People trying to talk into ADHD medication

[vergil96]

There is a certain problem. A lot of people get diagnosed with ADHD nowadays and take medicines to treat it. I was diagnosed with ADHD around the age of 18, very long ago and I was advised against medication and for lifestyle interventions and I agree with the reasoning behind it. The issue is, when I say this or that I have some kind of problem with ADHD and want to acommodate myself and can't come up with a way how, it seems like there is a crowd that jumps at me and tries to talk me into medications, because they work for them. When I try to elaborate, they argue that this or that side effect is unlikely or that it's all not true. I'd rather stay off medications in general, I get all the rare side effects under the sun. I don't have an issue with them handling their health however they see fit, but I'm me and they're themselves, we're different people and I don't want to do the same. For some reason, these people appear very pushy to me, I think it's a result of being denied medication before or people telling them it's not needed. They feel nervous or insecure, I think, like they have to prove something. Or simply project too much. Or it's the hyperactive aspect of their ADHD. What do I respond to them? They won't take "no, I'm glad it works for you, but I don't want to do that" for an answer, neither will they take explanations for an answer. If I explain, they deny the side effects, say they're not real and invalidate my experience that I get all the weird side effects under the sun, arguing that maybe I haven't found the right one. The last argument sounds like looking for "a pill" at all cost, and against reason and experience. Ugh. I'm so frustrated. What should I say to people like that?

 

[Raggamuffin]

Are these online conversations with people advocating medication? Either way, their tone isn't what you need. You don't need to say anything to people like that.

I had terrible side effects of the medication, and that was only from short term use - and I stopped taking them. Long term, stimulants are very bad for the heart.

Ed

 

[vergil96]

Are these online conversations with people advocating medication?

Both IRL and online

 

[Neonatal RRT]

To each their own. If that's your experience, then probably best to simply steer clear of the topic.

Regardless of the topic, a person must be open to suggestion before they will change their minds. All the facts and new information will not change people's minds on anything unless they are open to it.

 

[vergil96]

If that's your experience, then probably best to simply steer clear of the topic.

I was looking for lifestyle advice from fellow ADHDers, tbh.

 

[Rodafina]

I was looking for lifestyle advice from fellow ADHDers, tbh.

If that's the case, maybe steer the conversation toward what they do in addition to the meds.

Something like, "Yeah, it sounds like the meds have really helped you - what other things have you done to manage your ADHD?" Maybe this acknowledgement that taking meds is helpful to them (though not your choice) could get them to drop the fight to convince you.

 

[Xinyta]

There is a certain problem. A lot of people get diagnosed with ADHD nowadays and take medicines to treat it. I was diagnosed with ADHD around the age of 18, very long ago and I was advised against medication and for lifestyle interventions and I agree with the reasoning behind it. The issue is, when I say this or that I have some kind of problem with ADHD and want to acommodate myself and can't come up with a way how, it seems like there is a crowd that jumps at me and tries to talk me into medications, because they work for them. When I try to elaborate, they argue that this or that side effect is unlikely or that it's all not true. I'd rather stay off medications in general, I get all the rare side effects under the sun. I don't have an issue with them handling their health however they see fit, but I'm me and they're themselves, we're different people and I don't want to do the same. For some reason, these people appear very pushy to me, I think it's a result of being denied medication before or people telling them it's not needed. They feel nervous or insecure, I think, like they have to prove something. Or simply project too much. Or it's the hyperactive aspect of their ADHD. What do I respond to them? They won't take "no, I'm glad it works for you, but I don't want to do that" for an answer, neither will they take explanations for an answer. If I explain, they deny the side effects, say they're not real and invalidate my experience that I get all the weird side effects under the sun, arguing that maybe I haven't found the right one. The last argument sounds like looking for "a pill" at all cost, and against reason and experience. Ugh. I'm so frustrated. What should I say to people like that?

Firstly. I applude your want for free will from the idea of being medicated. This is the general consensus of doctored society now. You have this problem or that problem? MEDICATION!

