ADHD: Not just for Kids
When people think of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) they usually think of young children who severely struggle to pay attention or who are hyperactive and impulsive. However, not all children show clear signs of ADHD, and when their symptoms are mild, it can often be disregarded as childlike behaviour.
So, what happens to these children who do not get diagnosed until later on in life?
I happen to be one of those children, I only got diagnosed with ADHD in the last semester of my fourth year of university. The psychiatrist I was seeing at the time suspected I had ADHD but as there was no formal diagnosis when I was child, she was hesitant to diagnose me and prescribe me medication now. I knew I used to get distracted easily and that I was impulsive, but I always assumed it was part of my personality. I also found studying challenging but my grades were good, so I did not think much of it.
In march of fourth year, my doctor suggested trying Concerta – a common medication used for ADHD. Within a week of taking it I had already noticed a significant change in my ability to focus and stay on task. I found it was easier to pay attention in class and I was retaining a lot more information than I had in the past. At first, I was upset I was not diagnosed earlier, I kept thinking how much easier school would have been if I had started medication sooner. While there were some sider effects, such as nausea, headaches, loss pf appetite, and anxiety, the benefits seemed to outweigh the risks.
As the weeks progressed, my anxiety began to get worse, I was having difficulty falling asleep and due to the lack of appetite I had lost a lot of weight. I was extremely tired in the mornings but as soon as I took the medication I would feel awake and alert. It turned into a vicious cycle of feeling dependent on the medication to stay awake during the day, and then dreading having taken in by the night because I could not sleep. There were only a few weeks left of the semester and I had already known once it was done I needed to stop taking the medication and find alternative ways to control my impulsivity and focus.
When summer began my doctor slowly weened me off concerta and I was finally back on a regular sleeping schedule. My appetite had also come back, and I was feeling more energetic but not anxious. As for the impulsivity and focus I had to learn little tips and tricks that would help me control them. For example, I was always known to be an impulsive shopper, especially when it came to online purchases. To help with this behaviour, I would put items in my cart and wait a week, if I still wanted the item than I would buy it, but if not, I would remove the item from the cart. I was shocked at how many items I would take out weekly, simply because with a little more time to think about it I would realize I did not need it.
Living with ADHD can be challenging, especially when your body does not adjust well to the medication. However, there are various forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy that can be helpful in managing symptoms. If you suspect you may have ADHD you should consult with your family doctor or book an appointment with a counsellor to see how you can better manage your symptoms! Treating ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and we’re happy to help you find the approach that works for you.
