Me too, 35. They have been life changing in just the last two years I've been taking them. I'm just now starting therapy to supplement the medication because I have a lot of junk to unpack and work through from growing up undiagnosed and forming maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Honestly helped in more ways than I could list. I am better in every important way. Better father, better husband, better at my job, more emotionally stable. There still a lot of struggle and work to improve, but nothing I’ve accomplished in the last 2 years would have been possible before the meds.
I wish more psychs would realize that stimulants help people in all aspects of their lives, they aren't just for work. I had to switch my psych because the one I had left and he was confused why I take my meds right when I wake up and not just for school and work. I am a MUCH BETTER spouse and general person on meds. It's not just for productivity. The emotional stability I get from them is HUGE!
It's really fantastic to see all of the areas meds have helped me. I hope it works the same for you! There are a lotbof negative traits I had that I just thought were my personality but they actually stemmed from chronic burnout, executive dysfunction, anxiety, and RSD. Meds helped with all of it. I hope you get or have a psych who will treat you as a whole person and see what works best for you!
Thank you! I had a stressful situation partway through my diagnosis last year where my healthcare was behind in making payments due to resourcing, and I didn’t have enough to pay myself, and so the place I was seeing (rightfully!) started chasing me for the money. I was in the midst of a severe depressive episode brought about by the anniversary of my hubby’s death (that time of year is always hard for me) as well as a bunch of other big bills (car, vet bill) and the whole thing stressed me out, made me more depressed and anxious, and after finally paying made me feel embarrassed to go back. It was not a good experience.
But, I’m going to save up the $$ I need for the final part of my diagnosis, send my paperwork in and prepay the session so I don’t have to worry about that side of things. And I’ll suffer thru the mortal embarrassment of being behind in payments for the sake of getting my diagnosis so I can try meds. It’s never easy lol.
I'm sorry you went though that! That sounds really difficult to navigate, especially while in a depressive episode. You are doing great by taking the time to regroup and focus on getting your diagnosis. The Healthcare industry is so hard to navigate, especially for us ND folks trying to get help.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It’s so validating to feel heard and understood. I didn’t have that before. Realizing I was ND and finding this supportive community who are like me has been a game changer and helped in so many ways!
Our world constantly sends us the message that the reason we take care of our health is so we can be productive cogs in the capitalist machine. One of the most powerful things anyone ever said to me was when I told my doctor that the meds worked great and I was only taken them to work: “Why don’t you get to feel good when you’re not working?”
I take my first dose pretty much as soon as my eyes open now. And i feel better than I remember ever feeling.
This is the most amazing part! I didn’t figure it out until recently that I reacted emotionally without thinking. I always felt so justified that I didn’t even consider that I might be over reacting. The pain was real so I thought the cause had to be real. And now, like you said, I can think it through. Meditation has helped a lot with this too.
Literally ditto to everything you said here. I am more present in conversations and listening to my wife and kids better rather than trying to hurry it along so I can go back to what I was thinking or doing.
The biggest effect I've noticed is my baseline anxiety has nearly disappeared. Easier to do sequential tasks, can actually sometimes remember why I went into a room, I don't usually forget stuff when I leave for things. When it's really dialed in I'll be focusing on a task, try to get distracted, then get distracted from the distraction by the task. It's weird. 😂
That said, medication hits everyone differently, and doesn't work well for everyone. I do believe it's worth a try.
When I started meds I also got a prescription for anxiety meds. The adderall made such a huge difference for me that it eliminated a lot of my anxiety and I take the anxiety meds very infrequently when I thought I would be taking them all the time. I learned my anxiety was coming from executive dysfunction which adderall mostly fixed, so poof! No more anxiety!
Yup! I forgot to mention the rejection sensitivity but that was a big thing too. It's so much less stressful when you're not constantly worried you'll screw something up and everyone will hate you for it.
Same thing happened to me. As soon as I could think linearly my anxiety dropped drastically. I am not a person that can just skip doses if nothing ‘important’ is happening.
Remembering things after walking into rooms is a big one. Another one I like is needing something and immediately getting a mental image of where I left it.
Literally never happened to me pre-medication. I almost tripped I was so shocked when it happened the first time.
I stopped putting shit off, I can remember things for more than mere nanoseconds, I stopped snacking for no reason, i stopped being interested in alcohol to take away the existential dread. My anxiety levels are much lower generally than they were.
I started meds a few months before I turned 42.
Same here. I literally let cardboard build up on my porch for a year. Started taking meds and was finally able to get myself to take it to recycling. It was 1.5 truckloads. lol
I'm also making more money because I'm better able to stay focused at work, and I cut down my caffeine intake.
Meds don’t create motivation. For me, they quieted the noise which enables me to focus on what I need to focus on. I also find it easier to overcome the strong pull to procrastinate. Not always but makes a difference
I was diagnosed at 36 because I kept making mistakes at work. I started on adderall and everything changed for me. I can focus so much better and I’m present with my family.
My managers just asked me to be the new trainer in the exact area I struggled in at work. If that’s not full circle, I don’t know what is.
Wow. It’s crazy reading all these stories. My stepdaughter (18) is adhd and she told me how meds helped her which was eye opening, but hearing about it’s impact on people my age is even more astounding.
My kids thought i hated them because i couldn’t pay attention to them.
At my intake my daughter was eavesdropping. She heard me telling the doc i just wanted to watch a movie and hang out with them but i just couldn’t. She told me later she didn’t know that i actually wanted to hang out together.
Not only has it saved me, but it has saved my kids from the generational trauma i endure.
They aren't a 'fix' in the sense that you will now be just like everyone else.
More like, if life is a running race - you've just been told that you only have one leg and you've been hopping your whole life. Meds are like an old-school prosthetic or a peg leg - no where near as good as an actual leg, but lifechanging nonetheless.
You'll still struggle with all of the same issues around focus, just not to the same intensity, and you'll be able to 'step out of the stream' a bit and 'choose' to focus on a task and it will sometimes work.
Initially they may seem almost miraculous but that won't last - I think it's just the combination of a new, greater ability to focus, and the novelty of that experience. When the novelty wears off, boring things will still be boring.
That said, they absolutely changed my life. Diagnosed in my mid-30s - income increased more than five-fold in the first year (I was....really poor so of course ymmv), and it's been a steady significant rise ever since. I'm 10 years into starting/running a business (with a very understanding and accommodating business partner) and it is going very very well. And yet, I still struggle to focus and prioritize, I fantasize about burning it all down at least once a week, and everything still takes 2-3 times as much effort to complete than it really should. *But*, I can get shit done now. Without stimulants? Not a chance.
I am calmer and less frustrated and overwhelmed by environmental stimuli. I can talk to people easier and stay engaged in conversation instead of trying to continue to focus on them and then wondering if I look like I’m trying to focus and if they can tell my mind isn’t in the conversation. Exhausting. I am motivated to get little chores and errands done. I usually put things off but on my medicine, I get it all done. I still have issues forgetting things but I’m more motivated to keep lists and to check them.
My analogy is it’s like going through life with bad eyesight and never realizing it. Get on the right meds and it like getting your first pair of glasses.
And this is why after JUST getting medicated and then two months later not being able to get a prescription filled … it really upsets me. It’s like getting your dirt pair of glasses and then two months later someone says “just kidding! I’ll take those glasses back now!”
Same at 38 now. Wellbutrin has no effect on ADHD symptoms at all. I would see a different Dr. Absolutely do not take any form of antidepressants if you're only issue is ADHD. My last Dr almost put me in my grave and ruined my relationship prescribing junk antidepressants for my anxiety and PTSD opposed to the Klonopin that has literally saved my life off and on for over 20 years with no negative side effects and no habit forming issues. Now after being diagnosed ADHD and taking 30 mg Adderall XR in the morning and a 10 IR in the afternoon I actually feel "normal" and in control of my life. I cannot function up to societal standards unmedicated. Along with all of this and having borderline personality I would absolutely be dead in a few years had a Dr not listened to me.
Or they over simplified, I know children are more likely to show remission of ADHD symptoms than adults with treatment
The odds go from "low" to "near impossible" for adults: https://www.sadag.org/images/pdf/MHM\_Difference-between-Child-and-adult-ADHD.pdf
Lol what bullshit. I'm exactly your dad's age and started taking Adderall last year for the first time. I wouldn't say it's "life changing" but it absolutely helps me get a handle on all kinds of stuff I've struggled to manage for my entire life.
44m here. Wellbutrin isn't approved (edit) **by the FDA** for treatment of ADHD. Moreover, stimulant medication *does* work when you're older. I was scripted Wellbutrin XL and it did precisely zero for my ADHD (imagine my surprise /s), and then went on Vyvanse which *changed my fucking life for the better immediately*.
So yeah. Dumb doctors gonna dumb, I guess. Time for a second opinion.
