Strattera autism

Originally posted in a GHB subreddit. But, basically any subreddit with GHB in the title seems to be more focused on recreational use, so reposting here.
My therapist mentioned GHB as a highly effective drug for narcolepsy. Have been looking into it but not really getting a good feel for it. So, figured I'd just ask some questions. Which hopefully will be a benefit for other people starting or considering GHB. Only looking for therapeutic responses, not recreational.

1. Have seen it mentioned that low dose is stimulating and higher dose is sedative. Have seen a number of references for it being taken at night to improve sleep quality. But, do some people take a lower dose during the day to combat times when they are sleepy during the day with a stimulating effect?
2. Should you expect mood altering side effects that will likely go away at first? Or is that just how some people respond?
3. Which drug and form do people prefer and which do they not like and why? Is there a general go to rule of thumb for GHB prescribing? Are there non GHB narcolepsy drugs that people prefer, over or in combination with GHB?
4. Seen withdrawal mentioned a lot when stopping the medication. Is that to be expected? Does it happen at all dosage levels or more common at higher doses? How difficult can withdrawal be for prescribed doses?
5. Experience when combined with other drugs for comorbidities? Such as Adderall, Modafinil, Armodafinil, Strattera, Guanfacine. Or drugs for disorders that may be relevant to other people like for bi-polar, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum, etc.?
6. How much potential for long term side effects? For example, at prescribed doses Adderall gave me anhedonia, decreased energy levels, worse executive function, high cortisol, weight gain, hormone imbalances, reduced motivation, low libido, muted emotions. Which are not usually mentioned about Adderall.
7. Any other information you think is relevant for a GHB noob or someone considering it as a therapeutic option?

Hoping my wise goddesses here can help me figure things out!
Apologies for the length - feel free to skip. The TL: DR is possible depression with peri brain fog, AuDHD, and C-PTSD.
I'm having some challenges with my mood, but I am really uncertain about what to do. I have, like a lot of you, a few things I'm trying to understand - the brain fog that feels VERY tied to perimenopause because it was a unique thing starting about 2 years ago of feeling stoned all the time. It's been tough to tease out what is perimenopause, what is AuDHD (autism and ADHD), what is CPTSD (recent abusive relationship and longer-term trauma), and what is just a stressful thing like unemployment and relocation. I know a lot of us struggle with ADHD (I was not prepared for autism and ADHD and peri to be this hellish) so curious about how people are understanding emotional dysregulation and moods. I'm on a non-stimulant which IS helping, and hopefully I'll get back on a stimulant at some point.
I was a depressed teen and knew what months-long depression felt like, but most of the meds - including 'newer' ones like Wellbutrin - really had terrible side effects, including numbing me out - I spent much of the last part of high school zonked out because of too high a dose. I haven't been on any anti-depressants at least 15+ years, thankfully, and the ADHD meds I'm on do help a lot with emotional regulation. I also think a lot of my autistic burnout and sensory overload 'feels' like depression, but almost isn't. I almost feel like I haven't had a true depression for decades, thankfully, so right now's 'meh' mood worries me a lot. And I have a nurse practitioner who's decent and has suggested something like Wellbutrin can be added if I want.
But I don't quite feel depressed consistently (like can't get out of bed depression) and maybe this is where the peri comes in. I know a lot of us talk about this nameless 'despair without sadness' - I do have lack of energy, lower mood, lack of interest, sleep hell, but then a few days later I will be MUCH better. So it's almost temporary mini-mood dips (a mini-Chihuahua sized depression)rather than the idea of months long depression. The lack of interest is the one that makes me wonder if it's depression or when it's hormones ('maybe it's makeup, maybe it Maybelline Peri Hell'). It definitely isn't PMS related because the lack of interest is a newer thing the past couple of weeks. On the other hand, I'm taking a course full time and I'm completely attentive and doing the homework - so the 'lack of interest' isn't exactly true either - as you can see I am able to still right :D It's almost a hormonal cruise director changing the path of the ship every single day.
My question is, for folks who have these mini-depressions, how has your ADHD and autism and peri and CPTSD and *everything else* made you think of depression? Are you on any newer anti-depressants that don't have side effects and how have you made the case to your doctors you want the newer ones especially if you have AuDHD? What have you felt is the most effective for mood? For context, the Strattera I'm on is great - I absolutely notice the benefits and don't have side effects, but if I skip a dose I also don't fall apart. And it doesn't feel like dythalmia either - considering ADHD and autism and peri and CPTSD it feels like I'm just collecting the worst group of meh conditions and just am so tired of the weight of each of them.
I'm honestly terrified with the brain fog if I do have that side effects from anti-depressants side will make things worse, as some days I'm needing naps and the idea of doing the 'going on meds, tapering off, trying another med' dance is scary to me. The fact my NP defaulted to Wellbutrin makes me concerned about getting anything else. (I was on it and hated the side effects, told her about that and she STILL suggested it - yes I'm looking for a psychiatrist). I need to be applying to jobs and am pretty worried right now and my brain being at 75% battery life is no good.
Thanks for any thoughts! Gold stars to anyone who made it this far!

Last Monday, I believe, I broke the top shelf of the dishwasher out of anger and resentment for my parents, as well as anticipation for the next time they might criticize me or order me around. And I felt so much anger built up inside of myself, that I called my psychiatrist about these emotional issues. So he suggested to me to take Fanapt eight milligrams each morning. I took it, and it helped me calm myself down so much more so than previously.
As for drugs I take right now, outside of just the Fanapt I said, I'm also currently taking Strattera 60 milligrams each morning, an additional 18 milligrams of Strattera each afternoon, and two 40 milligram Fluoxetine pills and two 8 milligram Fanapt pills each night. And the reason I do so is because my psychiatrist diagnosed me with bipolar disorder, ADHD, and OCD.
I then shared it with my therapist recently, and he said that I'm using these drugs as a crutch to control my behavior better. That I don't need to take my drugs to help me control my behavior better, that I can use coping techniques like deep breaths and counting to ten ti calm myself down.
And to me, it was incredibly disingenuous for him to say that to me. I have autism and can meltdown way too easily. So I need my drugs to help me control and contain my meltdowns. And him telling me that I don't need my drugs to control my autistic meltdowns almost emotionally hurt me.
Like how do I deal with this stuff? Do I continue taking my psychiatric medications, like my psychiatrist prescribed to me? Or do I just cut down on my drugs and control my meltdowns on my own without them, like my psychotherapist told me about about?

