What's Really Behind The Adderall Shortage?

[@amylizbrarian]

Also gotta love the irony of doctors only being allowed to prescribe 30 day supplies with no refills, so you have to try to remember to call or go in for your next script at the exact right date (usually day 28). Then if you miss that date, or if the pharmacy has a shortage and you have to wait to get it, you’re asking your unmedicated brain to remember to get your meds. “Ah, a condition that affects working memory and can make people forgetful? Let’s make the medication require multiple steps that only a non-ADHD brain could reasonably complete in a timely manner.” 🙄

[@tomfromoz8527]

And that is the elephant in the room! We are being forced to live in a world set up for neurotypicals, and they've convinced us that because it just doesn't work for us unless we're medicated, that we're "disabled". Personally, I cringe when one of my neurodivergent fellows says that they _have_ ADHD. *I AM neurodivergent* I am different, not broken, not ill, not disabled by that fact. My *only* problem is being a square peg in a round hole society! *Pam*

[@i2acf2011]

I’m not sure where you live, or if the rules in my area are different, but my psych dock always gave me 2 refills of adderall when I could still find it. There do need to be check ups to make sure the health of the patient is the same.

[@EvincarOfAutumn]

Even before the shortages really hit, I could refill my 30-day prescriptions on average every 40 days.

[@artsysparks]

​@@tomfromoz8527 the thing is, adhd can be a disability for others. It was for me and it was debilitating. Now keep in mind that having a disability isn't inherently a negative thing, just the perception of it is

[@tomfromoz8527]

@@artsysparks The world disables us while at the same time enabling the neurotypical. I finally got a firm diagnosis when I was 64, and for those 64 years, I was beaten, tormented, excluded, accused of being on amphetamines (when that is what would have slowed me to being acceptable) but I was at the same time lazy and _refused to pay attention_ because I am ADHD combined. I'm 66 now, and still fighting for meds! We *HAVE* to stop buying in to the idea that we are damaged rather than different! It's gaslighting us at the least, and destroying our souls at the worst. Would *ANY* of us have difficulty living in a neurodivergent world? IDK, but doctors have told me that mine is the single worst case they've ever seen...yet I made it this far without meds. *Tom's wife Pam*

[@Bargadiel]

I took Adderall for ADHD when I was in elementary school, all the way to highschool when I stopped. Through my college years, I really struggled and had to work 2-3x harder than my peers to do the same work. I also struggled with depression and anxiety, and just felt inadequate all the time. Fast forward to my 30s, and I was re-diagnosed with ADHD, and was prescribed Adderall. Turns out this condition that everyone, myself included, thought that I "grew out of" was still absolutely affecting my daily life. Because of the shortage, I don't take my Adderall every day, but when I do it's a night and day difference. It makes me finally feel normal.

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

@Bargadiel -- It never ceases to amaze me how people will tell you it's possible to "grow out of" ADD/ADHD. You don't grow out of your brain (neurological) wiring. It's like saying you can grow out of being blind.

[@thesisterversepod]

So many years in tears, thinking, "WHY can't I just GET it? Why is EVERYTHING so HARD?"

[@lilysonthemoon]

It doesn’t ever leave it just, becomes less. When you hit around 27 years old, the your brain is relatively fully developed. This helps with the ADHD part. The disorder is still there, but it’s like someone turned the volume down from blaring to a reasonable level that you can more or less deal with. It does get more exaggerated when you’re stressed out though.

[@NerfThisBoardGames]

Yeah life demands change from elementary to college Weird Hey did you know having kids is a struggle, guess when a lot of female ND finally get diagnosed? Weird

[@eatmybutt42069]

Are you fat, sedentary, on caffeine and sugar? ADHD is a fraud.

[@NasDaily_11]

Adderall, lsd and psilocybin are amazing. I was severely traumatized years ago as a teenage, got diagnosed with ADHD. Spent my whole life fighting ADHD. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder, Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[@juanbergaaa]

I love hearing great life changing stories like this. I want to become a mycologist because honestly mushrooms are the best form of medicine (most especially the psychedelic ones) There are so many people today used magic mushrooms to ween off of SSRI medication- its amazing! Years back i wrote an entire essay about psychedelics. they saved you from death buddy, lets be honest here.

[@ErnestoHorner88]

Can you help me with the reliable source 🙏. I'm 56 and have suffered for years with addiction, anxiety and severe ptsd, I got my panic attacks under control myself years ago and they have come back with a vengeance, I'm constantly trying to take full breaths but can't get the full satisfying breath out, it's absolutely crippling me, i live in Germany. I don't know much about these mushrooms. Really need a reliable source!! Can't wait to get them

[@CathieGomez-mp8sk]

YES sure of mycologist Predroshrooms. I have the same experience with anxiety, addiction. Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.

[@Joeyann]

I'm so very happy for you mate, Psilocybin is absolutely amazing, the way it shows you things, the way it teaches you things. I can not believe our world and our people shows less interest about it's helpfulness to humanity. It's love. The mushrooms heals people by showing the truth, it would be so beneficial for so many people, especially politicians and the rich who have lost their way and every other persons out there.

[@AnnaRoth-pb8xv]

Can I Google this dude? How can I find him

[@forestw785]

I typed out a huge thing, but I’ll just say this - I’m in my 30s and have been on medication since my early 20s. It changed my life. Now I’m going around 2-4 weeks without medication every few months because of stock issues or clinical organizational issues because doctors are more afraid to serve adhd patients than opiate patients now.

[@Tayl0r_]

Yep. Back in around 2015 when illicit fent became a huge issue, the CDC rolled out “suggested prescribing guidelines”, with [at first unofficially] mandated cap of 90-120mg per script total. And gave no exceptions to specialists. They backtracked eventually to allow specialists more discretion, but the DEA had implemented a HIPAA-compliant prescribing log/database in a lot of states. Michigan is one bigger example I remember reading about but they do it almost everywhere now it seems?? Not sure tho. So prescribing physicians (even those who deal with chronic pain patients, post-op ER/ICU patients, etc) did not deviate from the standard to avoid drawing suspicion or judgement. This became an issue because a lot of docs started to force patients off pain meds at a rapid rate, and/or would not prescribe at all to people that probably needed it. I agree we should avoid prescribing it as much as we used to, but the CDC, DEA, fearmongered physicians with the threat of investigations and loss of their licenses, and made it most difficult for those who are permanently disabled, have chronic health conditions that are usually treatment resistent, etc. We actually saw an uptick in self-medication during this time period, and a lot of people used this as ammo to suggest the prescribing policies were 100% correct due to people even going forward with self-medication or substance abuse. When in reality, it could be somewhat true but it’s simultaneously true that when people are not properly medicated, they are more at risk of self-medicating. Ik this was a novel so apologies but I had to advocate for my permanently disabled mom during this time and she lost the ability to be seen by her pain specialist who was rapidly tapering her off without proper withdrawal aid (17 years worth of tolerance, and they took away close to 65% of her meds in just a year and a half timeframe) after she started to self-medicate with alcohol (not abused during this time). She agrees she shouldn’t have done it, but now she is going to go through hell if she finally has to have neck surgery because of what’s in her record. She is not getting any younger and I worry for her and others like her.

[@DoKuShOsTaR]

@@Tayl0r_I think fent suffers even more than Adderal from public opinion tbh. The amount of people I’ve mentioned the shoartage of Adderall/Vyvanse to, most comiserated and asked how my ADHD was doing. The amount of people who had NO IDEA that fent was a prescribed med, is insane. Everyone seems to think it’s essentially heroin and has no medical uses, it’s frustrating. I don’t take it, but seeing people villainize it so completely can be frustrating.

[@kateapple1]

Well, I guess the important thing is that unless you have narcolepsy speed isn’t super important-as in you’re not gonna die if you don’t get it might be affected but you’ll be OK. Just less focused. Maybe this is a good time to try and figure out how to get off of that stupid drug.

[@Tayl0r_]

@@DoKuShOsTaR EXACTLY! I think we’re experiencing a ripple effect from back in the early to mid 2000’s when both opiates and stimulants like adderall were admittedly prescribed more carelessly, with stimulant drugs going through the process of “overcorrection” systemically before the same thing happened with opiates years later. I think the stigmatization of addiction/substance abuse disorders itself is ironically part of what’s making things more difficult to get to the root of the issue, as a lot of physicians are no longer treating patients on a 1:1 basis, and depending where you go and where you live, tend to be skeptical of anything patients say or suggest. You have to jump through their hoops, and often have to play russian roulette with “non-addictive” drugs that often have equally detrimental side effects sometimes. I am of the mind that “less is more” with how many medications someone should be on (the “average” person that is) so you know your true “baseline”, but everyone is different and for pain management, individual biochemistry/your metabolic absorption matters. People seem to forget that part. AEGIS testing for how you metabolize your meds is a must if you can get it done for future reference.

[@apcolleen]

I am 43 and didn't diagnosed until I was 36. But now I am perimenopausal so those two and three weeks without meds really disrupt my life. Everything is a wreck, I forgot to submit some Social Security paperwork in October that I just found... It took me forever to do my income-based payment for my student loans and trying to keep up with my friends while they are also out of sync with their meds, and all of us are having problems with productivity at work directly because of this. ADHD and autism causes you to have really hard time forming habits because the dopamine reward system is not that great. (thank you Jessica for giving me the language I needed for this a few years ago when I was learning). I am left to wonder how much productivity is being lost nationally because of this.

[@loraleitourtillottwiehr2473]

I want to add that part of the issue is also insurance companies refusing to cover similar or even identical meds when the usual ones are out of stock. At least for us. Our pharmacy almost always has something in stock for my daughter's prescription but every couple months the insurance denies it because it's the wrong manufacturer. Love that you got Jessica on the show for this one!

[@AnthemUnanthemed]

thats not legal regulation, thats in house policy by insurance because the insurance company is paid in kick backs every time they sell a drug, its illegal and also standard practice and if your pharmacist says anything about it allegedly meds just stop showing up/being sold to the pharmacy

[@rosekopelowitz5069]

That's a fair point. When I was testing out ADHD medications, I was first given a form of amphetamines that really seemed to help. But my insurance wouldn't cover it, so I tried typical Adderall. Adderall messed with my brain and made it so much worse that I didn't try anything else. There's only one molecule difference between the one that worked and the one that didn't, but my insurance wouldn't cover the one that worked. I decided to figure out how to manage my ADHD without medication because I don't want to go through anything like that again.

[@rarietyamor8803]

I remember I helped a pt find a pharmacy that had ADDERALL. He called back 1hr later because it was the brand name prescription and his insurance won’t cover that (we tried 5 pharmacies before this) 💀

[@com.grenate]

@@rosekopelowitz5069 I'm most likely not from where you live, but would it be possible to switch insurances?

[@TheoRae8289]

​@com.grenate depends on location, as different states have different rules. When switching insurance providers, there can be a sizeable gap before the new policy takes effect.

[@spooklass3588]

5:13 From experience, the main reason I see that people got treatment for ADHD during the pandemic is because people with ADHD struggled a lot more during it. Telework and online school were a struggle for us (me, my mom, and some of my friend group) since we were no longer in a structured environment.

[@deepwaters7242]

I agree completely.

[@Pedantic2025]

100%, I struggled and had been diagnosed / medicated for 12 years when COVID happened and still struggled. I would have failed my senior year of high school without medication

[@vanessasullivan2137]

Oh I thought I could do distance learning in community college, and I learned I can't after failing every single distance learning class because I had to have the structure of mandatory attendance and be there to hear a lecture and ask questions to try and stay engaged. It wasn't difficult material, but I just did that thing where while my eyes are going over the lines of words on the page I'm already thinking about something else and have to go back and re-read everything 7 times. Ugh

[@kellymckenzie1935]

This! I've had a diagnosis since I was 7, but had been off meds for a decade before the pandemic. Had to go back on during though, because all of the coping strategies I had been using got taken away, and all of the structure I needed was gone as well

[@MaidMirawyn]

And if you add in long Covid memory issues, like me, suddenly you’re falling apart and KZbin shows you a random video about ADHD in women and you’re like, “Why am I in this video?” But the signs are so clear in my history. Talking to my mom, we literally see the first symptoms by age two, possibly by age one.

[@hannersandrews]

Drs: this drug is highly addictive. ADHD people: I forgot to take my meds again....

[@Aunty87]

This🤣🤣🤣

[@arkinyte13]

True.