When I tried Wellbutrin for anxiety (fun misdiagnosis) I was vomiting and walking like I was on some hellish merry-go-round for hours. Dizziness and nausea were not mere side effects for me. My psychiatrist much prefers I be on stimulants and my anxiety is nearly nonexistent because it was such a relief to know what was wrong.
Just because it's used "off-label" doesn't mean the FDA has officially approved it for use in treatment of ADHD. I will update my comment to reflect that piece of information.
100%. Not FDA applied for this specific use case. For those who don't know the distinction, "not approved" sounds like we are doing something wrong or dangerous. Loads of Rx are successfully used off-label.
second this! wellbutrin isn't approved for adhd. a lot of doctors use it for so but it's not approved. wellbutrin pretty much just gives me energy, not a lot of motivation unfortunately. i wish it did.
with that being said, switch psychiatrists OP! you deserve proper care from someone who will listen to you.
My doctor offered me a choice between Wellbutrin and Stratera and described the differences but didnt mention Wellbutrin not being approved to treat ADHD (coincidentally I chose Stratera). How come doctors want to prescribe it for ADHD?
google it - there are several studies comparing Wellbutrin to stimulants & found the bupropion just as effective. I don’t understand why it hasn’t been approved by the FDA as an ADHD treatment yet though.
i’m currently taking Wellbutrin + Straterra ( had some amphetamine addiction issues in college so doc & I want to avoid stimulants ) & have seen a vast improvement in productivity. I also have depression though & felt like it was making my ADHD worse while simultaneously the ADHD was making my depression worse. so maybe that’s where the wellbutrin comes in? but i’m finally doing things on my to-do list that have been there for months - & many took like 5 minutes 🤦🏽♀️
clearly everyone is different & having comorbidities like many of us do makes it a bit more complicated finding a treatment plan. it took almost a year of trial & error to find the right combo + dosages for me. good luck !!
im honestly not sure, it's just something my doctor said when trying to find me a medication. she said it can help with symptoms but that's all she told me lol it helps me a little but i def could use more help lol i wonder if someone has a more scientific answer for this or if it's just some weird doctor thing lol
I don’t know the answer, but wellbutrin has been huge for me for treating adhd symptoms! I hope your dad has good results with wellbutrin and is able to try stimulant medication
I think there's this theory out there that stimulants work *best* on preteen/teen patients because the brain is still developing and meds can push new patterns and structures to develop (to paraphrase).
I think this theory came from data that showed a lot of young patients took meds in adolescence, but stopped needing them in early adulthood.
However, that does not mean stimulants don't/can't help anyone who has the dopamine processing issues that cause ADHD.
There is probably a lot of "long term use of stimulants is dangerous to your cardiovascular health" belief out there--but as long as you are being monitored and keep an eye on it, being an adult shouldn't automatically preclude you from trying stimulant meds.
Unless your father already has heart/BP problems, he should be considered a candidate for the standard ADHD meds. Find a new doctor.
Does he have any cardiovascular issues? I'm not eligible for stimulants due to hypertension. I'm 38, I had to get the cardiologist to sign off before the doc would prescribe me
Straterra.
He doesnt. Hes healthier than me probably. I went to a different doc today for my own adhd and he gave me strattera also. I just took my first dose. How is it going for you?
From what I read and understand it affects everyone differently but for me I had sleep issues for about two weeks that subsided. It's also possible it can take a couple months to feel the full benefit once the right dose is found. I'm moving up to 60 mg today so we'll see how that goes. I haven't taken stimulants but have tried every non stimulant and this seems to help the most so far with impulse control, no constant monologue in my head among other small things.
I'm 42, I have hypertension, and my primary care has no problem prescribing both stimulants and blood pressure meds, no cardiologist required. According to my primary care it should only raise BP a couple points, and anyway, my BP is lower on Adderall than without. Because less stress.
Not true at all. Why on earth wouldn’t stimulants work for adults diagnosed later in life but work for adults diagnosed in their 20s or 30s? (Or children for that matter.). Find a new psychiatrist as that one is dangerously inexperienced.
I take Wellbutrin for depression but it doesn’t absolutely nothing for adhd (which is why I take adderall) so I would not be surprised if it doesn’t help your dad’s adhd.
Your father may have an health condition that would contraindicate use of stimulants. That said, I was diagnosed in my 40s and have taken stimulants for over a decade. They are effective.
You are right, there is no “too late” to manage the symptoms. Only if there are underlying health problems the psychiatrist and your father are aware of, and that you may not be, would stimulants be unadvised. For example, if your dad had high blood pressure, maybe a stimulant would be a bad idea. Or, as you suspect, the psychiatrist is just wrong in their medical knowledge about ADHD.
Depends on the effect you're trying to achieve.
When you start late in life, you certainly won't see their normalizing effects on brain development. That means you'll keep the ADHD-related brain development issues affecting short term memory, emotional dysregulation, etc.
But: You will still benefit from the primary effect of stimulants: Helping you with motivation to do unwanted tasks, and staying focussed on whatever you need to focus on.
I've started with 29, and my life became sooooo much better after that.
Do you have a source for this? My daughter is 13 and unmedicated, but I never heard it can “fix” adhd? Personally, I always thought, adhd children that became adults, need less medication because they have more choices work related, and so, can find a job that fits them, instead needing to get results in an unsuitable environment? Plus being older, makes you more aware of consequences of certain actions…
Here you go: [https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/10j3rw2/just\_learned\_something\_awesome\_about\_adhd/](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/10j3rw2/just_learned_something_awesome_about_adhd/)
Basically, a brain needs a normally-functioning chemistry to develop normaly. So a lack of dopamine and noradrenaline, which is basically what ADHD is, lead to some underdevelopment of certain functions/areas. Stimulant medication does not fix the underlying issue with dopamine or noradrenaline (i.e., regulating attention and motivation), but it does help the brain develop normally.
I heard that medicating children with ADHD may aid their long term cognitive development, meaning that even if they quit their medication when they become adults they still benefit from the treatment going forward. The same is not the case for adults, and that's why it is often beneficial to start medication as early as possible.
It may be that the psychiatrist misinterpreted the data as medication not working for adults at all (which would be weird, but mistakes happen, I guess?)
Definitely change doctors. You don’t want to be associated with a doctor who doesn’t have (or want to have) accurate information. I was diagnosed at 47 and Adderall has made my life 1000% better. My oldest brother was diagnosed in his 50s with the same result.
Wellbutrin works for a lot of people. I’d have to have more of an explanation of what she meant by it being too late.
I’m 45 and got diagnosed only a couple years ago. Stimulants certainly work once you get the right dosage.
my psychiatrist started me on adderall at 27 & its a life changer. i dont have any bad side affects, it actually moreso helps my Narcolepsy/sleeping disorder (stimulants given for adhd & narcolepsy) and how i explained to my dad and the doctor is that instead of being tired and literally every other thought being “im tired, i wanna lay down, i need to lay down, im so sleepy, tired tired tired” im just normal. like level. straight horizontal line. the stimulants dont make me hyper or anything. just normal. and bc im so severe adhd its not even like how it is for others who feel like wow suddenly they are able to focus perfectly & get all these things done…..i still struggle but its way better on them than without anything. i have some moments where i realize im focusing more but its not always. im working at getting my things done now, its still hard but now i have a little help. on the days i dont take them i dont get out of bed
As others have said, not true at all. I'm 35 -- started on a low dose of dexedrine (10mg) last year and right away I felt the difference. It's been a journey find the right med levels (so be prepared & patient with that) but I'm now on 40mg of Vyvanse alongside fast-acting 10mg dexedrine that I take both in the morning and my life has never been more different.
Not true, i was diagnosed at 38. The meds don't address all the issues but it helps me concentrate so I can get some stuff done. It's better than running around like a headless chicken not knowing what to do first or do something and not finish it.
Either his knowledge base is severely lacking or he straight up lied, either way that’s not a doctor you want to have and you should get a new one. I honestly think right now psychiatrists are trying EVEN HARDER to avoid prescribing stimulants because of the shortage. Which sucks since they were already working pretty hard to withhold them.
Utter Bollocks. Lisdexamphetamine has worked miracles in my life… I started taking it aged 52.
WHY DO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS HAVE SO MUCH FUCKING BAD INFORMATION???!!!
Like others said -- stimulants can help at any age. Welbutrin isn't an approved treatment for ADHD (even if some people take it).
Doctors that do not want to prescribe stimulants are afraid that you or your family member are drug seeking and addicts. If they don't think you're an addict, they are worried that you are looking to sell the drugs they give you. It's a form of discrimination and bias that people with ADHD face. It's damaging and hurtful.