Been diagnosed as depressed since 13. Now 24 and diagnosed officially with ADHD and autism, which has explained all the times I’ve been depressed and had “shutdowns”.
After being prescribed atomoxetine, the shutdowns have now been replaced with meltdowns. I have now stopped this medication, as I felt it has done so much damage to my mental health.
But before the dual diagnosis, I always felt like I had to just accept sensory things and setbacks, leading to shutdowns and eventually OD’s.
Now that I am diagnosed, I have given myself more grace and the ability to be more vocal with the sensory issues and other “quirky things” that I often had to downplay so that I don’t become a nuisance to other people.
But because of me being more vocal now, my shutdowns are lesser in frequency and meltdowns have become the primary way I express my frustration and depression over things.
Did this happen to other people as well post diagnosis or is it just me?
Could it be just a medication problem? I read from another Reddit post that Strattera made them aggressive.
Genuinely lost and would love to hear from other people’s own experience.

Hi there! Anyone feel like Adderall was very effective for ADHD (or has shown other related benefits) but put a spotlight on their Autism? I want to stay on Adderall for all the positive things it has helped me with and ask my Dr if I could add Wellbutrin and/or Strattera to the mix. Any experience/thoughts here?
I have been diagnosed with ADHD combined type, Autism, Depression, Panic Disorder and all kinds of fun stuff LOL.
My genetic variations: MTHFR, SLC6A4 and ADRA2A.
Because of ADRA2A I cannot have any of the methylphenidate ADHD related meds.
Currently take Adderall and Pristiq plus vitamins/supplements. I was thinking I could trade the Pristiq for the Wellbutrin (since they are both SNRI's I believe...) Was hoping the Wellbutrin and/or Strattera could help balance out those unwanted side effects. This is based on research and looking at my genetic results in terms of how I metabolize medications.
Current issues with current meds: Hyperfocus but only with things I'm incredibly interested in/special interests, issues w/ transitions, incredibly difficult to get things done or motivate myself, time blindness, picking at my fingers/skin a ton, falling behind with work, to do list keeps adding up and causes me to just feel paralyzed with everything I need to get done-- stress keeps mounting.
What I like: Finally have energy- was sooo lethargic before and would drink coffee all day without it doing anything-before I couldn't focus or get ANYthing done (even the things I enjoyed or had interest in,) now the things I'm interested in have another layer of interest-- thins feel exciting again, I'm able to control my binge eating, I can spend hours getting something done without being bothered by how much time has passed (can be good and bad ha.) More energy as a Mom- feel like I'm more present for my daughter and I'm a single parent.
Open to your thoughts/suggestions/lessons learned!
Thank you so much!

Hi there! Anyone feel like Adderall was very effective for ADHD (or has shown other related benefits) but put a spotlight on their Autism? I want to stay on Adderall for all the positive things it has helped me with and ask my Dr if I could add Wellbutrin and/or Strattera to the mix. Any experience/thoughts here?
I have been diagnosed with ADHD combined type, Autism, Depression, Panic Disorder and all kinds of fun stuff LOL.
My genetic variations: MTHFR, SLC6A4 and ADRA2A.
Because of ADRA2A I cannot have any of the methylphenidate ADHD related meds.
Currently take Adderall and Pristiq plus vitamins/supplements. I was thinking I could trade the Pristiq for the Wellbutrin (since they are both SNRI's I believe...) Was hoping the Wellbutrin and/or Strattera could help balance out those unwanted side effects. This is based on research and looking at my genetic results in terms of how I metabolize medications.
Current issues with current meds: Hyperfocus but only with things I'm incredibly interested in/special interests, issues w/ transitions, incredibly difficult to get things done or motivate myself, time blindness, picking at my fingers/skin a ton, falling behind with work, to do list keeps adding up and causes me to just feel paralyzed with everything I need to get done-- stress keeps mounting.
What I like: Finally have energy- was sooo lethargic before and would drink coffee all day without it doing anything-before I couldn't focus or get ANYthing done (even the things I enjoyed or had interest in,) now the things I'm interested in have another layer of interest-- thins feel exciting again, I'm able to control my binge eating, I can spend hours getting something done without being bothered by how much time has passed (can be good and bad ha.) More energy as a Mom- feel like I'm more present for my daughter and I'm a single parent.
Open to your thoughts/suggestions/lessons learned!
Thank you so much!

