ADHD without medications

[Cotton_candy91]

hello there , I’m in my 30’s and I have diagnosed with ADHD 8 years ago I have struggled with my studies since I was a child unfortunately I was always thinking that I have some issue like I’m stupid or less smart than the others around me ! It didn’t help also because my family were always bullying me for not knowing how to do some math homework’s and other stuff , anyways now it’s been almost 3 years I’ve been doing some meditating and focusing on my energy to remain calm and focused, it helped me a lot with my work ! Not all the time for sure , I still sometimes I froze and I feel like I forgot my password and I have to check my notebook to confirm for myself, I find it hard to do everything by myself but I’m a grownup and I live alone , I always divide my time or my simple tasks like doing a laundry or cooking or cleaning one area for each day ! For a person who doesn’t have adhd I’m sure they can finish it all in 2 hours , I get tired or distracted easily , I have some issues with some documents that needed to be solved for months and I don’t have the energy for it especially when I’m working after work I come home and just barely take a shower and lay down watch something and fall asleep and wake up to work again the same cycle! At the weekend I rotten in my bed and I go out just for something necessary like food or water , I can’t take medications because I always forget to count or I’ll miss a day or 2 without realizing it. Would be helpful if someone mentioned something can change this routine. Thank you for reading 😘

[anymusic]

Hi,

It sounds like you've succeded in managing your ADHD somewhat through meditation! It's understandable to feel overwhelmed and exhausted especially with daily tasks and responsibilities.

Just some inspiration, if you think this could help you:

- Try setting reminders or using organizational tools for clearing etc

- Save time and energy by make a meal prep on Sundays.

- Try for a period of time to add fysical activity, like go for a walk in the evening.

- Ask a friend for help with the paperwork

- If you want to make meds a try again, use your cell to get daily reminder.

Wish you well!

[STEM_Dad]

Welcome to the forum Cotton_candy91 !

Life can be harder to manage without ADHD meds, but there are some things that can help.

If you struggle with anything like anxiety or depression, then therapy can help. I've noticed that when my anxiety goes up, my ADHD symptoms seem to be more severe. So, I get into therapy when I most need to.

Create as much structure into your life as you can.

• For example, some people with ADHD often lose their keys. By putting your keys on a hook or on a side table nearby the front door, you should be able to find them easily. -- (I leave my keys in my pants pocket. When I put on new pants in the morning, I move my keys and other pocket stuff from the old pants to the pockets of the new pants. I've been doing it this way for at least the last 10 years, so that I don't lose my keys or wallet. 😆)

• It helps to have important things out in the open, and the place they are put kept tidy. -- (I'm a clutter bug. Every time I clean my house, it's messy again within a few days. So, I don't heed this advice very well, but I'm working on it.)

Try different tools to help add structure to your life.

• I use the calendar, alarms, and notes with alert reminders on my phone.

• Other people use a paper calendar that hangs on a wall that they can see all the time.

