Drugs, alcohol, and now coffee! I’ve used a variety of substances to self medicate while in a depressed mood. A few years ago I cut out cannabis, and I stay away from using alcohol when I’m down, but I have no limits with coffee. It seems like I can drink as much as I want whenever I want and it doesn’t create the same problems it does when my mood is better.
It doesn’t seem to affect me in the way it normally does. I can drink coffee at 6 and sleep at 1130.
The half-time of caffeine in our bodies is pretty long, like 6 hours IIRC. Might affect the quality of sleep even if you manage to fall asleep
Paradoxical stimulant response and substance abuse disorder points to ADHD, often misdiagnosed in adults as anxiety and depression.
I was misdiagnosed for 10 years with no effect from the meds for anxiety and depression. Stimulant meds work well for me. Not for everyone tho.
How did you end up getting diagnosed?
Asked my therapist to refer me to a psychiatrist that could do ADHD testing. They did an interview and 2 different IQ tests. Now I see my psychiatrist every 30 days to get my controlled substance prescription.
If you’re in Canada, there’s an online service called Frida https://www.talkwithfrida.com/
I was personally diagnosed by a psychiatrist who I was referred to by my family doctor. I think you have to go through a psychiatrist at least while you’re titrating your dose but then your family doctor may be able to take over once you’re about where you need to be.