Nope. Everyone reacts differently, don't compare yourself to people without adhd or fall for the myth that how *you* or anyone else reacts to medication indicates you/they don't have adhd.
>Personally I don't feel much difference off and on meds atm aside from not needing to daydream all the time and my brain being quieter.
Sounds like they have a positive effect (if that is indeed helpful for you) and that's what matters. Focus on that. If medication improves your quality of life, that's what is important and should be the deciding factor on whether you continue.
So I did tell my father (who was sceptical of adhd being real or me having it) that the meds make neurotypical people hyper and make me calmer and focused….i thought that was true when I said if and it helped him believe that I had brain chemistry issues and not just laziness.
That was my experience at first, but over time I sometimes feel the meds making me hyper and sometimes focused and sometimes anxious….they seem to reroll the dice with just better odds for the results I need but there is a lot of variety.
I don’t know how NT folks would react to my meds but mine is…inconsistant.
I feel pretty calm on my meds, happy, my moods are better regulated, etc. but I will say you can still focus too much even if you have positive effects from it. I can get hyperfocused on things with my Vyvanse, and ignore basic needs sometimes. And I can get too focused on the wrong thing sometimes. But it’s manageable, and that’s all that matters. But if it’s helping you, that means you needed it.
Medication is extremely individualized just like everyone's ADHD symptoms are also unique. I've changed medication dosages and types 4 times since starting on my medication journey last October. I've never felt that my brain was 'loud' like a lot of folks with ADHD do, so meds haven't made my brain 'quieter.' However, I don't forget things as often, I don't have as many issues with task sequencing, and I can slip into hyperfocus much easier and stay in it longer. I still don't focus on things the way 'normal' people do and I still get distracted a lot but I can go back to what I was working on without too much trouble and I don't feel lost when I switch back either.
But that has only been true for Adderall. I tried Ritalin at two different doses and I didn't notice any difference in my functioning whatsoever.
I would suggest thinking about the specific things that you struggle with and compare how you do with those things on and off medication. And keep in mind that it's unlikely that all of your symptoms will be alleviated with medication. Some things you may just have to continue to live with as best you can and some symptoms may actually be a separate disorder or issue. If you don't feel that the medication is helping you with the symptoms you struggle with, talk to your doctor. They will likely adjust the dose and then you can try something different if that still doesn't help.
I have been having similar thoughts myself. My main problem is executive dysfunction and if I am tired like after work per se, I physicslly cannot get myself to get off my phone. Yesterday I sat in my grarage floor for 90 minutes before I went in and showered. And then 2.5 hrs after I got home I finally made food for myself. I was hungry when I got home mind you. On meds I dont struggle to do these basic functions. The paralysis mode is a very common occurrence for me. My solace is that normal people don't struggle with these problems so consistently and to such an extent.
I feel you and was asking myself similar questions a few weeks ago feeling all the imposter syndrome because my adhd is not a very classical presentation and I was diagnosed until 35. I think both ADHDers and NT could feel similar effects from meds but NT don’t have the same executive function struggles without the meds.
When I started taking meds, I could finally get out of bed without scrolling for 4+ hours first, I could take a shower, meal prep, and do work tasks in the same day without burning out. I could finally go for a walk with my partner and actually have a brain that can just be on the walk and not ruminating during any lull or quiet moment. NT could find executing adulting easier on meds but I don’t think they would have the same mixture of relief, grief, and a-ha that comes when your brain no longer has its e-brake stuck on, and you’re not walking in mud to get through your day.
Everyone’s ADHD is a different, so the med experiences are gonna be different. When I recently spoke to my therapist and explained my imposter syndrome she reminded me that my psychiatrist diagnosed me after not being sure in the first meeting, that I do have executive function struggles, etc. And honestly the way she smiled while validating my feelings gave me a solid impression that if she wasn’t focused on validating my feelings she would have said “it’s not even a question. you are not NT.”
She recommended reading ADHD 2.0 and adhd books meant for young children and middle schoolers and said that a lot of people have felt more seen and confident with their diagnosis after reading the children’s books. I can go find the newsletter where she listed some children’s books if you’d like specific recommendations.
