So you're doing really well at work, home, and your social life. Your attention to detail, memory, motivation, and productivity is "on fleek" as kids say nowadays when something is working out. You're motivated and you've been successfully following your routine for days, weeks, or months. Every day, you take your medication at roughly the same time and things have never been better. On a beautiful and sunny Friday morning, you wake up ready to tackle the day and follow that routine like there's no tomorrow. You take your pill as usual, and notice something off about the pill bottle. There's only 1 or 2 days left on this prescription and no remaining refills. You got so busy, you forgot to make a doctor's appointment or just flat out procrastinated doing it like we are known to do, and like I end up doing every single time. I seriously never learn. Brain chaos and panic ensue. You're thinking things like "I'm going to lose my job." "My house is going to become a disaster." "I have roommates and I'm going to forget to clean up after myself." "I'm going to run someone over." (Okay maybe that one is a little over the top but you get the point lol). The point is, you're terrified your life is going to fall apart all because you can't get an appointment for another week. So that's about 5 days without medication. It's 5 days you have to struggle through and survive through until you can feel like you again. It's 5 days of feeling like you're inferior to others working along side you.
STOP!!!!!
Take a deep breathe and say out loud "I can do this." "I can survive and I will make it through without my life falling apart." "I can do my job properly whatever it takes." 5 days off your medication may feel like an eternity but first of all, you need to accept that it will be a struggle and you need to do what it takes to make it less of a struggle. That's what this post is for. I am going to give you suggestions to boost the production of dopamine and help your hyperactive brain simmer the fuck down and function more effectively and efficiently. Second of all, this is the way your brain is wired and it is not your fault. You got busy and were focusing on how awesome your life is going (or not going) or whatever, and you forgot to book an appointment in time. Shit happens. Sometimes I can't even remember what year it is so you're not doing too badly. Third, there are things you can do to lessen the struggle until you get your meds. (By the way, I'm writing this while not on meds and because I can't get in for another 4-5 days to see the doctor because she's so popular lol)
So this is when what you consume absolutely affects your ADHD symptoms. It's time to load up on water, bananas, yoga, and the odd light roast coffee to get that surge of energy you're looking for.
Bananas are 100% brain boosting berries. Yes. You heard me correctly. Bananas are berries. Have one for breakfast along with a small coffee. You don't really want anything bigger than a small. You want just enough to wake up your brain and avoid the withdrawal symptoms of your meds. The word "withdrawal" scares a lot of people out of medication but it happens with any medication or medicine you've been on for awhile. Caffeine has a double edged sword unfortunately. If you have too much, you'll get the surge, but then you'll get the crash just as fast. Overheating, nausea, and brief dizziness can come with that crash. All you will want to do is sleep. That is my experience with too much coffee to treat ADHD. Have a big glass of water, some toast and peanut butter and a banana. Banana is key here. It ALWAYS works. As for toast and peanut butter, as long as you get lots of protein in the morning, you are doing it right. you see, people may read this and say "Well if that were the case, we wouldn't need meds." You are correct. The purpose is to get you through with less struggle until you get back on meds. You should always eat healthy though for the most part. Throughout the day, drink lots of water, and eat lots of potassium and protein.
What you do is also very important. YOGA!!! Do like 10-15 minutes of yoga in the morning or at night. It is very calming and you're getting your exercise which increases the oxygen in your bloodstream, so the production of dopamine increases. As well, you should find stimulation you enjoy. It activates the pleasure center of the brain and makes you feel motivated. This is my first day out of 5 with no meds and it's a struggle but I successfully (almost) remembered everything at work today.
Routine is more important than ever now!!!! You know that great routine that was so successful? You need to stick to that more than ever. Only add a few extra minutes to stop for a banana or protein to eat, and for yoga or a long walk.
All this also applies if you just forgot your pill for one day or temporarily misplaced them because we've all done that. lol. JUST REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! Make those lists, eat those bananas, stick to your routine, take it one hour at a time, or half hour and just focus on each task as they need to be done. You're amazing and are capable of anything you set your mind to!
xoxo
Your neighbourhood shiny!
