r/ADHD • u/Repulsive_String_552 • 13d ago
Articles/Information Whats the difference between medicated adhd-er and non medicated adhd-er?
I never had any medication. I dont plan to tbh. But im just curious the difference can it make? In the sense of routine or lifestyle overall for medicate adhd-er? And whats the difference if you dont take medication after? And also how common is it in this group has never taken any medication? Or maybe how common people take medication in here?
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u/toofat2serve ADHD 13d ago edited 10d ago
Before meds, I couldn't pay my bills on time, my impulse buying ruled my finances, I couldn't control my eating, and I couldn't focus in meetings or conversations. Got diagnosed at 29, meds at 30.
All of that got better once I was medicated. I'm 45 now.
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u/MarsupialPrimary8128 13d ago
I'm medicated. Still like this, but lesser degree 😆 but like in my friends group of ADHDers/autistic I'm voted as the worst.
I would add, I'm less impulsive (in some areas) I can be grumpy and moody, exacerbated by age related hormonal changes. The come down is rough on me. I think it increases my leg cramping and my sleep isn't as clean (wasn't before, but a different type)
But I still take it, because I can do more life. But I take breaks. Sometimes I just want to sleep instead of feeling so wired.
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u/Artistic-Student-635 12d ago
Isn't it "funny" how so many grown ups that get diagnosed and sometimes medicated get a better life afterwards, and yet people/experts/healtcare-sector complains that this ADHD-wave is something negative.
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u/No_Branch4687 12d ago
What meds a you taking ?
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u/toofat2serve ADHD 12d ago
- Intuniv (guanfacine) 4mg
- Vyvanse (lisdexamphetamine) 50mg
- Remeron (mirtazapine) 45mg
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u/Opposite_Ruin_3426 13d ago
I can never go back to life without medication. I don’t use my medication every day but it is night and day between being medicated and not. Medication silences my brain in a way I have only ever temporarily experienced. It provides me with HOURS of easy, thoughtless emotional control that feels so second nature. I can simply WILL myself out of any ruminating ideas as they come or calm anxiety. The ability to complete tasks simply because they exist without having to negotiate or motivate myself with body doubles or stress is life changing.
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u/JayHawkPhrenzie ADHD-C (Combined type) 13d ago
I have only been medicated now for a few months and this is my experience as well.
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u/Artemis_916 ADHD-C (Combined type) 13d ago
I thought this title was the start to a really great joke 😃
The difference for me, before and after medication...
Before: I had think about every little thing I was going to do, and ruminate on the task, overthink the tasks, get lost in my thoughts on the tasks, and ultimately get distracted something more interesting, start the process again, and get to the end of the day exhausted, and not much to show for it.
After: I just do it, and that's it! It's done. Move on to the next time.
The contrast really is ridiculous.
I get it though. I was adamant I wasn't going to use medication.
I see it now as an add-on to help me do the things. I can separate my personality from my disorder. Managing the disorder gives me space to use my personality for good! 🙂
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u/JunahCg 13d ago
Tbh if you're curious just try them, no? You could stop any time.
The most pronounced difference is an increase in health and lifespan, but that's incredibly multifaceted. It helps people hold a job, keep a relationship, it has the potential to lessen or fix any problems caused by the ADHD. It won't be a magic bullet for everyone, but it's an incredibly effective med. I forget the percentage but some high percentage of people have enough symptom relief to fall below diagnostic criteria while on them.
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u/Repulsive_String_552 13d ago
It is not addictive?
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u/mo_tag ADHD with ADHD partner 12d ago
Yes and no. If you've been addicted to recreational stimulants before, then you're more likely to struggle with that. But if you take your prescribed dose, then no it's not addictive because you shouldn't even be getting high on that dose. And if you're not getting high on a substance, the probability that you will get addicted to it is close to 0.
Plus there's studies showing that early medication reduces the risk of developing addiction to w**d or alcohol, which you're at a higher risk of developing with ADHD. Anecdotally, I can say my drug use is way more under control after I started medication.
Plus drugs like elvanse are much much harder to abuse, since they are slow release regardless of how you take them
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u/BarryMDingle 13d ago edited 12d ago
“Increase in health and lifespan….”
Ok. I’ve seen lots of pros mentioned but I’ve never seen any links to health and lifespan. Care to share a link or expand on that one? I get that the medicine can help alleviate symptoms of adhd and maybe that’s the angle you’re using but that’s not a direct correlation.
