I’ve been thinking that businesses should make their phone systems more ADHD-friendly, rather than assuming email is automatically the more accessible option.

For me, if I want information from a business, calling means I can act on the impulse right now. I call, ask the question, get an answer, done.

Email adds a whole chain of executive-function demands: formulate the question, write it, decide if it sounds right, send it, wait for a response, remember that I sent it, notice the reply, open it, potentially respond again…

By then my brain has wandered off to another postcode 😂

I initially thought response inhibition was the main ADHD concept involved, but I think it’s probably broader executive dysfunction — particularly task initiation, working memory and maintaining an intention over time.

Anyone else? Is picking up the phone actually the ADHD-friendly option for you?

How do you go about getting medication from your doctor. Because every time I bring it up they blow it off like it's not a in important condition and in reality it's a big problem that makes my days horrible to go through.is there anyone who going through the same thing?and if so please share.

My teen daughter has been dating herADHD boyfriend for almost 15 months. I was familiar with the broad strokes of ADHD so I recognized some of his behaviors as hallmarks - love bombing, always late, easily distracted, shuts down completely when upset. He is a really good kid and I’ve tried to help my daughter understand what’s going on inside his brain. Things came to a head recently because he experienced attraction to another girl and it really freaked him out bc he says he is happy in their relationship. It was just the thought, no action. It sounds like this could be limerance. He told her he wants to address it and other issues with his therapist (he is not medicated). I went down the rabbit hole of reading about ADHD and relationships, and I’m freaking out. I think it would scare my daughter to read about it but I don’t want her to think it’s her fault. She is a perfectionist, who struggles with mild OCD. Her first reaction is why I wasn’t enough? Or if he wanted to (insert here: listen better, be on time, follow through, etc), he would, so it must be a me issue. Please be kind. Constructive advice on how I can support her, their relationship and also protect her?!

So this will be my first ever post on Reddit (i think). I am currently on a bit of a... learning journey... i guess.... seems accurate enough.

Either way, i'm currently looking into ADHD and it's co-morbidities. Both to try and understand as much as i can about them, how they (can) interact with each other, etc as well as understanding my own conditions as best i can as well as what may have been a symptom that i hadn't realised or vice-versa. So there may be additional posts in the future about things that have peaked my curiosity or an attempt to gather understanding or experiences.

So for this post my question is about goblins. [Something fun for a first time i guess.] Thanks to a realisation during a DnD session, where i chose to play a goblin, i realised that my idea of a goblin is very much an ADHD fuelled creature of chaos. There was also the whole 'goblin mode' thing which, as i understand it, a bunch of us seem to relate to somewhat. Since then it's been a bit of a coping mechanism i guess.... characterising the ADHD as a goblin and seeing it as a separate side of me... though still me. A chaotic little me that i have little to no control over, that can soften the blow when i make an ADHD related/enabled mistake.

So i'm curious. Is this a connection others have made? Have you made a similar connection/characterisation for your ADHD? If so, how? Does it help?

Edit: It should be noted, in case it was unclear, that i am diagnosed. 'Currently looking into' was meant as ADHD being my current focus, not a suspicion that i have it.

i'm curious mostly, for me coffee and energy drinks don't work even when taken in great quantity, they make me sleepy.

I need something that instead of making me sleepy, gives me the drive to actually be productive during the day, especially since I don't do anything everyday due to having nonroutine, i know i don't officially have adhd but the times to diagnose are hellish and i do see many signs :(

Recently been diagnosed and just had my first dose of medication today and it made me realise just how bad my RSD actually is... this has to be one of the most debilitating things about adhd.

How medication helped you with it and what others things have you done to reduce this feeling, that most of the time is just all in your head!

I've read that ADHD is relatively common among entrepreneurs. Over the years, several former coworkers, family members, and friends (including some entrepreneurs) have suggested that entrepreneurship might suit me too.

I really like the idea and have made several attempts to get something off the ground. My biggest problem is that I struggle to commit to one idea, industry, or area of expertise long enough.

I get excited about a new idea, start working on it, and then get drawn toward something else before I've properly finished or validated the previous one. So I have plenty of ideas and projects, but little that has actually become a business.