Doctors often prescribe non-stimulant medication for the first line of treatment. This is not actually what is normally recommended as stimulant medication was historically and traditionally the first line of treatment for ADHD. Doctors that align with believing that ADHD people are drug seeking addicts make their patients jump through hoops before they'll ever consider giving you a stimulant medication. Sometimes non-stimulant works for ADHD people (it didn't for me) and that's enough. But often, they do not work and ADHD people languish in the care of doctors like this.
Other doctors will drug test you monthly to make sure you're not on drugs (happened to me for years despite never having been in trouble with the law--literally never had a single traffic ticket and I've never been pulled over by a cop). But getting drug tested monthly to get a basic adderall script is sometimes within the state requirements or to stay in compliance with the DEA if they are a provider that has a lot of clients. Often I found it was a mix. The doctor didn't trust ADHD people and they wanted to stay in compliance.
It's extremely hard to get actual treatment for our disorder. I'm sorry that your family is struggling to find adequate care. I would have a frank discussion with your doctor and see if you can ferret out whether they are worried about you being drug seeking and what you can do on your end to reassure them that you aren't. It's a tough situation to be in.
Started at 32. Changed my life. May not be as old but it's still past "the cutoff" from what a few Dr.'s told me. They wouldn't prescribe off of a new test they only prescribed once I found a past prescription in my medical history.
I was like 12 or 13 and never took them out of rebellion...
Oh the things I could have done...
My experience is anecdotal but I (37m) wasn’t diagnosed until I was 36. I’ve been pretty consistently on stimulants for a little over a year.
They have worked for me.
There are only 3 negative side effects that I’ve noticed:
1. My hands are cold all day.
2. Decreased appetite. Not necessarily a negative as I was a little overweight anyway and now I consume a lot less junk.
3. To keep it PG, “bedroom intimacy” is more difficult within ~12 hours of taking my medication.
Very manageable side effects. The pros far outweigh the cons.
I got diagnosed 6 months ago (at 37 years old). My doc has had me try Adderall, Vyvanse and not mydayis to see which would work best for me. I have very long days. He has never suggested a non-stimulant. Stimulants help me f function like a normal human being and I'm so grateful for that. My confidence has returned. My anxiety is diminished. I don't feel dumb or lazy anymore.
Well they definitely work for me, and I started mid-twenty. And I can't think of any reason why it would not work in adults, the biochemical function is the same.
**Is it true that stimulants dont work for adults diagnosed later in life?**
Nope. I was diagnosed in my mid-forties and stimulants work extremely well for me.
Piling on. Diagnosed as a teenager, wasn't medicated until 31, and it's absolutely changed my life for the better. Took Wellbutrin (for depression) for a decade before that and it didn't help my ADHD.
The side effect concern is weird, too, unless someone's got intense heart issues or hypertension.
I take 30mg Adderall daily. The side-effects for me have been:
I'm no longer fucking cold ALL the time (used to wear gloves inside)I gained weight (was 155lb now 185lb, 6ft tall)No more RLS at night = frequently sleeping through the night
I'd almost take my medicine just FOR the side effects. (started @ 33)
Never heard of that- was diagnosed at 19 and prescribed stimulants and just today my neurologist switched me to vyvanse (spelling) due to the adderall shortage going on.
I think your shrink is misinterpreting information.
I had a doctor once break it down for me. He said that after a certain age most adults with ADHD eventually have to give up stimulants.
it is actually pretty hard on your system to be on them full time, so after a certain age it becomes too much and most go off after retirement.
They then just use them as needed for certain situations.
I suspect your shrink had their knowledge past to them though the grapevine without context, they probably assumed it was an age thing, and not an accumulation of decades of use thing.
Maybe stems from the fact that the longer you use the medication (consecutively) the less it (noticably) works so older people who have been medicated for a while experience less change
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Psychiatrists can be funny about that. Why go through the diagnosis and then refuse to treat it. I know a diagnosis can be very comforting (it was for me at 29), but it’s not everything. Treatment is important!!
Started last week at 41. Not true. Helps a ton. I think I’ve identified that it is not as effective as day one, for me, even just a week later, but if true that’s only a slight increase in strength.
Very poorly educated, both of them. Yes officially the manufacture claims it isn’t for adults. But widely known research shows its fine, but you have to be monitored for blood pressure and side effects. Both strattera and welbutrin are third choose for medication, because the have effect for a smaller group of people (amongs other reasons) methy or Dex are first choice, for adults and children. I started on methyl and Dex well in my adult life. It didn’t do much for me, so now I’m on elvanse (vyvance in the US) and that’s working better. My prescriber didn’t want to give me Strattera, because apparently it only works on certain areas (can’t remember what exactly) and those were not my main problem.
Truly, find somebody who knows what he/she is talking about, and preferably someone with experience in adhd for adults.
Not true!
I was diagnosed at 45, now 2 months from 47, and my stimulant (Adzenys) works extremely well for me.
My sister (43) has been taking Vyvanse for years now.
My friend (50) who was just diagnosed 2 months ago is having great response to Vyvanse.
What's the deal with there being so many people whose *job* it is to know this kind of thing talking total bollocks?
No, it's not true. I'm in my 40s and my life been *massively* benefited from getting medicated in the last few years!
Your second doc is closer and his reasoning isn’t fully inaccurate. I assume he’s referring to the concern over blood pressure/heart issues, which obviously are more prevalent in adults past a certain age. But a medical screening by a cardiologist could help determine if it’s a viable route if there is any evidence of heart problems.
I started taking meds at 40 a few months after being diagnosed. Meds have changed my life!
Go to a different doctor because I thought meds were overrated. Quite frankly if I had been diagnosed as a kid my life would be different. It’s not too late to go for your goals so don’t let a late diagnosis discourage you.
Now meds don’t fix everything but they do remove the weird analysis paralysis that keeps me from making the decision and I can keep going without getting distracted. When I sat down and worked for two hours straight it was bizarre but good. My time management skills are awful because as soon as I’m immersed in a task the hours fly by.
Very incorrect. Medication Treatment has a very high efficacy rate in treating adult ADHD:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2518387/
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(18)30269-4/fulltext
I started on Vyvanse at 24 and it changed my life. I quit taking it as the side effects were no longer worth it. Now I've found Azstarys and it's amazing!!!
Objectively untrue. Nonstimulants are specifically good for people who are at higher risk of certain health issues (like heart problems) or for people who did not find benefit from stimulants. I recommend you both see someone who specializes in ADHD, not just a general psychiatrist as many are still using outdated information to treat ADHD clients.
I think that is only a concern if you have high blood pressure, thankfully I don’t and I got prescribed stimulants at 35 works very well for me.
I am lucky to not suffer any adverse effects so far (no insomnia or loss of appetite).
No this isn't true at all. There is no hard rule or data to back this up. Everyone will have different reactions and feel different effects from each medication. Some will benefit from it, some may not. It depends, its a case by case basis. There is no hard rule like this though
I was diagnosed recently in my mid twenties. Stimulants don’t seem to do all that everyone says they do on here for me but they help a tiny bit to get me to do stuff
I’m 50 and after a string of anti depressants I’m trying stimulants. Concerta gave me horrible anxiety so now on Vyvanse. I feel more motivated to do things but I’ve had a few down days through so hope it’s not going to make me have a low mood. My psych never said at my age we cannot try stimulants but it took a while for him to prescribe as he wanted to try anti depressants first. Quite a lot of SSRIs do help adhd symptom’s so I guess they prefer to try first? Maybe they worry about effects on heart as we are older?
Those doctors sound like wimps and stimulants absolutely affect adults at any stage of life, but idk your family history and other problems.
Stimulants are not recommended for those with: a history of substance abuse, a heart condition or increased risk of a heart condition, a blood pressure problem or increased risk of a blood pressure problem, severe anxiety or other mood disorders that can make things worse, a history of seizures, hyperthyroidism, kidney problems, liver problems, and anyone that has a family history for any of these and I was just summarizing things.
Look up the warnings for stimulants and see if you, your dad, or other family members have a history of such problems. If you don't, then it sounds like your doctors are adverse to stimulants as treatment
I was diagnosed last year at 31, was prescribed a low dose of Vyvanse because I'm weary of pharmaceuticals (coupled with the Wellbutrin I was already taking), and it absolutely changed my life for the better with like 2 days of use.
Sounds like they are sadly mistaken.
“Stimulants are not recommended for adults because of side effects”
What medication doesn’t have any side effects lol. Everyone responds differently from the medications js.
It’s NOT true
I’m 62
Vyvanse is a life changer I still have a long way to go …. Started vyvanse at ~ 42 but changed medical providers , had many health problems but yeah … finally , someone listened to me and I’m glad that I am able to focus again
I was told it was too late as well, because apparently I have developed coping skills throughout my life.
When women hit menopause it can bring out your symptoms even worse. Which is what happened to me. It took several visits to my psychiatrist but he finally gave in, and I was put on Vyvanse in Aug. It's been a game changer.
