Struggling with overuse of Ritalin and then running out a week to soon. That means I am without meds for one week every month and totally miserable and screwed up.
Can't get day started almost every day and time management is nonexistent. Really need help getting control of this mess.
I highly recommend the calendar app and a task app, like g task. try to schedule everything you do. exercise and a good diet helps too. I try not to eat sugar and I try not to eat gluten or dairy. Make sure you get a good source of protein and healthy fat.
You definitely want to resolve the overuse situation - and, as soon as possible. Your use of the term "spiral" in your posting title is apt. Something like this can spiral if you are not careful. Best thing to do in a spiral is catch it early, identify what is behind it and make changes so that the spiral changes from a "viscous cycle" to a "virtuous cycle."
What is at the root of the overuse issue? Is it because you feel the Ritalin is not effective and are thus trying to boost it? Or is it a temptation/willpower issue - you find yourself struggling with something difficult and feel tempted to take more in the hope that it will resolve the stress of the moment?
If it is because you feel that it is not effective - the issue might be the dosage. That would be something you would want to talk to your provider about.
If it is a willpower issue, talk to your provider about the possibility of switching to an extended release medication. With that, you simply take one dose is the morning and the medication is coated so that it releases additional additional dosages at intervals throughout the day.
As for getting started - medication won't get you started. Only YOU can get you started. What medication can do is reduce the barriers that make getting started more difficult. People who are NOT ADHD also struggle with getting started. It is just that ADHD people often have obstacles to getting started on top of the ones that "normal" people struggle with.
As for time management - that is ultimately a SKILL. Plenty of non-ADHD people struggle with time management as well. A non-ADHD person who has not learned or figured out good time management skills is not going to be very effective at managing time. The difference between that person and a person with ADHD is that ADHD can make exercising those skills difficult. So one thing an ADHD person can do is learn/figure out time management skills that work around the effects of their ADHD. Medication can also reduce some of the barriers that make exercising good time management skills difficult.
Bottom line is that medication can only do so much. It can calm your brain and help you with your focus. But you still need to learn skills such as time management, how to set goals, how to motivate yourself/overcome a lack of motivation, how to manage your emotions, etc.
There are a LOT of resources you can find online in terms of such life skills - some of them directed to an ADHD audience and others directed to a wider audience. I recommend taking advantage of both. ADHD people struggle with the same challenges that non-ADHD people struggle with. ADHD just adds a layer of complexity to the equation. Online resources are a great first place to go in order to pick up tips on how to deal with "low hanging fruit" that you can easily fix with effort on your own. Other things might be more difficult to do on your own - so if you can find a GOOD coach or counselor who you feel good about, that might be a good investment if you can afford it. Fixing things that you can on your own through online resources and books can free up coaching time to focus on the more challenging things.
I agree with 78rpm .
What encourages you decide to take more Ritalin than you were prescribed, and have you spoken to your medical management about it?
Sorry for the slow reply, but I have ADHD (lol).
We were building a big beautiful new home and I am very handy, so I spent every weekend doing much of the smaller stuff on the build to save money. This went on for a year, during which time I found myself running out of steam (sleeping 4 hours on weekends to get more done on the house). Somehow it occurred to me that Ritalin is helpful (although a terrible idea) in staying awake and energized. That somehow started an unhealthy cycle of over use. I am a disabled vet (Malaria four times in seven years in the Marine Corps) and have free healthcare as a result, but back then I was using my wife's work provided insurance instead of the VA. When she no longer needed to work, I transitioned to meds through the VA and very innocently (at first) was getting scripts from the private doctor as I had for years, but then had the VA script start to overlap. To be honest, I was unaware at first that this was a huge no-no legally and was thrilled to finally "have enough meds". A pharmacist explained the legal problem with that activity and that it could land me in prison, so I stopped immediately. Ever since then (for about 10 years now) I have found excuses to take more per day throughout a months supply and then spend the five to seven days without any meds. I created a bad habit and feel trapped now.
I don't mention the problem to my Dr. at the VA because I fear them stopping the script altogether. This may be a paranoid idea, but loosing my prescription has me terrified since I have grown to be so damn dependent on it. I am otherwise a very intelligent and rational person, but for some reason the Ritalin has me in a sort of bondage.
Every month I swear I will only take 4 pills (20mg each) in a day and no more. In fact today is day one since I just received a refill this morning. If I am honest, I wont take only 4 by bed time. It makes me feel ashamed and week.
Hi middle
I feel for you,I use to over use Ritalin bascically when I was having a pretty bad time and wanted to give my self that extra high.also with the Ritalin at the end of the day or when Ritalin runs out its like hitting a bloody brick wall and you just stop your feelings go down.
I switched to a med called lisdexamfetamine,it’s called a different name in USA.
It’s a modified release tablet which runs through the day for 10-14 hrs with lot less highs and lows.plus you don’t hit a brick wall.i would call it a smooth landing running out just in time for bed time
Wish you luck I hope this helps
I am in the same boat and open to hearing More helpful information from people who have faced similar challenges
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