[@vidal9747]

Paroxetin is leagues more addictive than Ritalin. Guess what: companies provided free samples to my psychiatrist. Who gave it to me. I have since switched doctors.

[@alexlail7481]

I have had this discussion several times with friends and family members.... They say, 'Oh that stuff is highly addictive ' and I say 'then why don't I remember whether or not I have taken with out strategies to track the event!'

[@At0micAllison]

OOF 😢

[@Kaltag2278]

I first got diagnosed at 29. I remember being so mad that I had to struggle for so long when I could have had meds. I felt like I was awake for the first time in my life and cried for 45 minutes.

[@annikan42]

Same here. The validation I finally felt, the clarity, the frustration for what my younger self had to fight through...it still makes me emotional. I'm so glad you finally got the aid you need ❤

[@IiiiIiiIllIl]

This is something people without ADHD can never understand. When I first took Adderall I literally ran over to my friends house crying because I could focus for the first time in my life. They brushed it off and were like "cool lol" looking back it makes me furious.

[@FreedomIII]

Right there with ya. So many years of life, so many things we wanted to do, so many relationships that struggled, so much trauma from how the world takes our symptoms and assigns them to us not as symptoms of a neuro-developmental disorder, but rather as a moral failing 🤬 And now we get to spend who knows how long learning how to truly live. Aaand then we get hit with shortages 😅

[@NotSoNormal1987]

I feel this. I remember the first time I took my meds. It's like my busy chaos mind suddenly cleared. And I could actually slow down and think for the first time in my life. I cried too.

[@jennismith2]

Functioning without medication is like driving down the road at night in a thunderstorm…you can keep the car on the road, but only by constantly gripping the steering wheel. Functioning with medication is like driving the same car on a sunny day…easy and far less stressful

[@anthonymarquez6493]

As a nurse who works in a hospital their have been a shortage of a lot of drugs and supplies these past few years. I have never seen anything like it before.

[@NotSoNormal1987]

My daughter has epilepsy. And there has been times when we couldn't get her seizure medicine. It's scary.

[@JordanV]

Oh my word! If you don't mind me asking, which does she take? My wife has epilepsy, I don't think we've encountered this yet but will certainly prepare for it!​@@NotSoNormal1987

[@penguin5177]

I've been a pharmacy technician for the last 14 years, and I've never seen anything like this, either. Some days we'll get 4 or 5 calls from different people looking for a drug that we haven't been able to get in literally months. The worst one right now are the GLP-1 analogs (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, etc.). Every single one is on at best an intermittent back-order from the manufacturers. The ADHD stimulant meds have been a little better lately than they were, but I've still not seen a bottle of Vyvanse or 30mg Adderall XR in at least 6-7 months. And just this past week, I had to call a psychiatric office to let them know that the high-dose anti-psychotic drug one of their patients depends on to function is on back order with no availability estimate. It's at the point that when a person comes in and we don't have the med they're looking for in stock, we tell them that we'll order it and *hopefully* it will come in...

[@Chaosfreak61]

It's a scary reality we're heading towards. We've been pulling non-renewable resources from the Earth for so long, and we're looking at the tail end of it. Best of luck to you and your loved ones going forward.

[@-MaryPoppins-]

@@Chaosfreak61that’s not what’s happening. No one is mining for adderall or seizure meds.

[@peterbathum2775]

Over 60 here and just realized … there was no awareness or definition even when I was a kid. How to ADHD with Jessica saved my life.

[@WonderingWildWanderingRose]

There likely was, it was just differently named, and the standards for diagnosis have varied over the years. (Over 50 myself, diagnosed in early childhood, and then had children each go through diagnosis at separate times.)

[@NekoMouser]

​@@WonderingWildWanderingRose I was actually just looking that up the other day! The first formal description was all the way back in 1902 where it was described as a "defect of moral control" in children (which I thought was a wonderfully funny and antiquated turn of phrase). Sometime in the 1930s, the first attempt to treat the condition with drugs was attempted using Benzedrine. Originally approved to treat congestion, low blood pressure, low libido, narcolepsy, and obesity, its "performance enhancing" properties were quickly noted (it would later be given to soldiers in WWII to keep them alert longer). Some doctor read the literature and wondered if it would work on "maladjusted children." So he started giving it to some and sure enough, their focus improved, their grades went up, and behavior problems went down. He published his findings...and was basically ignored by the medical community. The first DSM was published in the early 1950s, but the condition that would become ADHD wasn't included until the second edition in the late 1960s. And then it was called "hyperkinetic reaction of childhood" (another gem of a phrase). Somewhere in-between, Ritalin rolled out--also initially used to treat low blood pressure, narcolepsy, and depression, but also interestingly to treat memory problems and early dementia symptoms in the elderly. Of course, it was quickly used with great success on "maladjusted" children as well. But again, these were very limited use cases and treatment was not widespread. In the 1970s was when a more wide-spread attention--and controversy--really started to come to the condition. Though it would take about 15 years to truly build into the widespread political and social debate it would explode into in the late 1980s and 1990s. Time magazine had a cover about adult ADHD in 1994 and it was fairly controversial in some circles (it's a pretty cool cover; look it up). Newsweek have an "are we overmedicating our kids with Ritalin" in March of 1996. Also, if you want some fun, go google "old Ritalin ads" and do an image search. There are ads from the 1950s to 1990s and they can be a fascinating read. There's one about "long-standing severely deteriorated chronic schizophrenia" with a woman huddled in a corner talking about how "Ritalin has proved effective in awakening patients to reality." Fascinating stuff. It was renamed to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in the 1980 DSM-III. Understanding of he condition, medically speaking, was already evolving to the point that two subtypes were first recognized, simply called "ADD with hyperactivity" and "ADD without hyperactivity." The DSM-III was revised in the late 80s and changed the name for the first time to ADHD. The fourth edition didn't roll around until the millennium (2000) and that was when ADHD split into three subtypes: the hyperactive/impulsive type, the inattentive type, and the combined type. That's basically where we are today, but with a growing awareness in two key areas since 2000: first that it is not just a childhood condition and it often lasts into adulthood, and second, that there are a lot of adults NOW who were overlooked as as children (in the 70s/80s/90s especially) for various reasons. Many are inattentive or combined types, which is why they were not diagnosed in an age where all the focus seemed to be aimed at hyperactivity. Some come from families in the "we don't medicate kids for acting like kids" camp of the debate and now realize that they do, in fact, need medication. Other reasons, too.

[@TXWatson]

The fact that the rate of apparent misuse has declined as the number of diagnoses has increased went up-as well as the fact that people who self-reported misusing stimulants had worse academic outcomes than people who didn't-suggest to me that it's not just that newly diagnosed people aren't selling their meds, but that a lot of people who were "abusing" stimulants were self-medicating for undiagnosed ADHD. Have any of those studies followed up with people who reported misusing stimulants to check whether they were later diagnosed?

[@ecos889]

I. Mean people with ADHD have addictive personalities so does sound likely. I self medicated with sugar mountains and caffeine.

[@RainaRamsay]

+

[@falseprofit9801]

As horrific/intense as it is, among people who I've known to illegally cook methamphetamine, about half of them it's ruined their lives (like we've always been told) but in the other half, they've had dramatic improvements in fitness, holding down a job, maintaining relationships, and going to sleep at a normal human hour (they lost any desire to party all night). There are SO MANY adhd patients going undiagnosed and/or untreated.

[@andymodrovich9494]

Yeah exactly, my takeaway from stimulant misuse being correlated with worse academic outcomes is that a) many of those students have undiagnosed ADHD, and b) even the ones who don't are typically taking stimulants because they are not doing well academically and feel like they need the help. I think a lot of people would jump to the conclusion that they are doing poorly because they're misusing stimulants, which I suspect is not true for the vast majority of these kids.

[@TjallieBrrr]

First day i used prescribed adderal i quit using the drug i was self-medicating with, it was crazy

[@tashenamason]

I have ADHD and Narcolepsy (sleep disorder)... Simulants are used for both, so I take high doses. I literally cannot function without them. The shortage has been devastating.

[@jameshatton4211]

Same here! The struggles are real. Especially when you've been living in complete isolation since 2018😐

[@whereamihelpme]

Same!!! I also have ADHD and Narcolepsy. Without them, i will not be able to do anything. I can last about 2 hours before extreme exhaustion hits and then im asleep for 20 hours. this has been so devastating for my health i wish that it was only given to people who need it.

[@Tser]

Exactly my situation. I was out for two months. I couldn't read books or watch TV or play video games, because I couldn't pay attention, which in turn meant I fell asleep, let alone do functional tasks like feed myself or shower or whatever. It's impossible. X_x

[@Ketamining]

I fall in sleep due excisseve daytime sleepiness too, i have adhd inattentive and suspected sleep disorder too

[@vam6677]

@@Ketaminingyep I need high doses of IR for both focus and to fix my sleep. When I have it I can be up for 16 sleep 8 and then have a normal cycle. Without it I will be tired constantly sleep in and have to stay awake while driving always lol

[@13minutestomidnight]

Regulations targeting medication misuse often make getting those medications MUCH harder for those who need them, and some of those regulations will make no difference to those who misuse them but make things so much harder for patients with legitimate conditions. The misuse of opioids is heavily complained about, and is a real issue, but what everyone loves to forget - including doctors - is the chronic pain patients who continue to suffer. Any medication has to be carefully managed so the patient doesn't end up taking too much and suffering from side effects and consequences, but many doctors,including those who specialise in chronic pain, will outright ignore the patient's suffering and quality of life, or unfairly label patients as drug seekers because they're complaining of pain or other symptoms.

[@NiaLaLa_V]

Yeah the pain regulation is so out of control. I have a dog who has had TPLO surgeries in both hind legs plus he blew out his meniscus after the second surgery healed and he was feeling good again. When we asked his vet about pain management for him since he is old plus has these injuries, they treated us like drug addicts and flat said no, he can not have anything. We went to a specialist for injuries and asked the same question again and got handed a prescription with no issues.

[@VTimmoni]

Sadly this is too true and like you said it slows down but doesn't stop abusers and makes those with legitimate need suffer.

[@foxwaffles]

The only reason i have my meds is because my mom takes hours out of her days every 30 days to call all the pharmacies nearby to see who has it and get the prescription filled through them. If it wasn't for her, my ADHD would make it basically impossible for me to jump through those hoops

[@Octa9on]

this! it's so incredibly unfair that getting treatment for ADHD is so hostile to people who suffer from ADHD. it's like expecting a person with a broken leg to walk to the hospital

[@LmgWarThunder]

You guys are so lucky. Where I'm at. It's illegal for the pharmacy to tell us whether they have Adderall before we send in a prescription. So I have to send my prescription to random places and hope they have it.

[@DoKuShOsTaR]

Wish I could do that in my area. In my area, they won’t even tell you if they have it in stock unless you have the medication sent to them (can’t bring it person, not allowed to be printed.) So the only way to do that, is to call my doctor, have my doctor send it over, check rhen, then have my doctor send it to a new place, and repeat.

[@Nenriel]

My partner offered to do the same, but in my state, they aren't allowed to tell you over the phone if they have it in stock. They can't even tell my doctor if she calls them. I have to drive from store to store, waiting in line each time just to see if they even have it.

[@kateapple1]

See, I feel like that’s your speed talking. ADHD doesn’t prevent you from making phone calls 😂

[@Claire-xn1cw]

It’s not just adderal anymore. The shortage is affecting other Adhd medications. It’s made worse by insurance companies. They can limit which adhd medications you can take. They can also restrict you to only taking generic, making it more difficult to find your medication. Last month every pharmacy in a 20 mile radius was out of my prescription. Walgreens had the name brand version in stock, but my insurance wouldn’t cover the name brand.

[@Just_A_Transperson]

Yep. And the absolute stupidest part is that the way I got my meds without being off them for too long was by literally having to go up by 10mg.

[@AMPProf]

Good. You can take supps

[@Just_A_Transperson]

@@AMPProf what?

[@phantomkate6]

Once, I was able to get insurance to cover a patented version of a drug because the doctor specified that it was medically necessary on the prescription. It's not a guaranteed solution for you but it's something you could try.

[@aidenpopour594]

I had to pay ~300 twice

[@yoonsikp]

As somebody currently going through medical residency, I can see that there is a lot of stigma against ADHD. My supervisors are quick to dismiss patients requesting ADHD medications as drug seekers. As stated in the video we are in an interesting but unfortunate scenario where there is both over diagnosis (stimulant abuse) and under diagnosis (legitimate patients) of ADHD.

