs feel like all the time, just able to focus without struggle and the motivation of looming despair??

However, I slept maybe 30 mins last night even though I took 12 mgs of melatonin throughout the night, and my male genitals are not working well. I also feel a bit irritable.

• Did anyone on Strattera have a similar experience? And did the side effects eventually go away?

• If so, how long did they take to subside? If not, what did you do about it?

• Did this ability to focus last too?

So I usually do oil changes on multiple cars for friends etc, it's quicker to bang them out all at once.

We grabbed all the tools and oil etc, and drove to a neighbour's level driveway to work on. Then we jacked up my flatmates car, and drained the oil into the oil pan. Now we need to remove the filter with a specific tool. You can see it just below the blue funnel, with the red and black handle.

My flatmate is telling me he is sure he saw it and brought it with us. I wasn't entirely trusting him because I know he is likely to make the same mistakes as me. Surely we just misplaced it.

Searched everywhere, can't find it. Went home, it's not there either. What the fuck?

Turns out... it was at the bottom of the full oil pan.

Today I had a work call with a colleague who has been mentoring me for a few months now (nothing serious, just someone to ask now and then if I need advice). Around half way through this call, once they had answered my original question, out of the blue and unprompted they asked "wasp, have you considered that you might be neurodivergent?"

From the short conversation I then had, they have noticed that I hyperfocus, I can't organise for shit, I regularly stop mid sentence and change the subject, and that I bounce between trains of thought rapidly which makes it hard for people to keep up. I was a bit surprised as I don't work particularly closely with this colleague and while I'm aware that I do these things they have never really been mentioned before, and certainly not attributed to anything other than me being a bit overenthusiastic.

I won't delve too deeply here, but today has certainly been a day of self reflection. Regardless of whether I am or am not neurodivergent, I have always felt able to pass as neurotypical and today has been the first time I have had anyone question this. Suddenly I'm thinking that maybe I should be taking the possibility of me having ADHD a lot more seriously. The penny has finally dropped that I need to get this checked out.

Any advice on what I should do next? I've booked in to see my doctor, but what would you all recommend to a potential ADHD newcomer?

For me, it’s how much better I can do things I thought I was already fine at. Like engaging in conversations, handling complex logic, or just consciously relaxing.

Does anyone else with ADHD have some days where your executive dysfunction is worse than normal, and you end up barely doing anything and feeling like crap? I'm having one of those days, and I'm hoping I'm not alone in experiencing this.

Designate a place in every room as, "the place I put things." Use positive reinforcement to train yourself to put things down in that space. Every time you use a drop zone, give yourself an attaboy/girl. It needs to be big enough that it can hold a few things, keys wallet, cell phone, but not so large that things can get lost in it. You don't want too many drop zones, but you need to have one always handy. Keep them uncluttered when possible so that they're always available. Dissuade the people in your life from "cleaning up" these spaces. Now, when you lose something, you've got a good chance of finding it by checking all your drop zones.

Opened a warranty request for a pair of wireless earbuds that started acting up. Despite having seen reports from other users with the same issue successfully getting replacements I just couldn't do it. Today I finally did the thing.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/2969622

I used to love to cook, and as time passes more and more I have become SUPER adverse to it and I have no idea why. Even the idea of say, making oatmeal on the stove or a pack of instant Ramen is too much for me. I do plan on trying to make myself do it and try to form a habit of it but for now I've only been buying pre made/take out food and it's super expensive. How do yall hack this so that you buy groceries you'll actually eat??

Some info:

I don't have a microwave

I'm not super food restrictive

I'm a brat and only like fresh veggies (not precut or frozen), usually organic

I try to avoid preservatives but I do like chicken nuggies/tots/frozen pizzas, but I really want to try and stick to a healthier veg filled diet

An example of something that isn't overwhelming for me to make are protein shakes: put powder, kefir, water, PB&J in a jar, shake it, drink it.

Any advice is super appreciated 🙏

When I was a kid they told me, "If you care about something and work hard you'll succeed." I failed, a lot, and so I figured, "I must be lazy and apathetic."

Eventually I found my ikigai and success. I thought, "now I care and now I'm working hard, I'm a different person, this is why I'm successful now."

I always knew I had ADHD, but strangely nobody seemed to acknowledge it outright. My parents just laughed when the neighbor called me space-cadet. I was diagnosed with dysgraphia, which was all my mom wanted to talk about.