Hi there, I'm going to include screenshots from my Genomind genetic report and I would absolutely love your input. Genomind says since my dr ordered it, I have to get the explanation from them. However, Dr is also not able to for awhile for various reasons. Anyone able to take a look and provide some guidance? I'm doing my best to "study" this and make sense of it but I have a million questions and so freaking confused.
I know that I need methylated forms of folate due to the MTHFR (low to intermediate activity.) I thought I was taking this but it turns out, I'm not. Any recommendations on a solid/clean brand for people with this gene variation?
I have been diagnosed with ADHD combined type, Autism, Depression, Panic Disorder and all kinds of fun stuff. Do you see anything here that would be helpful to know?
I currently take Pristiq and Adderall but my Dr and I were thinking about switching the Pristiq to Wellbutrin since they are both SNRIs (and it looks like SSRIs shouldn't be my go-to -- I was previously taking SSRI after SSRI without any luck.) Dr also considering adding Strattera to balance out some of the negative side effects from the Adderall. Adderall has helped me a ton from an ADHD perspective but not at all from an Autistic perspective (made those traits a lot more apparent ha!) So that's why we were considering the Strattera.
On the flip side, as I'm literally writing this post, I now see now that it says "SSRIs and SNRIs may result in greater symptom reduction compared to SSRIs/SNRIs.." so maybe I need to have both instead of just a SNRI? But then I'm even more confused b/c of the SLC6A4 gene... What to do? Maybe if I have them in combination that would be effective and just not the SSRI alone?
The ADRA2A (decreased response) is interesting. I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD/Autism until recently (in my early 40's) so I have not tried too much ADHD related meds until recently but it's helpful to know regarding the methylphenidate. I had not tried any that fall under that umbrella thankfully but now know I probably shouldn't.
I haven't done my homework yet on the CACNA1C (altered neuronal signaling], CYP2C19 (high activity,) CYP2D6 (intermediate activity,) CYP1A2 (normal activity but sensitive to induction.) -- any suggestions or thoughts w/ these?
Thank you in advance for anyone who takes the time to respond. I appreciate it so much.

Hello, so first off I want to say that I am self diagnosed but looking to get tested in the near future as I feel like I have some traits that could be signs of Autism and am currently working with a therapist. However, last year I talked with a psychiatrist about getting tested for ADD and after once session they prescribed me Atomoxetine/Strattera for 1 refill , I was already apprehensive about taking the medication because I know I have trouble taking medicine as my brain finds it really gross, and I gag really easily. But was willing to try if it helped.
I started taking and the first 2 weeks were hell as I could barely sleep and was feeling really out of it and having negative thoughts, but I got through it and eventually felt back to mostly normal, although I really struggled with motivation. So I was able to take the medicine for about a month and a half, but one day I was feeling stressed out and didn't take it and lost motivation to take the following days. This led to another period of bad thoughts, which I think were worse than the first time in some ways, but again felt better after a week or two. After talking with my therapist, said that she didn't think medicine would help me and wasn't a good course of action. I am also scared that the same thing will happen if I try taking something again and never want to have to go through that again.
So does anyone have sensitivity to taking medicine and how do you deal with it. I have always struggled in life and am far behind most people for someone my age, so if medicine can help I feel bad not taking it, but at the same time it's something I'm scared of taking.

I am a 23 year old female with audhd. I have tried biphention, adderal XR, and am now currently on Strattera 10 mg I believe? It was suggested that I take two a day. But I’ve noticed within the first week or so that after taking the 2nd pill few hours later I became emotional for some reason. So I’ve cut back to just taking one pill a day instead.
I found biphention made my heart race, Adderal XR made me have heart stuff and I found it made my autism traits more noticeable to me, an was a lot more agitated and emotional.
I’ve spoken with my family doctor an she had told me that if Strattera doesn’t work out for me that I’m pretty much going to have to free ball my ADHD.. so pretty much saying there are no meds that will work with my body.
Hearing this was very disheartening and very hard to hear..
I also struggle with anxiety, panic disorder, Tourette’s, and depression. So I am also currently on celexa.
So I am just looking for some people’s experiences an what not, or any advice or suggestions on what i should do?

TL;DR 19yo, in UCD studying Computer Science. In my 2nd year of college however in 1st year remediating my failed modules from last year. On ritalin (40mg a day, 20mg morning and afternoon). Works occasionally for me doing college work (However work is sloppy/in-efficient despite my perfectionism demanding hours for 1 question). Not in HSE catchment area. HSE said they would give me a trial treatment of Strattera in 2 months. Feeling down and desperate in regards to college as my exams approach so would like advice as well as experience reports on Strattera in comparison to Ritalin or other medications.
19yo. Currently struggling through my 2nd year of college (in 1st year again to remediate failed modules) (Computer Science in UCD for those curious). Was prescribed Ritalin (IR, 2x 10mg tabs morning and afternoon) as a trial treatment through the college psychiatrist while also currently seeing my local HSE clinic. I come from a pretty traditional family that is semi lower class so I don't have funds for private assessment (Let alone support) (I'm also incapable of saving money so that avenue is unlikely.) Suspecting that I have AuDHD as pointed out by my counselor in college which is how this entire journey started for me.
Ritalin for me has been a hit or miss. I feel the typical side effects you'd normally see but as for the effects you want to see? Eh? Sometimes I would zone in on my work for hours at a time but my perfectionism would end up making me take hours on just 1 singular question let alone even 1 assignment (Still end up with a subpar result anyway. Maybe I just can't learn). But most of the time, I would just feel a stronger urge of wanting to do my college work but not actually having the ability to start on it (Feeds into depressive symptoms and anxiety unfortunately). Never ever seen it work in regards to my attention in lectures and I get more easily distracted.
Where I live doesn't fit in any catchment areas (Kildare) so the HSE has been bouncing me back and forward with "Oh we don't have the services" however they did end up saying they will try prescribing me with Strattera as a trial treatment in 2 months time once I get my ECG and bloods. Some friends of mine have just said things along the lines of "its basically just a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, its what they give you if they dont wanna give you proper meds" so I'm curious as to what experience you've all experience in regards to it? Compared to Ritalin or any other medication.
Or any general advice in regards to ADHD treatment/assessment or advice for someone barely or not even scraping by college would be nice. Apologies for the tiresome walls of text, have been feeling really down because of my performance in college with my end of semester exams approaching. If I'm missing any crucial info let me know and sorry if the rambling seems incoherent.
Spoiler below is of my time in college and pre-college in case there's details that seem important.
Never ever done cold hard study in my entire life. Mostly just involves an hour or 2 of glancing over notes, doing repeated questions or staring at question solutions. Academically was excelling (not in languages) due to the rote learning in schools so I had high expectations placed by my family. Got 550+ points in my L.C despite 0 study which I covered up with a facade. Went into college and had a troubling first 2 months and was suggested by a class rep to explore the counseling services on campus. Then decided to explore the GP on campus as well and was prescribed anti-depressants (Setraline and Escitalopram) none of which worked. Counselor then brought up autism and suggested I contact the college psychiatrist. Went and was given the symptom sheets to fill. Brought up concerns about ADHD and was brushed off as he doesn't diagnose it for reasons. GP referred me to the HSE by this point and the first HSE appointment went along the lines of "An ADHD service is in the works. Expected to be available by next summer" however my specific catchment doesn't have services so I was bounced around with appointments. (Till this day the services hasn't made progress still in my area at least) Continued to see the psychiatrist and counselor for another year until psychiatrist decided to try prozac for depression. Killed my anxiety but had absolute horrible side effects as a result which almost turned me into a walking zombie (Had 0% attendance and grades) so stopped taking them. Brought up ADHD again but this time asking if it's possible to see any options that are available out of the country, decided to put me on trial for ritalin. College performance by now was sufficient enough, barely scraping passes (D- grades)

