6 Months on Adderall!

Summary

In this reflective video, the speaker discusses their six-month journey on Adderall for ADHD. Initially increasing their dosage from 20mg to 30mg, they experienced enhanced focus but struggled with side effects like fatigue, emotional detachment, and worsened Tourette's tics. After consulting with their doctor, they reduced the dosage to 15mg, resulting in significant improvements in energy, mood, and reduced tics. The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding the right medication dosage tailored to individual needs, encouraging viewers to share their experiences and engage with the content.

Takeaways

• 😀 Six months on Adderall has been a significant journey with both challenges and benefits.
• 😀 Increasing the dosage from 20mg to 30mg initially helped with energy but later felt excessive.
• 😀 Adderall can create a feeling of being 'chilled out' for those with ADHD, contrasting with its stimulating effect on others.
• 😀 Higher dosages can worsen short-term memory issues, leading to difficulties in conversation and recall.
• 😀 Emotional detachment and 'checking out' from interactions became noticeable at higher dosages.
• 😀 The crashes at the end of the day were intense, leading to feelings of exhaustion despite mental activity.
• 😀 Not taking Adderall on off days resulted in severe fatigue and increased reliance on naps.
• 😀 The worsening of Tourette's symptoms became a significant concern, making it hard to manage tics.
• 😀 A dosage reduction from 30mg to 15mg led to improved mood, better sleep, and reduced Tourette's symptoms.
• 😀 Finding the right dosage is crucial for maximizing benefits while minimizing side effects.

Q & A

What prompted the speaker to increase their Adderall dosage from 20 mg to 30 mg?

The speaker increased their dosage to combat feelings of fatigue and to see if it would help with their tiredness, which they initially attributed to lack of sleep.

How did the speaker feel after increasing their dosage to 30 mg?

Initially, the speaker felt energized and able to focus well, but they later found the dosage too high, leading to feelings of being overly calm and disconnected in conversations.

What metaphor did the speaker use to describe the differences in short-term memory between people with and without ADHD?

The speaker compared short-term memory to a conveyor belt, explaining that while those without ADHD have a bin to store memories, individuals with ADHD have a hole in their bin, causing memories to fall through and be lost.

What issues did the speaker encounter in their personal relationships after adjusting their Adderall dosage?

The speaker's spouse noticed they were emotionally checked out and less engaged in conversations and activities, which created concerns about their emotional connection.

What significant problem did the speaker face during the evening after taking Adderall?

The speaker experienced intense crashes in the evening, feeling exhausted and needing to zone out on screens, which made it difficult to engage with family or relax.

What symptoms of Tourette's did the speaker experience during their time on a higher dosage of Adderall?

The speaker noticed that their Tourette's symptoms worsened significantly, making it harder to manage their tics in social situations and at work.

How did the speaker's doctor help them address the issues caused by the higher dosage?

After discussing the challenges, the doctor recommended reducing the Adderall dosage from 30 mg to 15 mg to find a better balance.

What positive changes did the speaker experience after lowering their Adderall dosage?

The speaker reported feeling more like themselves again, with increased energy, better emotional engagement, and a significant reduction in Tourette's symptoms.

What advice does the speaker give to others considering medication for ADHD?

The speaker advises individuals to test different dosages to find the exact amount that works for them, emphasizing the importance of personalized treatment.

What does the speaker plan to do as they approach the one-year mark on medication?

The speaker plans to upload a one-year update and encourages viewers to share their own experiences with ADHD treatment.