💌[ P.s. if possible, please read the whole thing n help me out here, I have been recently diagnosed and I have added everything I feel the need to know more about here in this post, please refer to only starting and end part to directly address the questions if you have less time n don't want to read the context, I would really appreciate your input n help]

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[Research on long term effects of stimulants ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Psychiatric\_research/comments/11csean/long\_term\_outcomes\_with\_stimulants/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=android\_app&utm\_name=androidcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=2](https://www.reddit.com/r/Psychiatric_research/comments/11csean/long_term_outcomes_with_stimulants/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=2 )

1️⃣Can someone tell me about this research?^ ( above linked), is this legit?, is it being misquoted in this post?, is it trustworthy or there are problems with research design etc. , do stimulants really have these bad long term effects?, I am not from a scientific background I haven't read the full reasearch though I would be, I just came across it, would really appreciate if those more informed on the issue could elaborate, share their opinion etc .

2️⃣also read in an article according to some studies that adhd meds long term increase the risk of kidney failure, heart issues and are risky for those with hypothyroidism or genetic predisposition to it as they can exacerbate the condition ( it did have 5.5. tsh borderline thyroid ..increase some time ago n my mom has thyroid ..I don't want to get it full blown) What's your take on this? are these things true?

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⭐I have been recently diagnosed with ADHD and dysthymia, it seems undiagnosed adhd led to anxiety depression and a bad burnout, right now I am taking my time to process all of this, trying to feel more sure about having adhd in first place which is whole different topic, but also reading more about it and medication so that I can come up with a treatment plan, see how to proceed with this situation in my life, feeling more at ease, I feel the need to know as much as I can before making any choices ahead. 

just for context I am a student in India with lots of financial constraints and pressures, my parents or family do not understand adhd, are not easy on me for my symptoms or supportive to me in any way in this regards. I got the diagnosis from a govt. Hospital through the help of a doctor who himself has adhd, but there were certain things that weren't clear in the dynamic n things I felt uneasy about, like I went thinking it was a govt. Program bcz the particular hospital appraentlty had adult and tenage adhd clinic, but the doc I contacted though did call me to the govt. Hospital , didn't went with the whole govt. Procedure and rather prescribed on his own slip( he has his own ADHD and autism clinic) likely to make it easy and quick for me it was free of cost as well, I am really greatful to him for helping me out but I wasn't able to get time etc. to clear all my doubts about everything...

and when I said I want to take a break from meds his response was not the most positive he probably had valid concerns for me( he told me u need meds rn bcz of current academic pressures etc.I see many patients like that n your health is already detoriating u would likely develop hypothyroidism and pcod as well if this is left unmanaged etc ..) there was some miscommunication as well I guess he was suppose to send a prescription n talk to my parents about adhd, but when I told him I don't want to take ssri or stimulants rn for atleast 3 months, he told me you can try to manage on your own for now hopefully see you soon again.

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I felt I went too fast into the meds I wasn't warned about the sideffects by my doc, prescribed vortiextone and methylphenidate on the same day of diagnosis( which happened through an interview max of 50-60 mins 40 imo), I have many doubts about the diagnosis itself I am scared that self reporting is enough or if I can trust my own perception on everything here...though adhd does makes sense of everything I have gone through from childhood to now and I can really in odly specific way relate to the experiences of other people with adhd, I was highly likely on questionaires as well,

also later regd. Meds I realized that the person from whom I bought the medicine( stimulant ) gave me normal instead of slow release one , as mentioned I quit them after 10 days after talking to my doc bcz I just wanted to take time to process everything, n there's just lot on my plate right now..., I need to go ahead with a nasal surgery as well, just decided to focus on my mental and physical health n overall healing and learning more about adhd and meds before proceeding with treatment...

I also have nutritional deficiencies I want to address rn, like iron, b vitamins and vitamin d, I am vegetarian n eating very poorly for some time, I feel exhausted n brain fog all the time, I feel all of these factors with depression exacerbated my adhd symptoms also just life n other difficult circumstances...

