What to do If You Can't Get Your ADHD Meds?

Right now there is a nationwide Adderall shortage affecting many people. So what are you supposed to do if you can't get your ADHD meds? Lets explore that.

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[ruaoneill]

"It turns out I need my meds to USE a lot of those coping strategies" Welcome to another episode of Jess sums up my entire life in 1 sentence!

[khr]

With meds I see colors much more vivid, I focus much better, I get relaxed much easier, I do not have compulsive eating cravings, the anxiety went away. This anxious fog of thoughts, I was so much used to, I thought it is just normal state of being. With meds I for the first time in my life am truely happy and present.

[mattlydon]

One thing I find incredibly helpful when I can't get meds is to take a brief nap during the day. I know that isnt available to everyone, but any kind of rest is better than none. I limit mine to 20min so I dont mess with my sleep schedule, and I find that once I get back out of bed it is so much easier to direct my attention. Like a little reset button :)

[ericapelz]

For myself, I altered #2 to "adjust other people's expectations." Maybe tell folks it's a bad concentration day rather than mention meds. It depends on your coworkers, boss, teacher, classmates, etc., and what you are comfortable telling them.

[spoogly]

The shift between you having a little difficulty starting the video to you being completely engaged in it is so much more apparent when you're off your meds. At their core, your videos are a form of storytelling, and I know I'm exactly the same way when I get into a story.

I'm really glad you chose to make this video. I've been unmedicated for a couple years because my coping strategies are sufficient to match my current lifestyle. But I remember the feeling of not having my meds for a few days, and it was very not good.

[NarwhalAcademy]

hope it's okay I comment timestamps in case anyone wants to go back to specific parts 😊
03:17 Readjust workload and expectations
03:46 Lean harder on and adjust coping mechanisms
04:36 Let people know
05:27 Pay attention to your brain chemistry

[AITCOYE]

As I'm in an ADHD paralysis watching your videos trying to get back up, just wanted to say that yes it's been such a struggle without my meds !! 😭😭😭😭 Thanks for your videos!!

[JD-pdgl]

I didn’t know the shortage had been going on so long, I only needed to get my meds refilled recently & called my pharmacy today & they told me about it😭 Right in time for finals week!!! I’m so frustrated

[pnut]

This is the 2nd national shortage I've seen. I miss desperately when I could take my meds and when my Adderall worked for me.

[positivelykaylamarie]

Can you please do a video on *body focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) with ADHD* (i.e. nail biting, skin picking, cheek biting, etc.)? I feel like it's not talked about very much, but I've struggled with a lot of them my whole life.

[TwoPlusTwoEqualsFive]

I went from age 12 to 30 without any meds, I don't recommend. Mostly I have just tried to keep my life as minimalistic and as straight forward as possible, job that doesn't require complex thinking, less belongings, less subscriptions to services and just having lots of boxes you can shove things into to keep things "somewhat" organised."

I think the biggest critical factor is having a supportive friend or family member who is aware of your ADHD and have them visit regularly just to give you a reality check and help you body double with cleaning and chores, I have found even if they are just sat down keeping an eye on you that tends to drive you forward to get more done.

[averycockburn]

Some of these tips (especially the exercise and leaning on coping mechanisms) are really useful for those of us who can't (or can no longer) take stimulants for side-effect reasons. 😔 For me, regular exercise really helps with energy level and focus. Having an accountability buddy helps with short-term goals like daily word counts or emails.

[heavenlycute]

I was diagnosed with ADHD this summer and in August I tried medication for the first time. It was fantastic! All of a sudden I was a lot less anxious and reactive, I didn’t overeat like I usually do and I actually *did stuff* instead of just thinking about them! I was absolutely crushed when I had to stop taking it after only 10 days because my blood pressure was through the roof! I was absolutely devastated. It was like I had been shown a different, a *better* world and then told nuh-uh, you can’t go there. Now I’m going through all these tests and medical assessments to find out if I have the heart health to possibly go back on ADHD medication, and it’s compatible with my blood pressure meds. I really, really, really feel for all the ADHD’ers who can’t get their meds now.

[Annaspopoff]

I was off meds from age 20 to 38, cried when I got back on my meds because I had been struggling for so long and I could live a normal ish life again, Was a relief.

[n.d.]

This shortage is terrible. I haven’t been able to get a refill on my meds in about 6 months. Then finally, this month I called the pharamcy and they had the name brand in. We paid out the nose, even with insurance. BUT WOW, I feel human again, I can think again! I hope this shortage ends soon.

[maryamp]

I got diagnosed for adhd now at 46 years old and got medication Concerta is fantastic this change my life totally.
I could see how toxic my husband was and break our relationship, I got a totally work situation I got a much much better relationship to my children.
I wish everyone out there to found help ❤
Thank you for your videos ❤ I love them

[willtharp]

The first time I ever took my medication, I sat down, waiting to see what effect it would have. I woke up about 45 minutes later. Apparently that was the most relaxed I had been in my life.

[Viola]

I wanted to add that another reason you might want to have a day without your meds is if you are planning on drinking. I’m not condoning in binge drinking or anything but, apparently ADHD meds can effect how alcohol makes you feel and you can feel *less* drunk so you end up drinking more till the stimulants wear off and you are hammered. (Wish I had known this is college but whatever 🙄) I had just upped my meds and was going to a college friend’s wedding and my therapist suggested I skip my dosage that day so I could stay in control. I wanted to share as we head into the holiday season.

[destinyinvest]

I am so grateful that I found this channel cause I have been so embarrassed about my ADHD and I have been off meds for years a boy a lot of things has suffered

[rufidaalbakri]

I'm dental student and I can't keep up with my studying because of lack of medication and even normal mental treatment, so this is very helpful and it's feel good to be relatable too and I'm not the only one experienced this