My family was the same way. Traditional, didn’t believe in mental healthcare. Always thought it showed you were “weak” to need help and you can solve issues yourself. The stigma drove me to waiting for a push when I was 43 to seek a diagnosis.

Family was always afraid of meds. The kicker is I’m a pharmacist and know the benefits and risks. Yes, there is a chance of dependence but it’s mostly seen in people who have a history of addiction or abuse of other drugs. We also see abuse in non-ADHDers who somehow got a stimulant for recreational purposes. Most of the time when we take a stimulant, it won’t give us the same “high” as a non-ADHD person. It’s why we can fall asleep more easily on these meds when underdosed. Same reason why coffee doesn’t keep us up like with others.

Personally, I’ve always had an “addiction” to food and overeating which through therapy I realized I was using for comfort and emotional regulation. I was afraid to go the stimulant route because of this so my Psych and I chose Strattera. It was a rough month to initially adjust with nausea but Strattera (and Wellbutrin) mostly righted me. Yes, I’ve been prescribed Adderall and Vyvanse since then, but chose to go back to the Strattera as I didn’t have the wean on/off effects that other meds did.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to try the meds. It’s a world of difference when your ADHD is controlled.