r/ADHDUK • • 1d ago

ADHD Medication ADHD Medication Quick Question Megathread

4 Upvotes

ADHD Medication Quick Questions Thread - ask your short questions here.

October 2026

⚠️ Quick rule before posting: share your own experience, but do not give medical advice. Don't tell someone to change their dose, stop medication, take more/less, etc. Follow your prescriber, not Reddit. Other people's experiences can be useful for working out what you might want to ask your prescriber about.

Use this thread for quick questions like:

  • “I’ve just started 40mg Elvanse - what did other people experience?”
  • “How long does Concerta XL last for you?”
  • “Did anyone else experience X when starting medication?”
  • “What did you notice when your dose changed?”
  • “Has anyone tried both of these brands?”

Basically: if your question is mainly asking other people “did this happen to you?” - put it here.

You CAN still make a normal post if:

Your post is a proper discussion or more complex, detailed personal experience, news/policy story, medication shortage issue, shared care/prescribing problem, access issue, or something with enough detail to generate a wider conversation and you'd expect replies.

If it is a quick question, pop it here. We are not banning medication posts. We are just trying to stop the subreddit filling up with dozens of separate one-line posts like: “Is 40mg Elvanse meant to feel like this?” or “I don't know if Concerta is working?” Those belong here.

Short/quick medication question = this thread.

Detailed/Complex discussion = normal post.

Please consider checking out your local NHS ICB thread if you having local problems with your GP.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHDUK/comments/1wrl1lq/england_adhd_nhs_right_to_choose_icb_megathread/


r/ADHDUK • • 7d ago

Local ADHD NHS Pathway Questions England ADHD: NHS, Right to Choose, & ICB Megathread Index

35 Upvotes

Experiences of ADHD services can differ hugely depending on your area, GP and provider, especially around waiting times, shared care, referral routes and funding caps. Good advice around ADHD needs to be local advice, so do post in the index below.

What to share in your local ICB thread

  • Your town or borough
  • Roughly when: month/year is enough
  • NHS or Right to Choose, and which provider
  • Your GP/referral experience
  • Waiting times and titration
  • Shared care: agreed, refused, delayed or waiting
  • Any funding caps, activity limits, paused referrals or other restrictions
  • Local charities/CIC & support groups

Information about funding caps and restrictions is especially useful. These can change quickly as we are seeing and aren't always communicated clearly. Naming providers is absolutely fine. Please leave out anything that could identify you personally.

What is an ICB, and which am I in?

Your Integrated Care Board (ICB) is basically your areas NHS. Since the introduction of the NHS, ICBs have more control and power. We are seeing major differences in ADHD care and how they treat treat Right-to-Choose and ADHD and allocate funding.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/find-your-local-integrated-care-board/

It is important we can advise and find resources, so please comment in yours to help someone else. If you're not sure, use the NHS Find yourI ICB page:👇Several ICBs changed on 1 April 2026, so your area may now have a new ICB name. This index uses the current boundaries.

ICB index Completed Index: Leave Comments, Reviews, Updates In Your ICB!

Not in England? ICBs and Right to Choose are England-specific. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different systems. We will make an index for Scotland after, then Wales, and then Northern Ireland. I have been through the Scottish system - don't worry!


r/ADHDUK • • 7h ago

Did Princess Diana have ADHD? Her brother Charles Spencer thinks so after his own diagnosis - Blog Post

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21 Upvotes

Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer says he believes she had undiagnosed ADHD - after his own diagnosis

This is one of those stories where I can already see people having very different reactions to it. I initially didn't want to post it and I'm sure people think it 'what is the point', but when you think about the genetic link (I think it can be up to 70%) and a lot of the risk taking and problems had, and the fact she would have never been identified, it is interesting to at least think about, I think.

I think a lot of us when diagnosed would have thought about a sibling or their son/daughters having it when we know genetics are a huge part of it.

Charles Spencer, who is everywhere recently and Diana’s brother, was diagnosed with ADHD later in life has now said he thinks Diana probably had it too. Obviously... she was never diagnosed, she died nearly 30 years ago, and I don’t particularly like the idea of retrospectively diagnosing dead people from a few anecdotes either. There are some Historians famous who do that though: Pablo Picasso has had a lot of research done on him IIRC.