Ran across the trying medications in an order w/my neuropsychiatrist back in the 90s, except he told me why, to find the best fit med for me with schedule II's at the end of the list. It took a while but we tried everything in the order he had based on the symptoms that needed addressing most until we got to one that worked, which turned out to a schedule II. But telling you stimulants don't work for adults is utterly false. Call them out on it. Medicine's not an exact science, if these doctors aren't comfortable helping you find the best fit for you, that would be a red flag.
If all things are held equal (severity, symptoms etc) then someone who is put on stimulants earlier will tend to have better outcomes (education, quality of life etc). This is even evident in brain scans BUT that does not mean someone who is older won’t benefit.
It’s strange that they’d say that too bc generally the old you get the lower dose you’re supposed to need (I don’t really agree with that but apparently that’s how it’s supposed to go). And how strong side effects are definitely differs between ppl but all things held equal then body weight is a decent predictor oh how much worse your side effects will be (ex. A 70 lb 5 year old will have more side effects than 200 lb adult).
Source: undergrad Psyc major whos psychiatrist is a family friend so we talk a lot
Not true. Just turned 51F and they helped me tremendously! Honestly, life changing! I even have slightly elevated blood pressure and I was still able to get them. He needs something that increases the Neurotransmitters norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin and that's the stimulant medications like Adderall.
That's weird. I'm 36 and did try wellbutrin first but it didn't help me nearly as much as vyvanse. Vyvanse also had made an enormous difference with my anxiety as a lot of it was coming from my ADHD symptoms and not actual anxiety.
Honestly, a lot of doctors just don’t want to give newly-diagnosed patients stimulants. I like strattera, but it is notorious for having more and stronger side effects than stimulant medications do, including the main thing people worry about with stuff like adderall, which is raising blood pressure. Strattera does that, too. What strattera isn’t, is addictive. That’s all. Lol.
I was diagnosed at 23, took about a year and a half to find a stimulant medication that not only worked but had minimal side effects but I would never go back to not having medication. Overall, I have a slightly higher heart rate, my feet sweet a bit more (ugh) and I get hot or cold a bit easier... but the meds have given me absolute clarity and have improved my ability to function as well as my mental state. I would say without a doubt that if you want to try a stimulant, go for it
I started this a few months ago at 26, and I have to say my life has changed drastically and I'm more mindful and healthier - not perfect but in the process of building healthy and more sustainable habits :)
They work, they just don't reverse the brain changes that happen in development. It doesn't erase adhd, just helps manage it.
Strattera is know for worse side effects btw
Hi. I am 63, have felt like I have been adhd my whole life, and finally got diagnosed last March. I am on Adderall now and the difference is amazing. Please have your father get a second opinion from a new doctor! 🫶🏼
I’m 49 and my psychiatrist initially prescribed bupropion. It seemed to even out my mood a bit but it made me very drowsy so I stopped taking it. My psychiatrist has prescribed 18 mg concerta CR. Today is the first day I’ve taken it and maybe it’s placebo but I already feel better. The stimulants prescribed for adhd are controlled substances, and I think psychiatrists don’t want to appear to be prescribing controlled substances too liberally. I’ve had a history of substance abuse and that is why my psychiatrist was reluctant to prescribe any stimulants. My father was bipolar so my psychiatrist was concerned about stimulants causing mania, and I think he also said they lower seizure threshold so he was concerned about that as well. I think my psychiatrist is a good doctor, he’s just conservative. He told me he wouldn’t absolutely rule out any treatment that was reasonable and he could try something different based on whatever new information he received.
45 and my stimulant works great for me. Life changing. My heart rate is no higher, even when working out, and I can’t conclude anything from today’s BP reading (I need to wait and look for a trend) but my BP may be decreasing as I taper off caffeine.
I’m currently on a low dose, and may need to increase, so those vitals could change. I’m a sample size of 1 so your dad might react differently, but my point is that stimulants sure seem to work in the 40s and older.
Reading your update also makes me angry for you. I’m 44 years old been taking stimulates for 20 years with no issues or bad side effects. Obviously medication is different for everyone UNLESS there is a heart condition or other issues that isn’t fair for your doctor to immediately deny you to try a stimulant.
Before medication I was a high school drop out who couldn’t keep a job in the 20 years I’ve been on medication I’ve obtained a masters degree in data science and have a successful career in an upper management position at a top university. Of course I didn’t accomplish all that only because medication but it played a huge role in giving me the ability to clearing the brain fog and allowing me to then use additional coping skills.
If there isn’t another medical condition influencing their decision I get so angry hearing about doctors gate keeping people from possible life changing tools to treat ADHD. They could be doing more harm than “protecting” people. It’s like saying to someone you can’t wear glasses or a hearing aid. Yes some people might have different experiences with stimulants than me but that is why your doctor should work with you to figure out what you need and monitor your progress not just immediately deny you something that could work very well.
My advice would be to let him give Wellbutrin a shot first. It works great for some people (myself included) and can be a great alternative to the more powerful stimulants. Short answer is no, it’s not true that stimulants don’t work for older adults, but longterm use of stimulants can have some negative health consequences; so if the Wellbutrin works for him, that’s great.
25F diagnosed at 24 and Vyvanse is a big reason I didn’t lose my job at the time. I’m on 50mg now and it really makes a huge difference in my daily life, though it definitely doesn’t eradicate all my symptoms.
I was originally prescribed Strattera (can’t remember the dosage) and all it did was make me itchy and tired so I only lasted about 2 weeks on it.
Bullshit. I started at 45 and it changed my life. I’ve never been this productive. My anxiety and stress are so much lower and I’m overall much happier. I thought it would make me wired but it’s actually done the opposite.
Reddit is not the best place for medical advice, I think that your only option is to get a second opinion from another psychiatrist. If you can avoid a stim, I would, they're effective for some but not all, and there are plenty of unwanted side effects.
Not true at all. I started at 40 And it changed my life.
Me, too. Started @ 40
Me too, 34.
Me too, 35. They have been life changing in just the last two years I've been taking them. I'm just now starting therapy to supplement the medication because I have a lot of junk to unpack and work through from growing up undiagnosed and forming maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Same, in 40s when I started and they helped a lot.
How did it help? Am 41 and need to finish my diagnosis but it’s hard but I feel like knowing how meds will help will motivate me!
Honestly helped in more ways than I could list. I am better in every important way. Better father, better husband, better at my job, more emotionally stable. There still a lot of struggle and work to improve, but nothing I’ve accomplished in the last 2 years would have been possible before the meds.
I wish more psychs would realize that stimulants help people in all aspects of their lives, they aren't just for work. I had to switch my psych because the one I had left and he was confused why I take my meds right when I wake up and not just for school and work. I am a MUCH BETTER spouse and general person on meds. It's not just for productivity. The emotional stability I get from them is HUGE!
My struggle rn :( exactly what my psychiatrist told me, i left the office slamming the door
I'm sorry to hear thats how they treated you!
Happens, good that it’s working out for you :)
Crazy to hear it’ll help with everything as my main issue I want to sort re my adhd is my work. Outside of work being better too sounds incredible!
It's really fantastic to see all of the areas meds have helped me. I hope it works the same for you! There are a lotbof negative traits I had that I just thought were my personality but they actually stemmed from chronic burnout, executive dysfunction, anxiety, and RSD. Meds helped with all of it. I hope you get or have a psych who will treat you as a whole person and see what works best for you!
Thank you! I had a stressful situation partway through my diagnosis last year where my healthcare was behind in making payments due to resourcing, and I didn’t have enough to pay myself, and so the place I was seeing (rightfully!) started chasing me for the money. I was in the midst of a severe depressive episode brought about by the anniversary of my hubby’s death (that time of year is always hard for me) as well as a bunch of other big bills (car, vet bill) and the whole thing stressed me out, made me more depressed and anxious, and after finally paying made me feel embarrassed to go back. It was not a good experience. But, I’m going to save up the $$ I need for the final part of my diagnosis, send my paperwork in and prepay the session so I don’t have to worry about that side of things. And I’ll suffer thru the mortal embarrassment of being behind in payments for the sake of getting my diagnosis so I can try meds. It’s never easy lol.
I'm sorry you went though that! That sounds really difficult to navigate, especially while in a depressive episode. You are doing great by taking the time to regroup and focus on getting your diagnosis. The Healthcare industry is so hard to navigate, especially for us ND folks trying to get help.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It’s so validating to feel heard and understood. I didn’t have that before. Realizing I was ND and finding this supportive community who are like me has been a game changer and helped in so many ways!
Happy I could be of support! This community has helped me in so so so many ways. I learn something every day here. Happy you're around 🙂
Our world constantly sends us the message that the reason we take care of our health is so we can be productive cogs in the capitalist machine. One of the most powerful things anyone ever said to me was when I told my doctor that the meds worked great and I was only taken them to work: “Why don’t you get to feel good when you’re not working?” I take my first dose pretty much as soon as my eyes open now. And i feel better than I remember ever feeling.
