Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is the root of many debates ranging from whether it really exists to how to treat it — if at all. Current public perceptions indicate that ADHD is over-medicated and over-diagnosed, and despite several studies that find the opposite of these beliefs, many people still hold onto these ideas.
Many parents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remember, as a child, taking an ADHD medication vacation during the summer. Well, summer is around the corner and maybe you’re wondering what to do about your son or daughter’s ADHD medications. Bob says, “my child really needs them for school, and the medication has calmed him down a lot, but some people have told me they take their kids off ADHD medication in the summer. I‘m not sure what to do!” (See an Adult ADHD Medication Vacations article here.)
Hello again, all! I’ve been writing the Living with Adult ADHD blog for a nearly a year and this seems, with the new year just around the corner, like a really good time to review what I/we have learned this year together. We’ve talked about some strategies to improve our attention span and decrease our anxiety. We’ve talked a bunch about adult ADHD medication – the good and the bad. We’ve talked about just how much time having Adult ADHD costs – needing to get prescriptions, fill them and invariably get distracted at some point during the process. We’ve had a great year together, I’d say!
I have been finding out all sorts of things as of late about Adult ADHD and medication options. Since I watched those lectures by Dr. Russell Barkley (read Adult ADHD as Not a Gift), I’ve been looking into a bunch of the things he talked about — and he definitely mentioned a lot about adult ADHD medications. This post is going to be half-informative, half-information-seeking. I know the adult ADHD drugs I’ve taken in the past for this disorder and I have questions about some that I haven’t. Let’s get started!
As I believe I’ve said in the past, ADHD medications have really improved the quality of my life. I can still remember the first weeks of taking them in college and reading my first book cover to cover – and it wasn’t even a great book! I remember how the thoughts in my head had a different flow and how much longer I was able to stay on task. I also remember some bad parts. ADHD medications can have an amazing effect on your life, but they’re not all magic.
I wrote once about an “impromptu” adult ADHD medication holiday that I accidentally took and how that worked out (lots of coffee!). Now, I’d like to talk about taking ADHD medication vacations on purpose and whether or not I think they’re good ideas.
I’ve been having a really hard time with my ADHD as of late. My medication is out of whack, my school has been harder than ever and my schedule has been bonkers. I’ve started to find even the most fun activities to be super boring. Television, reading books, being out with friends – all of it is boring! My wife and I have come up with a reward system to try and alleviate some of my boredom.
People associate so many experiences with food. I remember what I had at so-and-so’s wedding and how happy my grandmother’s strawberry shortcake makes me feel. There are so many good things about food. And, then, there’s the way that ADHD medications make you feel about food. Those feelings? They tend to not be so good …
A reader recently asked me a really great question: how do I know my adult ADHD medication is working? I love this question! I’m going to take it in two parts. First, how I knew that ADHD medication was right for me and, second, what it feels like every day. This could be very different for other people, of course, but this is how medication makes me feel.
The question of whether or not to take stimulant medications for adult ADHD has been discussed vigorously. I believe strongly that taking Ritalin, or the equivalent at times, has helped me to function as the adult I want to be. I spent 2009 mostly not taking any stimulants and not only did my work ethic become nonexistent, but I didn’t like myself as much. I look forward to hearing your opinions on this!
Victoria
Noelle Matteson
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