New ADHD diagnosis

[Prettypinkfrog]

Hi I’ve been newly diagnosed (kinda, I told my doctor that I thought I had adhd and he did a test then prescribed me Ritalin) so ive been taking it for almost three weeks and I’m having a bit of a crisis at the moment because although it has helped me focus and regulate I no longer feel like my same bubbly self that I was before. I’ve been feeling depressed for the past few weeks as well. Reaching out to see if anyone else has gone through this and if It gets better. At this point I’m ready to throw my medication down the drain and deal with my adhd the way I had been my entire life (not very well, I’ve suffered with substance abuse my entire life ex. Food addiction, alcohol abuse, drug abuse)

[SunflowerFae]

I've recently been diagnosed myself and my psychiatrist started me on Adderall instead of ritalin. There are several medications available now that can help treat ADHD. Let your doctor know about increased depression (mine screens for increased and depression and anxiety symptoms every time I do a med recheck). Don't give up on meds right away maybe that's just not the right one for you, but do communicate how the meds make you feel with your doctor.

[sunflower2019]

I can 100% relate to everything you are going through with the medication. I have tried a few different adhd medications...vyvanse, concerta and adderall. I have never been on ritalin but i think they all pretty much work in the same manner. I am currently on adderall right now and i have days where i feel good & other days where I either do not feel like I took any medications or i feel good for a few hours and then crash and the depression/anxiety kicks in. I am following up with my doctor next week. Hoping to make some changes.

What dose did she start you off on? are you on any other medications? like an antidepressant?

[Prettypinkfrog in reply to sunflower2019]

I started on a lower dose 27mg then I was thinking it might be too high but I was inconsistent with them. Now I’m on 18mg and I am on no other medication.

[HowCome in reply to Prettypinkfrog]

I know its a pain, but shouldn’t you be taking the dose your doctor gave you, or agreeing reductions with him/her?

In the UK, my experience has been that my general doctor (GP) won’t prescribe meds, until i’ve been settled on a dose by a psychiatrist, (and also because the psychiatrist makes a full assessment, to make a diagnosis - the GP won’t touch that).

I’ve been struggling this week, i think because my period is due.

I also struggle when I struggle, if you know what I mean.... not being able to focus and get things done frustrates me, and the emotions then get in the way.

I have been depressed and anxious before, but that somehow more pervasive than where I personally am at the moment - the ADHD discovery i made for myself lifted some of the weight of guilt & shame, and i think has helped me clarify depression and anxiety from ADHD symptoms, somehow. Depression was much more of a cloud that affected all my social interactions,

for example, whereas I might be feeling low when I approach a social event (even just visit my parents yesterday!), in trying to get organised and ending up being late and annoyed with myself, but once I get there, it blows through, and I can be present and enjoy the company. When i’ve been depressed or anxious, that has somehow sat with me through most visits, meals and social moments.

Sorry, probably rambling.

Good luck!