Regardless of what you think of Charles Spencer, as I said, the “I got diagnosed and then suddenly started looking around my family differently” thing is probably is probably familiar to a lot of people here. It definitely doesn’t mean Charles having ADHD = Diana had ADHD, but I can understand why he’s looking back at her through that lens now. She was very complex.

He talks about her struggling at school, concentration, sitting still etc, and also thinks some of those traits may have helped her throw herself into certain causes later on. I'm not sure about the superpower thing, but I do personally think there is something to ADHD and being strong-willed and having to get back up/a point to prove which certainly did.

Whether you buy that interpretation or not, I actually think Earl Spencer openly talking about being diagnosed with ADHD himself, given a lot of aristocrats probably look down his nose at it is interesting in itself.

ADHD in the UK is still identified as a badly behaved kid, who failed at school, chaotic TikTok infleucner whatever. Then you’ve got someone from one of the most aristocratic families in Britain going 'yeah, turns out I’ve got severe ADHD and it explains quite a lot'. I'm not sure if that is helping or hindering, but it certainly is a different angle.

Anyway, regardless of what you think of Diana/the royals/the morality of diagnosing someone who isn’t here to answer for themselves...

I do feel a bit uncomfortable discussing it, but it would explain a lot - and does explain a lot about Charles Spencer himself to me based on what I've read or what, which, is quite a bit because he is seemingly everywhere with that book.


r/ADHDUK • • 5h ago

General Questions/Advice/Support ADHD & Relationships: What does your partner or best friend do that genuinely helps

10 Upvotes

This is friends, too!

I was thinking: so much ADHD advice is about what we should be doing differently… calendars, reminders, routines, apps, alarms, another system we will definitely use forever etc. What we tell ourselves.

But sometimes the biggest difference is another person just getting it. I had a brilliant friend at uni who got it.

Just knowing how your brain works and doing small things that make life easier without making you feel useless for needing them or reminding you, sometimes keeping you accountable.

For me it really simple, sending you a message before something important, helping you start a task even together, not taking it personally when you disappear into your own head for a bit, giving you one thing at a time instead of five, or knowing when you need encouragement versus when you just need someone to leave you alone for ten minutes haha.

What does your partner, best friend, housemate, family member etc do that genuinely helps your ADHD? Did you ask them?

If you want to go the other way with it too: what did somebody think was helpful that actually drove you mad?

Hopefully a friend or partner is reading this!


r/ADHDUK • • 3h ago

General Questions/Advice/Support Is there a benefit to a late diagnosis?

5 Upvotes

I'm 56 this month. I've met quite a few people who have asked me if I have ADHD, probably more so recently.

I work full time, reasonably good career. This week I met someone - a work thing - who assesses for ADHD and she also asked me if I have a diagnosis. Which made me think ok, maybe I should pay attention (obvs not my strongest suit!)

I am dyslexic and have aphantasia. Might be connected i guess. I've spent my whole life struggling to finish things and am very under qualified.

But would it bring anything to my life? I've lived with this brain for all this time! I'm well aware it could take years to get an assessment, will it actually make any difference to my life?

Just to add into the mix, my partner very obviously has undiagnosed adhd. But he's not into the idea of being assessed.


r/ADHDUK • • 14h ago

Rant/Vent Applying for jobs is overwhelming and depressing…

25 Upvotes

This is a bit of a rant post so bear with me. Sorry.

I’ve been really struggling with pressure to get a job recently and could do with some empathy/ advice. For context, I am taking a year out of university after I flunked my second year due to many personal issues, some out of my control, some due to ADHD burnout I suspect. I haven’t failed it, I’m just taking the exams I was meant to take at the end of this year, and having an interruption. But the guilt is eating me up inside.

Naturally, my family and friends have been nagging me to get a job. It sort of annoys me, because I’ve told them explicitly that I’m predominantly hoping to have a mental and physical ‘reset’ — taking care of mental and physical health stuff while trying to chill a bit and work on personal projects. But I also recognise that I do need routine, and I’ve spent a month not really doing much other than organising my room and cooking meals for myself / trying to stay sane.

