I’ve always been ADHD (autistic too), and have tried many ways to overcome it. However, solutions like body-doubling aren’t always accessible. I tried atomoxetine recently, and it help immensely for the first 4 days, then somewhat for 2 weeks, but eventually had no noticeable helpful impact. I finally got prescribed methylphenidate a few weeks ago, and picked up the script yesterday. Since I started taking it this morning, I have worked on sooo so many things I have been neglecting and even went to the dog park for fun rather than as a chore. Is this what NTs feel like all the time? Just able to decide what they are going to work on and actually put it into action without needing someone else around or the guilt of letting others down?? No wonder they rule the world! lol
But seriously, for those of you that have tried methylphenidate, what was your experience? Did it continue to help weeks later? Did it work better if you took it routinely or as needed? Any other comments or tips?
This is my biggest benefit to taking Ritalin. I have actually been able to do stuff. And not random crap like … researching Roman politics or interior commercial architecture because my interest was suddenly piqued, but actually doing things I want to do.
But there’s also a problem, as @coelecanth described below… I can focus too much. I have to make an effort to stay away from my PC after work hours and during weekends, because I’m so into learning things and finally having the ability to direct my focus leads to me overusing it and my brain actually gets sore.
There’s a more recent post on ADHD about building good habits which … it’s really the other side of the coin to this. If you can finally run for the first time in 30 years, it’s not good to run all the time. You still need to have balance.
(As an aside, I recently had to do some quite difficult things that caused me a super high level of anxiety, hands shaking level, and I really struggled with that, like moreso than I would have normally perhaps.)
Good advice! I will definitely take this into consideration because I can go overboard if I don’t watch myself. Thank you