[@Octa9on]

when I was first trying to find a someone who would prescribe ADHD medication for me, I had one psychiatrist flat out ask me "are you looking for drugs?" I replied "I don't care what the treatment is, I just need help." (he then told me his practice was focused on long-term psychotherapy, and wouldn't be able to help me) trying to find someone who believed me that I actually had ADHD and honestly needed simulant medication to treat it was a hostile and humiliating experience. I'm just glad I finally found a good provider who's been working with me for years now

[@gh0stcassette]

I'm at the point where I honestly don't care about stimulant misuse. If people who don't have ADHD want to get addicted to Adderall that's their business, frankly, and I'm tired of regulations on stimulant medication making it harder to get my own meds. Even if it's not regulations impacting the supply line, in my state you can only pick up meds at the specific pharmacy where your doctor requests them and only in 30 day quantities. If I could pick up more at once, or try different pharmacies when one is out, it would be SO much simpler

[@ChuckThree]

@@Octa9oncount your lucky stars, until 2012ish the stardard protocol was 5-10hrs of testing and evaluation. And that only applied to that one state. So if you moved, you got to do it all over again.

[@fintan9218]

@@Octa9on so did you self diagnose yourself?

[@Octa9on]

@@gh0stcassette I'm inclined to agree. moving to a different state can be a nightmare for ADHD treatment. your current provider can't prescribe in your new state, finding a new provider is prohibitively difficult, and there's no way to get a supply of medication on-hand to carry you through until you get a new prescriber. and then if you run out of meds during the process, it gets even harder because you've lost the thing that enabled you to jump through all the hoops in the first place. it's really infuriating

[@RJHarvey272]

Thanks for representing neurotransmitters as multifunctional molecules! My pet peeve as a neuroscientist is the one-dimensional representations of neurotransmitters' roles by health professionals and science educators. It's not a BIG deal that people believe and say silly things about serotonin and dopamine in everyday language; it's nice that they're interested at all! But it annoys me all the same, since I research the "non-traditional" functions of these neurotransmitters. Science educators taking a second to promote a multi-tool analogy over the lock-and-key analogy is a great step to improving public understanding of neurobiology, and perhaps eventually alleviating the pain I feel whenever someone talks about "filling their dopamine tank up."

[@pattheplanter]

How about a city analogy? Buses can be owned by individuals, schools, bus companies, the city itself, intercity routes. Each travels the roads but has different destinations and purposes. Then you have trains, vans, lorries, cars, bikes, walking - all with their own variations. It is all very complicated but it gets things done. Hormones are traffic lights and electronic trafffic signs? I don't know, I just made this up a second ago.

[@DrewNorthup]

I find the one dimensionality thing exceedingly annoying as somebody with two different neurological disabilities and an in-depth knowledge of what we do and do not know about them. Seeing that some miseducated grad student somewhere decided that my narcolepsy medication might be addictive because people who are awake have higher dopamine levels on average than those in non-REM sleep just about made me want to scream-that the DEA & FDA used that as justification to add a mandatory warning to prescribers made my head (metaphorically) explode. A dopamine rise smaller than that caused by a Snickers bar is not justifiable reason to abuse disabled people.

[@peterbathum2775]

Perspective appreciated. The more we know the better. You taking time to share your knowledge helps; not everyone can take it in but at least you tried.

[@Spencergolde]

I think the view of serotonin as the "happy" transmitter gets to me the most. With some 15 different receptors mediating everything from digestion, to blood clotting and inflammation, it's crazy that we ascribe one of its roles as the primary one, or that we consider global elevation of serotonin as a "selective" effect

[@annikan42]

I was amazed when I found out seratonin plays a big role in digestion, which finally helped explain why my chronic GERD nearly disappeared after I got on anti-anxiety meds. Everything so so interconnected!

[@Dasycottus]

PhD student, diagnosed at age 8.The last two years have been hell. Thanks for getting Jessica in here. She's amazing.

[@Betavey]

I can’t get my vyvanse medication and I desperately need it to function well at my job. Without it I get extremely harsh on myself for my limited abilities. I feel “why can’t I function like ‘normal’ people?” The thought genuinely depresses me and makes me cry.

[@poelogan]

felt

[@andrearepetto217]

Also felt.

[@kryth666]

Felt too

[@isabellataylor4515]

Yup!

[@thesisterversepod]

Felt, felt felt.

[@AdrianHereToHelp]

I am literally watching this while unable to get my ADHD medication because none of the pharmacies in my area have it and CVS can't tell me when they'll be able to get it from their distributor, so I'm currently completely out of my normal prescription. It has not been fun. Edit: They finally got it in! I made it in just before they closed and I now finally have my prescription again.

[@Octa9on]

yes indeed. I'm fortunate that I haven't actually run out, but I did have to change pharmacies twice to keep getting prescriptions filled

[@codycampbell6655]

I just got a call from my cvs that they are getting vyvanse in on monday

[@ross.2003]

​@codycampbell6655 oh yeah, that's the med I had to switch to.

[@tan4uk69]

Ask your doctor to get on vyvanse

[@theoccasionalsnickerdoodle2525]

It's an artificial shortage, they maintained and fixed the supply for the demand in 2021 and 2022, but all of a sudden in 2023, manufacturers are falsifying that they can't make enough. They are targeting all types of adhd stimulants too, not just Adderall. In states with properly regulated healthcare there's a check and balance on companies refusing drug distribution. But in other states, the companies refuse to manufacture any product until they are given government subsidies.

[@masterchiefer25]

She didn't answer the question of why the quota hasn't been updated to accommodate the new diagnosis, let alone the question of why drug manufacturers aren't meet the existing quota.

[@joranbooth5529]

She did though. At the beginning, she cited an FDA finding that pharma companies are operating at only 70% of their quotas (if I understood it right.) She never said it, but it seems much more like companies simply don't find production of these medications to be profitable enough to sate their greed, and thus there is little motive to increase to 100% or near it.

[@theoccasionalsnickerdoodle2525]

It's not just Adderall, it's Focalin and Ritalin. Focalin is not running low in stock, the companies refuse to manufacture it in PA until the government gives them subsidies

[@gh0stcassette]

Why do we allow these companies to exist? The fact that they're even capable of doing this proves to me that they need to be nationalized

[@ivo3185]

What does PA mean?

[@maggiedaniel7329]

@@ivo3185Pennsylvania

[@Virtuous_Rogue]

Pennsylvania @@ivo3185

[@GrumpyOldFart2]

@@ivo3185Pennsylvania.

[@Spencergolde]

As someone who works in bio-manufacturing, I can say a big reason for the shortage, on the supply end, comes from production infrastructure. If you're a pharma lab, you have enough equipment and staff to turn out a certain quota of active pharmaceutical product every week, which is an amount that doesn't normally change very quickly. A rapid increase in demand can't just be met instantaneously, the company would need to buy new equipment, labware, hire more people, they might even have to expand the lab space or move to a new space. Before they make all of that investment they want to be sure that this new demand is going to last, which comes down to whether the new diagnoses are going to be legitimately carried out long term, or if some adults are just getting a script to help with working from home, when they might not continue to fill the prescription when they go back to work. I think at this point, the data is pretty clear, the diagnoses are legitimate and people need these medications, and hopefully we'll see this supply side issue fixed soon

[@ph1lny3]

This makes a lot more sense. I've had a similar conversation with my doctor, and the problem with their answer and the one in the video is that they both point to a nebulous non-answer that still has us asking "where is the slow-down really occurring"? Like she said the quotas really aren't the cause, and the misuse hasn't risen, so it looks to be supply-side.

[@nathanseago]

Great insight. It's like the microchip shortage. Can't build new facilities overnight. Takes huge investment and time to make an increase in production capacity a reality.

[@permofit]

This makes total sense based materials for drugs micro chips for equipment I work in a hospital working on medical equipment and we have had to deal with shortages in base components and repair components as well

[@nararabbit1]

How does that work with opioids though? My SO has been unable to get medication he needs to function for weeks at a time in the last year. He’s been on the same dose with the same doctor for prob 5 years now. Now the pharmacy will order for all their patients and receive enough for 1-3 people, and it’s first come first serve - whoever gets there first. Trying to fill it at other pharmacies creates nightmare headaches due to all the red tape around opioids. :(

[@KimCarter]

But are they doing it? That’s my big question. Are the manufacturers even trying to improve production? Because it seems like some of them have had the opposite reaction of shutting down

[@Tser]

I'm on Adderall for both narcolepsy and ADHD. I couldn't get it for months and am completely nonfunctional without it. I can't even shower or cook food for myself.

[@KatyatheBlack]

🙌 Hypersomnia 🙌 Lyme 🙌 ADHD 🙌

[@theoriginalpandanon]

I was diagnosed with adhd as a teenager. I was on several different medications over 14 years. I went off medications 3 years ago when I became pregnant with my first kid. I was able to finish my degree with a baby so I thought, I guess I don’t need medication anymore. Well, in May 2023, I had my second kid and noticed I was struggling a bit. I had an epiphany last month and decided it was maybe time to try medication. About an hour after taking it for the first time again in years, it was incredible. It felt like a veil being lifted and I was so focused and I felt normal! I hadn’t realized how bad my adhd had gotten. I have been back on medication for 2 weeks now and I feel like a whole new person.

[@theoriginalpandanon]

@@coconut_lasagna2264troll

[@theoriginalpandanon]

@@coconut_lasagna2264 what about it makes you think I’m not telling the truth?

[@giovane_Diaz]

​@@theoriginalpandanon those trolls are just not worth our time, although it stings the same way. I let the BanHammers speak for me

[@fintan9218]

@@theoriginalpandanon im not doubting you, but its so widely abused for reasons that have nothing to do with adhd so its not hard to understand why someone would doubt you. Also a diagnosis as a teen from when they were over diagnosing doesnt even mean anything. Also two kids, my guess is you may have wanted it for energy/weight control. Not judging even if that was the case btw its very common, and if its under doctors care im not going to complain. You must know this is almost more common than actual adhd, its so obvious to anyone who can look honestly. Just look at how many college kids suddenly develop adhd… theres no easy answer, just do what you think is best and remember it does effect your long term health. The worst over prescribed drug is definitely barbiturates for anxiety, especially to women. Its an incredibly harmful drug that can cause early onset Alzheimer’s, and you can die from withdrawals due to seizures. It also tends to make anxiety worse and just cause dependency. Stay safe ✌

[@scobeymeister1]

​@@fintan9218You say you aren't doubting them and then immediately start on and on about why people don't believe them, for reasons that don't hold up to rigorous thought. When people say stuff like what you just said, they're also acting as part of the problem. Please stop. ADHD is just now becoming understood and a lot of people still don't understand us. But you don't have to understand us to believe us about our internal experiences.

[@N_Drogyny]

i've been on adhd meds for 18 or 19 years(i'm 26 as i type this) and this shortage has ended up making me save my meds on days where concentration was less important, such as during the breaks from college. it's messed up that this is what i need to do to remember i need to eat, or sleep, or to properly drive around

[@alcyone-rising]

exactly. unless you live with it you have no idea the consequences and disruptioon this causes. or the annxiety. most drs ive seen who weren't psychiatrists treat it like it's a bonus but not at all something necessary. for "normal" daily functioning.

[@carlyar5281]

I’m one of those diagnosed as an adult. As a kid I was a quiet and daydreaming girl…. I was diagnosed only AFTER my son was diagnosed. Starting a stimulant immediately helped me with things I struggled with my ENTIRE LIFE!!! It was a game changer at age 36.

[@SilverthorneRiver]

Same, but diagnosed @46. Worked for YEARS to get my son diagnosed and went, hey..... Medication is a game changer. I can actually focus on one task at a time.

[@tuiteyfruity5010]

My dad got diagnosed right after me (when I was 8. Ohmygosh over two decades ago) and we got prescribed the same meds 😂.

[@Sapedasi]

The shortage is also affecting Narcolepsy patients who treat with stimulants ☹️ I was diagnosed middle of last year and am barely functional off of meds. I dread each month when it comes time to call around to pharmacies asking if they have any Methylphenidate to fill my prescription so I can get out of bed, drive, and work…

[@spark-matter]

non-adhd methylphenidate prescription club! *highfives* lol Oh gosh it is so scary every single refill! I agree 100% they need to get on top of this mess.