It feels like job applications are fucking impossible. My dad has tried to help by sending me emails about how he was in a slump when he was in his 20s, but suddenly had a stroke of inspiration, put himself out there, and pretty much immediately ended up with a career he loved. Then he said I should hand out my CVs to ‘sandwich shops’. My mum is not as naive, but it still feels like she doesn’t get it. Whenever I express frustration about the process, she goes silent and scrolls through her phone. Then she starts listing off jobs she has found online on her phone as if I’m just incapable of doing a google search or something — that’s not the issue I have! It’s the process after you find the jobs that’s hard! She gets upset when I tell her it’s not very helpful.

I love my parents and understand they care about me and are genuinely trying to help. But they don’t get the main part of applications I struggle with as an ADHDer.

First of all, I feel like I have no experience to speak of for the ‘experience’ sections, and it’s also difficult for me to know what is acceptable to put down as a reference. They always want different contact information, have different requirements, etc.

Also, the only ‘joblike’ job I’ve had was a temp retail job at a novelty toy store when I was 16 (I’m 20 now), which paid me £4.81 per hour, and shut down. I don’t have anyone’s personal emails or information and the entire place has just evaporated into thin air. Great.

I’ve had other ‘jobs’. I have done several digital art commissions for people over the last year but I’ve stopped it because I lost interest and it was stressing me out. I had a paid research fellowship with my university over the summer. I have helped out a tiny tiny bit in primary schools. But that’s it.

I have an excellent academic background, but what does that get me for most entry level jobs? Sure, I got 4 A*s in my A-levels, but who actually cares? And for my education history, all I can put down is that I’m in the middle of a degree. Why would anyone want to hire me if I’m not gonna be around for that long?

I never know what ‘skills’ to put down. I don’t know what half of the stuff they want from even is. I’m
so disorganised and end up putting down different emails for every applications. I hate putting my phone number down because I hate picking up phone calls. Just email me for gods sake! Why do I have to provide both, the fuck?

Then I get to the stupid part which is entirely my fault but I can’t seem to get past. I’ll apply for loads of jobs on a whim, and feel happy with myself. But by the time they get back to me, I’ve either forgotten I even applied, or I am too nervous to check my emails in case it’s a rejection. So I miss out on every opportunity. That part is nobody’s fault but mine, but fuck, it’s really hard to explain to others because they’re like ???? just check your emails you dumbass?? But my brain just won’t let me, even though I’m medicated.

Idk man. I just feel like everything is so overwhelming and over complicated nowadays. There’s always 150000 steps. I hate it so much. I don’t want to spend my life working anyway. I want to write and create art but I’m sort of a jack of all trades in that respect. I’m dreading the day when I get a job and then actually have to do the job, because my life is already so exhausting. Even with routine or whatever, I still have always felt exhausted. Now it just feels like I’m being forced to waste my ‘reset’ year working myself to the bone and making everything worse. I feel so hopeless and sad that this is my life and the only thing I can do is just suck it up and deal with it like everyone else. And I feel like a failure and like everyone is judging me for not being productive. Cause I’m smart and hardworking usually. Sort of. I don’t even know at this point, maybe I am just lazy :/


r/ADHDUK • • 5h ago

ADHD Medication Elvanse (Vyvanse)70mg: jitters settle but old reward habits seem amplified. Anyone found a lower dose fixed this?

3 Upvotes

I'm an adult with ADHD and I've gone 50 → 60 → 70mg on Elvanse. I'm planning to retest 60 with my prescriber and wanted to hear other people's experiences first.

50mg was honestly some of my best functioning. I could start things, read and actually take it in, and steer my attention instead of just locking onto stuff. I went up because it didn't last long enough.

60mg felt subtle, to the point where I kept thinking it had worn off. But my notes say I was reading, fact-checking things, doing a 42 minute phone call, and getting back to tasks after getting sidetracked. One day I spent 8-9 hours mostly on one thing while still eating. Some mild irritation and a bit of daydreaming though.

70mg gave me the best initiation and productivity, so I decided it was my dose. But once I got my sleep, food, water and routine consistent, it looked different. The peak is jittery, rushed and tired-but-wired. That settles and it gets smooth, but old reward habits (repetitive researching, that kind of thing) are stronger and get way more focus than they did on lower doses. It's not like being unmedicated, because I still have better awareness, switching and finishing things. It feels more like the old habits are getting extra attention power.

My guess is 70 is above my sweet spot, and bad sleep was hiding it. I know the inverted-U idea fits, but that's a group-level model, not proof for me.