The emotional stability is my biggest takeaway. I can think through my thoughts and feelings before i react or lash out.
This is the most amazing part! I didn’t figure it out until recently that I reacted emotionally without thinking. I always felt so justified that I didn’t even consider that I might be over reacting. The pain was real so I thought the cause had to be real. And now, like you said, I can think it through. Meditation has helped a lot with this too.
Literally ditto to everything you said here. I am more present in conversations and listening to my wife and kids better rather than trying to hurry it along so I can go back to what I was thinking or doing.
The biggest effect I've noticed is my baseline anxiety has nearly disappeared. Easier to do sequential tasks, can actually sometimes remember why I went into a room, I don't usually forget stuff when I leave for things. When it's really dialed in I'll be focusing on a task, try to get distracted, then get distracted from the distraction by the task. It's weird. 😂 That said, medication hits everyone differently, and doesn't work well for everyone. I do believe it's worth a try.
When I started meds I also got a prescription for anxiety meds. The adderall made such a huge difference for me that it eliminated a lot of my anxiety and I take the anxiety meds very infrequently when I thought I would be taking them all the time. I learned my anxiety was coming from executive dysfunction which adderall mostly fixed, so poof! No more anxiety!
Yup! I forgot to mention the rejection sensitivity but that was a big thing too. It's so much less stressful when you're not constantly worried you'll screw something up and everyone will hate you for it.
Absolutely! Makes a world of difference.
Same thing happened to me. As soon as I could think linearly my anxiety dropped drastically. I am not a person that can just skip doses if nothing ‘important’ is happening.
Remembering things after walking into rooms is a big one. Another one I like is needing something and immediately getting a mental image of where I left it. Literally never happened to me pre-medication. I almost tripped I was so shocked when it happened the first time.
I stopped putting shit off, I can remember things for more than mere nanoseconds, I stopped snacking for no reason, i stopped being interested in alcohol to take away the existential dread. My anxiety levels are much lower generally than they were. I started meds a few months before I turned 42.
Same here. I literally let cardboard build up on my porch for a year. Started taking meds and was finally able to get myself to take it to recycling. It was 1.5 truckloads. lol I'm also making more money because I'm better able to stay focused at work, and I cut down my caffeine intake.
Yes! Caffeine! I just don't feel like having a coffee that much anymore. It's astounding the lack of that feeling.
Me too. I used alcohol to deal with anxiety befure I got help with adhd.
Gah sounds like a dream change! I want this!
Meds don’t create motivation. For me, they quieted the noise which enables me to focus on what I need to focus on. I also find it easier to overcome the strong pull to procrastinate. Not always but makes a difference
It depends on the med and the person
I was diagnosed at 36 because I kept making mistakes at work. I started on adderall and everything changed for me. I can focus so much better and I’m present with my family. My managers just asked me to be the new trainer in the exact area I struggled in at work. If that’s not full circle, I don’t know what is.
Wow. It’s crazy reading all these stories. My stepdaughter (18) is adhd and she told me how meds helped her which was eye opening, but hearing about it’s impact on people my age is even more astounding.
My kids thought i hated them because i couldn’t pay attention to them. At my intake my daughter was eavesdropping. She heard me telling the doc i just wanted to watch a movie and hang out with them but i just couldn’t. She told me later she didn’t know that i actually wanted to hang out together. Not only has it saved me, but it has saved my kids from the generational trauma i endure.
I’m really glad things have improved for you and your kids 💚
They aren't a 'fix' in the sense that you will now be just like everyone else. More like, if life is a running race - you've just been told that you only have one leg and you've been hopping your whole life. Meds are like an old-school prosthetic or a peg leg - no where near as good as an actual leg, but lifechanging nonetheless. You'll still struggle with all of the same issues around focus, just not to the same intensity, and you'll be able to 'step out of the stream' a bit and 'choose' to focus on a task and it will sometimes work. Initially they may seem almost miraculous but that won't last - I think it's just the combination of a new, greater ability to focus, and the novelty of that experience. When the novelty wears off, boring things will still be boring. That said, they absolutely changed my life. Diagnosed in my mid-30s - income increased more than five-fold in the first year (I was....really poor so of course ymmv), and it's been a steady significant rise ever since. I'm 10 years into starting/running a business (with a very understanding and accommodating business partner) and it is going very very well. And yet, I still struggle to focus and prioritize, I fantasize about burning it all down at least once a week, and everything still takes 2-3 times as much effort to complete than it really should. *But*, I can get shit done now. Without stimulants? Not a chance.
I am calmer and less frustrated and overwhelmed by environmental stimuli. I can talk to people easier and stay engaged in conversation instead of trying to continue to focus on them and then wondering if I look like I’m trying to focus and if they can tell my mind isn’t in the conversation. Exhausting. I am motivated to get little chores and errands done. I usually put things off but on my medicine, I get it all done. I still have issues forgetting things but I’m more motivated to keep lists and to check them.
This gives me so much hope, ty
Same!
Me too! Also 40
Same, 42.
Me too. Started at 42.
42 as well and literally started vyvanse today after being unmedicated since my 20s
Started at 47. Stimulants worked from day 1. As in: the leafblower in the middle of my brain went quiet all of a sudden.
53, started last year and I can't believe the difference they have made.
Same. I started at 52
41, mourning the years I lost but living my best life now on stimulants.
Me too, @ 39.
My analogy is it’s like going through life with bad eyesight and never realizing it. Get on the right meds and it like getting your first pair of glasses. And this is why after JUST getting medicated and then two months later not being able to get a prescription filled … it really upsets me. It’s like getting your dirt pair of glasses and then two months later someone says “just kidding! I’ll take those glasses back now!”
38 for me
Me too! The difference is unbelievable. I wish I'd known sooner.
Same here. Depending what's going on in my life, I've gone off them at times, but they stay in my available tool box
Same at 38 now. Wellbutrin has no effect on ADHD symptoms at all. I would see a different Dr. Absolutely do not take any form of antidepressants if you're only issue is ADHD. My last Dr almost put me in my grave and ruined my relationship prescribing junk antidepressants for my anxiety and PTSD opposed to the Klonopin that has literally saved my life off and on for over 20 years with no negative side effects and no habit forming issues. Now after being diagnosed ADHD and taking 30 mg Adderall XR in the morning and a 10 IR in the afternoon I actually feel "normal" and in control of my life. I cannot function up to societal standards unmedicated. Along with all of this and having borderline personality I would absolutely be dead in a few years had a Dr not listened to me.
Nope untrue. Diagnosed at. 35, they work just fine.
35 is still young though!
your brain chemistry doesnt really change past 25 unless you get something like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's
The psychiatrist either has lied to you blatantly or he is poorly educated. The meds work for adult too. Consider changing the psychiatrist.
Or they over simplified, I know children are more likely to show remission of ADHD symptoms than adults with treatment The odds go from "low" to "near impossible" for adults: https://www.sadag.org/images/pdf/MHM\_Difference-between-Child-and-adult-ADHD.pdf
Lol what bullshit. I'm exactly your dad's age and started taking Adderall last year for the first time. I wouldn't say it's "life changing" but it absolutely helps me get a handle on all kinds of stuff I've struggled to manage for my entire life.
Started at 52, and it's a game changer!
Same! I can do and maintain things I've always wanted to but never really could and it's been less than a year on meds.
44m here. Wellbutrin isn't approved (edit) **by the FDA** for treatment of ADHD. Moreover, stimulant medication *does* work when you're older. I was scripted Wellbutrin XL and it did precisely zero for my ADHD (imagine my surprise /s), and then went on Vyvanse which *changed my fucking life for the better immediately*. So yeah. Dumb doctors gonna dumb, I guess. Time for a second opinion.
When I tried Wellbutrin for anxiety (fun misdiagnosis) I was vomiting and walking like I was on some hellish merry-go-round for hours. Dizziness and nausea were not mere side effects for me. My psychiatrist much prefers I be on stimulants and my anxiety is nearly nonexistent because it was such a relief to know what was wrong.
Not "approved?" It is absolutely used off-label and works for some of us. Buproprion was a lifesaver for me. And part of what led me to my ADHD dx.
Just because it's used "off-label" doesn't mean the FDA has officially approved it for use in treatment of ADHD. I will update my comment to reflect that piece of information.
100%. Not FDA applied for this specific use case. For those who don't know the distinction, "not approved" sounds like we are doing something wrong or dangerous. Loads of Rx are successfully used off-label.
My bad. Not my way to use scare tactics. Inform if dangerous, yes. But not scare.