I reached a breaking point with my psychiatrist when, after years of working together, she began to gaslight me about my adhd evaluation results. The results as far as facts are concerned were kind of inaccurate considering the fact i was still experiencing issues from ptsd and was also on strattera at the time of eval. Now a year later, i don't even qualify for a ptsd diagnosis anymore, i am very rarely depressed, yet my inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity have remained very much the same with increased frequency(it may be the same and i might just be noticing it more due to the reduction of other symptoms), even on strattera. At my last appointment with her, she put me on the spot trying to get me to explain what i meant, and i went through the report with her, but forgot to include things like how i have actually struggled with this stuff my entire life but it was missed because i was considered a "gifted" kid. She then said they usually diagnose adhd based on "severity of the impact on daily life" and she doesn't see how it impacts me, which honestly infuriated me because of the implication that these issues dont interfere with my life. I had no words for that and told her it's really hard for me to list things on the spot, completely forgetting i had already made a list of the symptoms i experience and how often. She agreed to increase my strattera dose from 60mg to 80mg and left all of my other meds (lamictal, remeron) the same, then scheduled a followup in 3 months to review the report again and talk more in depth about my symptoms.
The increased dose made me feel horrible. I said screw this, went back down to my old dose and reached out to more psychiatrists and made an appointment with the first one who called back. I've had two appointments with the new one so far: first one was an initial evaluation and discussion of what meds might work for me, and the second one was a followup after weaning off of strattera(since i had been taking it for 2 years at a relatively high dose we decided it would be best to taper off) and talking about starting Vyvanse. I have been going through bureaucratic hell over the past week trying to get a prior authorization for my insurance, on top of dealing with my now unmedicated adhd.
I'm aware that her clinic has a policy that makes her unable to prescribe stimulants. I wasn't necessarily asking for stimulants, even though they work better for me than strattera ever did. I just wanted to look at my evaluation in a less biased way, considering the meds and mental illnesses i was on at the time interfered with the accuracy of it, as well as dissociative amnesia making it really hard for me to remember a lot of struggles i experienced as a child. Reflecting on those things more has made me realize the vast majority of the current problems in my life (especially executive dysfunction) as well as the ones that i faced as a child can be attributed to adhd and possibly autism.
The problem with talking to a psychiatrist who specializes in addiction psychiatry is that to her, every time i bring up medication or even treatment for adhd she thinks I'm drug chasing. Even though I've made it extremely clear that that is not my intention. I just want to revisit an old non-diagnosis from the now clearer image of the bigger picture. The bigger picture being that i no longer have ptsd or struggle with any of those symptoms anymore, yet i still struggle with a constellation of symptoms strongly indicating adhd(self screening showed 8/9 criteria on hyperactivity, 7/9 on hyperactivity, and 8/9 on Russel Barkley's executive dysfunction/impulsivity scale) plus a history of responding well to stimulants.
I self medicate currently with caffeine and i hate how difficult it is to dose effectively because of the variability in tolerance and the side effects. I've tried small amounts of cocaine maybe two or three times in the past when it was offered, and it didn't make me feel that much different than a decent dose of caffeine. It's not something i intend to try again in the future. It's not worth the risk of contamination with other drugs.
I am just wondering if i should cancel my next scheduled appointment with her or keep it so i can update her on the work I've been doing with my new psychiatrist. I don't necessarily have any hard feelings towards her, because i am aware that the place she's working and her past experience with other clients that are far more pushy about meds than i am has clouded her judgement a bit. The dismissiveness in her tone as she talked about the intricacies of neuropsychological testing did rub me the wrong way, but I'm not that upset about it. My therapist said it's good that I'm taking initiative and advocating for myself, i just dont know how to feel about it. I also worry about my insurance giving me issues for "double dipping" in psychiatry.
Edit: thanks for the replies, y'all. I'm gonna talk about it with my therapist on tuesday and decide what to do from there. Will most likely send a portal message explaining, just to make myself feel better. I feel that would be the way to go, I'm just gonna discuss with my therapist before i make that decision. I have more than enough time to do it.