[@kaygee2121]

Truth!! I've lost so much production that my business is failing. All I can do is sleep. Beyond frustrating 😩

[@morimementos]

Adhd + narcolepsy means that trying to maintain 2 stimulants is a nightmare for me

[@nicolepsy]

My Narcs‼️ After being diagnosed in 2011, it took my doctor and I YEARS (and loads of travel time and $) to finally find a , drug "cocktail" that would keep me from sleeping 24/7. It was a somewhat decent year and a half until 2 of them were suddenly and inexplicably unavailable. He tried to increase the dose on the others and you guessed it, the insurance company wouldn't approve (because of course they know more than a specialist at the Mayo Clinic 🙄). I'm sure you can relate when I say that I'm really sick of spending the few good hours I have in a day dealing with them, pharmacies, etc. Oh and I STILL can't get the original meds.

[@CatalogK9]

I wonder how much of the drop in misuse is explained by people who were undiagnosed and taking meds not prescribed, then getting a proper diagnosis and being prescribed the same or similar meds by a doctor, besides other factors. So many undiagnosed college students reach the limit of their ability to cope/mask their struggles at that massive life transition, it’s not surprising they’ve got higher misuse rates, as that’s becoming a much more common age range for late diagnosis too.

[@Reverse_Cat_Cowgirl]

I think college age students just do the most drugs and alchol in general.

[@robertsteinbach7325]

You are right @CatalogK9. If we lived in an evidence based society the whole healthcare system would respond properly, but they don't. The government, pharma, and health insurance companies are in it to make profit and execute someone's "pet policy" in "stopping drug abuse". Obviously this "pet policy" on the "war on drugs" isn't working for reasons the DEA and supporters won't understand one fact: prohibiting and limiting medications that people legitimately need never stops drug abuse, it fuels illegal drug use, not necessarily abuse, because people have no alternatives. The DEA has focused on stopping drug use, not drug abuse. Prove me wrong.

[@nothanks9503]

@@Reverse_Cat_Cowgirland coffee

[@TheoRae8289]

​@@Reverse_Cat_Cowgirlthat's the sort of claim that needs evidence to back it up.

[@TheGalacticVoid]

I genuinely see this happen firsthand

[@DamonZaphire-b3n]

I literally was just living my life after being diagnosed with Adhd and was handed Adderall to help cope and all of a sudden I'm unable to get refills, called a dozen pharmacies a day ago and was told its outta stock what a shame

[@TrippyMario-y3c]

It's my first year in college and i was really looking forward to having a feel of it and making friends but i rather became the weird kid in campus, the adderal and Vyvanse shortage really did take a hard toil on me I'm barely who i want to be and can't fulfil my potentials this is sad i might drop out if this continues 😢

[@LoinWolvescloth]

Absolutely I'm exhausted and i doubt this will end. Any reliable source somewhere?

[@JayPaul-w3m]

*SYNCERELAMP* is your guy

[@LoinWolvescloth]

Perfect. Does he happen to be on insta or telegram?

[@JayPaul-w3m]

Yea. Both

[@MicaAvali]

I was diagnosed in 2021. And yeah this shortage is hurting me, I’m 27 and I’ve struggled with undiagnosed symptoms thinking and being told something was wrong with me for two decades now. I hate the suggestions that people diagnosed recently are illegitimate. Thanks for dispelling this.

[@eliljeho]

One of the reasons that there is more information about ADHD on social media and in general is that the stigma of ADHD has faded marginally/significantly because there is more information about it. As well as learning more about why medication is helpful and effective. People sharing their stories help those with ADHD talk about it and then also get more support from their network.

[@mastelsa]

I think specifically, there's a lot more information on how ADHD presents in women and girls. It took around 10 years of me thinking it couldn't possibly be ADHD because I was a smart, quiet child. It wasn't until I stumbled on information about inattentive-type only and how young girls' symptoms can present that I finally felt confident enough to pursue a diagnosis.

[@GooberFace32]

I appreciate your optimism, but there’s quite a bit of stigma around stimulant ADHD medications and health care providers and pharmacists. ADHD patients should NOT be treated like meth-heads when needing to obtain these medicines for their well-being.

[@eliljeho]

​@@GooberFace32working in a hospital, proper treatment of those with a substance use disorder works has better outcomes as well. 🙂

[@alexrogers777]

@@GooberFace32 yeah for real. I've already seen 3 ignorant comments saying things like "It's fn meth!"

[@KekeeBlack]

What's messed up is that people with ADHD can be predisposed to drug abuse, and when they are medicated they're less likely to do it. So people who have abused drugs because they tried to self medicate are less likely to get the help they need to stay sober and be able to succeed with work, school, relationships, DRIVING SAFELY and stuff like that.

[@SAMEntalhealth]

THISSSSS F**KING COMMENT ^^^^^^^^^^^ ❤️ IDK WHO YOU ARE BUT I FREAKING LOVE YOU 😅😅😅❤❤❤❤❤❤ thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[@SAMEntalhealth]

God you are one in a hundred thousand to freaking say this THANK YOUUUUUUUUU

[@jessicamerced9116]

I’m crying right now because this is my life story, self medicating with alcohol and marijuana. I’m 30 now, have been seeing my psychiatrist for 5 years. I never even bothered asking to be treated because of co occurring BPD. I’ve always been made to feel like a crazy, unstable woman. Only people that know me well see who I am beneath the struggle. I have struggled with severe ADHD that led to BPD because of lack of treatment in childhood, teens and early adulthood. I was abused and taken advantage of by many people with the inability to rationalize why and achieve my goals. She is an amazing psychiatrist and trusts me to try proper treatment. Stimulants is the only thing that has ever made me feel normal, I’ve been a mess my entire life. I’m crying because I feel guilty and gross for even needing a medication that is considered high potential for abuse. I’m sad that there’s a chance I won’t be able to get treated because of the shortage. When medicated I am a different person..I’m calm, stable, my emotions make sense, I can think straight and not have my thoughts change every 3 seconds, I don’t crave alcohol, I don’t make impulsive decisions, I could even take a nap, my mood and demeanor doesn’t change drastically, I don’t have crying spells that last hours. When I’m medicated I don’t slip into this paranoid haze that people want to hurt me. I’m the person that I WANT to be, everything makes sense, my emotions and thoughts feel aligned. I hate that I was born this way, I don’t want to give up hope. I don’t mean for anyone to feel sorry for me, I am blessed in many other areas of my life and I am now surrounded by people that love and understand me. I am much more stable than I used to be, still a light drinker at times and sober outside of that. I’m just feeling emotional because I never thought there would be a way out of this black hole of having a brain with severely low dopamine.

[@artninja2579]

I’m one of the ones that paid a months paycheck to get told i had all the symptoms of ADHD but they weren’t going to help me because i was “just a pill seeker” in grad school after a near breakdown. I finally got over that and got help, and was put on medication. Adderall worked wonders. And then the shortages hit and i discovered that one of the generic manufacturers had something in their filler that turned the stimulant into a sedative. Of course that was the only type that was and still is available. Three medications later, we’re still trying to find something that works and is actually in stock.

[@amerashi1111]

Is the filler clonadine? It's often used for ADHD symptoms.

[@onionshark]

The fight to get a functional generic is REAL. I never believed in generics being different until I've had some manufacturers that work wonders but some manufacturers make the same XR and I'd rather be unmedicated than take their garbage

[@Pengux1]

Sorry but are you claiming a generic used an active ingredient as a filler? Because fillers absolutely can't "change a stimulant into a sedative", and having undeclared actives would have the company shut down

[@nicholasmanson8615]

There is no such thing as a filler that turns amphetamine into a sedative and I have no idea how you could have possibly come up with that. Ask your doctor about it.

[@NotSoNormal1987]

I've had experience with garbage generics. One that the fda even pulled because it was proven to not work the same as the brand name it was trying to replace. I've had generics that made me sleepy rather than clear my brain. The differences can sometimes be pretty wild.

[@nebulan]

As someone in a state where the politicians think the only issues we face are drugs, i imagine adhd West Virginians will have an even harder time getting valid medicine

[@ilmatt00]

My stimulants are the one thing that have helped me function in this society. Without them, I struggled to decipher speech (words sounded muddied), meaning that classes, conversations, music and film were difficult to understand and follow along. When I would speak, I was often told that I made no sense. It wasn’t uncommon for me to lose my train of thought when speaking up. I would also be prone to contorting my body in weird manners at work without realizing it until I started to feel body pain. And this was all while I was at my healthiest (exercising everyday for at least an hour, being incredibly social, eating nutritious and well rounded meals, etc). I’m grateful that my pharmacy has the meds pretty stocked for the most part, but every now and then I experience a week or so without the meds and the disconnection is real.

[@the80sboy3280]

Prescribed it for depression and taken it for over 14 years. It’s literally the only medication that works for me. As a healthcare provider myself, who can give other people schedule II medications, I can say It’s amazing how people who do not need medications can get them, but people who actually need medications can’t… honestly, the shortage in my area seems to be curtailed, but I couldn’t get my medicine for over two months, and I was a completely different person when I couldn’t get my prescription filled. I understand how the medication companies operate, but there needs to be checks and balances where a shortage doesn’t happen. This isn’t a third world country that manufacturers this medication… this should be illegal to happen and it is DEFINITELY immoral to let happen.

[@DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

I, too, was blessed with finding it as a cure for my depression (and lack of wakeful energy). Sadly, the new office I had to switch to, that doctor didn't want to continue my regimen, clearly because she thought I was lying to her. So getting turned down, plus living in Tennessee where people here are just... well, they don't operate on the same level as where I'm from (Minnesota)... as such, I knew if I kept trying to find another therapist that WOULD prescribe it, I'd quickly get put on a Doctor Shopper watch list. 😔 _(honestly, I'd be surprised if she hadn't _*_already_*_ done that)_ So I just gave up. For years I already had to tiptoe around being open with doctors about being I'm on it for depression. Even then, they all _wrote it_ as it being for ADHD. I sincerely hope you don't send up going through this same BS, and don't lose being prescribed it, like I have. 🤞 🫡

[@artsymarxist]

that will never happen under capitalism. If we want checks and balances, we need a system run by workers, not rich people.

[@TSmith-yy3cc]

​@@artsymarxistBased.

[@firelunamoon]

Honestly I feel for people who can't get access to the meds. I have depression and ADHD. My ADHD meds have helped me most. This situation is nuts - I live in a developing country and so far we have not reported any shortages. I hope the situation resolves soon. Nobody should have to go without needed medication.

[@alexrogers777]

@@artsymarxist I'm not a huge capitalist but honestly, under capitalism I'd expect pharmaceutical companies to be pushing as hard as possible to sell as much medication as possible. A shortage would be the last thing they want

[@the.masked.one.studio4899]

I’ve been trying explain this for so long. People don’t realize how hard it is for disabled people to get proper treatment. I probably wouldn’t have been diagnosed with autism and adhd without telehealth. I have to meet with my psychiatrist every month and she basically checks to see if I’m abusing it. It’s really uncomfortable.

[@dilutioncreation1317]

Different clinics have different requirements. Some like requiring once a month because it's "easy money"

[@homeiswonderland]

And expensive.

[@mentalrebllion1270]

My psychiatrist does the opposite. But that is probably because I come from a place of extremely bad previous experiences with psyche meds that others gave me (misdiagnosis so wrong meds, meds that are now banned for their side effects and especially in the amounts I was prescribed, and at least one instance of a previous psychiatrist tricking my dad into switching my meds for a higher dose after I said no to the doc and to try and find a different med). Still, I really do hate how much extra work I have to do just to make sure I have my meds. Gives me anxiety every time I’m coming to end of them because I am never sure if I will have to try and stretch my meds which means I am still not in a good place and this is even if I am not worrying I’ll run out even then. But I do remember having the conversation with my psychiatrist early on into him helping me get meds and what I was actually needing him for, mainly as a check in and someone who would respect me when I said my piece about how the meds effected me. At first he did seem like he was looking out for if I would abuse them. Didn’t take long for him to realize the problem was the other direction and now we both have more trust in each other. I do hope you get a better psychiatrist. One who can and does give you a better sense of trust than what you have now. It helps a lot in the long run.

[@ninthcloud6331]

Given the correct dosage, everyone has ADHD. Humans simply benefit from properly moderated stimulate use. If caffeine was a scheduled drug and available only for those with ADHD, we all know what the most widely diagnosed mental disorder would be. Fun fact, caffeine was almost made illegal. Guess it's a little more difficult to hand over total control of such an easily available substance to pharmaceutical companies. If amphetamines were less difficult to synthesize, there would be no way they could stay scheduled. People wouldn't put up with it. And more and more people are starting to realize that amphetamines are not just for people with ADHD. As long as they're not abused, amphetamines should be available for everyone.