It's just that I was feeling like I was being rushed into things and I need time, I had to stop taking vortioxetine 2 nd day bcz I vomited really bad the first day n felt so shaky and sick it was terrible, I went in with different expectations( high ) from meds and it was difficult I couldn't even tell my parents bcz it would be like yeah u went ahead with this on your own without telling us and made your health worst might prevent me from getting any type of help at all etc., also it was a big mental blow as well, I felt distressed and out of control I was scared of completely loosing myself, stimulants had varrying inconsistent effects I got the putting on glasses analogy at times atleast first time when I took it, everything felt clearer, felt more energy resistance in doing things was less, but there were also crashes, and I developed increased heart rate(96-118 resting rate) and chest pain was feeling feverish few days as well etc and I didn't took them long enough to come to a clear conclusion on how they were working for me.

I just didn't felt ready for all this...I have lots of doubts and concerns and I didn't felt they were being addressed, also bcz I was being treated for free and was very dependant on my doc asking questions felt like boothring him too much n it was just difficult, it felt like he was/ would be annoyed n it was my fault not being able to get on with meds smoothly ....

I might have anxious fears but I think I also have valid concerns, and I think it's in my intrest and right to have all the information before moving forward...

Currently, I have enrolled in 6 probono therapy sessions that I was able to get for free, I am planning to get tests done for deficiency, get my surgery done, I plan to read books and material on adhd recommendations are welcomed, journal make a grounding routine for myself , fix my diet , I am greiving the years I have lost to all of this, letting go of guilt and shame have I have collected, trying to develop self compassion and taking more responsibility here on...

It's been almost 2 years since my graduation and I have done absolutely nothing and been completely dsyfunctional and undessicive about everything my mind is all over the place in terms of my carrier options and interests I am trying to pull my self together in this v.imp area of my life as well, but since I hav not achieved anything in a while and completely lost the direction of my life from about 4 n 1/2 years or second sem of my college when my depression bcm more severe , and I started having bad anxiety n slid into an existential crisis as severe suicidal ideation, I don't feel very confident about my capabilities as I have hardly kept promises I made to myself and have been lost for a really long time and I feel like I am running out of time.

It has however been extremely helpful and comforting to connect with other people with adhd, it is what made getting diagnosis possible for me in the first place, so thankyou all of you for being here and sharing your stories it really does mean alot.

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💥MAIN QUESTION S ❓❓❓

I would like to know about people's experiences with methylphenidate, that's the only stimulant available in India where I live..

I have heard about emotional blunting with it, I would like to ask how much did it help with productivity, how long it took for you to get used to it, what were the sideffects..

Did it effect your creativity and divergent thinking, inner world ability to deeply feel things, connect seemingly different or unconnected things and come up with unique ideas❓did it made the hyperfocus or passion for anything go away❓ ..these things are important for me and I don't want to loose them...

Before taking meds I saw a video on meds on the channel how to adhd, It said they don't change your personality but I have heard about experiences like that from people, currently I am connected to a discord group with adhd n there someone I know had the zombie experience after taking meds for 1 year ...seen other anecdotes as well..what's your take on this❓

Is there a risk of sinking into depression with them ❓ I am only now recovering from depression and went through some severe suicidal ideation I really don't want to go back to that place, specially numbness I am barely out of it now... and getting little better.

THOSE taking meds for years, what happens when you don't take them❓, Have you noticed your symptoms bcm worst over the years without the meds❓ Do you need to constantly increase the dosage of the drug❓

Does anyone has any experience with vortioxetine ❓ saw on a YouTube video that it reinstated normal cognitive function in elderly population with impaired cognitive function, i.e. is said to improve processing time, working memory etc., Should I have continued taking it despite on initial bad reaction, I have heard many people not benefit with ssri and call them shady...as well so what are the studies here, do we have good definitive studies on their efficacy and safety 

( P.s.2 - apologies for typos n awfully long post)