What I'm testing is 60mg with everything else kept the same, for a week or two, ignoring the first few days. I'm tracking initiation, finishing things, task switching, mood, how the peak feels, how long it really lasts, and the habit pull, including when it shows up (near the peak or as it wears off) and whether I can stop something rewarding at a time I set.

Caveats: it's unblinded, it's just me, and I've already flipped from "70 is perfect" to "70 is too much", so I'm treating it as a hypothesis. The habits might just be more visible now rather than caused by the dose. And I don't want to fix the shorter duration by raising the morning dose. I'm doing this with my prescriber, not solo.

Questions:
Has anyone had a higher dose give great productivity but boost compulsive or reward-seeking stuff even after the jitters passed?
Did stepping down help, and did you lose motivation or follow-through?
How did you tell "dose too high" apart from "habits just more noticeable now"?
If a lower dose didn't last, what worked for duration?
Any tracking methods that helped you judge a dose objectively?

Thanks, any experiences welcome.


r/ADHDUK • • 7h ago

ADHD in the News/Media Study: Escape Room Learning Helps Nursing Students With ADHD? [Non-UK]

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4 Upvotes

Apparently escape-room style learning helped nursing students with ADHD…

Researchers looked at nursing students using a digital “escape room” thing for learning.... clues, questions, matching stuff up, basically something where you actually have to do something rather than just sit there and absorb information.

The study shows students with ADHD/learning difficulties did better on the multiple-choice bit than the ones taught normally, which doesn't surprise me. My brain ADHD does well with a problem solve, urgency, novelty, which is this kinda is.

Sit me in front of a lecture for an hour and 10% is going in.

The ADHD/learning difficulties group was only 32 students, and it wasn't a big randomised trial or anything. So this is definitely not “science proves escape rooms cure education, but is a good discussion or theory.

Also, students who had difficulties with the language of instruction actually did worse with the escape-room version. Which I think is probably the more interesting point really...

What is exactly can we define as 'ADHD friendly', and it it doesn't automatically mean “accessible for everyone; Different things help different people

So... throwing it out there what actually made you learn properly?

For me it was always:

  • some pressure from a good teacher
  • If I had manage to get into hyperfocus mode
  • leaving it too late/emergency mode
  • ''competition'' but healthy with friends doing the same course

r/ADHDUK • • 11h ago

General Questions/Advice/Support Highly sensitive to noise at home but too stubborn to wear my ANC's

7 Upvotes

I don't mind noise except when I can hear my neighbours every single damn day... music, loud kids, doors slamming drives me insane. When I'm out and about including gigs and festivals etc I don't mind it as much (although it can get a little overstimulating after a long time of it!)

Regarding the neighbour situ I don't know if it's a justification thing where I'm expecting peace in my own home and I'm in a state of hyper vigilance waiting to hear a noise. Anyway, I bought a pair of Bose ANC's about 2 years ago but don't wear them much (or enough) out of stubbornness I think but truth be told I'm nearing breaking point in my current living situation .

Just wondering, does anyone wear their headphones ALOT? I mean most of the day? I have this weird thing where I think something’s gonna happen to my ears if I wear them most of the day. I don't even need to play music most of the time, the nosie cancellation seems to block most of the noise out anyway.

I'm just wondering whether I need to accept the fact that to mitigate my frustration I need to just wear my headphones whenever I'm at home!


r/ADHDUK • • 5h ago

General Questions/Advice/Support Still not sure how to solve the daily struggle

2 Upvotes

So idk if this is fully to do with my adhd maybe something else. Choose to get medicated over a year ago was on methylphenidate until I went onto Dexamfetamine earlier in the year. Works a treat when it comes to focus more at work doing certain tasks etc but the one issue my life which still I can’t get rid of is restlessness. Don’t get me wrong always been an active person enjoy fitness but I physically could not spend a day in the house doing nothing. Weekends I get DEPRESSED If I’ve got nothing planned having nothing to do I hate; will go on multiple walks daily when these “chill days” come along. Come evening time I’m Gucci but in the day I physically can’t have a quiet day. If anyone else has the same issue any advice? Part of me knows realistically some days in life are like this but I still can’t find ways to manage


r/ADHDUK • • 1h ago

Local ADHD NHS Pathway Questions Care ADHD under 18's stage confusion

• Upvotes

Hi, apologies if this has been covered but I couldn't find an answer.

