What to do for unbearable ADHD symptoms affecting my grades in high school? - #29491
so ever since i entered sophomore year of highschool ive been experiencing this UNBEARABLE influx of ADHD symptoms and my grades have literally went from straight As to rock bottom within a single year and my mom just keeps brushing it off as lifestyle issues no matter how much i ask her to get an actual psychiatric appointment. My symptoms are: this physical restlessness that i need to do something new every little bit of time while my brain is just in an off dozed off state until something peaks my attention, and when that happens i just dont let go of it, and for the life of me i could never focus on anything if there are two or more sources of stimulus coming my way at the same time i couldnt focus on either all i do the entire day is just open up videos and mentally gaze into the abyss i dont even pay attention to the videos i just keep them on as background noise i have no motivation to do anything that i actually need to do and everytime im mentally dozed off time is literally just skipping by i dont even have a sense of time at this point and i could NEVER,EVER meet a deadline on time from how bad i am at keeping them i also struggle with remembering new peoples names etc... i have trial'd and error'd with almost every aspect of my lifestyle and even self-medicated with atomoxetine for a period from how unbearable this whole thing is, i constructed a whole dosing plan backed by research tailored for my age group and that included dosing wrt body weight and titration and so on and it did help with the hyperactivity and impulsivity but it came with unbearable nausea and appetite problems,plus bad mental health and it didnt really fix my brain fog. some mild stimulants like modafinil i tried and it did actually enhance my working memory but the peripheral effects it had on me were also too much.. im pretty much at a dead end and i just dont know what to do lol...
How long have you been experiencing these ADHD symptoms?:
- More than 6 monthsHow would you describe the severity of your symptoms?:
- Severe — significantly limits functioningHave you noticed any specific triggers that worsen your symptoms?:
- Stressful situationsHow is your sleep quality lately?:
- Very good — restful and uninterruptedHave you discussed your symptoms with a healthcare professional before?:
- No, I haven't talked to anyoneHow do you feel about your current medication experience?:
- It helped a little but had side effectsHow is your overall mood and mental health lately?:
- Fair — some ups and downs100% Anonymously
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Doctors' responses
Your symptoms strongly suggest a pattern consistent with untreated ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), especially given the sudden academic decline, severe inattention, time blindness, hyperfocus on random stimuli, restlessness, and difficulty meeting deadlines. The fact that you noticed partial improvement with atomoxetine and stimulants further supports this, but your experience also shows why self-medicating is risky—side effects like nausea, appetite loss, and mood changes need proper medical supervision and dose adjustment. This is not simply a “lifestyle issue”; it is a real, treatable condition that is significantly impacting your functioning. At this point, the most important step is to get a formal evaluation by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, even if it means involving a school counselor or another trusted adult to help advocate for you if your parent is not taking it seriously. In the meantime, try structured strategies like breaking tasks into very small steps, using timers (Pomodoro technique), reducing background noise, and keeping a strict routine, but understand that these alone may not be enough without proper treatment.
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