This is an interesting question I found on Yahoo Answers about managing adult ADHD without medication.
I’ve read several books about adult ADHD, and they all seem to emphasize the use of medication. I have nothing against the use of medication, but I can’t afford it right now. Is there any way for those of us who have ADHD and can’t afford medication to effectively manage our symptoms?
It’s possible in some ways, but it is very difficult. I would suggest speaking to your doctor about what your problem is. See if he or she can refer you to somewhere where you can get the medication you need.
My best friend has adult ADHD in the worst way. Most of the time, those of us who know her well recognize after about three or four minutes that she’s not taken her medication in a while. But, she doesn’t take it every day. Sometimes she’ll go weeks or months without taking it.
Most of the time, it means that she has to really cut back her case load at work. Naturally, the longer she has to concentrate, the harder it is for her to do it without her meds. She is also married to a man who is her polar opposite, and who kind of keeps her in line. He does help her a lot in a mind-over-matter sense — he knows it’s difficult for her, but he does call her out on it when she is being extremely ADHD, and he’s really a soothing influence on her.
What she has done in the past was get her prescription, and use it when she needs it. Most doctors do recommend with childhood ADHD that it be used in school hours or extreme circumstances only. It wears off around the time school lets out, so unless there is major studying to do, or some other activity that requires sustained focus, they recommend you come off of it and start again the next day.
Weekends, holidays and summers are often times they suggest you not be on meds. Apply the same tactic in your situation. If you know there is a situation that will probably be difficult for you, take it that morning. If there are days when it’s a little less necessary to focus for a significant length of time, skip it. It can help make one refill go a long way.
I would also suggest talking to your doctor about generics (LOTS cheaper than name brands), samples (many doctors have them, and are more than happy to hand them out for just such an occasion) or changing the Rx altogether.
The normal non-drug-related suggestions are not as effective, but if you suffer from mild to moderate ADHD, they could help some. Make sure that you get enough good sleep, eat well, try to adhere to a schedule, cut out processed foods, allow yourself breaks to collect yourself (then either be disciplined enough to go back to your work or have someone to help keep you accountable), etc.
Something that helps some ADHD people is a bit of caffeine. For some reason, a lot of the time, the bodies of people with ADHD react differently to stimulants and depressants, so caffeine can be somewhat soothing, and Benadryl can cause excitability or hyperactivity. Go figure. After all, most of the drugs on the market today for ADHD are stimulants similar to speed.
But it’s always best to speak with your doctor before deciding to stop taking a drug you’ve been prescribed. If you have no other options, you could just try to help it on your own. But it’s possible there is something between shelling out the money to pay for your current Rx and taking nothing at all.