Is ADHD medication in IB/finance worth it?

Just got prescribed after testing and was wondering if it was worth it for you guys with ADHD. I know a lot of people say it helps, but I know others who just flat-out refuse to take any meds. I could probably make it through life without taking medication, but it's a very painful slog most days. Would love to hear any input from those with similar experiences. 

19 Comments
 

No experience with adhd meds but I started taking propranolol for anxiety and it was extremely helpful

 

Bump, I have adhd and am prescribed (not in banking yet). I didn't use it for my internship but curious if people get hooked or find it helpful for FT.

 

It personally helps me a lot. Having said that, if it only helped a little, then I’d rather not take it - the benefits don’t always outweigh the costs. It completely ruined my sleeping pattern (more than IB did), making getting a wink of sleep incredibly difficult. On top of that, it eliminated my appetite, and make my heart rate and blood pressure pretty bad, on top what IB already did.

I’d say find the right medication and dose well ahead of starting your role - it can take a while to adjust. And learn non-medicated ways to unwind, maintain a decent diet, and staying calm.

 

did you find it addictive in any ways? I know a lot of people are afraid of being hooked and I would love to know if that risk is overblown or not. 

 
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This is my experience specifically, but given how regulated it is/hard to get hold of (where I’m from anyway), yes. I’m not sure if that’s the medication itself, or the pressure of IB coming into play where I feel I can’t perform as well without it. It’s changed my life outside of work as well in terms of organisation, etc. but I also think it’s made me somewhat less social and dampened my personality tbh. But again, I’m sure there’s an element of being in IB coming into play there.

Would suggest working with your prescriber on different medications, giving it time, and more importantly, the right dose for you. And again, other non-medicated ways of unwinding and a solid routine & diet matter much more. Hope that helps - good luck!

P.S debatable advice but would add to not tell your team about it imo, stigma is very much there/not the most understanding on this kind of things (unless you think it would help)

 

I’m just in high school but also interested in finance and taking Ritalin has changed the game. Honestly feel like a different person, if you are struggling with having set goals but just can’t execute, it is most definitely the move.

 

Try it yourself, only you can say what affect it will have on you. I didn't mesh well with it, so I stopped, but plenty of people I know take it daily with no issues or side effects. 

Everyone experiences the side effects and benefits differently

 

So in terms of executive function, I think have very bad ADHD. I fall into the latter camp where I refuse to take actual meds. I am big into biohacking so I do take stimulants in general, little as they often do for me by themselves, but I personally prefer to avoid the meds as I don't want to find myself dependent on them to be productive on a day to day basis. For me, weightlifting/bodybuilding was what helped me gain agency and discipline which trickled down into the rest of my life. It improved my general willpower immensely, which frankly was probably there already but I needed to see results from something which would motivate me to let me know it was possible. It's kind of like seeing proof a 10x return is guaranteed on something. Once you know that, you will always put in the work. In this case that work is effort which is an investment into yourself. 

 

Got adderall script as an analyst from a quack doc that everyone in the bullpen would go to. Ended up getting hooked, increasing my dose over time (the doc would just prescribe it if asked). My work product and productivity was excellent, especially with regards to attention to detail. But my personal life suffered.

 

Don't think this is a hard and fast rule at all. I can read a book for many hours but the hard part would be to start reading it. Once doing it it wouldn't be difficult at all.

 

Yeah the true answer is a little bit more nuanced, sure. It’s really over diagnosed.

I hear you but that’s definitely the case with anyone that it’s easier to focus on things you’re interested in…. It’s a hard line to draw, which is why it’s over diagnosed.

You seem like a naturally smart person, but most with ADHD don’t read nearly that much. I know people that can’t even sit still.

 

I was recently diagnosed with ADHD a year or two ago.

I don't really take the meds because I find I can get to where I need to be by following a few core principles. Working off a to-do sheet, deleting/moving distractions away from me, sleeping better, etc...

If your ADHD isn't bad, then maybe it's worth trying that first. At the end of the stay, the medications used to control ADHD are not exactly harmless...  Sometimes I do take meds if I have been sleeping less than 6 hours multiple days in a row, and I have to work a lot. Doesn't happen often at the moment.

 

yes 10,000%. it is the only way i can lock in and actually do my work. i dont use it when i dont need to (no weekends + certain days where i have no work). 

it is the difference between projects / deliverables being littered with errors and having 1/2. please get diagnosed / medicated.

you cant be addicted to medication.

 

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