ADHD without meds?

So the reason why I am struggling to learn is class was actually ADHD and I had just found that out yesterday when we booked an appointment with a psychiatrist. My doc suggested for me to take ADHD meds but he told me that I should be aware of the side-effects, I'm wondering if there are other ways to cure ADHD without the meds?

 

Meds do not cure ADHD, there is no way to cure it. You can suppress it perhaps, but that is it.

For some people, ADHD is stronger when they are a kid but doesn't affect them as much as adults (and vice versa). Basically, whatever it works like for you is just how it is.

And there's a difference between ADHD and lazyness, lot of young people out there diagnosed with ADHD who are just damn lazy in class and need a reason for it so they don't feel dumb or look bad in front of their parents. Not saying you're lazy, but have a think if maybe you are just not trying hard enough to learn. The only way to diagnose ADHD is observation, it's not something that runs in the blood or anything. So it is easy to make a mistake as all they can do is watch you.

 

I'm not as lazy as you think though, honestly it's my own choice to even try hard to focus but I just can't, too many chit going on in my head even if I try to listen to the teacher/prof, I'll just end up daydreaming. lol

 

The medicine they will prescribe you just helps you focus more and enables your ability to concentrate.

 

Yeah I know but I'm looking for an alternative way in case someone here had helped has the same problem as me since ADHD has side effects and one of them is low appetite and I'm in bulk right now so that would fuck it up and also I think it's likely that I am the only one suffering from it here on Sythe.

 

Oh yeah, you'll lose appetite for sure.

 

tehRonskie, I have been in the EXACT same boat as you. When I was 8, I went to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with ADD/ADHD, but instead of prescribing me medication, he wanted me to use techniques for the disorder. Then, I went back again two years later, and experienced the same thing. Then finally 8 years after that, I went to my family physician who perscribed me medication for it. Essentially up until my senior year of high school, I was completely unable to get above a mid B in any class. Typically from the minute I got home from school and until about 12 midnight, I would be studying. I really wanted those A's, but I simply could not get them no matter how hard I tried. Once I was prescribed medication, that all changed and my studying was finally actually paying off and I was able to get all A's and a B my senior year of high school.

I'm not sure where on the ADD/ADHD scale you lie, but often times using techniques don't work. However, what seemed to work for me technique wise was to put myself in a completely quiet room with no distractions. Of course I would end up being distracted somehow, but I wouldn't be as distracted as I would be otherwise. I'd also suggest getting a program or web app that would let you block certain sites or only let you go to certain sites for a certain amount of time. Music was often a bad idea for me as well. In the most basic terms, our brains are "asleep" and they are trying to wake themselves up. This is why people with ADHD are so fidgety. The brain is using motor movement to try to keep itself activated. Music stimulates activity in the brain a ton, which is why it could hinder our concentration, as we will then focus on the music since it's stimulating our brains more. The last thing that really helped me was to act eccentric and excited about what I was working on, and make myself believe that I liked the material. I probably looked insane, but F that. Doing this, talking everything out loud, and even standing while studying were certainly beneficial for me.

In terms of being in class, just try your best. Move your leg up and down a bit if you have to. Be a nerd and sit in the front row, too. This way, all you see will be the teacher and the board. No one else will be in front of you to distract you. In terms of exams, keep an eye on the time but stay relaxed. Try breathing in for 7 seconds, then holding your breath for 7 seconds, and then exhaling for 10 seconds.

Presence and intensity of the side effects for medication are different for everyone, and there are different medications available too. Don't let the side effects lead you astray, though. Don't be afraid to try one for a bit and then switch to something else if it isn't working out. Honestly, my biggest side effect would be the fact that I am often not hungry. It's not that I am disgusted by food, I'm just not hungry and would rather not eat. I'm aware of this so I eat anyways, and I force myself to eat the right portions of what I need, so it isn't a problem. Another large side effect that I've heard of is mood changes. I know that I become very concentrated and stay rather serious, though I feel happy and calm. When I'm not taking my medication, I'm crazy excitable, I'm happy and I show that I am, and I'm hyper. Everyone experiences these side effects differently, so the best advice I can give is to try it and see how it works for you.