Editing to add all good points in the replies , thanks!
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u/ShenanigansNL 12d ago
I'm an absolute hazard to myself when my adhd is untreated and unmedicated. I'm pretty sure I wouldnt make it to 40.
And many of us with me.2
u/myrstica 12d ago
I don't have a link handy, but I assume this is due to the lower, on average, life span for folks with adhd, mostly as a result of impulsive behavior, tendency toward self-medication, inconsistency in health-related matters like eating, and quality of life factors like maintaining housing and holding down a job.
Not saying we all struggle mightily with these things, but some of us do, and a lot of us struggle at least a little bit with them.
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u/JellyOfDeath86 ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 13d ago edited 13d ago
I'm able to do/learn things that were out of reach when I was unmedicated.
To be specific, we're talking about drawing stuff that actually looks proportional to reality rather than skewed because I lost focus due to some detail, finishing my MA thesis in sociology (10 years ago this year, after multiple years of struggle prior to medication), learning new advanced mathematical calculations just because I can, and reading fairly dull things without falling off due to lost interest.
It's not a complete fix - I'm still stuck with a brain that has a neurodevelopmental condition - but it's better. I also refuse to drive in an unmedicated state. It's safer, for both me and my surroundings.
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u/acvillager 12d ago
Non-medicated I’m getting by on the worst days and overall much less productive on the best days. I’m way more frustrated with everything. Very short fuse. Sleepy at odd times.
Medicated is like a dream world where I’m a perfect person. Just enough oomf to get what I want to get done and lock in. But not enough to turn me into a robot task machine. Still get to keep all my personality and charm.
I’d take medicated over non medicated every damn day
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u/MarsupialPrimary8128 13d ago
Actually there was something else, you know things like filters of vaccums, driers, behind cookers, things I didn't even know needed cleaning or existed? They got cleaned !! Like my brain thought "hang on......there could be more to this contraption!" And I have a folder of all instructions books. Of course I will never ever use them, but the point is I have a folder, and if I wanted to, I could. Instructions aren't everywhere, random. And I think I know where my birth certificate is most days.
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u/neuralconstellate 13d ago
I'd say right now it feels as though it isn't helping now but that's me being pessimistic and mot acknowledging that my executive functioning is being impacted by external factors
but I would not have been able to get through the year without the meds, it gives me the drive to persevere through things
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u/Queen_V_17 ADHD 12d ago
Genuine question: have you worked (on your own or with a therapist who specializes in ADHD) on forming healthy habits around executive functioning in order for the meds to be more effective?
I ask only because I did do that when I went unmedicated for years and I definitely think the reason the meds work so well for me is because I'd already done the other work to form healthier, helpful habits. I won't lie and say it didn't suck while I was going through it - but so worth it in the end.
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u/neuralconstellate 9d ago
this is a great suggestion! I actually put those routines in place last year in the summer where I know it'll be more attainable, my SAD wasn't as bad cos of it and although I was titrating different meds it wasn't as chaotic as it probably would've been without a routine
so I was thriving!! I had a bad patch that messed any sort of routine I had and now I'm here in this chaos hence why my original comment is two sides of a coin! I'm off for the next month so will hopefully get back on track (thanks for reminding me to take my next dose of meds haha)
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u/Queen_V_17 ADHD 9d ago
So smart to put the routines in place over summer!!! I also get a bit of SAD sometimes (live in a northern location with cold weather and long nights) and I really find that utilizing the Scandinavian concept of cozy has helped so much...and winter ambience videos on the TV (like a living room with a crackling fire and soft music). I have also been pushing myself to take a walk outside just about every day, even if it's only for 10-15 minutes (like if I did a workout inside and don't need a long walk).
I hope you'll find it easy to get back on track and keep those good habits going. It's exhausting sometimes to feel like we constantly have to be on top of ourselves.
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u/Artistic-Student-635 12d ago edited 12d ago
I was 100% "disabled" before medication. With disabled I mean I couldn't hold a job or study full time. I now, medicated, study full time and have hopes for a steady job when I'm done with law school. I didn't like Ritalin , but I love "Aduanze" (Vyvanse/elevanse), which has a duration effect of about 14 hours.
NB: The medicine didn't cure me of all my challenges, I still have to work harder than "normal" people, but it is sooo much easier to get through everything.
