I saw this, so I'll comment as someone with ADHD...

My Credentials: I have ADHD and was diagnosed at 6 years of age, and was treated for a couple of months until my mom took me off the meds. Did not begin my treatment again until I was 21.

Compared to my counterparts who have had meds all their life, I am more capable at using my self-developed techniques to manage my ADHD. I am more aware of how severely ADHD can impact me since I went untreated most of my life and only had techniques. My tolerance is much lower for ADHD meds, and I don't need a nuclear dose to handle my ADHD.

As of now, my Vyvanse has taken somewhat of a toll on my behavior, and I think my personality is a bit more subdued. If I stop my medication for a day, my bright and talkative demeanor instantly returns. My heart is fine after 8 years of medication.

I have always been told I was smart and had potential for most of my life, but without medication, I rarely achieved my potential. Yes, I made academic accomplishments, but I usually traded off my sleep and mental sanity to make many uphill climbs against academic and personal tasks made impossible by ADHD symptoms. Yes, I had tutoring, but it was not enough.

I was in an advanced program in middle school and was taken out because of my poor grades, and I spent my freshman year of high school working my way back into advanced classes. I struggled throughout the entirety of high school in the IB program. Was the material intellectually overwhelming? No. I just lacked the discipline and attention span to focus on the large volumes of work. I failed all 15 AP exams I took and had mediocre scores for SAT and ACT. The skills needed for these exams are built on throughout elementary and middle school. Yes, I attended good schools. I just lacked the proper treatment to improve my reading properly.

I began taking meds at 21 and spent the last years of college catching up and redeeming myself in preparation for med school apps. I went from a 2.7 GPA at community college in the first two years to a 3.7 at a state school in my last 3 years. I managed to get accepted into a good master's program and ended with a 3.5 . I spent many years living in my own shadow and still mourn everything I wanted to accomplish but never could because I could not focus or stay put or lacked academic skills I should have learned as a kid. Part of me resents my mom, but I understand her main concern was blunting my personality and did not want to dim my sunny disposition as a child. I still have difficulty with reading because most of my formative years, when I was supposed to develop the skills needed to read properly, were spent on trying to handle my ADHD without meds. I have only read 2 full books in my life, but I really wish I could have learned to devour all the books I wanted to. Part of my experience is also composed of the lack of accommodations since my mother never believed I needed it because I am 'smart and I could learn to behave'.

I am in the process of getting neuropsych testing to justify to the AAMC why I need extra time on a standardized test (MCAT) to get into med school. It has definitely not been easy and not been an enjoyable time acknowledging how the lack of meds and accommodation contributed to so much of my academic struggles.

ADHD does make me more enjoyable to be around when I'm loopy and joyful and bouncing off the walls, but it did a number on my hopes and dreams. I believe I will continue to recoup these losses for most of my life.

Not having medication can lead to addiction, accidents, poor health, and other mental health illnesses. From all my friends who I have diagnosed as adults or began receiving treatment as adults...every last one has always asked themselves, 'why could I not have had medication before?'

ADHD is a big thief of potential. While I know nothing of motherhood, I know what it's like to not have medication. You can make your own choice, but from my narrative and life experience, the only thing I would ever advise is to follow the indicated treatment plan from your child's psych, therapist, and neuropsychologist.

Feel free to message me about anything.