I’m a 45-year-old dude who’s only now coming to grips with having probably lived my whole life with undiagnosed inattentive-type ADHD. My wife and online communities like this one (and formerly Reddit) have helped me see that I may have been playing life on hard mode by pretending I didn’t have ADHD.
My doctor had me try Strattera (atomoxetine) about a year ago, but all it did was make me feel like I was nervous.
Have any of you inattentive-types had any success with simulant meds? I know it would be a lot of trouble to get officially diagnosed and even more trouble to fill the prescription, so I wonder if it’s worth trying.
edit: Thank you everyone who shared their experience. It sounds like Adderall or Vyvanse are effective for focus and executive dysfunction. If anyone is still keeping tabs on this conversation, have you had any improvement in forgetfulness/distractedness with simulant meds?
I choose to play life on hard mode. But when I discovered that I actually was playing that way back in the day, the psychiatrist and I experimented and titrated to Adderall XR. We tried Ritalin, and some other new SSRI at the time. Can’t remember the dosage, not remembering is a feature of ADHD.
During that time, I would take the weekends off, because I love how my brain works except it pisses of the SO, but, by doing so I was able to learn the difference between my chemical imbalance and work towards being mindful of neurotypical expectations.
These days I’m able to function with espresso in the morning, I find some good south American beans, yoga and meditation. I also work on hard shit because it helps me get into flow. I find that the medicine reduces my ability to get lost in my hobby projects.
I would definitely suggest being open to experimenting with meditation to figure out your ADD tendencies but also work with a therapist to work on cognitive ways to refocus, rebalance and be attentive. Basically learn mindfulness. Also learn to accept that some days are ADHD days.
Good luck.