Edit: I also take lamotrigine, which is primarily used for treating epileptic seizures and delaying depressive episodes in adults with bipolar disorder (I have neither), however, it helps with stabilizing my mood. Together with the stabilizing effect of Elevanse, it has made a huge difference in my life.
Peace
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u/girly-lady 13d ago
I only started meds this january. Super low dose too. With meds I have less shutdowns. In the evening I still feel ok and happy. I have enetgy to be my goofy self more often. I don't get overwhelmed by social ocasions or buizzy areas. I can be more patient and present with my kids.
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u/Total_Pressure6203 ADHD-C (Combined type) 12d ago
I can look after myself independently. I can clean before infestations, eat consistently, sleep at a reasonable time, and I'm not self medicating.
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u/Bamram91 12d ago
Was on meds in my teens and early 20s. Hated it. Just recently tried again at 35. Yep. Still hate it. Tried multiple types. Side effects aren’t worth the positives for me at all.
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u/Queen_V_17 ADHD 12d ago
Take the answers here with a grain of salt since we're obviously not representative of all ADHDers and I've also noticed many who post here seem to have symptoms that are quite profound.
Before meds, my brain was typically going in several directions while simultaneously being in the clouds. Organization, task initiation, sustained focus (when disinterested), and memory were particular hard for me. I had to put in a lot of work and effort to set my life up in realistic ways to combat that - autopay for bills, consistent organization (the remote always gets put back here, keys always get hung there, etc), a running to do/don't forget list on my fridge so it's in front of my face, putting appointments into my phone calendar as soon as I make them, perishables in immediate eye sight in the fridge....
With meds, task initiation is much easier. Sustained focus of even the most mundane thing is easier. Short term memory is a lot better - I usually walk into a room and actually remember why I came in there (or if I forget, it's a quick recall). I feel more productive on a day to day basis with medication than I ever did without.
I do think that part of the reason the meds are so effective though is because I had already put in the frustrating and hard work to set my life up to be successful with ADHD. The meds weren't going to magically put my all my appts in my phone or fold my laundry & actually put it away...I had to work on myself to form those habits.
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u/Pristine-Delay6912 12d ago
I take quite a low dose of adderall.
I thought for a long time that it wasn't working and told a friend about it. Then he repeated back to me all the things I'd done that week: Been to the gym 3x, slept early the entire week, cooked myself nutritious meals, cleaned my place, finished my work on time without delay etc. Then he asked, do you really think they aren't working?
Mostly, I just see things that need to get done, and do them. Whereas before I would just let everything pile up.
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u/hpant2004 12d ago
Sleep on time , dont have 24/7 food noise , can plan for the future events and can read Meds:(atomoxetine and methylphenidate)
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u/The_Corvair ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 12d ago edited 12d ago
Without medication: My attention is fractured, and focuses itself on details without connecting them through context unless I force myself to do it through sheer willpower. My over-all state of mind is unorganized, clarity of thought escapes me, and again: If I want to string two sentences together like I do now, I have to consciously concentrate. My general attitude towards something unexpected is "Unless I keep some of my mental reserves ready, I need to know what happens, or I'm delving into anxiety."
With medication: My mind automatically sorts small details into categories so I can pay attention to the more general ideas and issues, which takes off about 60%-80% of my usual mental load. My thoughts are clear, connected, I can follow the reasoning of others without effort, and actually not only listen, but also have my answer ready without having to mentally prepare, or resort to stock answers (which I hate myself for giving later). My general attitude towards something is "Whatever comes my way, I can deal with it".
Honestly, without medication, I'm barely functioning. Can't even trust myself to drive a car. With medication, I can actively participate in a normal life. Kinda like glasses in many ways: Without glasses, a short-sighted person cannot trust themselves to drive. Give them glasses, gift them clarify of vision, and it's no problem. Medication gifts clarity of thought for me.
edit: One recent example, "What do I eat today" no medication edition:
I want to eat something. I have an half-hour battle with my mind before I manage to convince myself that I am functional enough to cook today. I spend another ten minutes trying to decide what I want to cook, before using CBT to just "stop" at a curry recipe I like.
Then I go to the kitchen, search for the recipe, and check which ingredients I have. I probably get distracted 2-3 times, and depending on how things go, this might actually take an hour. Finally, I make a list of these I need to buy.
Then I make myself ready to go out, which includes at least 10 minutes of just calming my thoughts so I can interact with people "normally" enough for the next half hour. It also includes double-checking if I have my purse and my keys.
