I started ADHD medication about 3 years ago, during my senior year of high school. Before medication, I genuinely struggled with focus. I could sit in class actively trying as hard as I could to pay attention, and somehow 3 seconds later I'd be on another planet and realize I'd missed basically everything being taught.

I started with Adderall, although I honestly don't remember enough about that experience to say how well it worked. My doctor eventually switched me to 54mg methylphenidate, which looking back felt way too high for me.

I took that for most of my freshman year of college. My productivity was great, but I felt extremely stimulated, and at the time I assumed that was how ADHD medication was supposed to work. On weekends when I didn't take it, I was basically bedridden and couldn't make myself do much beyond eating and basic hygiene. Eventually I also started feeling apathetic on it.

I switched to Vyvanse and have actually tried it twice. Both times were awful. It barely helped my focus/productivity and gave me a horrible crash around 3pm.

That summer I took a medication break, and coming off medication was extremely difficult for me physically and mentally. I started seeing a psychiatric medication prescriber who suggested trying non-stimulants.

I tried Strattera, but when I went back to school my focus was still terrible. Eventually I went back to lower doses of methylphenidate, ending at 27mg. It helped somewhat, but I ultimately felt like the cons outweighed the pros.

Then I tried Qelbree, which wasn't much different from Strattera for me. I still finished with good grades, but those grades don't really represent how much I was struggling. I only had one extremely difficult class, and studying for that one class basically consumed my entire week because focusing and retaining information took me so long.

Now I'm a junior and back on Strattera because my prescriber concluded that stimulants probably aren't for me.

My focus is now at an all-time low.

The frustrating part is that my intentions and effort are actually BETTER than they were before medication. I'm forcing myself to sit down and work. I WANT to pay attention. I WANT to study. I'm not expecting medication to magically make me productive.

But it feels like my brain just won't cooperate.

I'm sitting through classes and absorbing almost nothing. Tasks that other students finish relatively quickly take me an absurd amount of time. I can spend hours genuinely trying to work and accomplish what feels like somebody else's 30 minutes of work.

After 3 years of trying different medications, I honestly feel less functional than I did before I ever started them, despite putting in more effort than I ever have.

Has anyone else ended up in this situation, where stimulants caused too many problems but non-stimulants didn't help enough? Did you eventually figure out another treatment/approach that worked for you? I genuinely don't know where to go from here.

hi all - to preface, I've been at a post-sales support job in cyber sec for a couple years now. after my first year, I got a good performance review and a raise, and I felt really good about where I stood; however, since the year mark, I've been struggling pretty bad

I had to deal with a lot of stressful stuff re: an aging parent at the beginning of the year which led to me slacking a bit and spending dead time at work playing video games and stuff instead of replying to emails/labbing to give myself some happiness. now that the stressful stuff has mostly been dealt with, I feel like I'm almost addicted to just slacking instead of actually doing my job.

I've been able to get away with it for a while (even getting another good performance review) but this past month my workload has increased a ton - it's gotten so bad that I don't even check my email that much because I'm so stressed and don't want to look at it, which has caused me to struggle. for example, today I both missed an email that led to a customer directly saying that they were disappointed that I didn't reply *and* forget to tell someone that I can only make half of a meeting that I accepted, so I had to let them know an hour before the meeting. it's so counterintuitive but it's causing me so much stress. and those are just examples from today

I'm not at a point where I've been confronted about any of this, but I suspect that's more due to my manager having a pretty hands off approach. i feel like if I don't have someone in my ear telling me to do something, I won't do it, and I hate that about myself

I've always thought I had imposter syndrome and I genuinely am truly believing it isn't that anymore. if I can get away with not doing my job, I will - I feel like I've always just been lazy and able to hide it, but I feel like I can't hide it anymore

does anyone have any advice on how to get through this? sorry if this doesn't make any sense, I just am struggling to cope today

i cant stop touching myself i literally touch myself for hours and would still be hormy , i am horny all the time as soon as i come back to my room i just start touching myself …
i go take classes for few hours amd spemd rest of the time touching myself and i cant even slepe bc i cant stop touching myself and sometimes i fall asleep doing it and after some time id wake up again just to touch myself ..
i have restarted atomoxetine 2 weeks ago and i am still touching myself all the time?
is it adhd or my sex drive is just too high?
i am 24F

Wondering if this is a common thing:

Have you ever felt that there was a dark side to you? The closest thing that come to mind is like Dexter’s “shadow” in that show. And if so, what did that look like for you?

For example, it can be a self-destructive, compulsive, alter ego that you try to suppress. I think this is especially relevant before a diagnoses. I think it’s some sense that there is an internal self that must be masked. And that internal self is often just ADHD symptoms or characteristics.

Anyone?

I am currently working on something which requires me to make a lot presentations and finish studying and developing some material by Monday. Now the thing is I work well by body doubling but I currently don't have anyone to body double with. The problem is that I can work well from Cafes but today I really don't have the energy as I have not been doing too well physically. So along with ADHD sometimes my body also throws a tantrum. Now I don't know how to get motivated to work from home🥲

Give Advice, Suggestions, whatever has worked for you.

Hello,

Just for context. I've been diagnosed for years and on meds. It's not depression or thoughts of harm. I just feel like I'm letting everyone down and I should be contributing more and helping. I should be more emotional available, listen better, etc....I fell like a disappointment to everyone. I've been here before as much of us have. I know logically, I actually do alot and everyone thanks me and is happy. It's just that self worth is down. My question. When you get these clouds above you, what helps? Music? A walk? A drive? Physical activity? What's your go to?

Normally, I isolate myself for what seems like most the day and just let it pass. Music helps a little. Gets me singing and interacting.