22 AFAB nonbinary
Potentially relevant diagnoses and history: Autism (level 1 - idk if that matters), ADHD, dysautonomia (POTS), and I'm seeing a rheumatologist for chronic pain and hypermobility. I've also been getting nosebleeds since December (I had only had one before then and it was a decade ago) and I experience congestion every evening due to inflammation but no known allergies. I have low iron, but I'm technically not deficient anymore. I'm not anemic. I had a gender-affirming double mastectomy on November 22, 2023 and the recovery was very easy. Also, I haven't had covid.
Medication: Wellbutrin, strattera, mirtazapine (only 7.5mg for sleep), testosterone cypionate, and I used omnaris nasal spray for about two weeks recently. I occasionally take iron supplements when I remember. I've been on all but omnaris for between 1.5 and 2.5 years. Lmk if you want a precise timeline for each/any medication.
Now onto my concern. I've noticed over the past couple of years that my fine motor skills seem to be slowly getting worse. When I try to do something precise (e.g. writing/drawing, handling piercing jewelry), my hands are kind of shaky and I don't have as good control as I used to. I also can't enunciate properly when speaking at my normal speed so I've been stumbling over my words seemingly more and more, which is getting frustrating and kind of concerning. I have to stop and slowly say the problem word(s) to get through that part of my sentence. I don't mix up the order, I just can't get through some words without stopping mid-sentence and putting in more effort to slowly pronounce them properly. It happens all the time - it feels like my mouth just forgot how to make the word sounds sound like words.
I don't know if it's related to my medication or something. I think tremors can be a side effect of wellbutrin and strattera, but I'm not sure if it could affect my speech as well. I don't think it's necessarily related to dysautonomia or hypermobility either as I've had both for my entire life and this issue is recent, but I could absolutely be wrong. I also have poor blood circulation so my hands are often freezing when it's slightly cool out or I hold something cold and the fine motor control with my hands seems to be worse in those moments. I was an athlete for 13 years and I did a bunch of sports that each required different skills (soccer, hockey, basketball, taekwondo, figure skating, ballet, football, gymnastics). I don't remember ever having any issues like this at the time. I never suffered any head injuries (or any other major injuries) playing sports.
Any thoughts? Could it be related to autism? Do autism-related motor issues even emerge after childhood? Is this something I should bring up to my doctor?
I've undergone a lot of medical testing over the last two years. If you'd like to know specifics of what tests and the results, let me know. Generally, the results came back normal.

I’m currently 22 and I’ve been feeling pretty directionless lately. I want to change that so I can live a life with more stability, purpose, and personal growth. During Covid I unfortunately dropped out of college because of depression and undiagnosed ADHD that only became more of a problem once I got to college. Currently I am setting up an evaluation for adult autism and ADHD since these are both things I’ve suspected I’ve had for a while but never got assessed for it. I’m hoping I would be able to get accommodations for it in college or in work settings.
Right now I’ve been working at a fast food place for 2 years. I actually have grown to enjoy my coworkers, the fast pace, and the fact that they let me work in the back making food rather than interacting with customers face to face. I’m the closer every night I work so I have come to enjoy the consistent hours, predictable work, the fact I get to listen to other coworker’s or my own music on the speakers (I cannot stand working in silence), and being able to utilize my multitasking skills efficiently. I like being good at my job and I enjoy the praise. However, the pay is really bad, we are understaffed some days and it can give me panic attacks when we have atrocious rushes when I’m the only one making the food, people look down on fast food workers, and fast food obviously isn’t a job you make a career out of unless you’re gonna be a manager.
I’d like to go back to college once I figure out my financial aid situation. I’m unsure what I should study though. I was a biology major and that was really cool. I absolutely loved dissecting stuff and working with more hands on stuff. I love working with animals, I love learning about them and I’m pretty good with handling the grosser aspects of working with them so I actually wanted to work in the veterinary field when I was in college. As soon as I dropped out I basically threw away those dreams though. The pay for the level of education is really depressing in such a field. I don’t know though. I’m also really bad at math! Like terrible. I don’t have the attention or interest for all of the numbers and I have traumatic experiences being screamed at by both my parents and teachers trying to teach me math so I kind of shut down when I struggle with it. Vet tech is a possible path but there’s not really any good programs where I live unless I want to move away and pay really high prices for education. Wildlife rehabilitation sounds really cool too but again, there’s nowhere near me that does that and a career in that is unrealistic for me.
I thought about majoring in psychology because it’s one of my biggest interests but I’m a little discouraged since the field is already very oversaturated. I was good at the class I took in college and unexpectedly did very well despite barely ever reading the textbook since the lectures interested me so much. Psychology fascinates me with all of the different aspects of it. I recently read Autism Unmasked and I was inspired that an autistic psychologist wrote it and it made me think maybe I could become a psychologist but I don’t really think somebody who’s in poverty should really take on debt to pursue something they probably wouldn’t be organized enough to follow through with. That’s the main reason I don’t think I’m ready for college yet. I’m just an unorganized anxious mess. And yes, I’m already in therapy but talk therapy doesn’t really do much for me. However, within the last couple of months I was given Strattera and it’s been helping my motivation so I feel more ready to get my life together.
I don’t know if I ended up rambling too much but any help is greatly appreciated. In the past I’ve been told I’m such a mess I should just apply for disability and live off of that but that sounds kind of complicated since I’m so young and I don’t think I’d enjoy the way people would look down on me for choosing that kind of life. Plus I’d kind of like to have some “purpose” in my career.

