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[Elphaba-]

Hello! I am SO grateful I found this site! I am an adult with ADHD, and was diagnosed in childhood. I was treated with behavioral therapy methods and tutors/assistance with learning disabilities until college. Medication was stigmatized in my family, so that wasn't an option for me. My ADHD and learning disabilities did not accompany me to college, they just sort of vanished, because we never addressed or spoke of them the day I moved into the freshman dorms. I began what would be a 15 year war with myself, fighting against things I could not, for the life of me, figure out. I developed a dangerous inner drive that helped me accomplish great things, but I was also always carrying a huge weight inside me, that I eventually came to believe was a punishment for being a bad person. 2017 was the year I learned that weight was undiagnosed and untreated mental illness. Things are so much better now, but it will be a lifelong journey, of course. I finally started getting treated with medication last year for my ADHD, along with learning new skills and tools. Since I have other mental illnesses, my ADHD has been pushed aside more than it should, and I find myself saying it isn't that bad...I can handle this...I am being a baby...Oh boy, that can only last for so long, and here I am, feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and angry with ADHD. I strongly feel like I need a medication adjustment. I have been on the same brand and dose for 6 months, and I can't seem to be able to voice my needs and thoughts to my doctor. I go in Friday, and I am so afraid I will sit there and lie that I am doing just fine. I have so much trouble asking for help, and advocating for myself. I am afraid my doctor will brush it off, or say my difficulties have nothing to do with my medication. Does anyone here have any advice or experience with ways to communicate feelings to the doctor? I have spent the last 6 months doing anything and all I can to alleviate my ADHD symptoms with diet, exercise, meditation, more sleep, less sleep, no exercise, break from work, work, structured busy schedule, down time, riding my horse, journaling...guys, I have hit the wall and then some. I am desperate. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and I wish you all the best.

[glitterpidgeon]

Oops sorry this is probably late

I find self advocating is hard too. I feel like I always mess everything up if I try to to generally explain things, so I usually try to bring in all my concerns written down. I try to include statements on what is working, how symptoms are impacting my life, and what I need to have change. Basically my strategy is to present the whole thing like I’m a lawyer arguing a case to a judge lol.

Anyway, I hope your apt went ok! You deserve to have a medical therapy that helps you live your best life, and if your dr dismisses your symptoms or brushes off your concerns they are totally in the wrong to do so.

[Elphaba- in reply to glitterpidgeon]

That’s exactly what I ended up doing! I was able to get my medication changed. Thanks so much for your reply!

[glitterpidgeon in reply to Elphaba-]

I’m so glad!

[srwilhelm in reply to Elphaba-]

As a fellow adult ADHD-er I am so proud reading this.

Take your self-advocacy into the medication changing process. Different compounds have different half lives and it might take time before you see significant change. drugs.com is a good resouce if you are in the US for information about a compound. You got this!

[Lovinit]

It’s nice to hear how active you are. It sounds like you are making good choices in your life. As for the doctor understanding you, I have seen for many years been afraid of talking to a doctor because I was afraid of not communicating what I needed and them understanding and probably treating me. I met a really bad psychologist who I didn’t trust and I don’t believe she had any trust in me. So I found a different psychiatrist and man, has he changed my life for the better. Finally felt like I have someone that understands me and my condition.