How I Manage ADHD Without Medication

I’m very proud to talk to you about my ADHD today. Through trial and error, I learned how to manage my ADHD without medication. I was on medication for a short while in college, but it didn’t work for me, and I know it doesn’t work for others, either. So I wanted to share how I manage ADHD without meds.

How I Found Out I Had ADHD

I was in college at Purdue, and I was struggling with exams. I wasn’t able to absorb and receive information well. I would study allll the time and wouldn’t get anywhere with my exams. I developed test anxiety because when I would take tests, my mind would blank. At the time, I didn’t know I had ADHD, but it was out of control. 

When I finally tested for it in my third year of college, I was told I had ADHD and dyslexia. No wonder I was struggling with exams! They recommended I take medication, and as a college student, I didn’t know any better. I trusted the doctors and started taking meds for my ADHD. 

ADHD Medication Worked, But Didn’t

I took the smallest dose possible when I first started taking the medication. I’ll never forget going to class that day and finally understanding the lesson. It clicked in my brain.

However, I’m also hypoglycemic, meaning my blood sugar drops frequently, and I have to constantly eat to manage it. A side effect of the ADHD medication is it suppressed my appetite. Can you see the problem here? 

I couldn’t sleep. I was losing too much weight too quickly. I was struggling to interact with people. So the medication was fixing one problem (ADHD), but it was causing a myriad of others. 

How I Manage ADHD Without Meds

I reached a breaking point and decided to pursue a holistic route to manage my ADHD instead of taking medication. Here are a few things that helped me control my ADHD without medication:

• Acupuncture
• Eating whole foods – no processed foods!
• Working out
• Decluttering/tidying
• Organization
• Sleep more
• No caffeine (besides matcha!)

Ten years later, I feel great, and my body and brain are working properly. Although ADHD is still part of my personality, I don’t want that to change. It’s who I am, and I’m proud of that! If you have ADHD, know you have options besides medication.

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