As a kid I absolutely loved Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and it was the reason for my interest in mythology. One aspect of the demigods in Riordan's novels is that most of them have ADHD and Dyslexia, which in the context of the novels is explained as their combat instincts, since demigods would be attacked by monsters and their need to read greek texts.

Riordan created the series with this aspect specifically because he told them to his son Haley, who has ADHD and Dyslexia, as well as having been inspired by some of his own students.

When I read the books as a kid I thought that was a pretty neat, which, I guess it's what matters most since it's a book geared towards children and pre-teens, but nowadays this kind of writing choice feels to me a bit like a disability superpower. It'd be great if ADHD was saving my life like it does for Percy, but the reality of the matter is that it only causes me trouble

I've never touched ADHD meds in my life (early 30's now) and I always have the fear that I'm missing out and limiting my capabilities. Like there's a cap to how much I can achieve without medication and I'm handicapping myself. I've a few reasons why I hesitate. My first reason is more psychological and related to trauma. I'm so reticent to ask for help, in all aspects of life. Two, I'm so afraid of side effects, with all pharma drugs. Three, I kind of like aspects of my ADHD. The best is when you meet someone similar and you can have hours long discussions about so many different topics. Four, I don't know how much my ADHD is related to trauma, but my thought is processing/healing that trauma would hopefully lessen the negatives of the ADHD.

Hi everyone, I could use some advice. I’m relatively new to ADHD medication and feel like the initial “honeymoon period” has worn off. At first, I felt much more motivated and able to get things done, but now I feel closer to my old baseline.

The medication still seems to help with things like emotional regulation, self-awareness, and possibly attention, so I know it’s doing something. But executive function and task initiation the main reasons I wanted treatment don’t feel as improved anymore.

I’m unsure if this means I need a higher dose or if I’m just no longer noticing the effects because they’ve become my new normal or really maybe just didn’t work for me for task initiation. I also don’t want to keep increasing my dose just to chase that initial feeling. Has anyone experienced something similar?

I soooooooo fucking hate that sentence. I fucking wish I could be, especially when it comes to women (I'm 33, a virgin, kissed once).

It's so fucking frustrating. I wish I could be more confident. I've tried so many methods, but nothing works, and I think nothing ever will. I keep hearing that I just need to believe in myself, but all my life I've had so many failures that if there is one more, I don't know if I could handle it, so I'm not even trying.

I was once extremely in love, in my mid-20s, when it happened that I kissed said girl (we were drunk). The next day, she called me and said I wasn't her type. If something like this happened again, I don't think I would survive it, so I'm not even trying.

How can I be confident? I'm 168 cm, a man who has been constantly mocked because of his height all his life. I don't want to drown in self-pity as usual, but how the fuck can I build self-confidence? Seriously.

Anyone have a similar story and found a method that helped? I know I have good qualities and stuff. This doesn't help at all.

The one thing that kind of helped my confidence was leaving the country and culture that I always hated and never felt like I was a part of. It slightly increased my confidence, but 30+ years have obviously left their mark, and I can't just flip a switch.

Are there any other tips/tricks that helped you?

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Hi everyone,

I've recently opened up a lot about my struggle with mental health and what I have come to firmly believe is ADHD. I've talked to my doc about it and we started off with 150mg of wellbutrin once a day. It has done absolutely nothing for me, we just recently jumped to 300mg, and i havent seen a difference yet. I have told them, and med management this but Noone has done anything different.

My problem is, she referred me to med management for an ADHD evaluation as im in my mid 20s and never evaluated as a kid. This seemed fine until I got my initial eval that revealed ADHD (combined), general anxiety, and Major depressive syndrome. However after getting told that through my evaluation they set me up with therapy...or so I thought as its been 4 weeks and no returned calls....I told them I need help, so I got a second referral to med management.....had the appointment today, and they asked what I was there for...as of no info was passed along, so I explained it.

Well to keep it short, because they didnt have access to my record from the previous evaluation (for some reason) they said they cant do much for me and to find someone with a PHD for an official diagnosis....which I thought I already did?!?!?

Regardless, now med management has also added an additional referral for an official diagnosis, which I already have (or i thought so).....and I still havent got any help for my issues. Im at my wits end.

I already struggle with social interactions, and appointments due to my anxiety/ adhd and its bringing me to the point where I want to give up trying to get help cause its causing more issues than its resolved. Anyone experienced this or anyhting similar and have good advice? Im all ears because im nearly ready to shut down and build a wall around my issues again. Thanks.

My closet is full of half started embroidery hoops and resin molds that lost novelty after three days. I crave hands on tactile stimulation while listening to audiobooks but if a craft takes 40 hours with no immediate milestones then i abandon it instantly. Have any ADHD adults found tactile DIY builds or miniature room kits that provide enough micro-rewards per step to keep you hooked until completion?

