My ADHD symptoms were crippling and medication only made it worse. Then I discovered a ‘miracle’ 10c supplement and now I’m drug-free

As a child, Jeremiah Hartmann Tesoriero always felt like the ‘odd one out’.

Throughout his school years, he struggled to sit still and concentrate in class. At times, he was labelled too loud and boisterous by teachers.

It wasn’t until his mid-20s that he understood why.

‘Maintaining attention was, and is, difficult for me. At school I used to become so overwhelmed and felt embarrassed always asking questions, because I couldn’t keep up,’ Jeremiah, 43, told Daily Mail.

‘I would fall asleep at my desk because my brain was overstimulated – not because I was bored or lazy. Trying to process the information was exhausting.’

Jeremiah would blame himself for the mental burden, and wondered why seemingly simple tasks were harder for him than others.

Even in his 20s, after moving from Sydney to Perth, he was disorganised, never managed his time well, struggled to focus, and his long-term memory was foggy.

‘One of the things that was gnawing at me was that no matter where I went, I found myself in the same circumstances or had the same challenges. It was really frustrating. So I did some research and one of the first things that popped up was ADHD,’ he said.

Father-of-two Jeremiah Hartmann Tesoriero (pictured) has found a way to manage his ADHD without prescription medication. He was diagnosed at age 25

After digging a little deeper, he stumbled across an ADHD coach – an expert in the field, but not a medical doctor – and booked an appointment.

‘He started asking specific questions about me, my habits, and what I struggle with. It boiled down to how I likely have ADHD. It was quite an emotional moment because I thought, “Wow, someone finally understands me and what I’ve been going through,”‘ Jeremiah said.

‘It was like a lightbulb moment and finally there was an explanation. It was one of the best things to happen in my life. I began to understand how ADHD is a different wiring of the brain.’

From there, he saw a clinical psychologist who was able to give him an official ADHD diagnosis at the age of 25.

Jeremiah didn’t jump head-first into prescription medication to manage the condition. In fact, he waited four years.

‘I was concerned about taking a psycho-stimulant which may change or alter my mental state. I didn’t want to rely on medication to live a normal life,’ he said.

‘Going down the medication path isn’t like taking Panadol for a headache. Different people have different dosages we require, and some medications work and some don’t.’

It wasn’t until he turned 29 that his symptoms became so crippling that he decided to start taking ADHD drugs, specifically dextroamphetamine and Vyvanse.

Jeremiah (above, with his family) took ADHD medication on and off for five years. ‘While meds gave me short bursts of productivity, it felt like a trade-off I couldn’t sustain long-term,’ he said

Jeremiah took the medication ‘on and off’ for five years, with his longest continuous period lasting six months.

‘While meds gave me short bursts of productivity, it felt like a trade-off I couldn’t sustain long-term,’ he said.

‘The downsides were the main reason for not taking them; I had an elevated heart rate, tingling in my fingertips and the crash after it wore off was horrible – I even had a strange feeling something ominous would happen.’

When the medication wore off at the end of each day, his mood changed, and he would become irritated and frustrated by his inability to complete tasks.

A year ago, Jeremiah decided to stop taking ADHD medication altogether.

While he admits it’s ‘hard work’ managing ADHD without medication – especially with two children under four – Jeremiah has found ways to manage his ‘busy brain’.

‘My wife is the vitamin queen who buys everything. Fish oil is top tier for me, but I also take zinc, magnesium, and Q10 (a powerful antioxidant),’ he said.

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit both the brain and heart. It’s also a cheap supplement, with a bottle costing about $20 for 200 tablets – or 10c per pill.

Research performed by the Oregon Health & Science University suggests omega-3 supplements such as fish oil can assist with ‘easing hyperactivity’ and lessen hostility and inattention. However, more research is required.

Generally fish oil is also known to lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, support eye health, support healthy skin and reduce joint pain, according to Healthline.

In addition to taking supplements once a day, Jeremiah prioritises exercise and structure within his business.

‘We have two kids and three Jack Russells so we go on one-hour walks every day and I have a dumbbell workout I do three times a week,’ he says.

‘But, it’s hard to exercise with two kids. I’ve noticed when I don’t get enough sleep, my ADHD symptoms and traits are at a maximum.

‘Being self-employed has helped a lot too, but it’s a double-edged sword. It’s like I need constant supervision but I don’t like being told what to do.’

Since 2014, Jeremiah has worked as an MC, celebrant and presenter, which combines everything he’s passionate about: storytelling and public speaking.

Traditional jobs often felt restrictive, with rigid routines that didn’t accommodate his unique way of working. Sitting at a desk for eight hours a day was out of the question.

He previously worked various full-time jobs in sales, advertising and hospitality – but none of those environments worked for him.

He struggled with repetitive tasks and felt constrained by standard procedures.

As a creative professional, being self-employed allows him to leverage his ADHD strengths – namely spontaneity, creativity and the ability to work in bursts of high energy. The key benefit is autonomy.

Self-employment lets Jeremiah design his workflow around his ADHD brain, focusing on tasks that energise him and finding creative solutions which might not fit a corporate template.

However, while he has found a routine that works for him, he still hits roadblocks.

For instance, everyday tasks such as folding laundry or paying bills can often seem impossible.

Instead his brain tries to distract him with dopamine-rich activities, such as doomscrolling on social media.

‘Mindlessly scrolling can become addictive so dopamine detoxes help a lot,’ Jeremiah said.

Now 43, Jeremiah manages his ADHD without medication and instead has found three things that work to calm his busy brain: exercise, fish oil supplements, and structure at work

This ‘detox’ tactic involves reducing stimulation from devices, avoiding scrolling or watching videos, and only using his devices for business purposes.

Now, he often challenges himself to not use his phone for a week unless it’s for work – and it is made a positive change.

‘After one day of not using my phone, I already notice a difference,’ he said.

As of October, Jeremiah has been off medication for 12 months and doesn’t plan to use it again anytime soon – but knows it’s an option if required.

He hopes that sharing his story will inspire others and let fellow ADHD sufferers – especially ones seeking an alternative treatment path – know they are not alone.

Jeremiah also believes his diagnosis has made him a better father.

‘I’m more forgiving with my kids because I know what it’s like being misunderstood and to have big feelings. I made an effort to be someone I didn’t have as a child.’

His overarching message is one of resilience: embrace your ADHD, find your community, understand your unique brain and be kind to yourself in the process.

It is recommended to seek medical attention and guidance from your GP to discuss what is right for you. Exercise, supplements and diet alone should not replace medication for ADHD, if it is required.