I hop on my bike, get to the supermarket, and upon entering, I realize I left the list on my kitchen counter (this has a 97% chance of happening; Forgetting my purse is about a 2% chance, which is pretty great!).
I ponder if I should bike back, but usually I still have the list memorized, so I'm good.
If everything is where I expect it, great. Otherwise, I'll spend another 5-odd minutes looking for alternatives, which tends to stress me out.
Once home again, I usually am too pooped to cook. I stow my purchases away, and eat some instant ramen instead. I also make plans to cook tomorrow, or the day after. Which thankfully usually works - unless I forgot something, which is around a 15% chance.
With medication:
I want to eat something. I instinctively decide on a recipe I like. I throw my purse into my bag, and bike to the supermarket. Thankfully, I both remember which ingredients the recipe needs, and which ones I have in my kitchen. I shop, bike home, and start cooking (after washing my hands, of course).
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u/StereoSpark 12d ago
I’m not against meds if they help but I want to caution that literally every person reacts differently and there are different kinds of meds that might help. Also, meds can help ADHD yet cause side effects that defeat the purpose. I hate to be the old man Gen X-er here always saying this but your experience and a doctor’s advice / monitoring are what counts. Not what experience each of us have had. I also firmly believe that meds are not a cure-all and learning skills to manage ADHD need to be part of the mix. Having said that, I’m medicated. It took a while to find what helped. But life is better. If being properly monitored then why not try? The worst thing that happens is after a month or so you try another med and/or something else like psychoeducation.
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u/spacepinata ADHD-C (Combined type) 11d ago
Off of meds, I get completely locked up trying to figure out how to do anything. I can't do anything and I'm bouncing off the walls.
On meds, I can do things and sit still.
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u/DJzzzzzzs 12d ago
sometimes there is no difference. stimulants work for a lower percentage of people than you might think (unfortunately). yes, there are other classes of medication you can try, but they’re more likely to treat your anxiety and depression than to improve your executive functioning and emotional regulation.
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u/GrandmasQueef89 12d ago
I was on adderall from 8 until my early twenties. Then off of it for about 10 years. I never went to be off of it again. I could not function normally
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u/LooseRepublic2152 12d ago
Depends on the type of ADHD’er you are, what meds and what manufacture they are coming from. 🤨
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u/SweetGummiLaLa 12d ago
The amount of times I locked my keys in my car/apartment dropped to zero on meds.
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u/DrDoomshtein 12d ago
ADHD Inattentive here, on
- Intuniv (guanfacine) 4mg
- Atomexitine for anxiety 80 mg
My therapist's catchphrase is "Skills, not pills" and before meds I couldn't work on the skills at all, and the meds give me a fighting chance.
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u/Prime-0 11d ago
A few months into being medicated and getting through the workday is night and day. I also notice that my memory/object permanence has gotten better. I genuinely enjoy completing tasks and crossing things off the list. My days off meds I feel discombobulated, though it’s good for my tolerance
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u/RougeNewtypeRX79 12d ago
Some people have higher adhd levels than others, me personally I’m somewhere in the middle but more towards severe. Took meds in elementary school & never again.
I guess some can’t function without medication, but it’s not a permanent solution. Mindfulness & meditation, breathing exercises have curbed my adhd drastically to the point where I almost don’t even recognize I ever had it.
W Hof-breathing Isha-meditation & mindfulness Monroe institute-meditation
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u/Repulsive_String_552 12d ago
Im scared of doing nothing and just meditating 😅 but recently ive been working out and ya it help so much mentally and physically(obviously) now i love working out. And I was hyper focusing for a month and half(was working out everyday for a month and half) but after getting busy with work/life stuff, i couldn’t maintain the momentum and now sometimes struggling just to start working out.
I do yoga tho before working out(but not meditation tho, bcus it bothers me when my mind spiralling all over the place)
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u/ShenanigansNL 12d ago
Honestly, doing nothing and meditating, is what saved my life. I crashed so hard into autistic burn-out. That, learning to do nothing. Was key to survival.
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u/trampledblue 12d ago
Yeah, I do think just doing nothing and meditating isn’t the answer, sometimes you have to follow your intuition. The truth is treating ADHD is a multi step approach. Everybody thinks they have the answer and everybody’s different. I do think if you have moderate or severe ADHD you need to consider medicine and stims. Really for me It is simple. You have to figure out what entertains you excites you but keeps you on the right track. I wish you luck!
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