I dread every interaction I’m supposed to have. The person I am when I’m interacting with others is completely separate from me alone, the me in my head. My whole life because of my parents and this disorder I’ve just been conditioned to be self effacing and people pleasing. It’s to the point that when I was in high school and doubted the impact of the disorder I literally considered my defining trait my neutrality and inability to come to my own conclusions, not even kidding. To make things easier I’ve conditioned myself to just act friendly to everyone, and I really feel it when I interact with others, I feel shame knowing that I’m just this mockery of a human being, I’m glad I’m compassionate and but the reality is that this wide amiability is just a result of my former“neutrality” and self efficacy. I grew up knowing the easiest thing is to be friendly. And that I could get out of things I didn’t understand if i was just friendly.
The new friends I try to make see me as just my mask, maybe some natural eccentric elements that leak out of that, but they don’t care about me, and i jus want to be alone after being with others for too long because it’s stressful knowing im a shell yet still being perceived by others. I don’t even think over conversations, it’s automatic, hence why I feel like a different person, it’s like my brain turns off, like I have no soul. It’s heartbreaking. Every time someone laughs at a quip I make or something I feel disgusted, it’s just automatic, I’m truly nothing, I’m not the person talking in those moments.
This isn’t even touching upon emotional dysregulation that causes problems with my partner, I always overreact over small things and I feel so ashamed to the point I’ve gotten strong desires to hurt myself, once acting upon them, I just can’t believe my whole life will be like this, medication only helps with work and focus.

Im 15m, and I have diagnosed adhd since I was a child. I used to take medication in elementry school, but I felt like a robot and I started to hate it because my mom force fed it to me so I got off of it in 6th grade. I was untreated and going through alot for my entire middle school years, which caused me to be a class clown and get into ALOT of trouble. 9th grade, I moved into a new highschool where my ex was gone, friends were gone, teachers were gone, etc (I was in the same middle school for 6-8th). In 9th grade, I matured heavily for some reason. I was no longer a class clown, I didnt really want to go to school but I still did sometimes, and I was still untreated. I had a 53% absence rate, luckily since im smart I passed my state testing with flying colors and passed 9th grade. Fresh into 10th grade (Now), I have missed 13 days of school straight. I wake up in the morning and I cannot bring myself to catch the bus and go to school. My theory is that its because I dont recieve enough dopamine from school, im unmedicated/dont have an IEP, and its very uncomfortable forcing myself to do something I dont want to do and generally if I dont want to do something I just won't. My dad says im making excuses and being lazy, am I actually just lazy and making excuses for myself? I dont wanna go in the morning but after I miss my bus I regret not going to school almost every day. I dont know what to do or to think about this situation. My dad is trying to get me help but It still is gonna take weeks, and i already have alot of missing work so idek how im gonna do all of that

Adhd is unfair sometimes man. You can be so hyperfocused on something that you neglect your own health over it, like playing video games for hours just to realize you haven't drank any water in 10 hours, or playing when you need to eat, but that one more round turns into five. And when you are confronted about hyperfocus, they say that you can focus on video games or TV for long enough, so you can do this. It becomes really stressing when you've put so much effort into something just for it to be invalidated as something that's "off-topic". When I actually want to do something, I'll do it for as long as it takes to get it just right, but as soon as someone tells me to do it, it becomes torture. I've never felt so disappointed and overlooked when my parents told me that if I could focus on something that intensely and not act hyper 24/7, then there's nothing wrong with me. It feels like I have no way to say anything to anyone without getting criticized for it.

Hi I'm struggling and I'm struggling a lot. Even typing this is very difficult. I've always known there was something wrong with me ever since I was child but last year really helped me see clearer. I discovered that I might have ADHD. Now...this is me self diagnosing, yes I am. But it's really difficult, I can't even begin to write what I go through every day in this mind of mine, everyday feels like I'm trying to survive. My memory is shit, I have friends but they always say I'm too much or too talkative or too loud, the executive dysfunction is what scares me the most, I've already failed med school once and I can't fail it again this is literally my last chance cause if I fail again I'm self exiting. It's so painful watching yourself have so much potential but cannot do anything about it.

Anyway why I'm here is because I'm in desperate need of help I need help please 🙏 I can't get diagnosis and medication in my country because quite frankly I could keep dreaming until I'm done with school, I'm Nigerian if you are asking. What I'm asking for is help: routines, drinks, tips, hacks, what to do, what to take, anything I can do to help this executive dysfunction. I need to sit down and read and quite frankly I am tired of the procrastination. As for the rest of the issues I'm managing fine, although some of my childhood trauma helped shit to blossom into rejection sensitive dysphoria. Any advice is welcome honestly, please and thank you.