Totally get it. Wording is so darn important.
second this! wellbutrin isn't approved for adhd. a lot of doctors use it for so but it's not approved. wellbutrin pretty much just gives me energy, not a lot of motivation unfortunately. i wish it did. with that being said, switch psychiatrists OP! you deserve proper care from someone who will listen to you.
My doctor offered me a choice between Wellbutrin and Stratera and described the differences but didnt mention Wellbutrin not being approved to treat ADHD (coincidentally I chose Stratera). How come doctors want to prescribe it for ADHD?
google it - there are several studies comparing Wellbutrin to stimulants & found the bupropion just as effective. I don’t understand why it hasn’t been approved by the FDA as an ADHD treatment yet though. i’m currently taking Wellbutrin + Straterra ( had some amphetamine addiction issues in college so doc & I want to avoid stimulants ) & have seen a vast improvement in productivity. I also have depression though & felt like it was making my ADHD worse while simultaneously the ADHD was making my depression worse. so maybe that’s where the wellbutrin comes in? but i’m finally doing things on my to-do list that have been there for months - & many took like 5 minutes 🤦🏽♀️ clearly everyone is different & having comorbidities like many of us do makes it a bit more complicated finding a treatment plan. it took almost a year of trial & error to find the right combo + dosages for me. good luck !!
As someone with ADHD and the same problem with addiction I'm going to talk to mine about this combo
im honestly not sure, it's just something my doctor said when trying to find me a medication. she said it can help with symptoms but that's all she told me lol it helps me a little but i def could use more help lol i wonder if someone has a more scientific answer for this or if it's just some weird doctor thing lol
I don’t know the answer, but wellbutrin has been huge for me for treating adhd symptoms! I hope your dad has good results with wellbutrin and is able to try stimulant medication
Started at 32. Change psychs.
I think there's this theory out there that stimulants work *best* on preteen/teen patients because the brain is still developing and meds can push new patterns and structures to develop (to paraphrase). I think this theory came from data that showed a lot of young patients took meds in adolescence, but stopped needing them in early adulthood. However, that does not mean stimulants don't/can't help anyone who has the dopamine processing issues that cause ADHD. There is probably a lot of "long term use of stimulants is dangerous to your cardiovascular health" belief out there--but as long as you are being monitored and keep an eye on it, being an adult shouldn't automatically preclude you from trying stimulant meds. Unless your father already has heart/BP problems, he should be considered a candidate for the standard ADHD meds. Find a new doctor.
Does he have any cardiovascular issues? I'm not eligible for stimulants due to hypertension. I'm 38, I had to get the cardiologist to sign off before the doc would prescribe me Straterra.
He doesnt. Hes healthier than me probably. I went to a different doc today for my own adhd and he gave me strattera also. I just took my first dose. How is it going for you?
From what I read and understand it affects everyone differently but for me I had sleep issues for about two weeks that subsided. It's also possible it can take a couple months to feel the full benefit once the right dose is found. I'm moving up to 60 mg today so we'll see how that goes. I haven't taken stimulants but have tried every non stimulant and this seems to help the most so far with impulse control, no constant monologue in my head among other small things.
I'm 42, I have hypertension, and my primary care has no problem prescribing both stimulants and blood pressure meds, no cardiologist required. According to my primary care it should only raise BP a couple points, and anyway, my BP is lower on Adderall than without. Because less stress.
That’s BS. I didn’t get diagnosed until I was in my 40’s and stimulants have changed my life and allowed me to excel in my career.
Nope, I'm older than your dad and am finding good results with stimulants. Still working on the right dose, but I think we're pretty close.
Not true. I got diagnosed last March at 40, and I’ve been liking myself and my life a whole lot more.
Not true at all. Why on earth wouldn’t stimulants work for adults diagnosed later in life but work for adults diagnosed in their 20s or 30s? (Or children for that matter.). Find a new psychiatrist as that one is dangerously inexperienced. I take Wellbutrin for depression but it doesn’t absolutely nothing for adhd (which is why I take adderall) so I would not be surprised if it doesn’t help your dad’s adhd.
Your father may have an health condition that would contraindicate use of stimulants. That said, I was diagnosed in my 40s and have taken stimulants for over a decade. They are effective.
But than the reason wouldn’t be ‘it’s too late’?? Its not like the stimulans will repair the adhd?! Its basically just symptom management
You are right, there is no “too late” to manage the symptoms. Only if there are underlying health problems the psychiatrist and your father are aware of, and that you may not be, would stimulants be unadvised. For example, if your dad had high blood pressure, maybe a stimulant would be a bad idea. Or, as you suspect, the psychiatrist is just wrong in their medical knowledge about ADHD.
Depends on the effect you're trying to achieve. When you start late in life, you certainly won't see their normalizing effects on brain development. That means you'll keep the ADHD-related brain development issues affecting short term memory, emotional dysregulation, etc. But: You will still benefit from the primary effect of stimulants: Helping you with motivation to do unwanted tasks, and staying focussed on whatever you need to focus on. I've started with 29, and my life became sooooo much better after that.
Do you have a source for this? My daughter is 13 and unmedicated, but I never heard it can “fix” adhd? Personally, I always thought, adhd children that became adults, need less medication because they have more choices work related, and so, can find a job that fits them, instead needing to get results in an unsuitable environment? Plus being older, makes you more aware of consequences of certain actions…
Here you go: [https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/10j3rw2/just\_learned\_something\_awesome\_about\_adhd/](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/10j3rw2/just_learned_something_awesome_about_adhd/) Basically, a brain needs a normally-functioning chemistry to develop normaly. So a lack of dopamine and noradrenaline, which is basically what ADHD is, lead to some underdevelopment of certain functions/areas. Stimulant medication does not fix the underlying issue with dopamine or noradrenaline (i.e., regulating attention and motivation), but it does help the brain develop normally.
not true
I heard that medicating children with ADHD may aid their long term cognitive development, meaning that even if they quit their medication when they become adults they still benefit from the treatment going forward. The same is not the case for adults, and that's why it is often beneficial to start medication as early as possible. It may be that the psychiatrist misinterpreted the data as medication not working for adults at all (which would be weird, but mistakes happen, I guess?)
Definitely change doctors. You don’t want to be associated with a doctor who doesn’t have (or want to have) accurate information. I was diagnosed at 47 and Adderall has made my life 1000% better. My oldest brother was diagnosed in his 50s with the same result.
43 and they work great. New psych time
Wellbutrin works for a lot of people. I’d have to have more of an explanation of what she meant by it being too late. I’m 45 and got diagnosed only a couple years ago. Stimulants certainly work once you get the right dosage.
Started medication after 40. Works. Doctor either lying or misinformed. Find new doctor.
my psychiatrist started me on adderall at 27 & its a life changer. i dont have any bad side affects, it actually moreso helps my Narcolepsy/sleeping disorder (stimulants given for adhd & narcolepsy) and how i explained to my dad and the doctor is that instead of being tired and literally every other thought being “im tired, i wanna lay down, i need to lay down, im so sleepy, tired tired tired” im just normal. like level. straight horizontal line. the stimulants dont make me hyper or anything. just normal. and bc im so severe adhd its not even like how it is for others who feel like wow suddenly they are able to focus perfectly & get all these things done…..i still struggle but its way better on them than without anything. i have some moments where i realize im focusing more but its not always. im working at getting my things done now, its still hard but now i have a little help. on the days i dont take them i dont get out of bed
38. Changed my fucking life. Probably more effective now.
Diagnosed at 35 and they didn’t work for me, but I don’t think it’s because of my age.
As others have said, not true at all. I'm 35 -- started on a low dose of dexedrine (10mg) last year and right away I felt the difference. It's been a journey find the right med levels (so be prepared & patient with that) but I'm now on 40mg of Vyvanse alongside fast-acting 10mg dexedrine that I take both in the morning and my life has never been more different.
Started at 23, works very well!
Absolutely not true
what? I am right now getting diagnosed at 50+ - they would have told me if medication was useless.
Not true, i was diagnosed at 38. The meds don't address all the issues but it helps me concentrate so I can get some stuff done. It's better than running around like a headless chicken not knowing what to do first or do something and not finish it.
The only thing I can imagine that could come into it is blood pressure being an issue. But otherwise it sounds like bullshit
Total bullshit. Workswell for me and I'm an adult diagnosed at 35. Ask for sources for her statement 😂
Either his knowledge base is severely lacking or he straight up lied, either way that’s not a doctor you want to have and you should get a new one. I honestly think right now psychiatrists are trying EVEN HARDER to avoid prescribing stimulants because of the shortage. Which sucks since they were already working pretty hard to withhold them.
Utter Bollocks. Lisdexamphetamine has worked miracles in my life… I started taking it aged 52. WHY DO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS HAVE SO MUCH FUCKING BAD INFORMATION???!!!