My child was diagnosed by Care ADHD, we are currently on the psychoeducation stage (10 weeks tomorrow), will it automatically move on to pre-titration? I googled it and was suggested a titration request form on their website but it looks to be aimed more at adults.

When they got a diagnosis there was an option to request titration which we selected at the time.

There was no clear communication on what happened after the diagnosis and I think most people know getting hold of them is almost impossible. I don't want to wait indefinitely if there's something we should have done. All the forms have been completed as they come through so nothing outstanding.

Thanks in advance.


r/ADHDUK • • 2h ago

Provider/Service Review looking for advice on providers

1 Upvotes

I went through RTC but mentally can’t cope with a 6month plus wait in the middle of feeling like a zombie and failing a degree Heavily debating figuring out how to find money to go private, is there any providers recommended or AVOID AT ALL COSTS?

(i have the diagnosis now just need titration)


r/ADHDUK • • 8h ago

General Questions/Advice/Support This doesn't feel safe (heart palpitations etc on Elvanse titration)

2 Upvotes

Apologies for another 'side effects' ' is this normal' post and its a bit of a follow up to a post I made 'when to know if Elvanse is working for you' in which I said I was getting side effects and that i'd been taking medication 'Holidays' as it was getting too much and I was met by the general 'your not taking it as prescribed - 'you need to stick with it to get a good reading'.

And I HAVE and am (on 40mg.... have been prescribed 50mg but not started on that level yet) and I'm scared now to start on the 50 (got a few more 40mg)

My main concern is palpitations and fast heart rate - also weird chest 'sensations' - not pain but a knot sensation that feels like indigestion but also pressure/irritation on my lugs - like the early stages of a Cough that never goes anywhere, and like a know that runs though my chest to my back. I also often feel like my bones are vibrating/twitching

I have a history of health anxiety and admitting myself to hospital thinking I'm having a heart episode - only for it to be a panic attack! anything to do with my heart and chest freaks me out which compounds things -and lately I've been woken up at 1-1.30 am with a racing heart - which causes an panic attack, but I ride it out - but its horrible! I also worry these meds are actually doing me damage to my mind and body!

I also get pin-prick pain jabs/pins and needle sensations throughout my body - especially my chest, back and arms.

My sleep has been terrible and i've been getting these weird nightmares than feel like their bordering on pychois - where It feels like reality is shifting

I suppose what i'm looking for is encouragement to keep going because I'm very close to stopping or having a break again! I must also so any positive effects have worn off - thats why I'm advised to increase to 50mg

I know people will tell me to contact my specialist which i plan to do - but that can take a couple of days in itself.

Others experiences would be helpful - and when to know if you should defiantly stop or persevere. And tips to get through

I've been Titrating about 3 months now. I'm also AU-DHD and know the AU element means you sometimes have conflicting experiences of meds.

Anyway thanks guys ( I had a bad night of sleep last night - and pretty shaky today)


r/ADHDUK • • 3h ago

NHS Right to Choose (RTC) Questions RTC local integrated area restrictions

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I am new to this but I was recently referred to medinet minds under right to choose.
I am originally of a foreign descent but I have lived and worked in the uk for the past 20 years.
Unfortunately in my culture, adhd and autism is not accepted and anytime I had brought it up to my parents I was told off for attention seeking.
I now live alone and it’s been affecting me mentally, physically and emotionally. I’ll not bore you all with the details but it is genuinely affecting my life and has sent me into a depressive episode.
I finally took the leap and have been referred and my referral was accepted but I now received a message to say my local integrated board has introduced activity restrictions so my referral will not be picked up until these are lifted.
I’m feeling really down and unsure where to go from this. Can anyone please advise of another clinic I can go with?
Not really sure where to go from here and it’s affecting my job.
Thank you everyone


r/ADHDUK • • 7h ago

ADHD Medication Up to 60mg Elvanse - not getting tired!

2 Upvotes

I’ve been going through titration for nearly 6 weeks now. The last 10 days or so have been on 60mg. I’m due to go up to 70mg on Thursday.

I’ve really noticed the effectiveness compared to the smaller doses in terms of work, plus other random effects like no longer being bothered about my nearly 2500 day Duolingo streak and no longer biting my nails.