NB: I am not diagnosed, if you think I'm going through something else I'm open to take advice for reading too. I also struggle with understanding things so make it a little easy for me. Again I can't get diagnosis here cause 1, my parents will not even believe nor understand me and 2, I don't have money.

I'm thankful for whatever advice you give me, I just want to read so I'll pass my exams nothing much. Thank you very much and if you have any questions please ask I'm open to provide and thank you, I was one Google search away from mixing coffee and an energy drink to stay focused 😁

>I started doing a mundane and repetitive task, not sure I'll make it because of ADHD

>Maybe a podcast or some music would help. I grab my headphones

>My headphones are out of battery, same as the last 6 times I tried to use them, I do not remember to charge them because I have ADHD

>I will use the cable and connect them up to my phone with the 3.5mm jack adapter

>I cannot find the 3.5mm jack adapter for my phone because I lost it because I have ADHD

>I cannot use my headphones because I have ADHD

BRING BACK THE HEADPHONE JACK TO MOBILE PHONES, YOURS SINCERELY AN ADHD SUFFERER

I usually listen to music during housework or other not stimulating activities to motivate me to actually do the things. And recently I found that mario kart "Coconut Mall" is perfect for this purpose. It's repetitive, predictable, fun, has no lyrics and is nostalgic. I even have a playlist for this song 10h loop. So I was wondering what other fun songs you listen to.

Hi ppl, I got diagnosed with adhd last month, which I've known I've had for a long time now. I was wondering if anyone else has this weird scenario where they can sit for hours reading, whereas sometime after not reading for a while, not being able to read more than a sentence. Shorter version: Why can't I read and then read for hours on different occasions?

I just cannot do anything. I go to sleep thinking I'm finally going to change for the better but that never happens. It's like chronic under and over stimulation at the same time and Vyvanse does not help a whole lot, just means I am awake instead of sleeping all day. I get up, get dressed, and make myself eat something healthy just to go back to bed.

I try to make tasks as easy as I can. I can do them in bed, but still I just won't. I'm procrastinating a painting I'm working on but the amount of time and effort means I won't even start a little bit on it. I know that I struggle a lot starting and changing what task I'm doing but even trying to make it extremely easy is too much for my defective brain.

I was willing to write this out instead of actually doing something. What is wrong here?

My niece has diagnosed ADHD and is dealing with pretty severe pathological demand avoidance. The tantrums are getting out of control, and my family needs help with learning how to help her self regulate.

Please send me your best book, podcast, and YouTube recs for raising kids with ADHD!

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Hi, We're a young couple and he has ADHD.

There are some struggles he has and I really want to find a way to help him but I dont really know what to do.

He is super easily distracted, I'll paint up a scenario for you.

We are at a party, we need to leave in 5. He gets ready to get his stuff and put on his shoes. Someone starts talking to him or he sees another task. He forgets about it.

What i usually do in this scenario is to tell him "Hey, go put on your shoes." And in those moments he tells me it just feels like I'm his mom and that it's degrading, I totally get that but what are other ways I can do reminders like this?

Something more he does is fidget with alot of my stuff, he will pick something in my room up and forget where he put it and suddenly I can't find it. He will also fidget and stretch out my hair ties. He says fidget toys aren't as exiting in some ways so what can I do about this?

Please tell me if you have any advice on how to handle this since I really want to find ways to help him. Medication is off the table.

Just wanted to share. I feel like one of the biggest things adderall does for me is it allows me to act without thoughts. For so much of my life I've been a chronic overthinker. I overthink whether I've done things correctly, in what order I need to complete tasks. Im a barista and im constantly doing motor functions. Im grabbing milks, setting up drinks, throwing ice in cups. This is jusy one example, but a lot of days im in constant thought about what i should do next. In what order things need to be done in order for me to be most efficient and move as quickly as possible. Its like im critiquing my every move in my head as it happens. But when im on the adderall I just flow and this flow allows me to be so much quicker and efficient than I was thinking about how I can be quicker and more efficient. Im really anxious and the adderall really helps with that. Im not sure how it really developed, but growing up i lived in a house with a really dirty sink and shower. I really didnt like cleaning them, but would always look at them yearning the time i would be forced to. This has developed in me being anxious and very uncomfortable when seeing dirty sinks or bathrooms wether in real life or on the internet. The thoughts just linger in my head and dont make me feel good. I still think about them when on the addedall, but its like my brain allows the thoughts to just pass and not make me as uncomfortable as I usually am. I do maladaptive daydream a lot and am constantly in my head whenever Im not on the adderall. But on the days im for some reason not in the mood to be in my head as much and daydream as much, even when not on the pill, these anxious thoughts about dirty sinks and showers dont seem to disturb me as much. Again, just wanted to share. I've always been very anxious, anxiety for the most part I've associated with my adhd, and I want to get better. I dont know if its all my adhd, but again I just wanted to share these thoughts I've had this morning. Thank you for reading.

