A woman who was diagnosed with ADHD in her 30s has described how prescription stimulants initially felt like a 'lifeline' but later led to severe side-effects, including migraines and anxiety. The journalist, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that after a year on dexamphetamine, she began to 'unravel' and experienced withdrawal symptoms that lasted far longer than expected.
She was diagnosed during the pandemic, when referrals for adult ADHD assessments surged. Psychiatry-UK, a private company contracted by the NHS, reported a quadrupling of referrals between 2020 and 2022 compared with the previous two years. Prescriptions for stimulants also rose sharply, with a record 161,584 adults receiving medication in 2021, up more than 50% from 2015.
The woman described her childhood as restless, but said ADHD was not considered because she was a girl and academically successful. She struggled with university and work, experiencing cycles of overwork and burnout. After starting medication, she initially felt focused and calm, but side-effects including headaches and impatience emerged after a year. When she stopped, she suffered prolonged lethargy and confusion.
She said the experience made her question whether the drugs had caused lasting changes to her brain. 'Had I always felt this foggy before the drugs? Or was it the drugs?' she asked. The story highlights growing concerns about the long-term effects of stimulant medication for ADHD in adults.
