The most commonly prescribed meds to treat ADHD are Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Atomoxetine (Strattera), Lisdexamphetamine (Vyvanse), or Dextro-Amphetamine (Adderall). All of them are amphetamines, but vary in how they are released into the system or what other chemicals they are combined with. Also, not all of them are available in all countries. Adderall for example, the most commonly prescribed ADHD medication in the US, is prohibited in the EU.
What do they do and why is an amphetamine prescribed for people whose brains are running too fast? The short answer is that they have the opposite effect on us than on a neurotypical person. All of these medications increase the levels of chemicals/neurotransmitters that we do not naturally produce enough of. These neurotransmitters include dopamine and norepinephrine, which are basically in charge of concentration, i.e. the executive function of the brain, as well as the feeling of wellbeing. Therefore, these chemicals actually slow our brain down!
How does this feel or look like? Well, the first time I took Ritalin I felt a little bit euphoric on the onset. But as the medication was slowly released into my bloodstream, I actually felt relaxed and almost sleepy, and my brain started getting much more quiet. I was able to focus and concentrate. I was also able to have “normal” conversations, meaning that I was a) present instead of missing what is being said because I’m somewhere else, and b) I didn’t interrupt anymore, because the urge to interrupt because I was not sure if I would remember what I wanted to say, was gone. In other words, I had impulse control. Trust me, this was very apparent to the people around me!
How do I take the medication? Well, the proper dosing and finding the right medication takes quite a while. I am on a medication called Medikinet, which is a newer version of Ritalin. It is slowly released into the bloodstream, but still has to be taken twice a day. Dosing is rather rough and I have been trying to find the right dose since May (2024). In addition, Medikinet cannot be taken on an empty stomach and I used to eat breakfast rather late, which meant that I couldn’t take the second dose, which brings me to the side effects.
If I take too little of the medication my brain still races and it is difficult for me to concentrate and get things done. My impulse to start 50 things, but finish none of them is strong, which results in fighting myself, making lists and setting timers in order for me to not go crazy. But if I take a higher dose the rebound effect, i.e. me coming off of the meds, is almost unbearable.
I get horrible headaches, especially in the morning after I wake up, but most commonly in the evening when there’s little medication left in my system. Sleeplessness is real, so I cannot take the second dose too late; sometimes not at all. Other, very unpleasant side effects include hot flashes, dry mouth, sweaty hands, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and anxiety. The latter resulting in me clenching my jaws so hard that I get tension headaches from my neck. The anxiety can also get so high that I feel almost paralyzed and don’t want to leave the house or simply move away from where I am sitting, because I try to not feel my body and have to distract myself. It feels almost as if I am trapped in my body.
And with all of that comes aggression. I am so tense that I am hyper focused on my surroundings. For example, being in the car makes me want to cry, because my depth perception seems off so I am constantly perceiving that we are too close to another car. Any suggestion or “feedback” sounds like criticism and sends me into rage.
The rebound effects are greatly minimized by being distracted, so when I am out with people or attending a work function.
People may wonder why I would take anything with side effects like this. The truth is, the world is a million times worse without them. People at work have noticed that I feel calmer, happier, more focused and present, and overall “better.” It’s this feedback that makes me keep trying, and honestly without them I could no longer do my job, clean my home or even remotely function anymore. I am, however, going to ask my doctor at the next visit to potentially prescribe another medication that may work better for me. Like I said, the initial dosing and trials to find the right medication take quite a while.
In conclusion, I’m better on medication. I measure my blood pressure, just to make sure it remains normal and in the hospital they did two EKGs, making sure my heart was OK. The statements that ADHD eventually goes away or can be controlled with vitamins/minerals and behavioral therapy are false and cause more harm than good. This is the brain I have and if I want to have a decent life I need to regulate my brain chemistry with medication.