26F, 5'3", 151 lbs, white, living in the US. I have PCOS (my only significant symptom is somewhat irregular periods, which are mostly just an inconvenience, but apparently a test said I had high testosterone when I was 15), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (but my thyroid is still able to compensate, so thyroid tests come back normal), major depressive disorder (recurring episodes; not currently experiencing one), and borderline personality disorder. I take bupropion XL 150 mg.
My sister, who recently started taking ADHD medication, thinks I have ADHD. A close friend thinks maybe I have ADHD (albeit because she has ADHD and she generally clicks with people with ADHD in a certain way and she clicks with me in that way). A guy at work thinks I may have ADHD. A coworker from a previous job asked if I have ADHD. So I'm just kind of wondering if maybe they have a point? But maybe they're way wrong.
Reasons why maybe I really do have ADHD:

• I am chronically late for everything. I just can't show up on time.
• Everything takes me way longer than it takes anyone else. Like, I spend almost an hour in the shower when I wash my hair, and I don't even have a particularly complex routine. Food prep that should take half an hour takes me well over an hour. When I did the computer-based training at my current job (mostly reading), it took me three times as long as it was supposed to. (Probably would've helped if they'd let me listen to music to block out distracting noises. I had to make do with earplugs, which weren't as effective.) I've often been told that I'm way too slow at work (though some jobs have been exceptions, such as my current job). Maybe concentration is the issue? I remember when I was at Job Corps, they took me off of some meds that I believed had been causing my concentration difficulties but then I still felt like I was having trouble concentrating, so I asked if there was any way I could maybe go back on Strattera (which I had briefly taken when I was 20 with great success but I stopped taking it because I got super depressed and I assumed the Strattera was the cause; turns out it wasn't). They told me that I didn't seem like I was having trouble concentrating. So maybe now I just have a skewed idea of what normal concentration is like? Idk.
• As stated above, I briefly took Strattera around when I turned 20. (My grandma and I convinced my psychiatrist that I had ADHD. However, I was on high doses of antipsychotics at the time (I was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 15), which kinda turned me into a zombie. I was unaware of how the antipsychotics were affecting me.) It worked wonders. Suddenly I was actually able to perform at the same level as my coworkers instead of constantly being in trouble for poor performance. I could really focus on transcribing those voicemails instead of constantly getting distracted by random thoughts or just how much I liked the feeling of running my fingers across my keyboard, lol. I haven't been able to find much information about what Strattera does for people who don't actually have ADHD, but what little I have found is people saying that they don't think it would do anything (other than maybe causing side effects).
• I frequently get sidetracked when I'm supposed to be doing something. Which then means I just don't get things done (though it's often easier at work because there's structure being imposed upon me). And I keep losing track of time and kinda forgetting that I need to get up and do my freaking laundry already, or go shopping already, or do my meal prep already. I usually put things off until the last minute.
• When I was in school, I often didn't get my homework done. I especially struggled with actual projects. I don't think I ever once finished any kind of research project, except maybe one in third grade that my mom helped me with. And I guess there was also that project about bronies as an example of a subculture that I did when I attempted to go to college when I was 18, but that's a bit different because it was so much fun and my sources were mostly interviews with bronies. I was super disorganized. My backpack was always a mess of lose papers. In elementary school, my desk and cubby were also like that. In middle school, whenever a teacher would finally just make me clean out my locker, I would end up with a huge mountain of old papers on the floor next to my locker. I don't even know how it all fit in there, lol. I'm still really disorganized as an adult. I keep trying to get organized, but it always falls apart. It isn't even that I don't know how to organize. Heck, I can actually ENJOY organizing something small. Trying to maintain it is just super hard and kinda overwhelming. It isn't really an issue at work, though (although I do have difficulty prioritizing tasks, which I suppose is also organization; I just don't have trouble with PHYSICAL organization at work).
• I fidget a lot. It drives my dad insane.
• People tell me I talk too much and too quickly, and I've been described as hyper.
• I frequently interrupt people, finish people's sentences, etc. I know it's impolite, but I can't seem to help it?
• I find it extremely difficult/impossible to consistently make myself do things I need to do, even when I'm doing well. Which has basically meant that therapy can't work for my other issues because I can't actually make myself do the work. And nobody has been able to help me figure out why.

On the other hand, here's why maybe I don't have ADHD:

• That training at work that took me three times as long as it was supposed to? I kept rereading things when I felt like I hadn't really processed it. I came away from it knowing all the rules. I know the rules better than some managers. And people are amazed by my ability to just remember all of it. I also have lots of really detailed memories of events in my life. Don't people with ADHD typically have poor memory?
• I'm actually really detail-oriented and cautious and meticulous. I'm the best at my current job because I don't make careless mistakes like everyone else. Everyone else keeps scanning boxes into the wrong locations and just leaving them there, or not noticing when something failed to actually scan in. I actually pay attention to errors and make sure I scan things in correctly. At my last job (working with online orders at Walmart), I was great at keeping the orders organized so they could be dispensed quickly.
• I sure pay more attention during the meetings at work than other people do. (Of course, they're short meetings where we just get a few announcements and reminders. And I'm doing stretches/active warm-up at the same time.)
• I don't forget appointments. I'm late, but I don't forget. If there's an actual scheduled time for something, I remember it.

Should I maybe get checked out? A few other things worth noting: I seem to have mild sensory issues. Nothing that actually affects my everyday life too much, but I have trouble thinking and processing when I'm in really loud environments. Which is why I don't like most bars or loud parties even though I'm an extrovert. Also, I've had multiple mental health professionals say that they thought I might be on the autism spectrum, but not anyone who actually knew me. Usually people who had only met me once (and also the doctors in the mental hospital I was in for a few days last summer). I'm pretty sure I'm actually not, though. Oh, and I drink coffee most mornings before work and then I usually drink more coffee (or an energy drink, if I didn't sleep well or if I just feel like it) during my first break (but not usually at my second break because that's at 3 PM and I read that you shouldn't consume caffeine after 3 PM).