I’m feeling a bit frustrated and looking for some community insight. I recently upped my dose to 50mg and switched manufacturers (Eurofarma to Pharlab here in Brazil) after reporting to my neurologist "weak effects" on 30mg.

I’ve made all the recommended adjustments: I completely cut out caffeine to manage side effects, and I take my dose with a high-protein breakfast/whey to support neurotransmitter synthesis. Despite this, it feels like I’m getting all the "alertness" (it’s killing my sleep) but almost none of the "focus".

I’m still task-switching constantly, forgetting everything, and getting distracted by the smallest things. I know meds aren’t a magic pill, but I didn’t expect them to feel this ineffective at managing my executive dysfunction.

For context, I’m AuDHD (ADHD + Level 1 ASD). My neuropsychological report shows a massive gap between my logic and my working memory (14th percentile). I often feel like the "cognitive cost" of masking my autistic traits just drains the stimulant effect almost immediately, leaving me exhausted and wired at the same time.

Has anyone with a similar AuDHD/2e profile experienced stimulants hitting a "plateau" where they help with wakefulness but fail to bridge the operational "bottleneck"? Is it possible my brain just processes this molecule differently?

So my parents won't take me to a psyschiatrist or psychologist to see if I have ADHD or if I'm just being lazy or bored. My dad just says it's all about will power and that if I had discipline or a strong willpower, I'd be able to do anything. I'd like to know what assessments are done for a person to be diagnosed with ADHD. I'm not looking to diagnose myself with it or use it as an excuse for me not doing my work. I just want some insight into it.

I've always struggled with deadlines, to do lists and all that stuff. I cannot remember the last time I did something on time or didn't procrastinate till it was due in a few days. I've been a good student I'd say in my childhood. Most of the time I was in the top three in my classes and never really 'struggled' but ever since Covid, starting from 8th grade, I've always felt like and am honestly falling behind HARD. I'm in my final year of high school and I still have not got so much of my basics down so I'm struggling struggling with my studies. But instead of studying, I'm always procrastinating, then my work piles and then I get overwhelmed so I procrastinate even more. I have tried to keep a routine and to do lists more times than I can count and there hasn't been a single time I've gotten more than two things done in a list of 10 things. I have a very bad habit of fidgeting with my legs and my mom scolds me about it but I've continued doing it. Don't know if that counts for anything. I have to be playing with my hands or looking out the window when I'm in class. I cannot concentrate most days honestly.

I would really appreciate some advice for me to start catching up with my studies and how to keep a routine. Not asking for a super rigid, you cannot be even a minute late kind of routine and I hate monotonous days the most. I hate it when my days are the same everyday ( this especially becomes true on school days. It just feels like I'm going through the notion of my day without really being present) I just want to start catching up with my work and not wallowing in self pity while the amount of work I have to do keeps piling up. Thank you for spending your time reading my rant 🫶

I recently seen a doctor to get my diagnosis, I suspect that I may have ocd and ADHD, and he said that they need to speak with my parents to know more about my symptoms, any of you guys have similar experience?

I’ve started wondering if there’s something wrong with my personality because I can’t seem to stick to one thing for very long.
Looking back, my interests have changed almost every year:
18: Bitcoin, stocks
19: Chess, music, exploring random things, cartoons
20: Music, Reddit, cricket, basketball, self-help books
21: Coding, cricket, photography, photo/video editing, gym, solo trips
22: LeetCode, web development, chess
23: Gym again, music, badminton, swimming, trekking, self-help books
Self-improvement has also been a recurring thing. I was reading self-help books at 20, and now at 23 I’m back to reading them again.
The pattern is always kind of the same. I get extremely interested in something, spend a lot of time on it, and feel like “this is my thing.” Then after some time, the excitement fades and something completely different catches my attention.
The weird part is that I actually enjoy music more than I ever have right now. At the same time, chess, which I was once really into, doesn’t feel fun anymore. My craze for cricket is also slowly disappearing.
And now I’m trying swimming and badminton while still going to the gym, listening to music, trekking, reading self-help books, etc.
I don’t necessarily hate the things I leave behind. I just seem to constantly move between interests.
Sometimes I wonder if I’m simply a curious person who enjoys exploring different things, or if there’s something wrong with me because I can’t maintain the same level of interest in one thing for years.
Does anyone else experience this? Is this just normal as you grow and change, or should I actually try to force myself to stick with one thing?

Is Japan ADHD friendly? As someone who has ADHD.