It’s been 15+ years for me (although with lots of on and off), but if you’re used to living with ADHD, it can feel like a fog is being lifted. You can suddenly hold more in your head at once and don’t have to mentally “drop” a thought to be able to process other things. It’s like slotting in an extra stick of RAM.
The meds probably have that effect on anyone, but it’s profound if you’ve been working with a deficit.
Back in the 70s & 80s kids were, on-average, given 30mg instant release of Ritalin a day to start. These days they’ve cut that starting dose down to 5mg 2x a day for IR and the long acting is 10-20 once a day depending on the child’s weight.
Dosage back then was also determined by severity of “undesired” symptoms instead of other factors like body mass and how well a lower starting dose is performing.
When I was a kid I was struggling in school so my parents put me on some nasty amphetamine derivative which I stayed on until my mid 20s. It didn’t really make anything easier it just made boring things seem more interesting. I didn’t realize this until after I stopped and I regret not getting off of it sooner.
I think I could still benefit from the right adhd drugs but it’s just not worth it.
I’m going to be doing this soon myself. Can this actually happen?
Be warned: not everybody gets this.
Myself, I’ve tried 5-6 different meds and have had nothing in the ways of the described. Might as well have been taking vitamins.
Just so you don’t get too disappointed…
Appreciate the heads up.
Same dud ):
It’s been 15+ years for me (although with lots of on and off), but if you’re used to living with ADHD, it can feel like a fog is being lifted. You can suddenly hold more in your head at once and don’t have to mentally “drop” a thought to be able to process other things. It’s like slotting in an extra stick of RAM.
The meds probably have that effect on anyone, but it’s profound if you’ve been working with a deficit.
I was diagnosed when I was 8. I’m now 52. I was taken off Ritalin because it made me “a zombie” according to my mother. Been untreated since.
Now I’m going in for reevaluation and testing again soon. Probably to be put back on meds. So I’ve definitely gotten used to living with it untreated.
This is probabaly largely due to the dosage.
Back in the 70s & 80s kids were, on-average, given 30mg instant release of Ritalin a day to start. These days they’ve cut that starting dose down to 5mg 2x a day for IR and the long acting is 10-20 once a day depending on the child’s weight.
Dosage back then was also determined by severity of “undesired” symptoms instead of other factors like body mass and how well a lower starting dose is performing.
Wow, my mom said the same thing, now I’m on Vyvanse.
Yes, the first days are incredibly clear. After the first week it becomes less noticeable for most. Not that it’s gone, just less present .
When I was a kid I was struggling in school so my parents put me on some nasty amphetamine derivative which I stayed on until my mid 20s. It didn’t really make anything easier it just made boring things seem more interesting. I didn’t realize this until after I stopped and I regret not getting off of it sooner.
I think I could still benefit from the right adhd drugs but it’s just not worth it.