Try out things that have stimulant effects: caffeine, exercise, horror movies. Your brain is wired for crisis and you can handle things well when in crisis…the problem is it you chase that, you have a high risk of burnout if you don’t plan down time.

CBD helped me for a while, tons of digital timers, to-do lists, and calendar appointments, but what really changed things for me was meds. What is your reason for wanting to avoid meds?

I am on the lowest possible dose of the only non-stimulant ADHD medication (Stratera a.k.a. Atomoxetine). All it did was tame the brain squirrels but I am still me.

Very true. I should emphasize the context that everyone’s brain chemistry is different and I would not gatekeep medication for someone who needed it first. I was mostly trying to emphasize that meds without coping strategies can be problematic as well.

I, like another responder, always only diagnosed in adulthood and frankly I am happy that I did not get medicated until later. This allowed me to develop coping strategies that I still have to use but they are made easier thanks to the medication. One of the problems that ADHDers have is they think the meds solve everything, but it only works when you have the added coping mechanisms.

For what it’s worth we have been doing the same for 2 out of our three kids, but one of them is so severely ADHD that we are considering getting him medication.

Also, if you are worried about stimulants, there is a non-stimulant ADHD medication called Atomoxetine (former brand name Stratera). That’s what I’m on and, as an adult, I’m on the 10mg dose (the lowest they make). They started me on 40mg and I felt like a zero emotion robot and almost didn’t go further.

That’s honestly one of the most adorable things I have ever seen.

Same (and I learned this because my latest batch of pills seems to have been messed up, possibly missing the actual active ingredient)…

So my experience was with Stratera, but talk to your doctor about reducing your dose to try it out. I started on 40 mg and was completely numb. I had no desires at all even though I could get shit done (I knew what was expected of me and I did it). I hated it and when it started to wear off I broke down in tears because I did not want to live like that. I spoke to my doctor and he reduced my dose to 10 mg and that did the trick. I’m so much more in control of my emotions/impulses, I can easily task switch, my memory has gotten a lot better, and I don’t have any of the weird floating through life feelings I had on 40 mg.

Sometimes just going higher is not the solution.

I waited 7 months for my first appointment for screening, then another month for an in person assessment that took 3 hours. It’s been almost 2 months since then and no response except for the $1000 bill. I’m about to call a lawyer (if I can ever get around to it…)

Yes, and honestly that’s how I coped for a long time. It leads to stress and burnout and major crashing. Not a good long term solution.

Look up classic ADHD coping mechanisms. Others have mentioned some in this thread like studying with someone (body doubling) or enforcing a schedule. One big reason procrastination works is that the stress/adrenaline acts like a stimulant that is one of the normal medications for ADHD that helps you focus.

One other suggestion is to study when well rested (first or second thing in the morning). ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by being tired.

Are you taking anything for your ADHD? In some cases, your own adrenaline is acting like a stimulant medication and helping you focus. This could be a sign that you need to increase your dose or that you need some to begin with.

For me (unmedicated) I actually have a workout routine of 30 min of vigorous activity every other day which gives me enough of a natural stimulant boost to stay focused, but your milage may vary.