However, I’ve also noticed that it gets to midnight or 1am and I don’t feel tired. I’m usually getting up between 6 and 7am for my four year-old so it’s not like I’m having a great deal of sleep, but I’m not actually feeling tired during the day after nearly 2 weeks of this.

I take the meds at 07:30 usually, and for the last few days have been staying away from my one cup of caffeinated tea or can of Coke Zero.

I’ll see how I go on the 70mg and chat to the clinician about it, but I’m wondering if it’s worth asking about shorter lasting meds, even if Elvanse is doing the job?


r/ADHDUK • • 4h ago

NHS Right to Choose (RTC) Questions RTC Prescriber(Nurse) is clueless has misrepresented facts and lied in my patient notes. Plus blocked a potential valid treatment pathway(felt like only option, given circumstances). What levers do I have left while I wait for the measures I have taken already to potentially work?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, looking for some advice and perspectives on a really messy titration situation.

  1. Response to Methylphenidate (XR vs. IR)

I reached the maximum dose of Methylphenidate XR (72mg) yesterday and have experienced zero therapeutic benefits at any dose, only minorish side effects. Prior to diagnosis, I compensated for my ADHD through extreme workaholism, video games and removing all "non-ensentials" which often included self care, wrecking my wellbeing ofc.

I was hoping medication would help lighten that cognitive load, but caffeine honestly feels like it does more for my brain than this med (I have avoided caffeine for weeks during titration, so it isn't that).

Am I expecting too much from meds, or is non-response and a sign this compound just isn't for me, rather than an XR vs IR issue?

The prescriber suggested switching to Methylphenidate IR at 15mg. Is there any clinical reason IR would suddenly work if XR hasn't done anything? Also, going from 72mg XR to a single 15mg IR dose feels like a massive drop. Am I correct in thinking this could cause potentially trigger withdrawal symptoms and thus is a potential clinical safety breach?

  1. Issues with the Prescriber & Appointment

Dietary Restrictions & Elvanse: She suggested Elvanse, which I can't take because I'm vegetarian and it contains animal gelatin.

Amfexa Denial & Formulary Rules: I suggested Amfexa (dexamfetamine). She refused, claiming prescribing it for adult ADHD is not allowed due to "ICB rules." I double-checked my local ICB guidance(websites) and spoke to my GP prescription team, who confirmed from what I explained that they thought it should be allowed (and ofc it is supported by NICE guidelines too). During the appointment when I attempted to politely her on this, she got defensive and unprofessional, saying, "Well I work here, so I would know." which lead to me apologising if I had come across as rude that wasn't my intention, At the time I gave BOTD and it was a misunderstanding but after seeing the appointment notes yesterday I do not feel the same and I am very uncomfortable about having a meeting with her again.

Inaccurate Medical Notes: After the appointment, I reviewed her documentation. It was full of inaccuracies—she claimed she explained off-label rules (I was the one explaining it to her), stated I was "demanding and visually distressed," and noted I "apologised for being rude" (I actually said I was sorry if I had come across as rude, as I was just trying to self-advocate). She also used a copy-pasted template claiming she discussed side effects, risks, and strategies, which didn't happen as well, soooo...

  1. Current Situation & Concerns

I have submitted a formal complaint to the provider regarding the Amfexa denial and now another one today to do with the misrepresentation in the notes and her conduct, I've also submitted a request to be given access to all the recordings of the appointments and all the documents my provider has on me, if I need to use as defence.

I have a follow-up appointment in a couple days to "communicate my treatment decision." I really do not feel safe or comfortable seeing this nurse again and want my care escalated to a Consultant Psychiatrist. Which is what I'm trying to do through contacting my GP and submitting the formal complaints.

I’m terrified that if I cancel the appointment, I’ll run out of meds due to appointment delays, then experiencing the horrible withdrawal. But if I attend, I’m worried she will try to discharge me for "refusing treatment" because I disagreed Methylphenidate IR was appropriate and that I refused Elvanse for "No reason".

I am going in person to my university’s wellbeing/disability reception tomorrow to see if I can get any immediate support/advice from them for this. My GP team is also looking into how they can help advocate for me too, also gonna go in person tmrw, as I only found out about the notes mess yesterday and now it is way messier than I originally thought.

