I am new here. How do I do it, what should I be doing, noticing or changing?

I was diagnosed as a child (one or two years after my twin brother) in grade 3 and have been medicated ever since. I started off with Concerta, moved to Ritalin 10mg once in the morning and I am currently on Ritalin 20mg LA one in the morning. I was enrolled into a remedial school where there were therapists on staff for kids until grade 6, if I remember correctly they were speech therapists, occupational therapists, remedial and psychology. I did see three of the four but I was never taught ways to live with my ADHD other than with medication.

I am currently 21 and in university (online), and I have no idea what I am doing. I don't know how to tell if my medication is working for me or what side effects I am getting from it.

So I guess my question is, how do I do it? How do I notice what side effects occur and when, or what changes are happening, and what exactly am I supposed to be seeing?

All I know is that when I do take my medication, my appetite decreases or vanishes all together. I take my medication only when I do any school work, and sometimes it feels like that isn't enough, but I don't know if that is actually the case or if I am being paranoid.

There is also the thing with being overwhelmed or overstimulated, and I think I have experienced them, but I am not sure because I don't know how to tell if I am overwhelmed or overstimulated.

I have done some reading, but I don't know how to tell when or if I am experiencing what is listed or talked about.

So if anyone could help me with advice on how to figure this out, it would be most appreciated.

[BlessedLady]

Look for a psychologist or therapist in your area. When you call for a appointment. You can ask if they specialize in ADHD. Unfortunately, somethings the only way to know is to see one for a while.

To find out some side effects of your medication. Put Ritalin LA side effects in Google.

[Hidden in reply to BlessedLady]

Thank you I will definitely try that.

[writer35]

Hey there! I love your question and I can relate to it. Even up to my late 30s, I wasn't sure when I was experiencing a "normal" amount of stress or whether I was overstimulated and overwhelmed. Sometimes I found out when a colleague gave me feedback that I was being really intense and the stress was coming off me in waves...which set me on a rejection sensitivity spiral. 😑

If you are not already seeing a therapist, that's my first recommendation - support from a professional. Three other things that helped identify my own limits (and so notice the overwhelm/overstim and interrupted it): mood logging/tracking, "body scans" which is really just noticing what sensations are occurring in your body from head to toe, and learning to self-soothe. How much do you tune into your body and emotions throughout the day? It can be so helpful to pause, notice what's going on - chest is tight, stomach is clenched, breathing is shallow, okay let's figure out what's going on. What am I feeling right now? Why might that be? And what can I do to self-soothe? My go to for a long time was hot showers, because it physically changed my environment, felt lovely, and my thoughts tend to dissipate.

Apps that I use to support this: Youper (my favorite) to track emotions and get some light CBT support, Sanvello to understand my anxiety triggers, and Reframe (alcohol/sobriety support but TONS of brain science stuff). They are all paid apps but they may have a student discount. For free things, I look for social media accounts that deal with these topics and that way I'm getting tips and reminders to pause directly in my normal feed.

I'll leave the side effects question to others as I have not yet used medication to manage. Wishing the best for you.

[NYCmom2]

I agree with the recommendations above: engaging in therapy, meditation etc.

I’ll add one more thing: mind body connection and spatial awareness exercises like pilates, yoga or similar.

[75ADHDgal]

First of all if you do not have a therapist get one. Psychiatrist do not do therapy anymore they only do mediation management. second anorexia is not a good thing so seems like you need a different medication. Have you considered Wellbutrin. It is an antidepressant with an off label use for ADHD . For me it was the best medication I was ever on.but unfortunately I developed an allergy to it and I can't take anhy stimulant medication due to a cardiac abnormality.

Suggest also an adult ADHD support group , Yoga and meditation