Tips for Functioning without Meds

I've struggled with ADHD since I was diagnosed as a child. I haven't responded well to most medications for it. I don't have medical care right now anyway, and my symptoms have been bad this year.

Any tips on managing life without meds? Trying to do what I can until I have a chance to see a doctor.

A bullet journal is helping some, but it's not everything.

Hello Falconer: Well... I don't know if there is much I can offer here. But I saw no one had replied to your post. So I thought I would. I'm no longer on med's of any sort nor do I see a therapist. I also don't know what my diagnosis would be since I've never received an actual diagnosis from any of the mental health professionals I've seen over the years. I think, at some point, they just figure it's irrelevant. Perhaps they're right. I am an older person. So anything I might suggest may not be of much relevance to you.

I do walking meditation. (I've never been able to maintain a sitting medication practice.) Plus I also do quite a bit of just regular walking too. I also practice a Buddhist technique called "compassionate abiding". I'll give you a link to a nice description of it. I avoid watching scary, frightening stuff on TV or the internet & I don't go to movies. The music I listen to consists primarily of chant & what used to be referred to as "New Age". And then, beyond that, I have pretty-much a set routine every day. It varies a bit... but not a lot. I'm no longer working & I live a pretty solitary lifestyle. So I'm at home most of the time. And do pretty-much the same things day-after day.

https://mindsetdoc.wordpress.com/201...e-abiding-101/

A lot of the problem is that your brain isn't getting the necessary nutrients for you to function normally so you need to focus on that.

This is a book on treating ADD naturally using amino acids and other nutrients. I use them to treat my bipolar 2 and have done wonderfully for 9+ years being off meds, and on amino acids. I have two of their books, and have found them extremely helpful.

Stop ADD Naturally 5th edition-painstress

Exercise, coffee, lots of water, sleeping and waking early and good nutrition will help you function at optimal levels. Even on medication, my bad ADHD days are when these are messed up.

At least it can't hurt. I don't follow this as regularily as I should but I know for a fact that there are good amount of studies that support the benefits of exercise for the ADHD brain. Meditation helps increase focus and relieve anxiety and brain chatter as well. It can be difficult. .I know but I am just relaying what I have read. Hope that helps.