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Medication holiday (lemmy.blahaj.zone)
submitted 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) by to c/adhd@lemmy.world
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My psychiatrist strongly suggested that I take a "medication holiday", meaning not taking meds for up to a month during the summer holidays.

And god damn. I've already ruined my face with skin picking (Started eating compulsively due to lack of stimulation and DoPaMiNe), have gone back to an irregular sleep schedule due to being constantly tired (currently 6AM where I am), and have like 3 trash bags in my house cos I'm having trouble leaving my house.

We love to see that the meds are working! The medication holiday just makes me grateful for the impact of the meds on my everyday life.

Still not gonna take a whole month off though. My life would be in shambles by the end lmfao

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[–] 4 points 3 years ago (2 children)

It makes no sense to me why we pressure people to take breaks from psychiatric medication when we don’t for like any other condition?

Take your meds, fuck em.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    We do take med holidays for other conditions.

    Taking a holiday from stimulant adhd meds allows our body to come down to "normal" chemical levels again so that when we really need to take it, the effect from the meds is better.

    Im not your doctor but maybe non-stim might work better? Or every other day dose timing with extended release formulas. There are ways to get the meds you need and live normally. No need to feel like some crazy animal for weeks on end.

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  • [–] 3 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    I would never take a break from my bipolar meds. Like, ever. It would be absolutely insane (literally) for me to do so.

    I understand that everyone is different, but for me my stimulants work just as well as I keep taking them without any breaks. Plus, my it’s not something that every doctor believes in. Mine doesn’t.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Seriously, I doubt any doctor would recommend a patient with depression to take a "medication holiday."

    I appreciate that some doctors are concerned that a med will lose its effectiveness because of tolerance, but can happen with any medication. That's also why there are multiple medications on the market.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago

    There are definitely conditions and reasons to do drug holidays with medications. They are recommended, I know this.

    For sure, with everything, it's different for everyone. And everyone's needs need to be catered.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 3 years ago (1 child)

    She mainly suggested it for the summer holidays since I've recently graduated from a very stressful and high intensity school program!

    She still gave me my meds but I do think she wanted me to take a break so that my body would be able to.... Deflate.

    I'm 100% sure I would have kept myself busy and never taken the time to just exist otherwise.

    It DID make me realise that I can survive without the meds, though I dislike it.

    The first day, I felt like I was gonna ruin my life without it. But now I realise that it was anxiety due to using it and feeling so good with them.

    It helped me realise that no, I won't die without them. But I do need them.

    They're not crucial to my survival right now so I can reduce the fréquence of taking them.

    I usually take a break on Sundays, and take only my anti-depressants ^^ But I guess she might have wanted me to try and gauge how much I needed them now that I've graduated.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    It's only really mentioned for stimulant medication because of its addictive properties. It would be unsound for medical professionals to suggest it for antidepressants and antipsychotics because they do not have a risk of addiction.

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    • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Its amazing how well the right combination of meds works for some people. Good luck friend!

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    • [–] 1 point 3 years ago (3 children)

    Dr Russell Barkley seems to be pretty against the idea of not taking meds. ADHD affects all parts of your life, and just because you don't have school doesnt mean you dont have ADHD. Your brain works better on the drugs, you can be more responsible, put more effort into your hobbies, and take better care of yourself if youre on your meds.

    Unless theyve got some real reason for suggesting that, you should probably get a new dr.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 3 years ago

    Thanks a lot for the information!

    That's what I also thought.

    Once I stopped my ADHD meds, it felt like hell. I only lasted 5 days without my meds. Thanks a lot!

    I'm most likely not gonna change my Dr. I've been with her for 6 years and I'm just one of the first ADHD patients she has lol. But she told me she's gonna do training to update her knowledge!

    Also she did give me my prescription when I told her I didn't think it would work. She didn't just cut me off.

    I'll inform her of your comment since she's always willing to learn and listen to what I tell her.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    Unless theyve got some real reason for suggesting that, you should probably get a new dr.

    It's usually suggested to avoid building a chemical tolerance to them as stimulants do have addictive properties, but it usually should not be for a month. I've discussed it with my psychiatrist and I was told that a week every 3 to 6 months is sufficient.

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    • [–] 1 point 3 years ago (1 child)

    I usually forego weekends if I don’t have any plans. At least one day, even if I do. I figured it’s better than nothing. Last time I tried to stop taking my meds I nearly quit my job. Like I was talking to my boss and it was literally on the tip of my tongue lol.

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 3 years ago

    I feel you 🤣 Once when my dosage was still being regulated, I seriously thought of dropping out of my higher education due to a comment from my director.

    But yeah, I mainly forego meds on Sunday! Saturday is for chores, and Sunday is for being lazy and staring at the wall ✨

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    • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    This is your red flag to look for another doctor.

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    [–] [S] 0 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    Oopsy I forgot to delete a piece of a sentence. Damn.

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    • [–] -1 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    What kinda quack you seeing?

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