LogFAQs > #883587791

I started methylphenidate in like 2014/2015, went off it in 2016, then got back on it this year.

I got by okay without it all through high school and undergrad because, for one, I just thought everything was normal and, for two, I always found ways to work around the symptoms in school (SparkNotes, pulling all-nighters to write papers, studying while walking to class, etc.). I also drank all the time to cope with the social aspects of it. The ADHD first came up when I started failing out of law school and saw a counselor for the first time. I avoided ADHD meds though because I was afraid they'd be harmful or something.

About a year later, I had an anxiety attack at my new job and saw a psychiatrist. He also brought up the possibility of ADHD and eventually suggested the meds, which I definitely took up that time. I noticed a huge improvement at work, being more a lot more relaxed and never really hitting that point of being intensely exhausted after only a few hours. I also became much more productive with my music hobby and found I was better able to get involved with games, TV, and movies instead of getting bored all the time. Even found it easier to make friends and get out of the house because I wasn't overprocessing all kinds of social/physical cues from people.

I stopped when my doctor retired and never bothered to look for another doctor. I noticed my motivation to work on music drop drastically, practically giving it up for a whole year. I couldn't really stay interested in games unless I had the TV going at the same time (hell, I bought an Xbox One just for the Snap feature). I also cut contact with most friends, avoided leaving the house, got depressed at work, and eventually quit to move back home.

Was a huge pain getting my prescription back this year, since most doctors and insurance companies won't issue it to a 28 year old, but I got it and have been improving.