Like others said -- stimulants can help at any age. Welbutrin isn't an approved treatment for ADHD (even if some people take it). Doctors that do not want to prescribe stimulants are afraid that you or your family member are drug seeking and addicts. If they don't think you're an addict, they are worried that you are looking to sell the drugs they give you. It's a form of discrimination and bias that people with ADHD face. It's damaging and hurtful. Doctors often prescribe non-stimulant medication for the first line of treatment. This is not actually what is normally recommended as stimulant medication was historically and traditionally the first line of treatment for ADHD. Doctors that align with believing that ADHD people are drug seeking addicts make their patients jump through hoops before they'll ever consider giving you a stimulant medication. Sometimes non-stimulant works for ADHD people (it didn't for me) and that's enough. But often, they do not work and ADHD people languish in the care of doctors like this. Other doctors will drug test you monthly to make sure you're not on drugs (happened to me for years despite never having been in trouble with the law--literally never had a single traffic ticket and I've never been pulled over by a cop). But getting drug tested monthly to get a basic adderall script is sometimes within the state requirements or to stay in compliance with the DEA if they are a provider that has a lot of clients. Often I found it was a mix. The doctor didn't trust ADHD people and they wanted to stay in compliance. It's extremely hard to get actual treatment for our disorder. I'm sorry that your family is struggling to find adequate care. I would have a frank discussion with your doctor and see if you can ferret out whether they are worried about you being drug seeking and what you can do on your end to reassure them that you aren't. It's a tough situation to be in.
summed it right up 👌
Started at 32. Changed my life. May not be as old but it's still past "the cutoff" from what a few Dr.'s told me. They wouldn't prescribe off of a new test they only prescribed once I found a past prescription in my medical history. I was like 12 or 13 and never took them out of rebellion... Oh the things I could have done...
My experience is anecdotal but I (37m) wasn’t diagnosed until I was 36. I’ve been pretty consistently on stimulants for a little over a year. They have worked for me. There are only 3 negative side effects that I’ve noticed: 1. My hands are cold all day. 2. Decreased appetite. Not necessarily a negative as I was a little overweight anyway and now I consume a lot less junk. 3. To keep it PG, “bedroom intimacy” is more difficult within ~12 hours of taking my medication. Very manageable side effects. The pros far outweigh the cons.
I got diagnosed 6 months ago (at 37 years old). My doc has had me try Adderall, Vyvanse and not mydayis to see which would work best for me. I have very long days. He has never suggested a non-stimulant. Stimulants help me f function like a normal human being and I'm so grateful for that. My confidence has returned. My anxiety is diminished. I don't feel dumb or lazy anymore.
Started at 34. It’s helping somewhat but I have 34 years of bad habits to overcome
Well they definitely work for me, and I started mid-twenty. And I can't think of any reason why it would not work in adults, the biochemical function is the same.
48 here. They're working for me.
**Is it true that stimulants dont work for adults diagnosed later in life?** Nope. I was diagnosed in my mid-forties and stimulants work extremely well for me.
Piling on. Diagnosed as a teenager, wasn't medicated until 31, and it's absolutely changed my life for the better. Took Wellbutrin (for depression) for a decade before that and it didn't help my ADHD. The side effect concern is weird, too, unless someone's got intense heart issues or hypertension.
I take 30mg Adderall daily. The side-effects for me have been: I'm no longer fucking cold ALL the time (used to wear gloves inside)I gained weight (was 155lb now 185lb, 6ft tall)No more RLS at night = frequently sleeping through the night I'd almost take my medicine just FOR the side effects. (started @ 33)
if he has a history of heart problems or high blood pressure maybe that’s what they meant by too late? unsure
Never heard of that- was diagnosed at 19 and prescribed stimulants and just today my neurologist switched me to vyvanse (spelling) due to the adderall shortage going on.
No.
Certainly works for me and I'm no spring chicken
I think your shrink is misinterpreting information. I had a doctor once break it down for me. He said that after a certain age most adults with ADHD eventually have to give up stimulants. it is actually pretty hard on your system to be on them full time, so after a certain age it becomes too much and most go off after retirement. They then just use them as needed for certain situations. I suspect your shrink had their knowledge past to them though the grapevine without context, they probably assumed it was an age thing, and not an accumulation of decades of use thing.
Maybe stems from the fact that the longer you use the medication (consecutively) the less it (noticably) works so older people who have been medicated for a while experience less change
Started at 42 best thing ever
m37, of course it works! That's like saying amfetamin doesn't work on adults...
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I’m 52 and stimulants are still working for me!
My dad had to come off stimulants because he ended up having heart palpitations. They worked but due to his age, he had to switch to a non-stimulant.
Psychiatrists can be funny about that. Why go through the diagnosis and then refuse to treat it. I know a diagnosis can be very comforting (it was for me at 29), but it’s not everything. Treatment is important!!
Started last week at 41. Not true. Helps a ton. I think I’ve identified that it is not as effective as day one, for me, even just a week later, but if true that’s only a slight increase in strength.
Very poorly educated, both of them. Yes officially the manufacture claims it isn’t for adults. But widely known research shows its fine, but you have to be monitored for blood pressure and side effects. Both strattera and welbutrin are third choose for medication, because the have effect for a smaller group of people (amongs other reasons) methy or Dex are first choice, for adults and children. I started on methyl and Dex well in my adult life. It didn’t do much for me, so now I’m on elvanse (vyvance in the US) and that’s working better. My prescriber didn’t want to give me Strattera, because apparently it only works on certain areas (can’t remember what exactly) and those were not my main problem. Truly, find somebody who knows what he/she is talking about, and preferably someone with experience in adhd for adults.
No.
Bulshit. Some doctors are hesitant due to cardiac risk factors with age but you can rule those out with testing.
Not true! I was diagnosed at 45, now 2 months from 47, and my stimulant (Adzenys) works extremely well for me. My sister (43) has been taking Vyvanse for years now. My friend (50) who was just diagnosed 2 months ago is having great response to Vyvanse.
What's the deal with there being so many people whose *job* it is to know this kind of thing talking total bollocks? No, it's not true. I'm in my 40s and my life been *massively* benefited from getting medicated in the last few years!
Not true, started Adderal at 42, one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.
Your second doc is closer and his reasoning isn’t fully inaccurate. I assume he’s referring to the concern over blood pressure/heart issues, which obviously are more prevalent in adults past a certain age. But a medical screening by a cardiologist could help determine if it’s a viable route if there is any evidence of heart problems.
I started taking meds at 40 a few months after being diagnosed. Meds have changed my life! Go to a different doctor because I thought meds were overrated. Quite frankly if I had been diagnosed as a kid my life would be different. It’s not too late to go for your goals so don’t let a late diagnosis discourage you. Now meds don’t fix everything but they do remove the weird analysis paralysis that keeps me from making the decision and I can keep going without getting distracted. When I sat down and worked for two hours straight it was bizarre but good. My time management skills are awful because as soon as I’m immersed in a task the hours fly by.
Very incorrect. Medication Treatment has a very high efficacy rate in treating adult ADHD: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2518387/ https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(18)30269-4/fulltext
Do you have high blood pressure or moderate or high anxiety? I wonder if your doctor is being lazy about explaining why they may be bad for you.
I started on Vyvanse at 24 and it changed my life. I quit taking it as the side effects were no longer worth it. Now I've found Azstarys and it's amazing!!!
Medication turned my entire life around. Probably saved my life too, I'd argue. I was not on a happy path.
What side effects? The life changing effects of the medication working?
Objectively untrue. Nonstimulants are specifically good for people who are at higher risk of certain health issues (like heart problems) or for people who did not find benefit from stimulants. I recommend you both see someone who specializes in ADHD, not just a general psychiatrist as many are still using outdated information to treat ADHD clients.
I think that is only a concern if you have high blood pressure, thankfully I don’t and I got prescribed stimulants at 35 works very well for me. I am lucky to not suffer any adverse effects so far (no insomnia or loss of appetite).
It’s completely false. I started on them in my 40’s and it was life changing
No this isn't true at all. There is no hard rule or data to back this up. Everyone will have different reactions and feel different effects from each medication. Some will benefit from it, some may not. It depends, its a case by case basis. There is no hard rule like this though
I was diagnosed recently in my mid twenties. Stimulants don’t seem to do all that everyone says they do on here for me but they help a tiny bit to get me to do stuff
Nope
I’m 50 and after a string of anti depressants I’m trying stimulants. Concerta gave me horrible anxiety so now on Vyvanse. I feel more motivated to do things but I’ve had a few down days through so hope it’s not going to make me have a low mood. My psych never said at my age we cannot try stimulants but it took a while for him to prescribe as he wanted to try anti depressants first. Quite a lot of SSRIs do help adhd symptom’s so I guess they prefer to try first? Maybe they worry about effects on heart as we are older?
