LogFAQs > #976251171

LoveLikeJazz posted...

I know it was TC who said ama, but I didn't really have a question until I saw this. What sort of small tasks couldn't you focus on before that you can now?

I'm honestly just unsure what ADHD is like and I wonder just how limiting it is. What's happening in your head when you can't focus, you just think of a hundred different things at once, or?

One thing everyone should know is that there's three types that fall under ADHD. Inattentive, Hyperactive, or a combination of both. Back then inattentive was called "ADD," but now it falls under the new definition of ADHD which is an umbrella for inattentive and Hyperactivity.

To be diagnosed, you need to go to a psychiatrist. They ask you a series of questions on order to properly diagnose you. You need to have it when you were young. Everyone with ADHD does. It doesn't just suddenly appear as an adult (symptoms usually do get better as you are older actually).

Anyway common symptoms that I have (I'm mostly inattentive

-interrupting others speak/cutting them off.
-impulsive
-making careless mistakes
-difficulty remembering things short term
-feeling unmotivated/lazy
-disorganized
-procrastinating
getting destracted too easily
-trouble with finishing tasks after starting
-poor planning and time management skills
-poorer executive unction overall

My medication has helped me a lot. So much that it's hard to remember how my life was before it when I took it two years ago.

ADHD can drastically effect your relationships with people and your performance at work. So imagine having problems listening to people for a longer period of time, cutting them off to say something and/or trouble retaining what they say, and then you are impulsive and do something they tell you not to or make careless mistakes.

After being diagnosed I came becoming a Mediocre employee to a top performer and also really organized and motivated. I also was able to retain information and think things through before acting. I was able to prioritize goals and finish them instead of leaving them unfinished.

It wasn't a complete 180 for me though. I still interrupt people every now and then (I am aware), I have my impulsive moments and make careless mistakes with documentation, and I do have some occasional trouble with time management.

Besides the prescription treatment, what really helped me was to write goals I need to complete for the day. Having a good night's sleep and consistently also helps tremendously.

I think one side effect of taking the medication is that when I'm not on it (on the weekends), I feel really unmotivated. Doesn't help if I sleep in. I only take it once a day, instead of the prescribed two.

DocileOrangeCup posted...

I just took one for the first time. Will report back.

The first time I took it man.. I will never forget it. I felt super focused and motivated. First thing I did was clean my car. That feeling lasted for like a week but obviously not as strong as the first 2-3 days. I actually tried taking half the prescription by cutting it and only taking it once a day. Half prescription didn't help a whole lot. But I still take 10mg (regular prescription) once a day. It's common for people to up their medication, which I don't want to do. I don't want to be too reliant on it. For a time I would not take it on weekends, but now if I don't take it, I feel more unmotivated than normal (I usually am a coach potato on weekends outside gym).

It's crazy how long it takes to get out of the house..
Unsuprised_Pika posted...

My ADHD is starting to impact me but hearing about the cost, med shortages, hoops to jump through, trial and error and other shit I dunno if I care to see if meds help.

@Unsuprised_Pika give it a shot. Get properly diagnosed and go from there . I kinda wish I got on it sooner. Like in college. If you are insured, it's not expensive at all. I pay like $10 for each bottle that's supposed to last me a month, but I make it last 2 months. The med shortages isn't that bad. There a lot of genetics and they are effective.