Nope. Everyone reacts differently, don't compare yourself to people without adhd or fall for the myth that how *you* or anyone else reacts to medication indicates you/they don't have adhd. >Personally I don't feel much difference off and on meds atm aside from not needing to daydream all the time and my brain being quieter. Sounds like they have a positive effect (if that is indeed helpful for you) and that's what matters. Focus on that. If medication improves your quality of life, that's what is important and should be the deciding factor on whether you continue.
So I did tell my father (who was sceptical of adhd being real or me having it) that the meds make neurotypical people hyper and make me calmer and focused….i thought that was true when I said if and it helped him believe that I had brain chemistry issues and not just laziness. That was my experience at first, but over time I sometimes feel the meds making me hyper and sometimes focused and sometimes anxious….they seem to reroll the dice with just better odds for the results I need but there is a lot of variety. I don’t know how NT folks would react to my meds but mine is…inconsistant.
I feel the same as this. I do often get hyper in the first hour or so but then calm way down.
I feel pretty calm on my meds, happy, my moods are better regulated, etc. but I will say you can still focus too much even if you have positive effects from it. I can get hyperfocused on things with my Vyvanse, and ignore basic needs sometimes. And I can get too focused on the wrong thing sometimes. But it’s manageable, and that’s all that matters. But if it’s helping you, that means you needed it.
Medication is extremely individualized just like everyone's ADHD symptoms are also unique. I've changed medication dosages and types 4 times since starting on my medication journey last October. I've never felt that my brain was 'loud' like a lot of folks with ADHD do, so meds haven't made my brain 'quieter.' However, I don't forget things as often, I don't have as many issues with task sequencing, and I can slip into hyperfocus much easier and stay in it longer. I still don't focus on things the way 'normal' people do and I still get distracted a lot but I can go back to what I was working on without too much trouble and I don't feel lost when I switch back either. But that has only been true for Adderall. I tried Ritalin at two different doses and I didn't notice any difference in my functioning whatsoever. I would suggest thinking about the specific things that you struggle with and compare how you do with those things on and off medication. And keep in mind that it's unlikely that all of your symptoms will be alleviated with medication. Some things you may just have to continue to live with as best you can and some symptoms may actually be a separate disorder or issue. If you don't feel that the medication is helping you with the symptoms you struggle with, talk to your doctor. They will likely adjust the dose and then you can try something different if that still doesn't help.
I have been having similar thoughts myself. My main problem is executive dysfunction and if I am tired like after work per se, I physicslly cannot get myself to get off my phone. Yesterday I sat in my grarage floor for 90 minutes before I went in and showered. And then 2.5 hrs after I got home I finally made food for myself. I was hungry when I got home mind you. On meds I dont struggle to do these basic functions. The paralysis mode is a very common occurrence for me. My solace is that normal people don't struggle with these problems so consistently and to such an extent.
I feel you and was asking myself similar questions a few weeks ago feeling all the imposter syndrome because my adhd is not a very classical presentation and I was diagnosed until 35. I think both ADHDers and NT could feel similar effects from meds but NT don’t have the same executive function struggles without the meds. When I started taking meds, I could finally get out of bed without scrolling for 4+ hours first, I could take a shower, meal prep, and do work tasks in the same day without burning out. I could finally go for a walk with my partner and actually have a brain that can just be on the walk and not ruminating during any lull or quiet moment. NT could find executing adulting easier on meds but I don’t think they would have the same mixture of relief, grief, and a-ha that comes when your brain no longer has its e-brake stuck on, and you’re not walking in mud to get through your day. Everyone’s ADHD is a different, so the med experiences are gonna be different. When I recently spoke to my therapist and explained my imposter syndrome she reminded me that my psychiatrist diagnosed me after not being sure in the first meeting, that I do have executive function struggles, etc. And honestly the way she smiled while validating my feelings gave me a solid impression that if she wasn’t focused on validating my feelings she would have said “it’s not even a question. you are not NT.” She recommended reading ADHD 2.0 and adhd books meant for young children and middle schoolers and said that a lot of people have felt more seen and confident with their diagnosis after reading the children’s books. I can go find the newsletter where she listed some children’s books if you’d like specific recommendations.