[@opliko]

@@ninthcloud6331 You seem to be confused on how adhd works, it's a neurological disorder and everyone doesn't have it, and caffeine doesn't help it like you think it does.

[@kiradynrhiode2231]

Am someone who got diagnosed as an adult woman. Growing up, I was simply considered a daydreamer and kinda flighty/flakey. I did well in school in subjects I enjoyed and managed decently in most others (with a lot of effort). But as I grew older and moved on to higher education and then entered the workforce, things grew harder and harder for me. And in hindsight, it was simply because the masking/coping strategies that worked in lower levels of school were no longer effective. All my ADHD-based ‘failures’ and difficulties have left me with a lot of issues and regrets that I’ve been trying to come to terms with and overcome now that I have a diagnosis and some tools to work with. But while the diagnosis and strategies and meds have been helpful, it’s nonetheless been an uphill battle.

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

@kiradynrhiode2231 --Same story. Wasn't fidgety enough to get noticed for years because all my inattention was internal. First diagnosed in (second year? iirc) high school. My parentals didn't do a thing, did not even have a single conversation about trying meds or anything else. They just let me continue to flounder my way through school and berated me for not doing better. i have so many regrets and bad self-talk built up that didn't have to be there. As an adult, I almost lost a job before getting my second diagnosis and finally being put on meds. *smh*

[@kiradynrhiode2231]

@@iprobablyforgotsomething i’m sorry you had to go through so much even with a first diagnosis. That must have been so frustrating for you! I’m glad you’ve since been able to get some actual help. (Also, guess who zoomed out of the house and forgot to take AND BRING her meds? 🙃🙃🙃 Guess I’ll be an unmedicated disaster today.)

[@limalicious]

Holy smokes, Hank AND Jessica?! JACKPOT!!

[@josephgauthier5018]

Was thinking the same thing!

[@allenliu4956]

Crossover of the decade

[@jackaryyy]

This woman just came onto the show to say a ridiculously overdiagnosed mental disorder is under diagnosed in adults. This is laughable. The actual proven reason is people abusing to Telehealth industry to get an EZ diagnosis to abuse Adderall with. Source: I'm a neuropharmacologist who also works closely with regular pharmacies and their logistics.

[@petercibulskis]

I admit, I might have squealed.

[@tristanyoung7646]

Recent studies have shown promise in stimulant medications (often the same ones used for ADHD) treating non-pain symptoms of fibromyalgia (things like brain fog, emotional issues, etc) but just like with legitimate ADHD cases, there is such a fear of misuse that it really isn't being pursued strongly or used off label for fibromyalgia. Which sucks, because there isn't really anything available to manage non-pain symptoms in fibromyalgia

[@electrogeek77]

I have ADHD and severe fibro and that double brain fog is brutal.

[@tristanyoung7646]

@electrogeek77 the current assumption is that I have fibromyalgia (it is starting to look more like CFS/ME though) and I also have ADHD, and chronic migraines. I go days and weeks at a time feeling like I never actually wake up. It is incredibly miserable

[@kickmcmelon18]

That's kinda crazy I once knew a meth addict and asker her why she took it and she said for her back pain and at the time I thought wow what an excuse.... but now... now I feel bad for judging.. although it was destroying her life I don't doubt that she wouldn't have a life without it laying in bed all day..

[@tristanyoung7646]

@kickmcmelon18 The current treatment of medications that can be addictive is actually shown to be more harmful than helpful. With stricter regulations on prescription pain medications and prescription stimulants people who previously had safe access to the medication they needed to manage daily life are unable to get it through legitimate sources, so now people who were already diagnosed and treated for conditions and people who never had a chance to get diagnosed and start treatments for whatever symptoms they struggle with have to turn to less legitimate and less safe means for their medications. And, since certain medications (in this case prescription stimulants) are treated as so dangerous and are also in such short supply, people who would benefit from off label treatment for things like brain fog and fatigue from Fibromyalgia and othet autoimmune conditions don't even get to try it as an option. There are quite a few people who would never turn to street drugs and never get to the point of misusing medications and substances if they were just given the care they needed for chronic conditions, physical or mental

[@shawnycoffman]

Thank you!! I have a roaring case of fibromyalgia and I feel like I have dementia most days. 😒

[@TheIrishAlchemist205]

I think I've heard from some pharmacists, too, that there's one or two factories that make a bunch of precursor chemicals and materials for a TON of medications that have closed, which has resulted in the shortages/trouble filling of many medications, these included.

[@Nenriel]

Thank you to everyone in this comment section making me feel less alone. Had a breakdown this morning trying to decide if it was worth taking one of my few remaining pills because I don't know when I'll have time to find more, and I need to be sure that I have enough left to get me through that process.

[@sanachanto]

I believe in you stranger 🤝 one step at a time

[@GuitarSlayer136]

Jessica is easily the best ADHD content creator. Glad guys brought her in to talk about this.

[@ulogy]

But her data was so wrong; the uptick is accounted for in the importation policies. The pharmacists just can't restock efficiently enough as there's nearly no overhead for growth in the import rate, so the shortage is just compounding. Also, Adderall isn't an SNRI, it is a stimulant. She equated two very different classes of drugs to one another in an effort to make an amphetamine salt blend sound less scary.

[@keithwinget6521]

@@ulogyPlease cite sources for us. Not hating, but such claims ought to come with evidence.

[@ericlingren4792]

@@ulogy I think she said it binds to dopamine and norepinephrine, which is true, but she didn't actually say SNRI (which of course carries implications of a different class of medications) , did she? I think she was just trying to explain biologically what it does.

[@ulogy]

@@ericlingren4792 She said it interferes with the uptake; that's an entirely different class of drugs. Stimulants just activate the receptors.

[@CoreDreamStudios]

Yes! @HowToADHD is one of my favorite channels on this topic.

[@alisonleo1]

I got diagnosed at 22 and started medication; my mind was quiet for the first time. It was life changing

[@drkiz96]

My mother got me in to see a child psychiatrist at nine years old, so I grew up with medication as well as learned how to cope positively when I didn't have access to the pills. My husband was diagnosed at 32. He slipped through the cracks due to being the most "normal" of his siblings. Medication for us costs less than caffeinated options and has much more consistent results. We have had to keep paper scripts so we could call around, because pharmacies cannot transfer our prescriptions to other locations. Even if you find a pharmacy that has the med and dose in stock, they may not be taking new patients. The many different laws regulating ADHD medication is infuriating, to say the least.

[@juliamelone8109]

It must not be every state, but in Virginia, I was told that controlled substances HAVE to be sent virtually to avoid abuse. They legally can’t give paper scripts anymore. It’s so annoying when I have to call around to find it in stock, and then call the doctor back to have it resent to that pharmacy since you can’t transfer controlled scripts. 🙃

[@drkiz96]

@juliamelone8109 and I thought Utah is bad with their laws. That is absolutely awful!

[@juliamelone8109]

@@drkiz96 Ironically, when I lived in Illinois a few years back, they said it HAD to be on paper and couldn’t be sent digitally to prevent abuse. 😂 I think the moral is, no one knows what they’re doing.

[@grantmiller7257]

Depends on the state, electronic transfers of C2s *can be done. It is heavily dependent on the state and to a lesser degree corporate SOP.

[@MrBananaLady-]

Geee, I wonder why the government is cracking down on the doctors.

[@robotbutterflies]

As someone with MS, i absolutely cannot function on a basic level without stimulants. Its almost impossible to look into another solution for being unable to get your awake meds, when you dont have your awake meds.

[@Munchkin.Of.Pern09]

I have Inattentive Type ADHD. I got diagnosed when I was 20. It was a broad-spectrum assessment, because I was about to go into university and wanted to set up an IEP. I already knew I had PTSD and some related Dissociative symptoms, but I wanted to catch anything else that might have been affecting me. My therapist actually suspected ASD, but I didn’t qualify for that - instead, it was the ADHD with a few ASD-like traumatic response symptoms. Looking back at my childhood (or at least what I can remember of it), I was always a daydreamer. But I was also one of the “smart kids”, and my relative inability to take notes or study never caught up with me until late high school. And yes, I’m a woman.

[@nottelling7438]

I suspect that another contribution to the increase in adult diagnosis is that many undiagnosed adult ADHDers had built up coping strategies that the pandemic took away, such as a dedicated office space free from the distractions of home or a job with (often informal) accommodations for a workflow that is different from what most people do. The office closing or a lost job can result in an environment far less friendly to a particular brain, which can lead to the problems that bring about a diagnosis.

[@craptastrophe521]

I think a common coping mechanism for socially-inclined ADHDers is to find jobs where your workflow is integrated with a partner or a team. If there's a lot of interaction during the process it helps front-load feedback and avoid time-blindness. But when teams like that went remote during the pandemic that environment evaporated and a lot of people relying on it went out and got a diagnosis.

[@NekoMouser]

"I suspect that another contribution to the increase in adult diagnosis is that many undiagnosed adult ADHDers had built up coping strategies that the pandemic took away" 10,000% agree. That was a HUGE part of my formal diagnosis, finally. I went from years of really solid performance evaluations and strong work to almost losing my job to under-performance SEVERAL TIMES in the first year. I was struggling SOOO hard to focus at home and it wasn't until I was diagnosed and started learning more about ADHD and really reflecting on things that I realized how many natural, organic 'coping strategies' I had devised over 40-odd years of living in the prior world--for work and otherwise--that just DID NOT APPLY in this new one. I learned about body doubling and that clicked as big part of what I had in the office that I didn't have at home. But that wasn't all of it, and I thought "I used to do work in spreadsheets. Why is that SO hard now? I constantly need to walk away. A single task takes all day! If it really is ADHD, then why wasn't I like that before?" Only when I *really* looked back with a critical eye did I realize that...I WAS like that before. My whole life! I walked away mid-work ALL THE TIME. That same task really did take all day back then, too. Nothing had changed--yet EVERYTHING had changed. The difference then was, I was AT WORK, with co-workers, so I would fill a break with a different kind of work. For example, I'd walk down the hall until I saw someone in their office, knock on their door, and ask how that sales training last week in Boston went. Or wind up in an unexpected hallway conversation. Or go give someone in the art department an update on another project--"I'll have those specs for you by lunch tomorrow"--JUST to take a break from the main task and refresh my batteries. But since I was always AT work and talking about or doing SOME form of work, no one saw what I was doing as "being distracted" or indicative of a focus issue--not even myself. That SAME spreadsheet task took an entire day of starting and stopping back then, too, only it was interspersed with contributing in some way to five other workstreams so the whole day felt productive...as opposed to being the ONLY piece of work I managed to complete all day (as at home). And at home, there was no good way of replicating that environment. I tried texting co-workers, but that often made things much worse on several levels. Turns out physical movement was a key part of helping with a reset, so shooting off IMs in Teams or Slack still had me trapped at the same computer I needed to step away from. It was also too quick. Walking to another department may be 3 mins each way, but sending an IM took 3 secs, so nothing in my brain had time to reset. Plus, I used to be able to scan for people open for conversation, but I couldn't do that on IM. So I'd blindly send out 3 or 4 messages to people who it turned out couldn't talk right then. But that wasn't the end of it because later everyone would IM me back asking what I wanted and suddenly my IM queue with is filling up with a bunch of blue dotted "you haven't answered this!!" icons which only made me feel more stressed... And that is just a small sliver. I identified at least 3 dozen very specific strategies I had that, when finally examined for what they were, were all VERY CLEARLY things I did to avoid ADHD problems without even knowing it WAS an ADHD problem. Work took the brunt of the pandemic-released ADHD impact, though there were a few other areas that fell apart. I used to grocery shop daily, for example, because the store was half-way between work and my house. The official excuse was that even though it added a few minutes to my commute, I could have a solid plan for that night's meal, buy fresh ingredients, and that it served as a nice mental transition from 'work' to 'home' mindsets. The latter was certainly true. And the first two were, too, though they were truly not the motivators for the behavior. I knew that if I was buying food for tonight's dinner only, timed during a commute with the motivation of just wanting to get home, I could walk in with $15 cash, get what I needed, and leave in under 10 minutes. I could feed my family for a week on $180 with smaller, daily shopping runs totally maybe 90 minutes put together. But if I tried to shop for longer time frames, I was prone to impulse buying, excess, poor meal-planning, and waste. If you sent me out on a Saturday and said "go buy 1 week's worth of food all at once," the trip would inevitably take 3-hours and I'd drop $350 somehow. And then half would be thrown away because we'd never get around to eating it before it expired anyway. Thanks to the pandemic, the store was no longer conveniently between home and work (since home WAS work), I was not already out of the house to begin with, and...there was something else--oh yeah!--a raging pandemic that I did not want to risk exposure to 5-7 times a week. So I switched to one weekly shopping run if possible, and sure enough...our food bill instantly doubled (even before any price increases) simply due to my how much harder shopping all at once is for me compared to doing small runs. One last one, not pandemic related. I used to burn a lot of food. Always have. I'd make an oven pizza, set the timer, come back and decide it wasn't *quite* ready and just needed to more minutes for the perfect golden color on top. So I'd walk away, promptly forget about it, and then remember I was making pizza 30 minutes later when the smoke alarms started going off and my dinner was a charred, ashen ruin. I thought it was just a bit of a flighty quirk. I know, "just set the timer for 2 mins," right? That would work, but for some reason I never did it. Still have trouble with it. But what I DID do is thread a sturdy rubber band through the loop on my potholders. Everyone, even my wife, thought it was so that I could hang them on cabinet knobs (which would make sense except for the fact that was never, ever how I stored them and would put them away if a house guest did hang them that way). The real point of the rubber bands was to attach the potholders to my wrists whenever something needed "just few more minutes" in the oven. The potholders would flop around and get in the way (try typing with a couple of potholders flopping around the keyboard), and THAT would thus remind me to go check on the food in the oven. Only after my official diagnosis did I read more and watch ADHD videos and hear people say "burning food is just part of the ADHD tax!" And I realized those rubber bands were just one more organic workaround I'd come up with on my own to deal with ADHD-driven issues without realizing it. It's got it's stamp all over my life.

