Adhd treatment advices

[ata95]

Hey everyone.

I'm looking for advices on coping with adhd other than medications. Like what was helpful for your experience coping with it and what was not. I am looking forward to hear your experiences on this.

[sjayer]

Meditation has been a gamechanger for me!! It helps with slowing down my heartrate and anxious thoughts, which really helps with emotion regulation. It also clears my head a bit, which helps a ton with the executive dysfunction piece. Exercise is also really huge. Going on a jog/run/walk outside can help me later focus on schoolwork. Exercising helps produce the chemicals that we ADHDers lack. But finding any type of exercise you enjoy most and then doing it consistently is key!! I hope this helps : )

[ata95 in reply to sjayer]

Thank you so much for your response it is very helpful for me to hear others experiences

[WhirlyByrd]

Why do you want to not use medication? Are there side effects? I’m asking because I know some feel guilty because of the stigma of ADHD medications and am simply wondering if you have adverse symptoms or feel some shame. I do take medication myself, I’m very high on the spectrum though. For me its like I feel “normal” instead of numb and uninterested.

But even with medication we are still ADHD, so I’ve been learning coping skills. I journal a lot now, about the day and how I feel, that lets out emotions kind of like venting does.

I also found a hobby that uses my hands and my brain which is good for ADHD.

[ata95 in reply to WhirlyByrd]

Thank you for your response.No, I'm already on medication. Using concerta for 3 days (since the diagnosis) and planning to keep using according to my doctor's suggestions if i don't face with any side effects.

But i know it is not the cure. It is only a useful tool to be productive or "normal"

This is why I'm looking for some other and maybe more sustainable ways or tools to suppress my ADD and impulsiveness.

I'm a 25 years sophomore in a physics department and having really hard times to survive...

The worse side is i am planning to stay in academy and keep on masters, phd etc..

With this disorder un-controlled, i have no chance staying alive in this department.

So i will need a lifelong solution to be able to survive. I don't want to use a drug for my entire life. This is why I am looking for some other alternative (and more sustainable) ways to deal with my add.

[WhirlyByrd in reply to ata95]

You need help on focusing for long periods of time, not needing to move or do something else, not getting distracted, and remembering as much as you can. medication is the biggest difference but I’ve never had Concerta, I dont know how that one works. But tell your doctor if its helping or not. I take Adderall myself, it works until it tapers off. We found out that I metabolize it really quickly and we finally found the right dosage and schedule to last me to about dinner time. So be honest about how it is or is not working. It takes time to find what works for each individual. Do you feel like your classes and assignments are boring?

Also, I watch “How to ADHD” on youtube. There’s a lot of info there and will lead to more info from others specialists or coaches.

[Birdwatcher19]

Aside from medication, regular exercise and getting enough sleep have the biggest positive impact on my symptoms. Also, I’ve found coaching to be helpful in terms of learning strategies to help with planning/organization and providing accountability. A therapist familiar with ADHD can also help with this, but they can be hard to find. (If you can find one, though, it may be covered by insurance; coaching generally isn’t.) Therapy (particularly CBT) can be helpful if you are also experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Practicing mindfulness and journaling have also helped me at points, though to a lesser degree. Supplements and modifications to your diet (cutting out/reducing grains, dairy, and sugar) can also play a role and may also help mitigate some of the side effects of medication. “Delivered from Distraction” by Ned Hallowell and “Taking Charge of Adult ADHD” by Russell Barkley give good broad overviews of how to manage symptoms. “Finally Focused” by James Greenblatt will give you ideas on more natural ways to treat ADHD, including suggested supplements. Books by Dr. David Perlmutter (“Brain Maker,” “Grain Brain”) will help you understand how certain foods may affect your symptoms. “Spark” by Dr. John Ratey (psychiatrist with ADHD) talks about optimizing exercise for brain function. Additude magazine is a terrific resource for learning about all things ADHD. Good luck!

[Shnookie]

Hi it’s Shnookie. Cognitive behavior therapy helps. It helps takes an issue that is bothering U and where U might catastrophize and U learn how to break down the issue so it doesn’t seem so scary. Deep breathing and if possible lie down and turning on peaceful music U like and then have positive visualization. Tho still doesn’t mean that U might not get for example acid reflux but it can can help to a great extent. Hugs 🤗 S