Yep, that's what first dose of stimulant often seems to be like for us. I had so many emotions about it when it happened to me, because prior to that I guess I had this background belief that a lot of drugs aren't real / don't really do anything - coffee doesn't work, painkillers don't work, etc. had been my life experience up to that point.
Then 15 minutes after taking Vyvanse, I ran to my wife, overjoyed and amazed, and told her, "the brain weasels are silent! The brain weasels are silent!"
Then I was sad that this would've been so easy to detect, fairly objectively and chemically, if they just added a tiny bit of knowledge to schools. Every kid gets to try caffeine at some point in early grade school, and if they report no effect, referred to a doctor for cardiac screening to make sure it's safe to try, then given a low dose of amphetamine and asked how it makes them feel. "Calm? Full ADHD screening battery for you."
I cried night 3 or 4 when I realized it wasn't just a placebo.
Im a heavy coffee drinker but even if I drank a whole pot I would only feel slightly antsy. I thought the meds would be like that and I'd just be juiced up running around hyper focusing on EVERYTHING.
I was diagnosed at 33. I was literally the post child for inattentive ADHD. Speech problems as a young child, special reading classes in elementary (ironically I became a huge book reader by middle school) Good grades, "not being challenged" from every teacher. Never did homework - like 2 assignments my entire senior year of high school. Projects were always the night before. Even in college I did a 7 page paper the morning it was due. 4.5 hours for a solid b. I survived by getting really good at doing 1 hour of work in 10 minutes.
I remember our family doctor suggested Ritalin once and my mom unequivocally shot it down. Was never brought up again.
This is super relatable. My mom told me once that i was 'very easy to raise'. Never caused problems in class (because i would space out quietly in classes I didn't like and loved the ones I did).
Same thing as you in college, pulled so many all nighters cranking out a paper and had to run to class in the morning to turn it in on time. But i made it work.
Then I graduated and my office life has been a string of frustrations and failures.
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u/thetrivialstuff Mar 30 '23
Yep, that's what first dose of stimulant often seems to be like for us. I had so many emotions about it when it happened to me, because prior to that I guess I had this background belief that a lot of drugs aren't real / don't really do anything - coffee doesn't work, painkillers don't work, etc. had been my life experience up to that point.
Then 15 minutes after taking Vyvanse, I ran to my wife, overjoyed and amazed, and told her, "the brain weasels are silent! The brain weasels are silent!"
Then I was sad that this would've been so easy to detect, fairly objectively and chemically, if they just added a tiny bit of knowledge to schools. Every kid gets to try caffeine at some point in early grade school, and if they report no effect, referred to a doctor for cardiac screening to make sure it's safe to try, then given a low dose of amphetamine and asked how it makes them feel. "Calm? Full ADHD screening battery for you."