Managing Stimulant Shortage: Coping Strategies and Frustrations

Oh friend I feel for you! I’m gonna try to condense this to an ADHD friendly list of what has worked for me and my partner (both with ADHD and I currently can’t take stimulants) 1. Caffeine (doesn’t bring back my focus but does help me feel a little more normal) and DONT FORGET TO EAT 2. Controlling sensory input — having favorite music or a podcast/audiobook helps satisfy the part of my brain screaming for attention so the other part can focus on driving, also headphones to block/replace sound in public places. 3. To manage routines that aren’t happening automatically, apps like Routinery and/or a bunch of alarms that go off at intervals for normal things (like eat, take meds, check in with yourself). 4. A list of small dopamine boosting activities you can do on breaks to regulate like playing a game (AmongUs, water sort, wordle, etc.) and play them in a set timeframe (like 1 game or 10min). I love Duolingo for this and the dopamine boost from the correct sound is fab. 5. Leverage your strengths and don’t mask when you don’t need to (like if you need to sing your grocery list get in your car and sing it, highlight your to do list to make it visually engaging, dance clean, you get the point) 6. Be kind to yourself! If RSD kicks in and you get frustrated, try watching compassionate YouTubers with ADHD for encouragement (I love Hayley Honeyman and Shaaba). Best of luck!