• Post-it notes on the mirror can work well for reminders for some people.

~~~

Build new habits by using an existing habit as a cue. This is called "habit stacking".

• (I learned to take my vitamins every day by using breakfast as my cue to take my vitamins. I eat breakfast every day, so I take my vitamins regularly. When I started taking ADHD meds, I simply added them to my existing vitamin habit.)

Build routines out of your habits. Try to stick with doing things in the same order.

• e.g. One ADHD podcaster that I listen to (William Curb, on the "Hacking Your ADHD") took a close look at his kids' morning routine and realized that they were doing a lot of back and forth between rooms. To simplify their routine, he had them do as many parts of their routine in the bathroom as possible (brushing teeth, getting dressed, and putting on their shoes). Then, the only other things that they had to do were to have breakfast (and I think get their lunches) in the kitchen, and the get their backpacks on their way out the door. He also set the expectation that their backpacks had to always get put in the same spot near the door, so they can always find them.

* You know that phenomenon when you walk into a room and then forget what you went in their for? That definitely happens more with ADHD than for people without the disorder. That's why it can help to limit your routines to as few room-changes as possible.

[SteelQueen]

Hi: I was diagnosed a lot later; I found out at 59. I'd been misdiagnosed for years by therapists as being bipolor. By the time i'd figured out the truth - yes, I figured it out not my therapist - I'd developed a lot of habits that kept me organized and actually made me quite good at my job. But my emotional life was a wreck; I could not manage my emotions at all. Big, loud, explosive, bully like; it was awful. And I still struggle a lot with being BIG and with a lot of what you describe. I tried meds and had hoped it was the answer to my problems, but I was not happy with how i felt nor was i convinced they really were helping me. I did find a supplement through Additude Magazine called Accentrate 110 the company that makes it is Fenix. It is a combination of supplements meant to help with ADHD. It includes: iron, magnesium, zinc and omegas. I have been taking them for a couple of years now and honestly I think they have helped me to improve overall. I still have struggles, no doubt, but my symptoms are much more manageable. Find a rythm, or routine that works for you and stick with it. For me, doing it the same way every day, keeps life manageable, helps me get out the door somewhat on time and makes it less likely that i'll forget something. That's day to day - however changes to my routine can still jack me up a bit, but even that is way more manageable.

I clean like you otherwise the whole house is turned upside down and nothing gets accomplished - because i run out of steam in the middle and after taking a sec to look around and see the chaos i'd created, i need a nap. One task at a time, one room at a time.

I do not take meds - I take the supplements. In addition, I've also cut sugar and caffeine out of my diet and have reduced my carb intake. I also get out and walk or do some other form of activity. Through my reading on ADHD, these are all things noted to help manage symptoms. Hoping something here is helpful. Oh, and check out ADDITUDE MAGAZINE. Best of luck.

[Jozlynn]

Hi Cotton_candy91!

I use a container for all my meds and vitamins that is broken down by day. I fill it every Sunday evening while I'm watching TV. I bought it for something like $4. There are some that have 1 row with just the days of the week and some that have 2 rows, as mine does, for days of the week AM and PM. This way, every time I wonder if I've taken my meds I can just check my container.

My strongest suggestion for your weekends is to make plans to have a friend come over. If you make plans to go out and meet somewhere, it's too easy to cancel. If you have them come to you, that tends to not only create a sense of urgency about getting things done around the house, but will also provide the accountability you need to get out of bed (it's harder to tell someone to not come over than it is to say you're not coming somewhere).

"Rotting in bed" all weekend honestly sounds like a bit of depression, which is unfortunately very commonly associated ADHD. I struggle with depression and am treated for that in addition to ADHD - and believe me, if it is depression, it's worth seeking help for. It can be a night and day difference when you get help/get on meds/get therapy (whatever works for you!).

Honestly, tackling one area each day (laundry, dishes, etc.) is a brilliant hack for getting everything done. Who cares that NT people can get it ALL done in 2 hours? We're not neurotypical, so I encourage you to not view that as "normal". We don't share the same brain chemistry as neurotypicals, so why should we compare ourselves to them? Our version of normal may be totally foreign to "most" - but any other ADHDer reading that would say, "Of course! That's an awesome tactic!" For us, doing what NT people do - like getting it all done in 2 hours - is not normal (unless we have people coming over...then we can clean the whole house in 30 minutes). I'm actually going to try your method! The point is that it gets done...not how perfectly or how quickly or in what order you do it.

I wish you all the best as you navigate this! This community is definitely here for you and would love to hear how you're doing!

[Mamamichl]

At here are many ways to help with medication. You can buy a week/month long pill container and check if you’re not sure if you take it. You can also get a special pill bottle that will tell you how long it’s been nice it was opened last. I think some even have alarms. I know you can set a daily alarm for your phone to tell you to take meds too.

Is it possible to have all of your classes on certain days so you can have a day off in there? You can also lower you r class load. You can do school part time and work part time too.