[@Epilon]

I recently just found out that I had ADHD as an adult, and it helped explain so many problems and struggles I had throughout my life. I was prescribed a stimulant, and I thought I could go and pick it up in a day or so like any other medication; but no, apparently it needs prior authorization, so that takes a few days. A few days later it is approved, but then still silence from the Pharmacy. After a few more days, I go and check; they say they are out of stock; I ask them when they will have it back; they say they don't know; I ask them if they can ask other Pharmacies if they have any in stock; they say they are not allowed to due to regulations (even though they are easily able to for any other prescription). I've tried a whole lot of other things since then to see where I could get a prescription, but it's been over 2 months since I was diagnosed and I have yet to be able to try any treatments for it. It is such a miserable feeling to find out what is wrong with you; know a solution exits; but soon find out that it is just out of reach.

[@woodchuck003]

Have you tried non-chemical medication by chance? Even with the drugs you don't magically become a functioning adult.

[@thehandliesthandle]

i am from canada, and my experience was that i could easily get adhd medication. honestly, the drugs work, but they are addictive even if you don't misuse them, and even if you use a low dose. i had horrible withdrawal symptoms from taking amphetamine adhd medication. amphetamines they prescribe for adhd like adderall are the same as methamphetamine, and i think most people would be better off not using it. im not against the use of stimulants, i mean, if it works and doesnt seem to cause any issues, take it. some people don't get withdrawal symptoms for some reason, and seem to be okay while they are using the medication. but there usually is negative consiquences to taking this stuff

[@Epilon]

​@@woodchuck003 Non-chemical medication? I hope you aren't recommending quackery like homeopathy and are rather suggesting something like cognitive behavior therapy. The thing is, stimulants are what my doctor recommended and that is what is known by current science to be one of the most effective treatments for ADHD. CBT isn't usually the first option. ADHD Stimulants are like treatments for any medical condition: there are benefits, and there are side effects; it isn't a panacea, and I understand that. Normally the assessment of the efficacy of the treatment is something between you and your doctor. However, the very option to try it, to evaluate how it could help or hurt is not even possible for me right now. This isn't what I expect out of our healthcare system. I can get opiods for pain without any issue (because for some magical reason they are at a less regulated schedule than stimulants), but one of the safest and common treatments for a condition that over 10% of the US has, nah. The scheduling of these drugs needs to change, and so does the stigma around them.

[@Epilon]

@@thehandliesthandle being depended on a medication is not necessarily a bad thing. A diabetic is dependant on insulin, but you wouldn't say they shouldn't stop taking it. Hundreds of millions of people--including myself are addicted to caffeine and can have very annoying withdrawal systems--l get migraines if I don't maintain my caffeine levels. If the drugs do their job, and the side effects are outweighed by the benefits, what is wrong with that? Also amphetamines are nowhere the same thing as methamphetamines. That's like confusing the codeine a doctor could give after dental work with heroine. Both may be simulants, but they are orders of magnitude different in terms of effects and side effects; just like codeine and heroin are both depressants but one is vastly worse on the human body than the other. There really isn't enough material out there explaining the differences in an easy way; here is one of the few: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gouyqYhtrLqEeqcsi=p0mHFlucQUxvHpBM

[@thehandliesthandle]

@@Epilon sure, i don't think there's anything wrong with people using whatever helps them as long as they are aware of the risks. the comparison of codeine to heroin actually is a reasonable comparison. codeine is metabolized to morphine, and morphine is a full agonist at the mu opioid receptors, just like heroin is. codeine surely is much more mild and you wont get high on it like you do from heroin, but it's effects are actually the same as heroin. the difference is the potency, not the effect. meth and amphetamine may have differences, but both of them have the same neurotoxic consiquences when you abuse them which causes the destruction of dopamine neurons which i believe leads to permanent damage. they also have almost the exact same effects even though methamphetamine is more potent, so its reasonable to compare the two things

[@Ulthar_Cat]

Second video where I felt I have to say this: making substances illegal solves nothing. Treating substance misuse and addiction instead of criminalizing them is what we need. Also please tell your representatives to get out of the capitalist hellhole and join humanity in public healthcare. Please. 💜

[@xRiriRebel]

thissss

[@awesomenavi2012]

Ugh, this! Whenever my parent gets started on the “you can’t trust people who use drugs, ‘cause I work in a hospital and I know what I’m talking about” thing, it annoys me to no end. My response has always been to ask why they are being taken. There could be a reason behind it, that if resolved, could help people get off, or stay away from, illegal substances. If you’re suffering and the prescription ends up costing an arm and a leg, then I can understand why someone would go down that path. Add that to how stressful today’s world is, too. Chucking people in jail like there’s no tomorrow would certainly make it worse.

[@bradmoore1247]

Watch more about ADHD and social stigma.

[@bradmoore1247]

Decriminalizing make it safer for people like me to try my friends ADHD drugs and easy access. If drugs help me the video only confirms what to expect and what to not. It will help confirm my condition.

[@09BiGDylan]

Tell that to the people who became heroin addicts after being prescribed oxy

[@DinoReader]

No Dx here until covid when the wheels fell off. I was 36 years old and AFAB. I was fully missed. Turns out managing a family of 3 kids, 1 husband newly wfh, and 5 cats is uhm...challenging for someone with ADHD. I've been untreated for months because of shortages making it impossible to get hold of my medication. I'm in a small state too. Making those with ADHD spend the time calling from pharmacy to pharmacy to get the info to their dr about who actually has it in stock for that month's refill is ridiculous. And add to that you never know if that same place will have the meds when you need it the NEXT month. And the 30 days at a time limit put in by most drs offices and good grief. It's an absolute nightmare for someone with executive function issues.

[@vampbat]

First I want to say that I so appreciate seeing the collaboration for covering this topic specifically! Next, though, as a routine viewer of How to ADHD, I want to bring up that it sounds like the sound mixer either lowered Jessica’s voice or maybe slowed down her speech by 0.05 or something. The audio quality is a little distracting to me, but my main hope is that this supposed alteration doesn’t come across as a little insensitive to how folks with ADHD communicate… (Quickly, thoroughly, and with a cadence!) (Edited for typos.)

[@Kevin89866]

I was diagnosed at the age of 6 and never treated... I sought treatment as a 23 year old and was told I didn't have it and I was just depressed and anxious. 8 years of failed anxiety and depression meds later I finally sought another GP out and a Psychiatrist was instantly rediagnosed and my depression and anxiety started to fade the longer I was on adhd meds... who would have thought adhd deficits could cause depression and anxiety... oh yeah every flaming book on the condition... drs have their heads up their arses sometimes...

[@AndyTheWatchdog]

You're also a lot less likely to get diagnosed with adhd as a child if you're black. Adhd symptoms in black kids are often judged as personal failings, rather than viewed as signs that the child need more help. Black people are also more likely to live in poverty, so even if a black child's struggles are recognized as adhd symptoms; their family may not be able to afford the diagnosis and treatment the child needs.

[@AbsurdCats]

Sad to know this hasn’t gotten better for my grandkids. Some things never change.

[@danienglish9336]

Yes, this ^ While I was also initially dismissed when I sought my diagnosis (as an adult), a friend of mine who is a Black woman didn’t even get a referral to discuss with another doctor - I did.

[@donttalktomebye]

My biracial and i know for a fact if i was darker and my mom wasnt white i would have been diagnosed with ODD instead of adhd. Medical racism is so real.

[@danbev8542]

OMG! I know you are right! Here I am, white, “excellent” health insurance, great doctors, and I can’t get my meds! It’s this horrible American system we are trapped in. The obstacles they throw at me change all the time and I always feel blindsided. So now they stack systemic racism on top! I’m so sorry.

[@szigtema]

I teach in the most diverse district in my state & this is absolute truth. It's so frustrating how even well- intentioned teachers who want to be anti racist (myself included) can still have those unrecognized biases that lead to us policing black and brown children more closely than white children with similar behaviors. And even the best parents can find themselves unable to get their kids the diagnoses and meds due to racism in medicine along w financial, logistical & supply chain challenges. I used to have a lot of frustration for the parents who would send their kid to school without the meds they need to do their best work, but these days I just feel for them & the kid bc I know they're all doing their best w the shitty healthcare system we're plagued by.

[@kira_333_skz]

Adderall is also a common medication prescribed for those with narcolepsy. It’s the only way I’m able to stay awake during the day, so I’ve definitely been feeling the impacts of the shortage. Can’t drive, work, or doing anything productive without it. ☹️

[@phantomkate6]

Do they still prescribe Alertec/Modafinil for narcolepsy? A misguided psychiatrist switched me from dextroamphetamine to that about 15 years ago. It didn't help my ADD symptoms much but it sure kept me awake all day and all night! 😂

[@musictherapy3976]

They do, as I'm on both. Insurance fights it more, though.

[@phantomkate6]

@@musictherapy3976 How annoying! I've run into med shortages many times throughout my life. Proceed with caution and only if you're interested: I had moderate success with green tea extract last time I couldn't get stimulants. Obv it's not a perfect replacement and you should definitely read up on the side effects and risks. Also be mindful of dose. Too much can definitely hurt you.

[@fancyfans8609]

So happy to see HowtoADHD getting the word out! I love her content!!

[@LucarioBoricua]

One side effect of the Adderall shortages is secondary shortages of other ADHD medications, mainly the other stimulant formulations (Vyvanse / Elvanse and Dexedrine for amphetamine-based meds; Concerta, Ritalin, Focalin and Foquest for methylphenidate-based meds). This happens when people can't access their originally prescribed medicine, and change to others in hopes of maintaining a steadier, though likely less effective, supply.

[@nckojita]

funnily enough i couldn’t get vyvanse when i needed my dosage increased so my doctor prescribed me extended release adderall instead lol

[@bossa770]

I've been put on three different meds in the past six months for this exact reason. I just wish I could stick with what works without settling for whatever is available and still feeling pressured to skip days so that I have a buffer for the inevitable wait until my refill finally comes in. It's terrible and I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

[@SockyNoob]

Vyvanse user here. We've been shafted harder than Adderall users likely have.

[@meghaffer]

Yes! My kiddo was recently diagnosed. As we work with her Dr to find the right med, the Dr checks to see what's most likely to even be available before choosing something to try. It's so frustrating

[@namibjDerEchte]

@@SockyNoobSomehow they're basically always in-stock in Germany, well, depending on pharmacy; and if not, it gets there early afternoon when the order goes through before the delivery truck leaves the local distribution center.

