- Joined
- Feb 28, 2023
Thanks for the procrastination guide. I’ll read it later.
ADHD / ADD - Trying to find a way to get our job done
- Thread starter Relinquish
- Start date
-
Want to keep track of this thread?
Accounts can bookmark posts, watch threads for updates, and jump back to where you stopped reading.
Create account
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2022
I can share my story regarding ADD/ADHD a person who I am with today.
She was never diagnosed in this manner nor anyone suggested she had ADD/ADHD. However, once we met she started taking several drugs prescribed by doctors for her mental breakdown/uplifts. After few months of self-diagnosis she came to the conculsion that the disease that is partly consuming her is ADD/ADHD. Once I heard that she is suspecting this disorder I told her that I support her in this but she needs to be throughly diagnosed by a specialist. She found one focusing mainly in this kind of disorders in childer and adults. She visited them 2 or 3 times. During visits she had to bring her diplomas from primary schools, evaluation made by parents (on how she behaved as a child) and lastly she gone through several exams regarding ADD/ADHD.
You wouldn't guess what was the result - no ADD/ADHD. The shrink said that she have very few symptons but none of them were related with ADD/ADHD. Of course this wasn't the diagnosis she was expecting so she found some prescription service over the web to recieve medication she doesn't need. Since then she isn't content with evaluation and is looking for another one that will agree with her opinion.
What I personally think about ADD/ADHD?
Well, I am old-fashioned and as for me I think that some people are more active than the others and requires a different approach on how to spend their time at work and home. I remember this TED Talk given by Sir. Ken Robinson. I heartly encourage to see that video because it is really interesting how a different approach to disorder may lead in adulthood. In any case, I don't support treating it with medication that comes with side-effects that also might be treated with another pills and so on.
She was never diagnosed in this manner nor anyone suggested she had ADD/ADHD. However, once we met she started taking several drugs prescribed by doctors for her mental breakdown/uplifts. After few months of self-diagnosis she came to the conculsion that the disease that is partly consuming her is ADD/ADHD. Once I heard that she is suspecting this disorder I told her that I support her in this but she needs to be throughly diagnosed by a specialist. She found one focusing mainly in this kind of disorders in childer and adults. She visited them 2 or 3 times. During visits she had to bring her diplomas from primary schools, evaluation made by parents (on how she behaved as a child) and lastly she gone through several exams regarding ADD/ADHD.
You wouldn't guess what was the result - no ADD/ADHD. The shrink said that she have very few symptons but none of them were related with ADD/ADHD. Of course this wasn't the diagnosis she was expecting so she found some prescription service over the web to recieve medication she doesn't need. Since then she isn't content with evaluation and is looking for another one that will agree with her opinion.
What I personally think about ADD/ADHD?
Well, I am old-fashioned and as for me I think that some people are more active than the others and requires a different approach on how to spend their time at work and home. I remember this TED Talk given by Sir. Ken Robinson. I heartly encourage to see that video because it is really interesting how a different approach to disorder may lead in adulthood. In any case, I don't support treating it with medication that comes with side-effects that also might be treated with another pills and so on.
Steve Pinto
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2022
Paradoxical reaction to caffeine seems so strongly correlated with ADHD that they should make a test for it.
There has to be some kind of issue regarding dopamine regulation that is related to ADHD.
In the past, many people in my parents generation would self medicate with nicotine and caffeine. Gwern wrote a good article about caffiene+nicotine's remarkable effectiveness. Properly controlled medication is probably the less harmful option. Prepubescent children should not be taking any stimulant medication at all unless they have extremely severe cases.
Recommended reading on ADHD
My thoughts on specific stimulants:
Dextroamphetamine (Adderall): Terrifyingly effective in therapeutic doses (under 30mg). Problematic to prescribe because basically everyone "benefits" from taking it. I think it's somewhat bad for society if we allowed everyone to take it, because of the high abuse potential but it's too late to control it. Basically everyone in certain high-stakes intellectual fields are taking Adderall including all the world leaders. Fairly clean, in terms of side effects as long as you have a healthy heart. Dextroamphetamine is usually abused through insufflation.
Methamphetamine (Desoxyn): You would think this would have zero therapeutic potential but it does seem to get prescribed as a last resort. Might be useful as a diet drug in very small dosages, but realistically, it will never happen. The greatest generation was hopped up on this when rebuilding after World War II, so it can't be as life ruining as it's made out to be. Street meth is not real. If you take that shit, you WILL die.
Methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin): Slightly dirtier than Dextroamphetamine but Concerta has a slightly lower abuse potential because of it's inconvenient time release design. Ritalin is a bit rough for people sensitive to medication and children and it baffles me why instant release is so commonly prescribed to children. Unlike Dextroamphetamine, even low doses can cause depersonalization and SSRI like emotional blunting. This might be a desirable effect for those with emotional regulation issues.
Atomoxetine (Straterra): This shit is nasty. Terrible side effect profile, but prescribed because of low abuse potential. I can't tell you if it works or not. Somehow "not a stimulant" despite having the same side effects as one.
Modafinil and Adrafinil: Somewhat dodgy to get in the United States, as a Schedule IV. Felt sleepy on it, like most stimulants. Allegedly improves ADHD symptoms and is used by people in countries where stimulant medication is illegal. Did not notice much of an effect.
Caffeine+Nicotine+L Theanine: The only effective legal stimulants, synergistic effects. For me, two cigs and a black coffee in the morning calms me down and makes me significantly better at careful tasks that require focus. The L Theanine is just to counter some of the side effects of caffeine. Nicotine just by itself is not as damaging or addictive as society says, but addiction potential is still high. Caffeine also has an addiction potential that should not be underestimated.
Cocaine: For those with moderate ADHD, small amounts of cocaine can make you sleepy and relaxed. Zero self medication potential due to side effects, illegality and abuse potential. Never do this.
There has to be some kind of issue regarding dopamine regulation that is related to ADHD.
In the past, many people in my parents generation would self medicate with nicotine and caffeine. Gwern wrote a good article about caffiene+nicotine's remarkable effectiveness. Properly controlled medication is probably the less harmful option. Prepubescent children should not be taking any stimulant medication at all unless they have extremely severe cases.
Recommended reading on ADHD
My thoughts on specific stimulants:
Dextroamphetamine (Adderall): Terrifyingly effective in therapeutic doses (under 30mg). Problematic to prescribe because basically everyone "benefits" from taking it. I think it's somewhat bad for society if we allowed everyone to take it, because of the high abuse potential but it's too late to control it. Basically everyone in certain high-stakes intellectual fields are taking Adderall including all the world leaders. Fairly clean, in terms of side effects as long as you have a healthy heart. Dextroamphetamine is usually abused through insufflation.
Methamphetamine (Desoxyn): You would think this would have zero therapeutic potential but it does seem to get prescribed as a last resort. Might be useful as a diet drug in very small dosages, but realistically, it will never happen. The greatest generation was hopped up on this when rebuilding after World War II, so it can't be as life ruining as it's made out to be. Street meth is not real. If you take that shit, you WILL die.
Methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin): Slightly dirtier than Dextroamphetamine but Concerta has a slightly lower abuse potential because of it's inconvenient time release design. Ritalin is a bit rough for people sensitive to medication and children and it baffles me why instant release is so commonly prescribed to children. Unlike Dextroamphetamine, even low doses can cause depersonalization and SSRI like emotional blunting. This might be a desirable effect for those with emotional regulation issues.
Atomoxetine (Straterra): This shit is nasty. Terrible side effect profile, but prescribed because of low abuse potential. I can't tell you if it works or not. Somehow "not a stimulant" despite having the same side effects as one.
Modafinil and Adrafinil: Somewhat dodgy to get in the United States, as a Schedule IV. Felt sleepy on it, like most stimulants. Allegedly improves ADHD symptoms and is used by people in countries where stimulant medication is illegal. Did not notice much of an effect.
Caffeine+Nicotine+L Theanine: The only effective legal stimulants, synergistic effects. For me, two cigs and a black coffee in the morning calms me down and makes me significantly better at careful tasks that require focus. The L Theanine is just to counter some of the side effects of caffeine. Nicotine just by itself is not as damaging or addictive as society says, but addiction potential is still high. Caffeine also has an addiction potential that should not be underestimated.
Cocaine: For those with moderate ADHD, small amounts of cocaine can make you sleepy and relaxed. Zero self medication potential due to side effects, illegality and abuse potential. Never do this.
Last edited:
- Joined
- May 10, 2020
Biolulogy
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2024
Had no clue about the depersonalization and SSRI like emotional blunting aspect of Methylphenidate, really explains why I was so zombie like when I was on Concerta in school. As a fat kid I was on BIG doses too, it was bad but I just thought thats what "normal" or how being on the meds was supposed to be like. I never took any adhd meds other than that, been off meds for like 5 years and trying to start a business and thinking about getting back on some kind of ADHD meds if things get stressful.