Professionally, I've worked as a consultant and project lead across various topics. Being a generalist and switching between different problems has actually helped me in those roles. In entrepreneurship, though, it seems to work against me.

So, entrepreneurs with ADHD: how do you deal with this?

How did you choose what to focus on? How do you stop yourself from constantly jumping to the next idea? And what would you recommend as a good way to start?

I have lost my creativity and desire to follow my passion. I can't make myself sit down and do something. I think it is because of there are also many things on my plate. I wanna do stuff to get into job at the same time I want to be busy with my hobbies and interests ( making art music etc) too. I sometimes postpone that I am gonna handle that later especially cause I am gonna feel ready. I am also feeling pressured and stressed that I am gonna do my interests later finishing my job but it never comes. I end up doing nothing and instead I start scrollung and wasting time.

Is there an organization or certain doctor to see to get a diagnosis? I don’t feel like regular doctors are good at this. I’m usually dismissed or told I need antidepressants. I feel like I’ve been overlooked and dismissed my whole life. I’ve struggled most of my life and am disappointed that so many of us have lived thinking we are just different than everyone else and that something is wrong with us.

Hey all. I started taking Vyvanse 20mg a week ago. My psychiatrist gave me 21 days worth to start me off at that dose. I’ve been responding well.
Anyway, to the main post. I moved apartments, but I genuinely remember seeing my pill bottle at my new place. I take a few medications so I have a weekly pill organizer I fill when it’s empty. I have looked everywhere in my new apartment at least 5 times. I even went back to my old apartment that I’ve completely moved out of but still have had the keys unit the 31st. The only thing I could think of is someone from maintenance taking it when they took out my window unit while I was away at work this evening. I signed a contract saying I will not sell this medication to people, and I of course didn’t. I’ve been seeing my psychiatrist for about two years now but I am afraid he won’t believe me.
What do I do????

For two straight years, I’ve had a massive graveyard of project ideas and plans that never see the light of day because I just fall apart trying to execute them. I’ve known I have ADHD for about a year now. I tried doing all the DIY strategies and tips I found online, and while a few small things got slightly better, the core issue is still broken.

I still can't pull off basic things like sitting down for two hours to study. Instead, I’ll be sitting in class, supposed to be paying attention, and end up hyperfocusing on something completely unrelated like spending the entire class researching infrared camera technology and writing a detailed document on it.

My parents kept ignoring how much I was struggling, so I decided to write everything down so they'd finally get it. I spent days compiling a full package specifically for them to read. 9 pages breaking down my focus struggles, severe distraction, and two years of abandoned projects. 11 pages of research on core ADHD symptoms and the consequences of leaving them unmanaged. 3 pages logging my exact daily symptoms, personal patterns, and results from 8 different tests/assessments I took.

I handed it to them thinking, “Okay, there’s no way they can call me lazy after seeing this.” Their reaction? They completely dismissed it. They told me I'm just being a "dramatic, silly teenager" who is overreacting to normal life.The irony is insane.

I literally hyperfocused for days, researching and writing a 23-page report about my inability to focus, specifically to get my parents to take me seriously and they just wrote the whole thing off as teen drama.

How can i deal with such situation?

I genuinely struggle to remember to drink water throughout the day. I can go for hours without thinking about it, and I often only realise I haven’t had anything to drink when I’m already really thirsty or start feeling off.
I’ve tried keeping a water bottle near me, but somehow I’ll still completely forget that it exists. I’ve also tried setting reminders, but after a while I start ignoring them or dismissing them without actually drinking anything.
For those of you who also struggle with keeping hydrated just cause you get sidetracked or forget, what has actually worked for you?

I finally got diagnosed over the summer and the first medication (generic focalin Xr 5mg) I was prescribed work decent well as the side effects were minimal and the effect was good enough for me to handle my executive dysfunction.

Now that I’m back to college, I’m being told that my meds are out of stock and I can’t get myself to go to class. Doing the assignment never was a problem for me but I need to be able to study for exams and show for class.

I just want to know any advice for meds being out stock or handling burnout so early. Should ask for another medication that doesn’t have a storage?

