Hi:) 22F, trying to figure out why my ADHD has felt so intense recently.
I have three theories: hormones, skipping medication, and stress/life change.
I stopped getting my period about a year ago in December 2021 right after I had COVID. I don’t know if that’s why I lost my period for so long, but I know COVID can affect cycles. I was diagnosed with ADHD about six months later in June of 2022 and started taking Adderall shortly after.
Anyway, I got my period for the first time in over a year this month on January 4 and it’s now January 16. I am on birth control pills (started years ago) and I’ve been taking the placebo pills and I wasn’t getting a period anyway.
Ever since I got my period back, my ADHD has been absolutely brutal. Extreme anger, physical and verbal outbursts, noise sensitivity, and rejection sensitivity are all through the roof at times. I’ve never experienced this many intense episodes of anger and/or become so easily irritated so often in such a short amount of time. I’m just so emotionally overwhelmed so easily. Feeling really down on myself and jumpy/easily startled when I’m focused and I have really low motivation, much lower than normal.
I skipped almost an entire week of work recently. I’m pretty motivated about finding new jobs to apply for and going to interviews though.
Noise sensitivity has been a thing for me like once in a while throughout my life, but it’s just awful right now. Like plugging my ears because people are talking too loud during dinners at home or feeling physically ill at the sound of chewing, even my own.
However, I also didn’t take my Adderall for like six days in a row. I’ve been taking it most days otherwise. My doctor says not to take it every single day and not to take it after 2pm.
I’m also going through a big life transition. Since April, I’ve graduated college, got a job I mostly liked in my field of study which I only held for three weeks because I was always late so I got fired, went back to my high school/college job that I’ve been doing for six years, and I put in my two weeks at that job a couple of days ago despite not having another job lined up yet. I do have interviews completed/scheduled and applications going out though.
I’m also planning to go back to school to get licensed in cosmetology! I’m really excited about that. It’ll be a good job for me (science, art, emotion all in one job!!) and something new to learn about in depth. I’ll also be set up to have my own business in under 18 months.
Can skipping that many doses affect symptoms that much? Are my hormones different now that my period is back even though I’ve been having the same hormone fluctuations due to my birth control and placebo pills? Is this because I’m making a huge change in my career/education/life?
Maybe it’s a combination. I’m mostly venting here because I can’t bring myself to write in any of the journals I have and typing is faster so I can keep up with my thoughts. Plus maybe someone else has experienced something like this so any feedback is appreciated!! :)