I’m 13, 5’4 and about 125lbs, I take melatonin, gaufacine, strattera, and some allergy medicine. Male, don’t smoke, I have autism level 1, adhd, odd, and way more disorders and disabilities I just can’t remember off the top of my head. I sleep a good 6-8 hours every day on weekdays and 5-14 hours on weekends I can sleep very little or a lot and I feel tired on weekdays and I feel awake and alive on weekends. I have school everyday (it is boring) I don’t know if it’s just boredom or what. I will fall asleep then wake up a couple minutes later when someone talks. Sometimes I wake myself up but i can’t control it at all. I sit there and just fall down and then get back up and right when I go to sleep I get really warm and then when I wake up I get really cold for a second. It really makes no sense to me. I’m not the healthiest person ever also I have fast metabolism so I eat basically infinitely. My family has a history of diabetes and heart issues (like dying at mid 60s of a heart attack all the time)
Thanks

I started finally started taking strattera and I feel absolutely amazing. I can finally feel like a normal person and it isn't a 100% success quite yet since it hasn't been 6 weeks yet so there's still time for MORE positive impacts. Along with that I haven't had that bad of side effects besides a bit of sleepiness from time to time.
Along with that I have had a BIG decline in panic and anxiety. I no longer have meltdowns and anger due to autism and panic disorder and I just feel so calm.
I've seen a memory shift for the better, still having a bit of issues with executive function but hey baby steps :) and impulse control has curved in the right direction! Still some work to do but doing well!
I am so happy that for the first time I feel like a normal person. A bit sluggish sometimes but it has helped with a lot of things so far and I'm just very pleased with how things are going. Just wanted to share some success with someone :)
If you're having any problems know that it does get better with or without the aid of medication. I hope everyone has a great day!

EDIT: The main ones I am considering are fluoxetine (Prozac) and vortioxetine (Trintellix) because of their longer half life, but based on the Genesight results, I could also try desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), levomilnacipran (Fetzima), vilazodone (Viibryd), duloxetine (Cymbalta), or fluvoxamine (Luvox). Unless I want to try a tricyclic, which is tempting after seeing they’re used off-label for some of my physical chronic health issues! I need to check if I can get an updated list since mine is from 2021, though, and I know there are new meds not mentioned and possibly some no longer available. I’ve had much better luck with brand name meds also, so I know newer ones are less likely to have generics (my insurance will pay if no generic is available).
To preface, I am diagnosed with autism, adhd, and c-ptsd. I exhibit many OCD symptoms, but my doctors feel they’re better explained by my other conditions. I’ve more recently begun tackling treatment of my symptoms through an OCD lens because intrusive thoughts are one of my most debilitating symptoms, and the ADHD medication and autism diagnosis have practically eradicated my depression and anxiety. Yet issues that could fall under OCD still remained. I also have chronic health issues, like POTS, hEDS, and likely MCAS.
Currently, I take 150mg Zoloft and 15mg Dyanavel XR (amphetamine). It’s been working fantastically for nearly 2 years, with just some minor dosage adjustments as my tolerance increased. Unfortunately, while my intrusive thoughts are under control with Zoloft, at the current dosage my skin and nail picking has gotten out of control, as well as other things that I worry may be OCD-like symptoms or side effects. I have been getting “stuck” in what I’ve come to understand as compulsions much more frequently, and it’s really impacting my daily functioning. Also, my memory is even worse than usual, as well as my ability to manage my time or even conceptualize it, and I’ve become incredibly avoidant. I feel intense dread just trying to reply to a text, and it can take me a month or more to send a reply. I also feel like I have blinders on to everything that is bothering me or that I care about. I don’t feel numb, but more like it just isn’t processing. I know when these feelings are from autism or ADHD, and they play a role, but it feels different this time and has gotten worse without any typical triggers in the last 4-6 months, which is why I’m thinking medication.
I am wondering if I might have luck with something like Prozac or another medication that helps OCD symptoms? I’ve had pharmacogenetic testing, and nearly everything falls into the “moderate” list. I’ve taken Effexor, Wellbutrin, Seroquel, Buspar, Abilify, Lamictal, Tripleptal, trazodone, Strattera, Concerta and some others I’m forgetting. All either did nothing, had bad side effects, or stopped working after 6 months. I know from the genetic testing that I have the mutations that mean I produce serotonin but can’t seem to access any of it (I think it’s “reduced serotonin expression”), and I burn through dopamine faster than I can make it. I’ve also tried some OTC things, but they were either ineffective or couldn’t be tolerated. And I’ve done both neurofeedback and TMS treatments. Greatly benefited, but insurance would only pay for a certain amount.
I’m just so tired of this battle, and I don’t want to change meds if it’s going to make things worse, since it has taken almost a decade to find an adequate combo. But I’m scared of staying the same as well, because it’s impacting my job, caring for my health, my friendships, and staying on top of responsibilities.
I appreciate any advice or words of encouragement. I’m going to talk with my doctor soon, but I need help getting my thoughts in order and what I might want my next moves to be.

I am a 47 y/o woman, newly diagnosed with ADHD, though it has seemed like common knowledge. My RAADS score indicates autism, but I am low needs. I also have C-PTSD with a truckload of trauma to back it up. I am about to empty nest- my youngest child graduates in a few weeks.
I began ADHD meds in November or December. 30 of Vyvanse....made me incredibly sleepy after a couple of weeks of daily use. Then we went to Strattera which played with my mood and I was dangerously apathetic about my own life. We settled on 10 of Vyvanse, since sleepiness was the only issue. I skip the occasional day to prevent the buildup and I have very little issues. I literally puddle up when I consider how my brain has suddenly come online.
Unfortunately, I have lost 2 best friends over my new presentation. I'm too quiet now. I don't go out with them to smoke at work (I just stood there to talk to them and I don't like the smoke getting in my hair). I am more focused on work and not as social. It got to the point where I am leaving my workplace.
My concern is that I can now spend a day or even two just laying on my bed playing games (never liked games before), learning how to crochet (couldn't follow the pattern before). This weekend so far has been all about binging Resident Alien and playing.
I usually start my weekends with a long to-do list, and allow myself play time once everything is completed. I still run my roomba daily-ish, ordered all the groceries, did dishes, etc. I still talk to my friends (they don't believe I seem flat), but I really am enjoying time alone with my new brain, ability to play, and laying in bed.
Could this be burnout? I feel happy. I do not feel depressed at all.