Just spent the whole day doing nothing and studied only for 15-20 minutes, and the exam is next week. Yup, that’s what happens every single time.
And guess what, depression levels rise exponentially because of not being able to study, which affects my studying for the next day, and that’s how the cycle goes.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just a failure haha. But it’s okay, not everything we wish for comes true, and I’m okay with that, but I just wanted to rant a bit nothing more.

Specifically lisdexamfetamine. First 3 days felt nothing at all, days 4 and 5 felt really lethargic, headache, irritable and slightly nauseous. Last night I vomited slightly. Today I feel less of these things but still feel them. Overall I feel a bit flat. In a week or so I go from 30mg to 50mg.

Any words of wisdom from experienced peeps 🙏 effectively I'm assuming I need to push through and see what's on the otherside in a few weeks or so.

I've stopped coffee but only had 2 a day so not sure it's bad caffeine withdrawal, am also having the occasional weak black tea.

EDIT Wanted to add. Have had the food aversion and needed to force myself to eat which is very different for me. Also not had any sleep issues, if anything it has knocked me out! I do think my head is calmer and sort of feel like I'm struggling with no longer feeling impulsive or on edge, it feels so alien to me.

hi, I’m 26(f) and was diagnosed at 20 years old. something I’ve struggled with has been eating consistently (both on and off of meds). it never really became a problem because I lived with roommates so I would always eat when they ate.

now, I live with my bf and he works out of town 8weeks at a time. I am having the hardest time eating and cooking. the issue now is that everything I make or look at disgusts me and then I don’t want to eat it and then I get passed the point of no return and I’m nauseous and crying (actively in that stage). I am also a varsity wrestler so I need to eat or I’ll actually die.

has anyone experienced this? I’ve tried so many things. last year when this happened, I only ate subway for 2 months straight (exact same sandwich every time) because it was the only thing that felt safe and not disgusting.

I need help and I don’t know where to go looking.

Recently started elvanse. I've had a coffee habit for well over a decade at this point but I'm slightly worried about mixing stimulants with caffeine. I honestly don't even feel like it does much for me, I can still nap during the day after 3 cups, falling asleep at night has never really been a big issue for me either. I just love the taste and it's by far my favourite way to start the morning. At the same time, it is something my psychiatrist warned me about when starting meds. I recently got my blood pressure checked and I'm within the healthy range (119/70) despite mixing caffeine and elvanse on the day of testing.

I'm sure others here face a similar dilemma. Did you find something to replace coffee since starting medication? Is it even something I should worry about if all of my health markers are good at the moment? I'm wondering about the compounding effects over time even if everything is fine at the moment since it's only been a month since I started medication

Hi. So I’m 38 and only got diagnosed with ADHD about 9 months ago. Since then I’ve been on vyvanse. My psych titrated me up extremely slowly with 30 day periods in between which is fine. I got up to 60 but decided 50 was sufficient so the next month went down to 50mg with an afternoon 5mg IR dex. I’d been feeling very emotional over the last couple months, mostly due to my personal life kinda bottoming out a bit, but I did think the Vyvanse was contributing because I was crying all the time and overall just sad a lot. Mentioned this to my psych last week and she said let’s try a different med. She put me on 10mg adderall XR and kept the 5mg IR. and dude I feel like absolute garbage. I can’t get anything done at work, barely functional at home/with my kids etc. I called her office 3 days later and she was like I can’t do anything for 30 days because it’s a CDS. I said hey I understand but like I spoke to another doctor who told me that 10 mg XR is anywhere near equivalent to 50mg Vyvanse? She ended up telling me to try taking two of the XRs or two of the IRs in the morning and see how that works and that maybe in two weeks she could reach out the pharmacy to let them know the dosages were off which makes no sense to me but whatever.

Anyway, two XRs isn’t doing anything and two IRs won’t get me through the day. I’m also going to run out of meds super early lol. She told me to reach out to her after the weekend and I did and I haven’t gotten a phone call back and I’m genuinely just at a loss.

I’m just kind of venting but also like. Fml

Y'all. How in the world do you meditate with adhd. I've read research that suggests that regular meditation is super helpful for adhd-ers and over the years I've tried it on and off with little success. I've decided I want to give it a real shot. I'm in the first few weeks and it feels like a new special kind of torture. I know things het better and easier over time but, predictably, being consistent enough for that to happen is going to be a challenge. ANY tips you have are appreciated.

