What is being on adderall feel like | ADHD Information
I just started Adderall 10mg-20mg twice a day. I started out with the 10 mg and found nothing happened so I did 20 mg twice a day. It may sound strange but I do not understand what I am supposed to feel. Sometimes I feel more concentrated and calm, then a couple hours later I do not. Then I feel calm again. I dont want to be a zombie but I want some sort of affect. Please help me understand.Thanks.
Meds don't force you to concentrate, they allow you to choose to concentrate.
Do you feel concentrated and calm when you are doing something, then you feel scattered and anxious/antsy when you are just relaxing and doing whatever?
That is they way Adderall works for me. When I first started Adderall, I was so used to "running around in circles" that I automatically tried to keep doing that - even though I didn't have to.
I have learned to make lists and complete what I think is a reasonable number of chores/tasks. I structure my free time too, so that I can concentrate on books or a movie or going to the park or even computer games. If I have time without some sort of plan, my normal ADHD thinking kicks in - no matter what the medications.
kermit - ideally you should "feel" very little while taking ADHD meds. Most times the effect comes on gradually and you notice more in what people tell you about your change than actually feeling it yourself.
Some feel a mild sense of euphoria - what the packaging warns as "false sense of well-being". I did - still feel awesome while on the meds but I also got a very extreme mind change with it too so maybe my case is a fringe one. Very often the times you feel the meds are when they are too strong for you.
after consulting your caregiver you may be given the option to increase your med dosage by another 10mg. That's a safe increase and if it gives you jittery feelings or anxiety you can easily drop back to the original.
Also your doc may change you from adderall to a ritalin-family med or you may want to consider dexedrine spansules. dexedrine has the same active ingredient as your meds but is delivered differently to you.
Either way ask your doc.
KERMIT,
Hopefully, you're taking the meds for a reason.... Job/school requirements. Distractions in environment... so you can perform up to a level that you're capable of. When of the meds. You're not always able to achieve your potential.
Someone said it great earlier but I'll repeat in my own words. It doesn't make you focus. If puts you in postion to be able to focus.
Chances are you're used to working a totally different way. Now, you have to stop. Learn the other methods like list making, planning etc. that will help you focus as you establish routines.
The side effects... little shaking, spacy or reserved at first. This can come and go as your body gets used to it. I've been on Adderall since AUG 2004 and I've tried many others.
If I forget to take the meds. I realize it because I'm a little more hyper and cranky and basically all over the place. My wife says I get really argumentative and she can tell if I skip a dose.
Finally, let's say you do sit down and focus. Make sure it's what you should be doing in the first place. I"m supposed to be at the grocery store right now. But I've been "focusing" on emails and message boards for 2 hours.
I better go.
TOny
I wonder why it's called a "false" sense of well-being? Why can't I just feel good because I'm happy I'm not so scatterbrained (while on adderall)?
They warn of the "false sense" because that's what it is. Sometimes when starting dexedrine you could be in a place where you should feel anxious or worried (for example driving fast or in a dangerous place) and if you aren't reacting well to the meds you could do risky things without an ounce of worry. That could get you killed or otherwise injured. That's a good warning to have.
I can see where you could get to a risky point. When starting my meds I felt on top of the world - like nothing could harm me. If I'd have abused my meds or had a bad reaction I could easily have done stupid things and had a mile-wide smile doing it.
I suppose, Glen - but that seems like an extreme example to me. I've had, sometimes still have, that euphoric feeling soon after taking adderall. I'm just in a good mood! Not invincible - just happier and more optimistic.
Seems to me that 'false sense of well-being' is really a way of saying "Don't be TOO happy - you're still an ADD f*ck up and any good feelings you have while on this medication are false."
well they warn in case someone goes to that "top of the world ma!" hysterical happy place where bad things happen. When we feel just generally great with the world I would think that wasn't what they were worried about. I know the med companies don't put warnings on the product unless they absolutely want to cover their arses LOL
It's like depression vs sad. You can be sad when you lose your puppy but depression hits and you could win the lotto and it's still there. Euphoria vs generally feeling good - same thing
ADHD meds, if a person has ADHD, should not significantly change your mood. If you are getting high from the drug, you are on a stimulant high and maybe you don't have ADHD after all. I took Ritalin for a bit and know that "high." It feels really good--and can be addictive. I also know the crash afterwards. You are the only one who can judge if this med is for you and if it's working or making you high. This is speed, after all, and it's not a controlled substance for nothing. It is highly abused. YOU aren't abusing it, but the feelings of eurphoria are why it's abused. If you feel like something's not right, talk to your doctor. I threw my Ritalin script in the trash. It took me on a scary roller coaster ride--from great to bad.Euphoria vs. Happy.... geez this place gets me thinking too much
I am happy ALL the time on meds. The day goes quick, I enjoy my work, my students. I hold my head up and make eye contact with coworkers. I SMILE! There is virtually no negative self talk. If there is, on occasion, I will go ask a trusted friend if my talking was over the top that day.. He or she will usually say no.
I still get irritated when students are not paying attention and I have to redirect a lot. Which of course is natural. I still get a little tired at the end of the day and feel the need to relax a bit before starting dinner, still on meds... but still need to unwind with a little TV or something before starting all the "mommy stuff"
When I first started meds, I think I was a bit euphoric, but I don't actually think it was a chemical Euphoria.. it was more of a "wow!" I didnt know people could hear individual conversations in a noisy room!" Oh cool!! I got excited about something and I still kept my big mouth shut!! Oh neat, I never knew that about that person! Wow, people sure are a lot more friendly to me this year! ( I later found out people were actually going to my boss and asking what the deal was with me, I was so open and friendly --- what was the change? It was like I was out of my shell or something.)
Long post! Sorry, but I wanted to communicate that some happiness can come because of the medication and its positive affects on a persons life. Is it euphoria? In this case, I think not... I believe its the same type of happiness my daughter had when she first got glasses.... Her reaction?
"Wow!" Do you mean people actually see like this?" Look at that sign way in the back! Look I can read that!!! can you read that sign from far away mom?" Wow this is so really cool!!! Euphoria brought on by glasses... hmmm.
Sherry
Sherry hon... you... you like being with your students??
Well - that proves it! False sense of well-being for sure! We'd better get you into rehab STAT! ROFLMAO!!
Truly - I think I could take a class of high school kids for oh about 20 minutes due to my happy thoughts - then it would be "walking tall" time. Oh yeah.
Ok, not like ALWAYS!!
I do get a little frazzled after my kindergarten class of 30 students!!! that one is crazy..
My students range from K - 4.. I could NEVER do high school ugggg...
With my job as an electives teacher, I'm kinda like "grandma" I get to play with them for an hour and send em back!!