Some say it’s overdiagnosis, others say it’s greater recognition. But it’s clear we must think about how our society is impacting human development, says author and retired physician Gabor Maté
Honestly thats the best we have when it comes to mental health right now. People working in mental health industries need to be more open and honest about how little we know and how much work is left to do.
I do understand that honesty would impact drug sales though, so I won’t hold my breath.
I literally just went though this. I quit taking my adderall for about a month.
I kept seeing posts online about having adhd and how relatable it is. Ironically, I also saw articles about the rise is diagnoses and whether the increase is real or over-diagnosed. I started to question if I saw some random post, related to it then got a diagnosis for something I may not have. I was thinking I didn’t deserve for the meds to work bc I didn’t really have ADHD. Honestly, it doesn’t even make sense to me now lol
You know, just your basic imposter syndrome spiraling.
I thought I was okay but over the month I was feeling more and more stressed out at work. Suddenly, I had 150 unread messages in my inbox and I realized I wasn’t completing my work. Before going off the medication I had just a handful of emails.
Back on my medication last week and I’ve already halved that stack of emails. My bf can tell when I take my medication and when I don’t. He notices I start interrupting a lot more than I when I don’t take it.
It took me almost 4 years to seek a diagnosis after learning what ADHD actually was because I kept questioning myself.
When I finally did, the provider paused in the middle of the evaluation and said normally we’d have you get some responses from your family and coworkers too, but that won’t be necessary since you clearly have it.
Got put on medication and the difference in being able to do even the most basic things is like night and day.
A bit of an elevated pulse for a short while immediately after taking it. Suppressed appetite, though I’d describe it more as “forgetting” that I’m hungry. Like sometimes it doesn’t register enough for me to get up and eat something, which has resulted in some weight loss, but I’m also in much better physical shape now.
None of which outweigh the true mental clarity I get and the lowered barrier to task initiation.
I’ve never gone off of it, but every once in a while I take a day or two off. Mostly if I’m anticipating a big meal or a lot of physical activity that day.
I have been diagnosed as an adult. I suffer from imposter syndrome.
“Maybe I don’t have ADHD?”
Paradoxically this is normal for someone with ADHD.
But really, how do I even know at this point? I’ve been taking Vyvanse for years.
I don’t even know if I’m more productive because my life has changed dramatically since getting my diagnosis.
Shit’s fakked.
Sound like my family but with antidepressants.
“I dont think the pills work, life’s just better now things are going so well, I’ll probably go off the meds”
Honestly thats the best we have when it comes to mental health right now. People working in mental health industries need to be more open and honest about how little we know and how much work is left to do.
I do understand that honesty would impact drug sales though, so I won’t hold my breath.
I literally just went though this. I quit taking my adderall for about a month.
I kept seeing posts online about having adhd and how relatable it is. Ironically, I also saw articles about the rise is diagnoses and whether the increase is real or over-diagnosed. I started to question if I saw some random post, related to it then got a diagnosis for something I may not have. I was thinking I didn’t deserve for the meds to work bc I didn’t really have ADHD. Honestly, it doesn’t even make sense to me now lol
You know, just your basic imposter syndrome spiraling.
I thought I was okay but over the month I was feeling more and more stressed out at work. Suddenly, I had 150 unread messages in my inbox and I realized I wasn’t completing my work. Before going off the medication I had just a handful of emails.
Back on my medication last week and I’ve already halved that stack of emails. My bf can tell when I take my medication and when I don’t. He notices I start interrupting a lot more than I when I don’t take it.
This is partly what prevents me seeking a diagnosis.
It took me almost 4 years to seek a diagnosis after learning what ADHD actually was because I kept questioning myself.
When I finally did, the provider paused in the middle of the evaluation and said normally we’d have you get some responses from your family and coworkers too, but that won’t be necessary since you clearly have it.
Got put on medication and the difference in being able to do even the most basic things is like night and day.
Thanks, that’s good to know. And have you experienced any side-effects of the medication while taking it or after coming off it?
A bit of an elevated pulse for a short while immediately after taking it. Suppressed appetite, though I’d describe it more as “forgetting” that I’m hungry. Like sometimes it doesn’t register enough for me to get up and eat something, which has resulted in some weight loss, but I’m also in much better physical shape now.
None of which outweigh the true mental clarity I get and the lowered barrier to task initiation.
I’ve never gone off of it, but every once in a while I take a day or two off. Mostly if I’m anticipating a big meal or a lot of physical activity that day.
Honestly, talk to your doctor. Tell them why you think you might have it and why you’re worried you might be imagining it.
They’ll give you a test, and you’ll be evaluated by someone who is trained to tell if you might have it or not.
I didn’t ask about it for a long time bc the same reason but life has been so much more manageable now.
Thank you.
What has made it more manageable for you, if you don’t mind me asking?