ADHD medication
Title says it all, any advice on ADHD medication?
I'm currently taking Elvanse and it doesn't seem to be working in the way others have described it to me.
Whilst it definitely increases my attention span I find that it overstimulates my brain. My brain is moving at 1,000mph and i find it even harder than usual to focus on my attention to detail.
Every time I speak to my doctor they recommend increasing the dose which frankly just seems lazy on their part.
Does anyone have any useful advice?
I'm an associate at a lower tier BB and was diagnosed with relatively severe ADHD when I was 8 if anyone cares... My lack of attention to detail has always been an issue in my career however I've fortunately been carried by a good technical skill set and relatively good people skills. I've realised I need to sort it out before progressing to VP.
Thanks all!
I have mild adhd, so maybe not exactly the same boat as I have 70% mitigated my symptoms:
- focus on root cause analysis first to try to minimize the severity at the outset. Obviously this is super cliche but it’s something that is simple yet hard. Evaluate your sleep, vitamin intake, hydration, the way you eat, when you eat, and how much time you have to let your brain run wild with no stimulation at all during the day (e.g ‘meditation’). Oh, and exercise was probably the biggest driver to better focus in my life.
- try switching to dextroamp / vyvanse. Start at a low dose and see how it compares. Also, have you tried Ritalin and adderall already?
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Why not try strattera? Might be a rough few weeks getting adjusted though
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and advice regarding ADHD medication and managing its effects:
Medication Adjustments: It's not uncommon for individuals to experience overstimulation or other side effects with certain ADHD medications. If Elvanse (Vyvanse) isn't working as expected, consider discussing alternative medications with your doctor. For example, some professionals in finance have shared experiences with Adderall or Concerta, though these also come with their own side effects. It's crucial to find the right medication and dosage tailored to your needs.
Non-Medication Strategies: Many professionals with ADHD in high-pressure roles like IB or S&T have found success by complementing medication with behavioral strategies:
Doctor Communication: If your doctor is only suggesting increasing the dose without exploring other options, consider seeking a second opinion. A specialist in adult ADHD might provide a more nuanced approach, including trying different medications or combining medication with therapy.
Leverage Strengths: As you mentioned, your technical skills and people skills have been key to your success. Continue to lean into these strengths while working on mitigating the attention-to-detail challenges.
Peer Insights: Some WSO users have noted that ADHD can actually be an asset in certain roles, especially in dynamic environments like S&T. However, for roles requiring meticulous attention to detail, like IB, developing systems to double-check work is essential.
If you're looking for more personal experiences or advice, you might find relevant threads on WSO discussing ADHD in finance roles.
Sources: IB/PE with ADHD?, Traders with ADHD, What is everyone's daily morning/evening routine like?, Banking with chronic health issues, can u make the same amount doing anything else?
Something you could look at instead is your thyroid health, go get some tests done.
Sometimes the answer is levothyroxine supplementation instead of an increasingly neurotoxic amphetamine prescription.
I'd go without. I was on Ritalin from age 6 until 14. It messed me up I've coped without ever since.
In a recent WSO forum, last month or two, I talked about my experience with Strattera. I don't have ADHD and don't take anything for it generally. But I had to pass a bar exam and wasn't able to get myself up for studying. Tried Adderall first, it just got me all euphoric and energetic instead of what I needed, which is something that would make me want to study boring material. After that failure the doc put me on Strattera, it was was exactly what I needed. Turned me into a focused studying machine. Stopped the drug after the bar exam, didn't want to deal with whatever long-term consequences there might be. But if I was going to take a drug, that would be the one. Surprised I don't hear of more people using it.
Hi! I was diagnosed with Severe adhd at the age of 4-5 years old, I was in the 99th percentile. I recently ran into this issue and felt the same way. However I lowered my dosage heavily, and found that a dosage doesn’t correlate with how much it will help. Someone like me in my head, I believed I should be on a very high dosage, however I now only use 10mg of my medication. And find that I am far more focused. I recommend you do try to lower the dosage before just tossing that medication aside. As it is a very limited market, you don’t see many options to switch to, and it takes awhile for your body to be able to process and switch over. Trust me.
Glad to know I'm not the only ADHD person in finance.
But what non-med coping mechanisms have you guys found works for you? Coffee? Lots of green tea? Listening to music to drown out distractions?
Any business areas that suit severe ADHD ppl more than others?
sales
Listening to something like piano music or those 8 hour Calm videos of the beach or a thunderstorm helps with the lack of stimulation aspect. I can’t just sit there in silence.
Career-wise, I have to be doing something creative that I can engage with. In real estate development, my attention span varies wildly depending on the task at hand, but there are days where I’m actively being creative or creatively solving problems and 10 hours go by but it only feels like 1.
I don’t know how anyone else with ADHD can sit there and look at Excel or PowerPoint for a full day of work. It’s just not possible for me.
That's interesting. I studied architecture undergrad, and in high school prior. I was able to concentrate very well on that because it was constant mental stimulation in a creative field. I pivoted to finance because one can't really feed a family on an architect's pay. I struggled in my real estate finance career and then an MBA - all of which required me to put my butt into a seat and stare at Excels longer than I would have liked.
But I do well with mental stimulation and creative pursuits.
Like you, I find staring at Excels and PPTs to be difficult. Meanwhile I love public speaking, learning about new subjects, etc. Those kinds of things stimulate. I still havne't found a role where I can really thrive.
I have ADHD as well and to echo the top reply here, exercise is huge. I've never been on medication for it but lifting fixed my chaotic life and lack of discipline/executive function immensely. Building routines helps a lot and I think just being more disciplined made me have more attention to detail.
I take a significantly lower dose than prescribed and it works out very well
I have ADHD but I stopped medication as I didn't find it was that effective.
Instead I read a book that helped me a lot, and I found it more effective than medication. I don't think my problem is *that* bad though.
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