Recently I've been reading about ADHD and I came to a realization. I was never lazy or apathetic. I'm not a different person now, I just found something where the bulk of my work provides me the dopamine I need to stay engaged. I've also got some masking strategies, which took me 30 years to develop because I had to do it on my own.

Nobody looks at a paraplegic and says, "boy are you lazy."

Please don't let other people define you. Don't mistake your ADHD for a character flaw. Find your ikigai. It won't fix your ADHD, but it will make you a whole lot happier.

Ikigai:

A motivating force; something or someone that gives a person a sense of purpose or a reason for living. The feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment that follows when people pursue their passions. Activities that generate the feeling of ikigai are not forced on an individual; they are perceived as being spontaneous and undertaken willingly, and thus are personal and depend on a person's inner self.

I just had my first ever meeting with a psychiatrist to get diagnosed with ADHD.

Long story short, they said that I clearly exhibit ADHD symptoms.

But they're not willing to go forward with a diagnosis because, according to them, I seem to be doing alright in my life, so the symptoms are hardly causing me enough problems to be eligible for a diagnosis. (And also because there's no evidence of me having had such symptoms in childhood.)

And I was just sitting there thinking, do you really think I would be here if I didn't think the symptoms were causing me problems in life?

Based on what they said, they expected me to have experienced things like getting warnings or being fired from jobs, ruining my relationships with people, and such. And they suggested the usual things, exercise, the Pomodoro method, etc. As if I haven't tried them already.

My bad for masking so well, I guess.

Anyway, just wanted to vent a bit. I know it's too common a story. I guess the next thing I need to do is to find a psychiatrist specializing in adult ADHD. Once my (still undiagnosed) ADHD lets me do that.

The important part:

The current shortage of stimulant medications is the result of many factors. It began last fall due to a manufacturing delay experienced by one drug maker. While this delay has since resolved, we are continuing to experience its effects in combination with record-high prescription rates of stimulant medications. Data show that, from 2012 to 2021, overall dispensing of stimulants (including amphetamine products and other stimulants) increased by 45.5 percent in the United States. According to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, particularly during 2020-2021, when virtual prescribing was permitted on a widespread basis during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the percentages in certain age groups grew by more than 10 percent. We are calling on key stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and payors, to do all they can to ensure access for patients when a medication is appropriately prescribed. We want to make sure those who need stimulant medications have access. However, it is also an appropriate time to take a closer look at how we can best ensure these drugs are being prescribed thoughtfully and responsibly.

Stimulants are controlled substances with a high potential for abuse, which can lead to addiction and overdose. Therefore, there are limits (also known as quotas) set by DEA for how much of these drugs can be produced. However, for amphetamine medications, in 2022, manufacturers did not produce the full amount that these limits permitted them to make. Based on DEA's internal analysis of inventory, manufacturing, and sales data submitted by manufacturers of amphetamine products, manufacturers only sold approximately 70 percent of their allotted quota for the year, and there were approximately 1 billion more doses that they could have produced but did not make or ship. Data for 2023 so far show a similar trend.

We (DEA and the FDA) have called on manufacturers to confirm they are working to increase production to meet their allotted quota amount. If any individual manufacturer does not wish to increase production, we have asked that manufacturer to relinquish their remaining 2023 quota allotment. This would allow DEA to redistribute that allotment to manufacturers that will increase production. DEA is also committed to reviewing and improving our quota process.

If I can’t bring myself to get around to an important task, such as filing a tax thing or making a doctor’s appointment, I invoke my nuclear option: I give my best friend three hundred dollars in cash and tell her to spend it if I don’t prove to her that I’ve done the thing by a certain date and time.

Anyone try this? Sounds fruitful.

I only burnt the rice a little bit.

Hey. I was told having issues controlling anger or emotions in general can be related to ADHD. I know I get WAY angrier than anyone should ever be sometimes.

Especially when injustice and ignorance come my way. I get furious beyond anything I've ever seen or heard of anyone else talk about. Maybe aside from depictions of killers or berserkers in fiction. It's not cool.

Only a few times have I gotten in trouble for it luckily and I never actually done anything more than shout the most disgusting insults at someone.

Now I do feel bad afterwards if I got angry at someone I like. But often enough I feel they fucking deserved it. If someone is an ignorant asshole willingly ruining someone's day, week or life they deserve some ruin thrown back at them. I know this might not be a good and healthy thing to think. But if someone provokes someone don't they ask to be yelled at?

I know they do this to 'win the argument' because of that imo idiotic notion that who yells first is wrong. But honestly I rarely care to be right enough for shit to matter.