[@iamthebubblelady]

Love the cross over. Also the adderall shortage has moved into the Ritalin meds. I’ve just gotten my Focalin since being out since November 🙄

[@agoogolofgeese]

4:07 yup, I’m 36 and just got diagnosed last year. I wish I hadn’t waited so long, cause man what an awesome difference that prescription and an anti-depressant have made in my life. When I was in gradeschool, I was always getting in trouble and making bad grades for my lack of focus. Teachers were always like “he’s so smart, if only he just /applied/ himself;” and “his head is in the clouds” (no I haven’t forgotten, Ms. Wells). Getting in trouble all the time for something you can’t control is incredibly frustrating, even as a kid. I’m so glad the knowledge of this stuff is more widespread now.

[@MitchBurns]

I love Jesica’s videos. It was cool to see her on here. She looked really uncomfortable at the start of the video, likely because she has anxiety issues and your format is a lot more intense than hers. She seemed more comfortable by the end though. Honestly, she did great. I could just tell she was nervous, since she just didn’t sound as comfortable as she usually does in her videos. She did great though. Honestly it’s a problem I can relate to, as I was diagnosed as an adult in like 2018, but never wanted to take meds for it until 2022 after the pandemic and other factors destroyed my mental health to the point I couldn’t keep going without meds anymore. She did a really great job explaining the situation. Thank you.

[@Zoroasterisk]

Nah. She doesn't go into the bigger problem that caused this situation, just talking about a bunch of stuff that is ancillary at best. The actual cause of the shortage is monopolistic business practices. There's a video by Breaking Points that goes into greater depth than this one, if you're actually interested in the topic

[@CrimsonJesus]

Timely video! I take Vyvanse for my ADHD. The diagnosis and stimulant treatment basically saved my life, but it's been two weeks since my last dose because CVS just doesn't get any restock. As a consequence my life has been back to difficult day after difficult day barely able to focus on anything, not getting my chores done. I only went back to get my master's degree because I knew it was possible when I was healthy, now I have no idea how I can work on my thesis or pump out projects every few weeks.

[@jake_from_statefarm7209]

Oh Jesus, I'm so sorry. I tried Vyvanse and it didn't work well for me, but the side effects of not taking it were god-awful. My entire brain was in a fog and I couldn't think straight.

[@slitheen3]

Vyvanse made my anxiety go haywire, and Adderall made me soo sleepy (like, can't stay awake and pass out in bed sleepy, lol!) but methylphenidate has made a subtle but INCREDIBLE difference for me! I can actually DO things I need to do, instead of thinking about how I should but just can't. It does my executive dysfunction wonders and allows me to be functional in day to day life without extreme struggle and beating myself up

[@jonnyphenomenon]

I feel your pain!

[@i2acf2011]

Vyvanse just released a generic version. That makes it more available to a wider range of patients. I have a feeling it’ll continue to be difficult to get for the foreseeable future.

[@Darchias]

September 2023 the generics (lisdexamfetamine) hit the market. Don't phrase it like Vyvanse released a generic intentionally, their patent expired and other people were finally allowed to make it, increasing supply.

[@psycobasschick]

My Dr mentioned that a lot of pharmacies aren't filling new prescriptions for it, at least as a priority. I think my pharmacist actually put a note on my file that I am a priority for fills, having talked to me. Profound ADHD is an interesting thing to live with. Adderall is a lifesaver. I'm makes me sleep better and I'm not consuming upwards of 1000mg of caffeine a day. I'm 38. I also have OCD and autism, so these have an affect. I was diagnosed at age 4. I was lead to believe that those who took meds were worse than I was. My mom has even said she wished she had put me on meds in elementary school instead of me getting them when I was 22.

[@thamires.magalhaes]

She's amazing, super nice to see her around here. Because of her channel I ended I finding out I actually am autistic and all my hardships finally had a reason and it took so much weight out of my shoulders, I finally got the therapy I need and working on getting rid of the guilt. I'm super thankful to her work here on yt

[@melodyszadkowski5256]

So glad you finally have a diagnosis that makes sense out of your symptoms. Here's wishing you success in your treatment!

[@thamires.magalhaes]

@@melodyszadkowski5256 Thank you so much

[@ThirdLawPair]

I wish it were more widely known that evidence shows people without ADHD who take ADHD medication to help them study actually learn less while thinking that they're learning more.

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

Well idk about that, but ive seen it improve the lives of a lot of people by helping clear their mind, so at least theyre happier

[@ameliag8574]

source for this??

[@solar0wind]

Tbh, the fact that people who misuse these meds do worse at university doesn't say anything. If they didn't already do badly, they wouldn't start taking the meds in the first place. So maybe they'd do even worse without the meds. Correlation isn't causation.

[@ENT683]

And they are destroying their health. Ive been taken adhd medicine for decades but I’m also chronically ill and it is horrible for my illness. I have to customize my dosage each day for the minimum I can take to focus without it worsen my other illnesses. Stimulants are ridiculously hard on your body. They aren’t worth it in the long run unless you need it.

[@nathancarver7179]

Provide a source for this. The burden of proof is on the presenter. Edit: Omg I misread OP's comment, ignore me.

[@Typhoonbladefist]

One thing that helped me was telling my doctor to specifically state on the prescription to allow the brand name version if generics are not available. It definitely will cost you more money, but it sure is a LOT better than going a few weeks without medication.

[@mialemon6186]

Careful though. Brand name can cost a scary amount. I can’t pay $450 a month (the cost of Vyvanse in my area) even though without it I’m struggling to not lose my job and all my progress.

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

​@@mialemon6186 Hey, just wanted to let you know that there's a generic for Vyvanse now. Amneal (?) Pharmaceutical is producing it. Not sure how much it costs, but it's gotta be better than name brand!

[@alexrogers777]

I know this isn't an investigational journalism channel but I feel like there's definitely more to this issue worth uncovering

[@MinusMedley]

Covid promoted inactivity, inactivity promotes chronic pain, chronic pain is a major disruptor of concentration. No doctor will prescribe exercise before medication.

[@ninjalectualx]

They didn't even answer the question of why

[@ninjalectualx]

They didn't even answer the question of why

[@ninjalectualx]

They didn't even answer the question of why

[@ninjalectualx]

They didn't even answer the question of why

[@johnhmaloney]

I'm a big How to ADHD fan, so it was great to see Jessica on SciShow. Thank you fir doing such a thorough explanation of the shortage.

[@petercibulskis]

Fir? OMFG I’m not the only one who ends up with fir. I never mean fir!!!!!

[@MichaelRoehr]

I wrote my senators about this stuff.. When your pharmacy is short, you can't easily switch to one that has it due to the nature of it. The one thing I am trying now is mail order which I hope getting the 90 days is less stressful than calling for refills locally every 30 days :(

[@agelessorca]

Aaaah, Jessica! I would've never expected you to be on Scishow, but I'm so happy you are.

[@RoxaneJ14]

Exactly how my diagnosis went. I went through the cracks as a little girl and then recognised myself in Instagram memes about ADHD. I'm still self diagnosed for now because getting access to trained professionals is hard and expensive. I hope one day I can get the support that I need, including appropriate meds. Thank you scishow for raising this issue and thank you How to ADHD for being my main source of reliable info about my condition! ❤️

[@theunfilteredparalegal]

Same I also slipped through the cracks as a child.

[@DrSpooglemon]

Self-discovery through memes is S tier.

[@dawsie]

It’s very true, many girls in the 70’s were skipped over, my brother had(dead now) not only ADHD, but he was autistic. A few years ago a KZbinr was in my recommended for both issue’s but on how girls were mis diagnosed with depression but as adults in their 40-50’s were being diagnosed now. As I sat watching you could of knocked me over with a feather, after watching I talked to my GP but he brushed it off, thankfully he had a young lady who does all the in-depth discussions and he sent me off to talk with her as I was still struggling over the death of my Mom. Well after talking with and she consulted with other professionals I was sent to see one because they pointed out to her it always runs in siblings 😳 yep all the years I had been doing what is called “Masking” they discovered that girls learn to do this right from birth, they have no idea how or why, if they have it really really full on they do get diagnosed right away, but those who are on the spectrum low enough have been able to “mask” it at all times, it does show up when in large groups as they tend to stay right on the outer rim hiding in plane sight as a wall flower. They tend to be shyer than those around them, but in their place if work they become workaholics even too the point they get promoted to a management position which then allows them to fade back into the background. I was diagnosed at the age of 56 I’m now almost 61 I decided to not take medication this late in my life I was already of depression meds as it was and they decided I was not to be taken off them even though I want to be off them. In all my years of seeking help they all brushed off the fact my brother had been diagnosed at the age of 6 and by the time I was in my 40’s they knew for a fact it ran in family lines. As was the case with my Moms family, all of the boys were diagnosed at an early age, but for the rest of us girls/women we are only just begging to be recognised with autism and ADHD unfortunately for me I also have PTSD which really messes with it all. Since finding out I personally have been able to come to grips with so much of the problems and have learnt to handle things better now, sometimes being believed is all it takes when you get to my age, knowing for all those years I was not mad, nor that it was my fault in the first place, I don’t hide it as much as I use to, I have learnt having a meltdown is good for me and I just let it happen, I hide away and do my own thing and 48 hours later my mask is back in place and I can face the world again.

[@saphireice337]

Have you tried your GP? Mine was able to give me my diagnosis.

[@thehandliesthandle]

you probably shouldnt self diagnose based on instagram memes

[@ShellyBean17]

I love SciShow and have been binge watching How to ADHD since my diagnosis last year. So happy to see this collaboration!! Watching Jessica's videos has been so helpful and validating

[@loekverheijden2499]

I'm one of those adults that found new knowledge on social media that helped me realise I have adhd. I got diagnosed 2 years ago and during my group therapies, both me and the therapists said the channel howtoADHD is very good at explaining so much in a nutshell

[@gephc4]

Hey It's Jessica! Did you know that she wrote a BOOK? It's also called How To ADHD, and it's available now!

[@psalm91rdwlkfpgrl]

this was the crossover i didn't know i needed. i love jessica so much; her channel has helped me tremendously with my adhd. thank you for making this video with her so more people can understand our struggles

[@cliffp73]

This same video needs to be made for pain meds!!!!!! But talk about how drs are scared to prescribe them causing a good bit of pain

[@filonin2]

They are scared to provide them on account of the huge amount of over prescribing they have done leading to the OD deaths of over 600,000 people since 1999.

[@desu38]

When I saw Jessica in a Scishow thumbnail, I couldn't click fast enough

[@user-yt9bl1qo9l]

My personal experience is not that I simply became aware of my ADHD during COVID. As an undiagnosed 30-something, I had to function without meds my whole life and had worked hard to develop coping mechanisms and habits in order to live up to expectations. Once lockdowns destroyed my carefully evolved routines, I was left adrift and fell out of practice. I couldn't retrain myself fast enough with the sudden return to work and social expectations after over a year without these burdens. I need the medications to cover the gap while I develop new mechanisms that apply to our new normal. I also wonder how many people, like me, have been able to cut anxiety and depression meds more than half, now that I finally have the diagnosis and treatment of the root cause

[@dragonBishop99]

Adderall, vyvanse, methylphenidate, all if them have had a shortage. My partner, and their partner have gone entire weeks without their ADHD meds. Barring people from access to the medication theyre perscribed, over the risk of it being abused by folks who are not prescribed is ridiculous. Maybe we should focus on getting people help who have addiction issues instead of punishing them and the people who just want to keep up with the thing that helps their minds function.

[@bdgackle]

We prioritize stopping abuse over patient health because we put the freaking DEA in charge of regulating schedule II drugs. We can fix the problem by completely removing a law enforcement organization designed to go after criminal activity from the manufacturing of legitimate pharmaceuticals. There are plenty of actual drug cartels for them to chase down with their limited resources anyway. Everyone wins.

[@IncriminatedAntelope]

I'm sorry, your partner & their partner?

[@ABitAmiss]

@@IncriminatedAntelope Maybe their partner is non-monogamous, some people have multiple partners

[@IncriminatedAntelope]

@@ABitAmiss I know I'm just judging

[@dragonBishop99]

Polyamory mate 👍

[@matthewsermons7247]

My Medicinal Chemistry term paper was on the structure-activity relationships of ADD/ADHD medications. Appropriately done while on medication.

[@louderthangod]

I was diagnosed as a kid around 1980. My mom didn’t want me on meds but as an adult, I noticed issues related to m adhd that was I was just not able to improve on my own or with therapy etc so I finally got re-diagnosed in my mid 40’s and it’s been very helpful. I’m now on an adderall alternative (vyvanse) which I don’t think works quite as well but it is normally available. One side effect about being on adhd meds that I wasn’t expecting is that I sleep better now.