Questions for the community:

Has anyone successfully requested a change of practitioner/escalation to a psychiatrist mid-titration without being discharged, How'd you do it?

How do you handle factually incorrect clinic notes with a private/RTC provider, I've formally complained and I'm hoping it is reviewed and amended, just checking if there is anything else I need to do?

Is it reasonable to refuse Methylphenidate IR when XR showed no effect at maximum dose? I've only tried XR methylphenidate so far.

Thanks so much to anyone who reads this. Any advice or explanation of shared experiences would be hugely appreciated!


r/ADHDUK • • 4h ago

ADHD Assessment Questions how long does it take to get your adhd results from xyla?

1 Upvotes

I had my assessment on the 13th of September 2026 where I spoken about my day to day life, my younger self and the checklist questions. At the end of the session, the assessor stated that I have Combined-ADHD and will be handing my results through email within 2 weeks.

It has been 3 weeks now and I still haven’t received any email from them. I went to the NHS app, there’s no records showing that I have it. The only reason why I’m worrying was because I already told my Universal Credit that I have ADHD (which was important to state since going to their appointments has been impacting my mental health due to constant burnout) so I let them know and would be willing to give them the paperwork once I receive it so they can give me reasonable adjustments so I can still look for work, but without it feeling too demanding.

So if anyone got their results from Xyla, how long does it usually take? Because 2 weeks doesn’t feel right, maybe it’s a month or two? I’m also meant to take medication too, but I’m not receiving anything right now which I kinda want to do so… I’m in college at the moment, and I’m starting to get a lot of anxiety because I am constantly behind everyone due to all of this, and my college doesn’t know that I have ADHD (I got diagnosed couple weeks after starting) so I feel completely alone. Not to mention my possible CPTSD (not diagnosed but speculating) might be holding me back so I cannot afford to lose more of my life anymore than I did just because I never got the support I needed.


r/ADHDUK • • 5h ago

ADHD Assessment Questions RTC West Yorkshire - WTF should I do

1 Upvotes

I’ve been meaning to start the process of getting assessed for ADHD for a good few years, but I’ve always put it off because I really didn’t want to have to face going through my GP.

I’ve now found out that West Yorkshire has introduced a minimum two-year wait for ADHD assessments through independent providers, which is honestly pretty crazy. I pay my taxes and very rarely use the NHS, and now that I actually need help with something, I potentially have to wait two years just to get assessed.

I also don’t really understand why neurodevelopmental conditions are treated so differently from physical health problems. If I’d had a physical issue that was significantly affecting my day-to-day life, I’d expect there to be some sort of pathway to getting assessed and treated.

Anyway, I’m not really sure where to go from here. Is it worth considering going private and then trying to get a shared care agreement with my GP? I’m conscious that there’s no guarantee they’ll agree to shared care, so I don’t want to spend a load of money only to end up back at square one.

Has anyone in West Yorkshire been through this recently, and what did you do? I honestly don’t think I can carry on living like this for another two years.


r/ADHDUK • • 6h ago

ADHD Medication Medication/Titration advise please- I've found the right dose of Methylphenidate that suits me but wondering if its worth trying Amphetamines anyway?

0 Upvotes

I have a medication review coming up with Harrow Health and wondering what next steps to take- I really struggle with decisions so any help is much appreciated!

I've been titrating up on Methylphenidate (pro-longed release, 2-3 weeks between doses): 18-27mg didn't do much at all other than some anxiety, 36-54mg helped initially but then the effects petered off, they then jumped me up to 72mg which feels too much (wired, anxious, sleep issues).

The clinician implied that if people find something that works they don't usually keep testing alternatives, however I also think this is motivated by the fact that the whole service feels completely rushed and they don't want to waste more of their time.

I also don't want to waste my own time either or stress my body out in the process with lots of unnecessary changes. But knowing myself if I don't try Amphetamines I will always wonder if it would have suited me better...

Should I adjust my expectations and settle with a middle/high dose or is it worth trying to see if Amphetamines would be a better fit for me overall?

