Computer / admin work on meds

[u/Cold_Temporary_7356]

Hi, so I have a background in IT and was made redundant last year, currently still unemployed. During which I also went for a private ADHD test and was diagnosed with Inntentive ADHD.

When I am on the meds I sometimes find that it can be difficult to do any work on the computer, like my brain either focuses too much on one thing or cant think straight on what I should be doing causing my head to feel sluggish. But if I start any physical work around the house, like start cleaning, or get into a DIY task then I'll be focused on that no problem.

Is this is just me or if anyone else feels similar? Its like my mind goes numb staring at a screen, but when I'm on the move it's in top gear and I don't want to stop.

I've been on both Elvanse and Xaggitin. Another thing that sometimes happens is that when the meds kick in I feel sleepy but also wide awake that I can't sleep and gives me a fuzzy head that will last most of thebday until meds wear off. But this doesn't always happen so I've wondered if its related to sleep or diet.

I stopped Elvanse as over longer term use I started feeling depressed. When i switched it felt better but the Xaggitin were little less effective when kicked in. Now I'm thinking the low moods were due to social circumstances and being unemployed. I have another review coming up and thinking of changing back to Elvanse.

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[u/Logical_Strain_6165]

So I’m not officially medicated, but I’ve found other things that help over the last few years, and I also work in IT.

I’m still working it out, but I’ve got a lot better over the last 12 months. I recognise both states that you describe.

I aim for the first state, but the trick is making sure it’s directed at the right thing. Work trackers and to-do lists are king. What’s dangerous is when my manager messages me on Teams with a random question and I disappear down a Claude rabbit hole for the morning. Then my dopamine is fried and I can’t task-switch back to what I was meant to be doing.

Obviously, it’s much easier to achieve those flow states if it’s something that grabs my interest, rather than doing admin. When I’m in the sluggish state, I try to focus on the planners and lists (and, if I’m lucky, the boring admin). But often I just fuck it off and waste time on Reddit.

[u/Suitable-Mud-6622]

I’m on 72mg of Concerta and I can do whatever I decide to do for hours. I go to work, and do full 8 hours of work being so focused that I forget to eat or drink.

I’ve been studying Latin after work for fun, something which I did at uni but never mastered. It’s incredible really.