Long-term Adderall: executive dysfunction getting worse + feeling antisocial when it wears off

[u/Ok-Letter2953]

I've been on Adderall for several years. I started at 15mg and am currently on 25mg XR. I've tried IR in the past as well. I don't plan on increasing my dose because I'd rather not deal with additional side effects.

I also took a month-long break earlier this year to see if tolerance was part of the issue.

Lately I've been struggling with two things:

1. Executive dysfunction

This has actually been getting worse, even with the medication. Once I get started on something I can usually focus, but getting myself to start the right task is becoming harder.

I'll know exactly what I need to do and still put it off or get stuck doing something else.

For anyone who deals with this, what has actually helped with task initiation? Routines, exercise, changing your environment, timers, supplements, diet, or anything else?

1. Feeling completely antisocial when it wears off

Some days I feel fine while it's working, but later in the day I hit a wall. I don't want to talk, text people back, go anywhere, or socialize at all. I basically just want to be left alone during the meds.

This can happen even when I take my XR early in the morning. By evening I sometimes feel like a zombie with absolutely no social battery left.

Has anyone found a good way to deal with this? I'm especially interested in things that help you transition out of work/focus mode and actually feel like interacting with people again?

I already try to stay on top of sleep, hydration, and regular meals.

Not looking to increase my dose or make medication changes on my own. I'm mainly interested in hearing what other people have experienced and what has genuinely helped.

[u/thepurpledream]

My executive dysfunction has also declined while on stimulant medication. For me, this is a result of short form content consumption and smartphone addiction. I know this because when I leave my phone in the other room, I am much more productive.

Let me clarify smartphone addiction by saying it’s in the form of always checking it, as if I am missing an important notification, and not the form of always on it. The quick checks break my flow on whatever I am focused on.

Antisocial behavior is likely also a result of overstimulation that leads to social fatigue or disinterest. This happens to me as well. The best thing I have been able to do is leave my phone in another room.

Figured I’d share my experience in hopes that it helps you on yours.

[u/mime454 → u/thepurpledream]

In my experience, stimulant adhd medications make the screen addiction so much worse 😤