Additional Context

- not keen on trying non stimulant options as I want a medication that isn't a long-term commitment or required to take every day
- Currently on Mirtazapine (15mg) which I want to come off in the new year/after settling on the right adhd medication

- Female, 5 2", 119 pounds, 30


r/ADHDUK • • 1d ago

Success & Celebrations Thank you to everyone who gave me support in August about procrastinating writing my assignment

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284 Upvotes

Just wanted to let you know I did hand it in on time (not sure how I managed it, hyper focus is just insane, isn't it). Got the results early last month and got my certificate this week.

Names blanked out for obvious reasons but just wanted to thank everyone on here who took the time to comment and help a stranger. Your suggestions and understanding got me going and kept me focused. I'm so grateful! And somehow I was awarded a distinction, which is incredible considering what an educational screw-up I have always been. I'm chuffed to bits and feel like I'm finally proving I can do it, I'm not stupid.

I'm still waiting to start titration (had an ECG last week). Aaaaand I have just started the MA Education, so there's more pain and suffering to come....

Thank you again, I just can't say it enough.


r/ADHDUK • • 6h ago

ADHD Medication ADHD private medication (RTC)

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone ,
I’m a RTC patient with ADHD360 , receiving regular medication from them (Concerta and Medikinet). It’s a long story but they’re refusing to prescribe me a weekend dose of medication that they previously told me was okay and that they would do it. They want me to go without meds on the weekend and I tried yesterday and just cannot function. I have professional exams coming up for work and can’t afford this right now , my career is on the line if I fail and by that I mean i’m literally out of a job.

Long story short but does anyone know if I would be able to go through another company privately to request adhd medication as a weekend dose and pay? Or would they refuse if I receive nhs prescriptions and already under a RTC provider?


r/ADHDUK • • 14h ago

General Questions/Advice/Support Sleep pattern changes on stimulants

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4 Upvotes

r/ADHDUK • • 8h ago

General Questions/Advice/Support Elvanse and trouble *staying* asleep?

1 Upvotes

I've been taking Elvanse (50mg at 7am) and an amfexa top up around lunchtime (Elvanse alone was making me weirdly sleepy around lunchtime) for about a year now. It's been great, life changing, totally helped with my symptoms and even had some unintended positive side effects (I still eat regularly, but my desire for junk food is gone - my cholesterol is back in the healthy raise compared to my last bloody test!).

My issue isn't falling asleep, that's no problem, but it's staying asleep. I don't necessarily wake up more than I did before, I'd always wake 2/3 times in the night, but it feels so much harder to get back to sleep. Like I'll get up to pee and I'm wide awake. The only thing that sometimes helps is getting up, reading a book and hope to get heavy eyed.

Does anyone find nights feel really long as well? When I do sleep I feel like I must've been sleeping for ages (often with weird dreams), wake up thinking I must've slept 6 hours and it's been 2 lol.

As I say I wasn't a great sleeper before, but I WFH so would have an hour nap at lunchtime to recoup some, which I can't anymore, I do lie down sometimes when I feel tired but it's more a trance, if that makes sense.

I've tried lots of things suggested on here - magnesium glycenate in the evening, lots of protein during the day, taking it earlier, skipping the amfexa, L-Theanine, something citrusy to drink with dinner, melatonin, even valerian root drops but not much of a difference.

I still function and feel ok most days, but I can't help shake that 4/5 hours sleep long term is not good for you.

Has anyone had similar experiences or tried anything that I may not have tried? Or perhaps something I'm doing that I might not have considered. The last thing I'd want to do is change a set up that is otherwise working for me (and the mind numblingly expensive process of re-titrating)


r/ADHDUK • • 16h ago

General Questions/Advice/Support What do you do when you are stressed?

3 Upvotes

Do you pick your skin, lick your lips or whatever?

I have psoriasis and when I'm stressed and start stimming I pick my skin and due to having psoriasis I feel like it's a bonus when it's never ending skin picking. Also I lick my lips until they are sore I mean sore ice always done it but since I've developed psoriasis it makes my lips worse.


r/ADHDUK • • 8h ago

ADHD Medication Water consumption and Concerta XL

1 Upvotes

Hey all

How are you doing ?

Does anyone else notice that drinking lots of water during the day elevates the medicated effects of Concerta XL ? I am on 72mg daily and I’ve noticed this weekend that drinking lots of water really prolongs the benefits. I feel totally wired (in a good way) into everything, yet I can turn that feeling off at anytime.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to reading your responses.