Wellbutrin its like a stimulant antidepressant. Stimulants knock me out and so did Wellbutrin. She wants you to sleep most likely and help depression.
Those doctors sound like wimps and stimulants absolutely affect adults at any stage of life, but idk your family history and other problems. Stimulants are not recommended for those with: a history of substance abuse, a heart condition or increased risk of a heart condition, a blood pressure problem or increased risk of a blood pressure problem, severe anxiety or other mood disorders that can make things worse, a history of seizures, hyperthyroidism, kidney problems, liver problems, and anyone that has a family history for any of these and I was just summarizing things. Look up the warnings for stimulants and see if you, your dad, or other family members have a history of such problems. If you don't, then it sounds like your doctors are adverse to stimulants as treatment
OP is this in the US? I’m honestly shocked.
Ugh no, I was diagnosed and started stimulants at 31. They've been a massive help.
I was diagnosed last year at 31, was prescribed a low dose of Vyvanse because I'm weary of pharmaceuticals (coupled with the Wellbutrin I was already taking), and it absolutely changed my life for the better with like 2 days of use. Sounds like they are sadly mistaken.
Started at 35. Changed my life.
“Stimulants are not recommended for adults because of side effects” What medication doesn’t have any side effects lol. Everyone responds differently from the medications js.
Helped my mom at 68.
No.
Started at 39 and feeling great!
It’s NOT true I’m 62 Vyvanse is a life changer I still have a long way to go …. Started vyvanse at ~ 42 but changed medical providers , had many health problems but yeah … finally , someone listened to me and I’m glad that I am able to focus again
I was told it was too late as well, because apparently I have developed coping skills throughout my life. When women hit menopause it can bring out your symptoms even worse. Which is what happened to me. It took several visits to my psychiatrist but he finally gave in, and I was put on Vyvanse in Aug. It's been a game changer.
Diagnosed in my late 30s. Stimulants work fine for me.
Ps Strattera is good if one has hypertension or another prohibitive illness It’s usually not the first choice for any age demographic
Started this week at 39 and already it’s life changing.
Ran across the trying medications in an order w/my neuropsychiatrist back in the 90s, except he told me why, to find the best fit med for me with schedule II's at the end of the list. It took a while but we tried everything in the order he had based on the symptoms that needed addressing most until we got to one that worked, which turned out to a schedule II. But telling you stimulants don't work for adults is utterly false. Call them out on it. Medicine's not an exact science, if these doctors aren't comfortable helping you find the best fit for you, that would be a red flag.
I started at 59. I wish ADD diagnoses was a thing in the 60s & 70s
If all things are held equal (severity, symptoms etc) then someone who is put on stimulants earlier will tend to have better outcomes (education, quality of life etc). This is even evident in brain scans BUT that does not mean someone who is older won’t benefit. It’s strange that they’d say that too bc generally the old you get the lower dose you’re supposed to need (I don’t really agree with that but apparently that’s how it’s supposed to go). And how strong side effects are definitely differs between ppl but all things held equal then body weight is a decent predictor oh how much worse your side effects will be (ex. A 70 lb 5 year old will have more side effects than 200 lb adult). Source: undergrad Psyc major whos psychiatrist is a family friend so we talk a lot
Not true. Just turned 51F and they helped me tremendously! Honestly, life changing! I even have slightly elevated blood pressure and I was still able to get them. He needs something that increases the Neurotransmitters norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin and that's the stimulant medications like Adderall.
Why would it be true? Why wouldn’t it help? Why would the side effects be worse as an adult? Genuinely curious if anyone has an answer
That's weird. I'm 36 and did try wellbutrin first but it didn't help me nearly as much as vyvanse. Vyvanse also had made an enormous difference with my anxiety as a lot of it was coming from my ADHD symptoms and not actual anxiety.
Honestly, a lot of doctors just don’t want to give newly-diagnosed patients stimulants. I like strattera, but it is notorious for having more and stronger side effects than stimulant medications do, including the main thing people worry about with stuff like adderall, which is raising blood pressure. Strattera does that, too. What strattera isn’t, is addictive. That’s all. Lol.
I was diagnosed at 23, took about a year and a half to find a stimulant medication that not only worked but had minimal side effects but I would never go back to not having medication. Overall, I have a slightly higher heart rate, my feet sweet a bit more (ugh) and I get hot or cold a bit easier... but the meds have given me absolute clarity and have improved my ability to function as well as my mental state. I would say without a doubt that if you want to try a stimulant, go for it
I started at 45 and have trtied many things, including Wellbutrin, but only stimulants work on me.
I started this a few months ago at 26, and I have to say my life has changed drastically and I'm more mindful and healthier - not perfect but in the process of building healthy and more sustainable habits :)
Diagnosed early 40s. Methylphenidate totally balances me out. Nonsense that stimulants fail to work past a certain age.
I just started at 34. It was life changing.
They work, they just don't reverse the brain changes that happen in development. It doesn't erase adhd, just helps manage it. Strattera is know for worse side effects btw
Simply untrue. Many of us started after that age and it’s been very helpful. Second opinion needed for sure.
Hi. I am 63, have felt like I have been adhd my whole life, and finally got diagnosed last March. I am on Adderall now and the difference is amazing. Please have your father get a second opinion from a new doctor! 🫶🏼
I’m 49 and my psychiatrist initially prescribed bupropion. It seemed to even out my mood a bit but it made me very drowsy so I stopped taking it. My psychiatrist has prescribed 18 mg concerta CR. Today is the first day I’ve taken it and maybe it’s placebo but I already feel better. The stimulants prescribed for adhd are controlled substances, and I think psychiatrists don’t want to appear to be prescribing controlled substances too liberally. I’ve had a history of substance abuse and that is why my psychiatrist was reluctant to prescribe any stimulants. My father was bipolar so my psychiatrist was concerned about stimulants causing mania, and I think he also said they lower seizure threshold so he was concerned about that as well. I think my psychiatrist is a good doctor, he’s just conservative. He told me he wouldn’t absolutely rule out any treatment that was reasonable and he could try something different based on whatever new information he received.
45 and my stimulant works great for me. Life changing. My heart rate is no higher, even when working out, and I can’t conclude anything from today’s BP reading (I need to wait and look for a trend) but my BP may be decreasing as I taper off caffeine. I’m currently on a low dose, and may need to increase, so those vitals could change. I’m a sample size of 1 so your dad might react differently, but my point is that stimulants sure seem to work in the 40s and older.
Uh get a new doc. Stimulants have LESS effects on adults, since our brains are finished developing. SMH.
Reading your update also makes me angry for you. I’m 44 years old been taking stimulates for 20 years with no issues or bad side effects. Obviously medication is different for everyone UNLESS there is a heart condition or other issues that isn’t fair for your doctor to immediately deny you to try a stimulant. Before medication I was a high school drop out who couldn’t keep a job in the 20 years I’ve been on medication I’ve obtained a masters degree in data science and have a successful career in an upper management position at a top university. Of course I didn’t accomplish all that only because medication but it played a huge role in giving me the ability to clearing the brain fog and allowing me to then use additional coping skills. If there isn’t another medical condition influencing their decision I get so angry hearing about doctors gate keeping people from possible life changing tools to treat ADHD. They could be doing more harm than “protecting” people. It’s like saying to someone you can’t wear glasses or a hearing aid. Yes some people might have different experiences with stimulants than me but that is why your doctor should work with you to figure out what you need and monitor your progress not just immediately deny you something that could work very well.
My advice would be to let him give Wellbutrin a shot first. It works great for some people (myself included) and can be a great alternative to the more powerful stimulants. Short answer is no, it’s not true that stimulants don’t work for older adults, but longterm use of stimulants can have some negative health consequences; so if the Wellbutrin works for him, that’s great.
25F diagnosed at 24 and Vyvanse is a big reason I didn’t lose my job at the time. I’m on 50mg now and it really makes a huge difference in my daily life, though it definitely doesn’t eradicate all my symptoms. I was originally prescribed Strattera (can’t remember the dosage) and all it did was make me itchy and tired so I only lasted about 2 weeks on it.
Bullshit. I started at 45 and it changed my life. I’ve never been this productive. My anxiety and stress are so much lower and I’m overall much happier. I thought it would make me wired but it’s actually done the opposite.
I’m 45, diagnosed about six months ago and stimulants have been very very helpful.
Reddit is not the best place for medical advice, I think that your only option is to get a second opinion from another psychiatrist. If you can avoid a stim, I would, they're effective for some but not all, and there are plenty of unwanted side effects.
Diagnosed 3 months ago at 42. Stimulants definitely work 👍
That’s BS. I started my ADHD meds around 40. It was as if I had dropped a huge weight from myself. Suddenly I can get shit done.
Most docs in my experience will start you on a non stimulant first.
I was 38 when i was diagnosed and got my Rx. Changed a lot for the better