So my current psych is a very nice woman, but I've had some red flags pop up that led me to question her decisions. We tried Concerta 18 and 36 mg for the first month and it didn't work, so she switched me to Atomoxetine 40mg. I tried to talk to her about alternative treatment options (like low doses of Concerta + Strattera) but she wasn't very open to it (there are no other stimulants on the market here).
I've been on this big Facebook group for adhd adults in my country, and this group is run mainly by a guy who is an ADHD & Autism clinical researcher at Cambridge. He's pretty involved and knows the specialists he's invited onto the group and has knowledge of many of the others who treat adhd here. It's a small country so there's not many specialists who even take adult adhd seriously. I posted asking about other people's experiences on atomoxetine (Strattera) and mentioned my psych's name. The researcher guy messaged me letting me know that other people have complained about my psychiatrist and her medication choices and encouraged me to seek a second opinion from someone with more experience.
So I booked an appointment this Thursday with another psych that he recommended based on the fact that I've had difficulties with medication working.
Considering all this, is it weird of me to seek out this second opinion? The clinic where my current psychiatrist works is also where my therapist and neurologist are so I will still be going there if I stop seeing her. I feel really weird about it, is this wrong?

Ever since last fall (maybe November?) I've had a new, annoying stim that's impacted my life negatively. I've been chewing on my bottom lip. The outer edges are actually inflamed and visibly pinker than my lips or skin. I don't know how to stop. If I'm awake, I'm stimming.
I'm in the process of being diagnosed officially with autism, but I was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago. I've had several destructive stims in my life, but have managed to get past them. I can't shake this one.
I tried chewing gum and that didn't help. I'm currently not medicated for ADHD (I can't take stimulants because it negatively affects my IBS) but am talking to my doctor about Strattera soon. I really need advice on how to stop this stim. Has anyone personally experienced this stim or something similar? How did you stop doing it?

TL;DR: My son is autistic, and my parents say he's like a carbon copy of me. I struggled through life, and have been wondering about autism for a while now. His diagnosis basically almost tells me that I probably am as well. His diagnosticians think so as well, after talking to me about my experiences.
My son had his evaluation today. He was diagnosed as autistic! I mean, my wife and I pretty much knew already. I'm glad he'll have access to supports.
However.. this leads to me to something my parents have said. They say he's almost exactly like I was at his age (2.5), except for the speech delay. Otherwise, they've said that the repetitiveness, keeping to myself, intelligence, etc. is almost a one-to-one. The funny thing is, they never suspected autism in him. So.. not in me either.
I've been wondering if I'm autistic since around 15 because I had such a hard time, constantly worrying what was wrong with me. Even to the point of thinking I was a "sociopath" because I couldn't relate to other people. I read some books where the characters are clearly meant to be autistic (never outrighted stated) and felt like I related to that. I wondered if that was it. No one took me seriously because I was "too smart" and could speak well.
I pushed it aside for the next 8ish years. Then, last year.. I really started wondering about it. I've been lurking these subs, taking screeners, and watching videos from late diagnosed creators to gather my data. However, I couldn't bring myself to feel like I could call myself autistic. I brought it up to my GP. She was dismissive. Said it was just ADHD and social anxiety. I mean.. yeah.. I have both of those as well. Then I got diagnosed with ADHD later that year as well.
Now I'm struggling, wondering if it's just been ADHD this whole time. I get an appointment with a neuropsychologist. He dismisses me as well. He said that I'm "much more systematic than the average joe, but it isn't causing daily disruptions in your life right now." And I just let me go... I changed from Strattera to Concerta in January.. and let me tell you.. having ADHD under control really brings out the autistic traits. Routine is more important than ever. Sensory issues heightened (noise in particular for me), talking to people got harder (so many variables to juggle), and unplanned things causing major distress. So now I'm wondering what's even going on. I mentioned this to my psychiatrist and he seemed confused. Just went, "interesting" and we kept going. I mean.. I'm gonna keep taking it. It's helped manage my executive function problems, or build structures around them. I need this.
Fast forward to today. They (the diagnosticians) said his autism was quite clear. They did compliment him and said he was very intelligent and chill. So.. since autism is highly heritable.. and I had a lot of the struggles (mostly social) that autistic people have.. and my parents say he's almost me.. what am I supposed to think?
I started tearing up and telling them that I'm happy for him since he'll have supports. They wanted to listen to my story regarding this more. I tell them, but I couldn't stop crying. They actually listened too. They think I'm probably an undiagnosed autistic. They just said what I felt: The ADHD and my intelligence hid it. That only works for so long. People know something's up with you. The meme about bullies knowing you're queer or neurodivergent is kind of true.
They told me that I need to insist on getting a diagnosis again since now I have a significant data point in my argument. I don't even know if I want to anymore.. I'm just glad my son will have the answers sooner and get help when he needs rather than trying to brute force his way through life and wanting to die like I did.
Sorry for the long post..

Hi! I am 40 years old, recently diagnosed with ADHD & more recently Autism. I'm still sort of numb to the diagnoses- definitely have a lot more processing & grieving to do but I wanted to talk medications & what works for some & what doesn't.
I was already on 100mg of sertraline (zoloft) for anxiety since 2021 which I have generally found to be great- I don't think I would have got the other diagnoses without it as it gave me the mental space to see the patterns & behaviors in my life that weren't working & to connect the dots & seek my audhd diagnosis. I am now also on Stattera, since February- first 25mg then 50mg. When I first went up to 50mg I really noticed a difference, I was more focused & had way less executive functioning problems. I could also literally feel the dopamine- a little tingly brain reward! No I am feeling pretty crap- not focusing, very lethargic, getting headaches & feeling nauseous most days.
Does anyone have experiences taking these meds together? I wondered if it might be worth going off Sertaline & trying a higher dose of Strattera. Obviously I will be talking to my doctor but I wanted to see if anyone had a similar experience.