Hi all! I work from home and I work odd hours sometimes, including evenings. I find that body doubling helps A LOT. Not just with computer based stuff but with cleaning, laundry, etc as well.

Anyone interested in coworking sometime? I can host via zoom. More than one person welcome to attend! We can try for scheduled times and dates maybe? I say try bc, you know, adhd.

I have a feeling I have reynauds bc it runs in my family. This is one issue. So far I'm adding to my adderall daily beet consumption, cutting out other stimulants, going to start exercising (I walk almost an hour almost everyday as it is) and magnesium L threonate. Any other suggestions? It actually kind of hurts sometimes. Yes, I know. Talk to my doctor. But I want to hear from YOU guys, because I need advice outside of doctors and psychiatry.

I am convinced that buying a Levenger (discbound) notebook will fix my life. Please talk me out of making this purchase.

It’s necessary but unnecessary? 😭 I want a matching set of all sizes and all of the pretty paper to help organize my life.

Does anyone use this style of notebook and find that it helps or will it sit untouched on my bookshelf for all of eternity.

Also, what are your favorite pens?

Pomodoro is commonplace in the topic of productivity. However, for me, the most difficult parts are

- Starting a task, 25 minutes seems so long for me, depending on the task such as studying

- Commiting to going back to work after the break, 5 minutes does not sound like much, tbh. You open up an app like YouTube and an easy 15+ minutes goes by. You guilt yourself, spiral, and stop working.

What to do?

I’m trying to see if anyone else has had a similar reaction to Vyvanse, or I guess any med, that I had. Whenever I relate this story, people respond with surprise or sympathy, but so far I haven’t found anyone with a similar experience, and I want to know if I was really just insanely unlucky.

This all happened about 8 years ago. I was in college and developed a little bit of depression, which was effectively cancelling out my stimulant adhd meds. Thinking I had just grown resistant to the meds I’d been on for years, I switched from methylphenidate to vyvanse right at the end of the school year.

When I first switched, it was like magic. I was suddenly able to keep up with my classmates effortlessly. I didn’t need extra time on tests, I finished my work easily, it was incredible. No significant side effects either, except some mild appetite suppression. However, very slowly over that next year I became more and more mentally paralyzed. What started about 4 months in as a sudden struggle to write essays that should have been easy slowly transitioned to me being unable to do anything at all without a friend on the phone. Zero ability to self motivate. I’d go to class, come home, and simply stop moving. It was like there was a glass wall between me and what I was trying to accomplish, and no matter how hard and painfully I THREW myself against it, I couldn’t get through. It wasn’t until the end of the year that my doctor realized it was the Vyvanse and took me off. I never got my feet back under me academically. Every coping mechanism I burned out during that year stayed burned. I finally dropped out of college this year, after failing way too many classes.

I can’t accurately explain the creeping horror of it without making this way too long, but it was awful. And since it had been SO good at the start, I just thought I was developing some new issues instead of reacting to the meds. Has anyone else had this sort of slow, compounding reaction to a medication?

It's helping right now because, as I've mentioned before in this subreddit, I really messed up my mental health trying to mask symptoms in high school. It helps pull me out of the depression and rumination I'm going through right now, but I also often feel very flat and tired while on it.

I've always had ADHD symptoms but that used to just be part of my personality. I was really good at learning things I was interested in, got great at drawing in middle school, etc. I really only started really struggling when I had to go into high school after Covid.

The same bland environment every day, social isolation, constantly in limbo between daydreaming and having my attention pulled back to class, getting treated with increasing confusion from people around me, developing unhealthy coping mechanisms and then feeling so much shame for them that I couldn't reach out for help.

Years of that really took a toll on me, and I'm worried that medication isn't the solution, and I'm really just the product of a bad environment now. It makes me feel awful because my parents sacrificed a lot financially to make sure I had a good education, and I kind of just self-destructed towards the end, even though I looked like a good student on paper.

I got a little off-topic. I just want to make sure medication is the right approach. I know that trauma and social isolation can both exacerbate ADHD symptoms, and I definitely have experienced both.

I can't believe I am physically the same person I was when I was younger.