I've read a few books on anger management and some techniques help a bit. But the amount of anger described in the book seems so very mild to me in comparison to what I experience and how fast it builds up. One book told me to count to three. I am ready to launch nukes before I reach 1. That won't work.

And I don't get angry at something. I have pure rage and fury, hatred and contempt for existence itself at those moments. Angry really doesn't cut it. It's scorched earth, blown it all up and piss on the ruins kind of anger.

So anyone else experience this? Any tips to deal with this shit?

I want to know how people deal with them.

My psychiatrist strongly suggested that I take a "medication holiday", meaning not taking meds for up to a month during the summer holidays.

And god damn. I've already ruined my face with skin picking (Started eating compulsively due to lack of stimulation and DoPaMiNe), have gone back to an irregular sleep schedule due to being constantly tired (currently 6AM where I am), and have like 3 trash bags in my house cos I'm having trouble leaving my house.

We love to see that the meds are working! The medication holiday just makes me grateful for the impact of the meds on my everyday life.

Still not gonna take a whole month off though. My life would be in shambles by the end lmfao

1. Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)

Contribution to Attention (Normal):
The prefrontal cortex is essential for executive functions, including attentional control, working memory, and impulse inhibition. It helps maintain focus on relevant information while filtering out distractions. For example, when reading a book, the PFC helps you concentrate on the text, ignore background noise, and remember the storyline.

Difficulty with Tasks (Impaired PFC):
If the PFC is impaired, individuals may struggle to sustain attention. For instance, when studying, they might find it hard to stay focused on the material, constantly getting sidetracked by irrelevant thoughts or environmental cues. This can lead to difficulty completing tasks and poor academic or occupational performance.

2. Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)

Contribution to Attention (Normal):
The ACC is responsible for detecting conflicts and errors, as well as monitoring task performance. It helps to regulate attention by signaling when adjustments are needed. For example, during a test, the ACC aids in detecting errors and prompts you to correct your answers.

Difficulty with Tasks (Impaired ACC):
If the ACC is not functioning optimally, individuals might have trouble detecting errors and adjusting their behavior. In a work setting, they may make careless mistakes and have difficulty staying on task due to the lack of awareness of errors.

3. Parietal Cortex:

Contribution to Attention (Normal)
The parietal cortex directs attention to specific objects or locations in space. It helps with spatial awareness and shifting attention between different stimuli. For instance, while driving, the parietal cortex enables you to focus on the road, check mirrors, and react to changing traffic conditions.

Difficulty with Tasks (Impaired Parietal Cortex):
If the parietal cortex is impaired, individuals might struggle with spatial awareness and attention shifting. They could become easily disoriented, have difficulty following instructions, and find it challenging to organize their work or daily activities.

4. Basal Ganglia, especially the Striatum:

Contribution to Attention (Normal):
The basal ganglia, including the striatum, play a role in the selection and initiation of motor and cognitive behaviors. It helps in maintaining attention to relevant tasks and filtering out competing responses. For example, during a conversation, the basal ganglia enable you to pay attention to the speaker's words without being distracted by other conversations in the background.

Difficulty with Tasks (Impaired Basal Ganglia):
If the basal ganglia are not functioning properly, individuals might struggle with impulse control and have difficulty filtering out distractions. They may interrupt others frequently, have trouble waiting for their turn, and find it challenging to concentrate on one task for an extended period.

5. Cerebellum:

Contribution to Attention (Normal):
The cerebellum assists in coordinating motor movements and also plays a role in attention and cognitive processes. It helps maintain focus and regulate attentional resources. For instance, when playing a musical instrument, the cerebellum supports attention to timing, rhythm, and coordination.

Difficulty with Tasks (Impaired Cerebellum):
If the cerebellum is impaired, individuals may experience difficulties in motor coordination and maintaining attention. They might struggle with fine motor tasks, have problems following complex instructions, and exhibit attention lapses during activities requiring sustained focus.

6. Frontal Cortex

Contribution to Attention (Normal):
The frontal cortex, particularly the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), is involved in impulse control and inhibitory processes. It helps regulate attention by suppressing irrelevant or distracting information. For example, when resisting the temptation to check your phone while working, the frontal cortex aids in maintaining attention to the task at hand.

Difficulty with Tasks (Impaired Frontal Cortex):
If the frontal cortex is largely inactive or impaired, individuals may have difficulty controlling impulsive behaviors. They might act without thinking about the consequences, have difficulty following rules, and find it challenging to stay focused on tasks with delayed rewards.

Share your experiences or questions related to ADHD and its neurobiological aspects~-----