[@WonderingWildWanderingRose]

Lol, I had to check if this was me posting a comment I had forgotten about! My mom wouldn't let me take medication back then because she didn't trust "the long term effects". If only she knew the damaging long term effects of thinking I just was failing at everything others seemed able to do with ease! I even remember her (& others) asking why I couldn't "just do" it (whatever the ""it" of the moment was). The shame and frustration of not knowing that what I was struggling with were all part of the ADHD! I wasn't privy to any discussion of my childhood diagnosis and everything it entailed, though I think they have recognized more hallmark behaviors in the decades since that first diagnosis. My mother never fully explained it to me or gave me any path beyond my own willpower to correct my issues. I credit a small handful of experienced teachers, who sought creative ways to keep me engaged without disrupting, helping me at least get through school without major self-ending events. My mom had no idea how by-the-skin-of-my-teeth close it came, so many times through the years, because of the self esteem issues and the hopelessness caused by thinking it was a willpower issue I couldn't ever seem to "just do".

[@louderthangod]

@@WonderingWildWanderingRose Well said and super relatable. It’s also interesting how clear my own mother’s adhd is now and how common it is in my family. It also goes hand in terrible hand with depression, self-loathing, hyper self-critical and the constant shame of feeling like a burden to those we care most about who we also expect to leave us at any moment so we’ve got one foot out the door at all times waiting for them to tell what we already know.

[@WonderingWildWanderingRose]

@@louderthangod so true. (*Deleted long rambling trauma dump, lol. Ultimately, I'm just trying to work on the things I can fix and healing those long term mental scars that skew my view of myself, trying to be kind to myself.) I was always the odd duck in the family until I had kids with neuro-divergent issues I recognized. I just seemed to perplex (& disappoint) those that loved me. They're all gone now (leaving me alone to deal with the abandonment and rejection issues I already had before they left, lol) Getting through, one day at a time, some days better than others. Peace to you on your journey🖖

[@amyparnell3325]

The shortage is also in the uk! It really hit hard in September 2023 and currently isnt expected to end until April this year (it was originally due to end back in December so I’m not holding out hopes… I’ve been unmedicated since September)

[@krashd]

Brexit, the gift that keeps on giving. There's no problems in mainland Europe.

[@nicholasvsjesse]

@@krashdDoubt it’s brexit, same issues here in Australia too

[@PurpleShift42]

​@@nicholasvsjesse Yeah, that's because our supply of some ADHD meds like Vyvanse are _also_ controlled by the the US FDA's quotas - there was an article on the ABC from a couple of days ago that apparently the RANZCP (the Royal Australian & NZ College of Psychiatrists) begged the FDA to up the quotas on Vyvanse (and the brand name manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, said to the ABV that they're using all of the quota) and the FDA said lol no there should be enough for everybody already

[@Tayl0r_]

Fun fact too, (from what I remember researching), women are or were more likely to be misdiagnosed as bipolar early in life if diagnosed at all, before being properly diagnosed as having ADHD/ADD as an young adult/adult. I believe allegedly, it is also technically the inverse for men.

[@ChuckThree]

I don’t exactly buy the line that woman are under diagnosed for ADHD. Biology matters. Males are diagnosed with dyslexia at a rate 2-3 higher than woman. Females are diagnosed with OCD at a rate 2-3 higher than men. Seems to indicate woman are more prone to psychological issues vs men who are more prone to learning issues

[@Tayl0r_]

@@ChuckThree ADHD/ADD is expressed slightly differently in males compared to females [before adulthood?], so yes biology matters. This fact is just one of many reasons why women were or are not diagnosed as frequently or as quickly as men. (3:1 ratio as mentioned in the video for adolescents, 1:1 ratio for adults) Your conclusion you came to is based on assuming those correlations (disproportionate diagnosises/stats) are direct causation for women being more prone to psychological issues is using a line of reasoning that is a technical informal fallacy. Im sure there’s legitimate evidence to support that potential idea, but your reasoning is very faulty Im sorry. Hope Im not being too harsh but yeah.

[@scobeymeister1]

Can't speak to the statistical evidence, but that checks out to me. What I described to a school counselor that got them to misdiagnose me as having bipolar was just a coping strategy I was using to manage my ADHD symptoms! I knew I didn't have bipolar but it took me years to figure out I had ADHD. From the outside, depending on the wording the patient uses, they can absolutely look extremely similar!

[@scobeymeister1]

​@@ChuckThreeOr, we're more prone to notice (and pathologize) when women have emotional issues and men have intellectual ones because it contradicts established gender norms. Or neither of those things. Correlation does not imply causation.

[@Tayl0r_]

@@scobeymeister1 Comorbid symptoms are sure fun, huh?🙃 my major depressive disorder and sadly lowkey substance abuse of pain meds when I was struggling with my lifelong physical health issues masked my ADD symptoms for years. Not to mention the psychological masking I would do almost subconsciously to not stick out lol. But yeah! I asked my counselor about that and she confirmed it, then brought it up in discussion with my prescribing psychiatrist when I first met her and I can’t remember exactly what she said but she didn’t diagree or dispute it when I said it’s something Ive heard/seen when doing some research a year or 2 ago and asked about it. Im sure it’s a bit more nuanced than how Im presenting it, and it is true that clinical studies can be technically valid but simultaneously invalidated depending on how the research was conducted. Confirmation bias and all that😅

[@DonaldTubbs]

Don't forget all the parents who resisted AD diagnoses for their kids, blaming teachers, and then had to home school during COVID. "OMG, Miss Teacher is right, my kid has an AD variant!"

[@griffing2523]

every month, I go down a list of pharmacies near me and call each one until I can find my meds. It's honestly exhausting working on a PhD in a biomedical field, while being forced to divert at least an hour of my life every 30 days trying to maintain function in our medical system. if we can't even supply a simple small molecule...

[@caitlin7311]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO!! I hate having to call in every time. I hate calling in the phone. Now if they’re out of my meds, I have to make MORE CALLS. And of course, because I’m forgetful, a symptom of ADHD, I can’t get my meds for months. I was diagnosed in 2017 in my 20s. Honestly had no idea about it, I was going through a rough time in college, and thankfully my parents took me to doctors so I could figure out what was wrong with me. Honestly I would be interested in a more in depth video how the controls and FDA work with this kind of medication.

[@buffienguyen]

I'm so happy you guys brought in Jessica to talk about this topic!! I remember her being on Dear Hank and John ages ago.

[@MrRofl131]

At first I thought there was a new howtoadhd video, but with Hank started talking I realised it was a scishow video. Great crossover! Howtoadhd is not only one of the best channels for adhd-ers, but also very helpful for people on the autism spectrum.

[@OneTonBrute]

I use Ritalin to help with my multiple sclerosis symptoms (recommended by my neurologist). But the shortage affects this too. These drugs help so much with body pains, cog fog, balance, and general fatigue. I really do hope the shortage ends...

[@MrBananaLady-]

Get over it, stand on your own feet,, help yourself. Be the hero, not the victim.

[@waywardscythe3358]

​@@MrBananaLady- f off. I hope an EMT tells you that if your bones are sticking out of you after a crash.

[@OneTonBrute]

@@MrBananaLady- Back at ya, strange homeless man.

[@steceymorgan814]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

[@APOLLINAIREBARTHOLOMIEU]

Can you help with the reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about mushrooms and psychedelics but nobody talks about where to get them. Very hard to get a reliable source here in Australia. Really need!

[@elizabethwilliams6651]

Yes, dr.sporesss. I have the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction and Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.

[@patriaciasmith3499]

I wish they were readily available in my place. Microdosing was my next plan of care for my husband. He is 59 & has so many mental health issues plus probable CTE & a TBI that left him in a coma 8 days. It's too late now I had to get a TPO as he's 6'6 300+ pound homicidal maniac. He's constantly talking about killing someone. He's violent. Anyone reading this Familiar w/ BPD know if it is common for an obsession with violence.

[@APOLLINAIREBARTHOLOMIEU]

Is he on instagram?

[@elizabethwilliams6651]

Yes he is. dr.sporesss

[@roxyamused]

I'm one of those recently diagnosed adults. I've been diagnosed in the last year asd, adhd, and now possibly ocd at 38-39- I hit the nexus of the trifecta missed in childhood. I know how and why, it's because I'm from a smallish town, asd/adhd/ocd weren't as well studied as they are now. It's been a rather core shaken year.

[@alexreid1173]

I’ve been out of adderall for over a week and my prescription finally got filled today! I’ve been managing it, but I’m pretty behind on things. Luckily I keep a lowkey illegal stockpile (the extras from past refills), but it’s a lower dose so it wasn’t great. So the only reason I’m “misusing” it is because they won’t fill my prescription. And my psychiatrist said it was okay.

[@Kleinage]

That’s not misusing. You’re still taking your 1x (xr) or 2x a day. Misusing is when people not diagnosed take medication, or when people take more or a higher dose than prescribed.

[@Sorkabeth]

Your psychiatrist would not have said it was OK if it counted as misuse.

[@phantomkate6]

I'm glad your doctor is sensible. Be careful which healthcare providers you admit that to. Maybe they would be sensible too, maybe not.

[@christabedwin]

FANTASTIC choice of a person to interview on this! She's awesome. And fits so well with the SciShow vibe.

[@Ice_Karma]

So, my husband finally got prescribed medication for his ADHD a couple years ago, after his doctor spent a decade trying to find a specialist to diagnose him. One specialist ghosted my husband after the appointment for the initial assessment. We never heard back from him, neither my husband nor his doctor could get ahold of him, and even his doctor making a request for his chart produced no response. Eventually his doctor bit the bullet, diagnosed him, and started treatment... and he's improved significantly since. Too bad it took so long. Fortunately, he's not taking Adderall for it.

[@sMASHsound]

Mind sharing what the difference is from no drug to being on the drug?

[@MrBananaLady-]

Stop taking drugs.

[@09BiGDylan]

​@@MrBananaLady- how bout you stop being a dickhole?

[@TXWatson]

The FDA isn't the source of the limit on the amount of Adderall produced in the US. They distribute the production licenses, but they're not empowered to increase them, so they can't just authorize new manufacturers. The DEA started exercising its right to cap the total amount of dextroamphetamine produced in the US in 2021, capping it at an already conservative estimate of demand at the time. The size of that cap was not increased in 2022 or 2023, as diagnoses went up. The DEA acknowledged that they had received warnings that they were manufacturing a shortage but only responded that they were sure the supply they allowed for would meet demand.

[@HOOSlERDADDY]

Mph grad student working on my dissertation. Also have done CBT to reduce the amount I rely on the drug. Regardless, the inability to fill my script has brought me to a full stop for weeks at a time. The memory problems and anxiety/depression swings that occur in the wake of a sudden stop are. brutal. I hope this resolves soon.

[@wildflower1397]

Because Adderall is a controlled substance, I have to contact my doctor ahead of time every month and request a refill. However, one major symptom of my adhd is forgetting to do things, especially forgetting to do them in advance. This is not something I can teach my brain to do, or I would have started getting it right at least a decade ago. Therefore, I often run out of meds before refills are ready. I am not allowed to purchase extra to use at those times either. I agree that drugs need to be regulated to prevent abuse. However, we need a system that makes it easier for those who need these drugs the most.

[@texxstalker]

But if you forget it on meds, what the med is for?

[@nckojita]

this is why my dad manages my adhd medication for me which helps a ton. if that’s not an option ig you could do like calendar notifications or something… i wonder if theres an app specifically to remind ppl w adhd to take and refill their medications lol

[@leyrua]

​@@nckojita I am going to try setting a schedule on the calendar app on my phone and see if that helps. I'll set it for noon, during my lunch break, so that I'll remember to place that phone call to the pharmacy.

[@oasntet]

@@texxstalker just because a medication doesn't outright cure a condition doesn't mean the med is useless. we take all sorts of medications just to reduce symptoms and make conditions more tolerable.

[@wildflower1397]

@@nckojita Probably, lol. So far there is not yet an app that will notice when I turn off the alarm, go to call the doctor, and get distracted by a squirrel, haha.

[@ejdLB]

She forgot to mention Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. closing down their generic Concerta production at the end of 2022. That really made the shortage worse.

[@Prxncessvaleria]

THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO TALK ABOUT THE ADDERALL SHORTAGE. I’m so frustrated. 😭 😭 😭

[@CanadianOptionsTrader]

I love how Hank and Jessica got together to make this video! Great job!