Secondly. You are not incorrect in the assumption that those who swear by the medication, that are attacking you for choosing to not take it. Are definitely insecure, for value of not wanting to see that doctors can be wrong AND that medications can have the capability to be harmful through thier side effects/overall effects. Rare or not.

What alot of people refuse to consider, is that our bodies are unique from eachother in how we process things that enter our body. No two people will be the exact same, in regards to how the medication affects them. Sure a small group that generally isn't badly affected, will appear. But that doesn't apply to the whole of humanity.

The second thing is that most people do not consider medications can be overall harmful in alot of ways. Especailly when made as a quick fix for something that is still being studied to be understood. Or for more underhanded reasons. But that is another topic in of itself.

But overall. The answer to why people would be willing to be defensive, like this, is merely ignorance and a disinterest in what it is they are actually taking.

 

[Outdated]

What should I say to people like that?

There's always some people that you can't really say anything to, they'll just want an argument about it. Easier to just let them think you agree with them and move on.

 

[vergil96]

I have nothing against anyone else taking the medications, but there is significant variation between people when it comes to medications. And that's the reason why they're prescription medications, it requires years of studying medicine and then practical experience to be able to fit the right medicine and not do any harm. In my opinion, this is the crux of the problem with these conversations. How one person reacts to a chemical substance might have absolutely nothing to do with and be opposits how another person reacts to it. Experiences don't translate from one person to another at all. Choosing the right medicines is a very difficult skill that requires very broad knowledge and experience to be able to predict the reactions. That one person functions better with stimulants, it doesn't mean they won't prove harmful for someone else even though they "really" have ADHD and it will "fix" the ADHD. (I'm putting "fix" in quotation marks, because I don't think all ADHDs are equally detrimental, it all depends on clinical significance)

 

[blitzkrieg]

I tried one ADHD medication for my ADHD and it didn't help much in the way of focus, and came with the unpleasant side effects of extreme anxiety and extreme paranoia, to the point where I was becoming a risky person to be around.

I wouldn't even try another ADHD medication after that horrible experience. Coming off of it I had Akathisia and paced relentlessly for at least a couple of months. Never again!

 

[vergil96]

I tried one ADHD medication for my ADHD and it didn't help much in the way of focus, and came with the unpleasant side effects of extreme anxiety and extreme paranoia, to the point where I was becoming a risky person to be around.

I wouldn't even try another ADHD medication after that horrible experience. Coming off of it I had Akathisia and paced relentlessly for at least a couple of months. Never again!

That's the kind of concern I have. One antidepressant that was too excitatory made my anxiety a lot worse instead of improving it. Not fun at all. It also made me very angry and snappy. Also not fun. I prefer my normal melancholic sadness as bad mood. At least I'm not making my situation worse and get the rest I need when stressed.

Also my largest problems with ADHD are forgetting to eat and problems with sleep. Stimulants (as well as certain antidepressants too) are associated with such side effects very often - if I already have the problem and I'm trying to fight it, and certain medications did make it worse before, then it's extremely likely stimulants would exacerbate them.

 

[Neri]

I guess, while it's annoying to be preached to about the benefits of meds, it is helpful to remember and accept that it is commonplace human nature to try to convert other's to our own ways. We autistic and AuDHDers are not so great at conforming and going along with the crowd and are often frowned upon for it.

As for how do other AuDHDers manage their symptoms, well, as one, I have just surrended to my strange and minimal sleep routines, my very adHd Hyperactivity and talkiness, with kind acceptance of myself and my weird ways. I have a lot of showers, often through the night when the insomnia is prevalent. I use Ashwaganda for good energy through the day and as a sleep aid at night, when I can afford it. I work at living a high level of exercise lifestyle. I love myself as the hyper crazy lady I am.

When I asked my daughtet if I was a cool nana, she said "no mum, you're not cool, you are the crazy nana, but you're the FUN crazy nana. So I try to err on the side of FUN crazy, as best I can. And I try to avoid those people that are constantly giving unsolicited advice, they annoy me.