How to cope if you can’t get your ADHD medication

I'm glad this video was made. On average, my pharmacy has been taking 2 weeks to have my meds ready for me from the date they're requested. Half a month is a perfect amount of time to have my life fall apart again.

Thank you for this video!! 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, and the first thing that my doctor did was yank my Adderall ER from me. I went from being a super productive, happy and satisfied RN with a great career to a house bound hermit in the messiest hovel. After watching this episode, I think that I need to find an ADHD knowledgeable psychiatrist. Thanks to both of you.❤

I hope this doesn't sound weird but when I am stressed or struggling, for two years, you have been who I go to for help. You're unintentionally my ADHD coach, and I hope someday I can help someone like you help me every day.

Oh my god I've NEVER heard anyone else say "find the right job." I WISH I'd heard that 10 years ago (when I was being routinely reprimanded for not being "productive" enough or "detail oriented" enough and "you work too much overtime" (ah yes, these are ALL things I REALLY want to be doing and feeling, thanks boss). Like I was trying to scam the corporate system. Got a job in hospitality and am now a wine expert and educator...and the level of self esteem that I get from knowing I'm GOOD at this and that people like the work I do is unreal. 10/10 game changer.

PLEASE PLEASE if you're struggling to find your medication, check the outpatient pharmacies at local hospitals! My CVS hasn't been able to get my Adderall, so I i called up every pharmacy in my area and found it at an outpatient pharmacy. According to the pharmacist there, they have access to the same suppliers as the inpatient pharmacies and they get a much higher priority compared to "regular" pharmacies. Even needs that have been on backorder for months and months, they said they can normally get within a week.

5:44 Telling people with myopia to just squint harder... wow. That may be the best analogy I've ever heard.

I’m 64 years old and I know I’ve always been ADHD back in the old days they thought that the more they hit me the more I would change. It is so relieving to hear these things. But I found out that research for elderly and ADHD is lacking. I have never tried medication and at this age I’m not sure it’s worth it or if it could hurt my blood pressure. Thank you for this channel so much! I don’t feel so alone because pretty much everybody but my son has no idea what it’s like. Right now for the first time in 40 years my job is on the line. I’m only a few months from retirement. Quite stressful.

This is so timely for me. Had to go to 14 different pharmacies before one would give me my meds, and just last month they told me they’ll no longer be able to give me the medication. So I have to do the process all over again. It’s been soul sucking

I love that this is actual self help for ADHDers not just the clean your room and do what your are suposed to

Great video and well-timed! 6:08 The right job for you is: - what you're good at - what you enjoy - what people will pay you to do Add to these three: - what the world needs and as a whole it becomes the Japanese concept of your ikigai, their concept for happiness at work.

Ooof. I especially feel you about the MD going "Are your meds good? Okay, here's the new scrip"

Please, please release your book on audible too! Yours a hopeless dyslexic with ADHD who will never get to read this otherwise!

I struggled with getting new medication because I got new insurance and they only payed for generics. Thank God they finally made a generic for Vyvanse. Before being switched to Vyvanse's generic they had me on Adderall Xr and it helped during the work hours but once it wore off I crashed mega hard. My body felt like it has been up for 2 days straight. I like to say that when I did get my first job I always thought I would be there foverever then someone told me that I seem more like a night owl and I really don't interact with people "correctly" so they mentioned that I should work overnights and since then I felt better. Less customer interaction, more quiet, and I get to listen to music which helps me do work better.

This is tremendously helpful for me! I'm from Myanmar and it's rough over here. I can't get a diagnoses or meds because we're backwards over here and anything ADHD is pediatric problems so as an adult, I can't find any good resources. Meds are a pipe dream for me. Watching this, I realize I've really learned how to cope with my ADHD because I have no access to meds.

Something that struck me is that you described your life as “still in shambles.” I reflexively wanted to give you a hug bc I’ve felt the same way so, so many times. It sucks. And in many ways I feel like my life is there too rn (for me, it’s divorce, not having a job rn, and a newish ADHD diagnosis among other things…) So maybe I’m saying this to both of us… Let’s not use qualifiers like that to describe where we are. There are seasons to life and this is a hard one for me. Maybe instead of “shambles” that has a decidedly negative connotation it can simply be “hard.” Like it may end up being hard for while, but not in shambles. You just finished your book, right? That’s not something that someone’s whose life is in shambles can do. No guilt, no shame, no nitpicking! Just a gentle reminder that negative self talk is the worst. 🧠❤

Finally someone who gets it I started crying when he mentioned that for some of us, not taking our medication means we, we might lose our job or fail a really important test. I’m one of those people and every time I go day without my medicine. If it’s during the week I have to call off of work and when I was in school and then possibly not getting something done on time it’s so nice to hear someone recognize and acknowledge the struggles that go through. ❤❤❤

I’ve been putting off getting a diagnosis because I’ve been worried about not being able to get medication, but I finally got an assessment a few days ago! Will hopefully have a diagnosis in a few weeks 🤞

Two of my favorite ADHDers in one video!!! As someone who's been unable to get Adderall for well over a year now and has turned to alcohol to self-medicate, this was really needed and very appreciated. When I'm not medicated, my brain just feels itchy and restless. I'm sure you know what I mean! Thank you for both for your insight. Really, really appreciate you guys. It's not easy living with ADHD, but knowing I'm not alone makes the pain feel a little less overwhelming.

I’m grateful for this video; I went most of my life untreated/ halfway undiagnosed ((a parent in denial because the first medication we tried wasn’t a good match)), and the TRUTH of so much struggle coming from a disconnect between you & your environment/job is so reassuring. I learned how to cope fairly decently without my meds— it’s just uncomfortable and so much more difficult— but having a job that matches MY needs is something that I will prioritize the rest of my life. The wrong match of a job as an adult can be soul-crushing, for sure.

This talk felt like I went to a group for ADHDers almost like AA or NA. Sometimes all I want is to not have to explain why I'm different. It's refreshing to hear someone explain their own behavior to me (or common ADHD symptoms) and for me to relate than for me to constantly address the giant wall inbetween me and someone who is neurotypical with words and watch them struggle to understand and/or believe me. Loved this thank you both & big thanks to the how to ADHD team