It’s very similar but it’s not the exact same (not including the time release part). Vyvanse is 100% dextroamphetamine after time release; adderall is 3/4 dextro and 1/4 levoamphetamine. Different people feel that differently, for example with only dextro I feel much calmer/less prone to anxiety, but without the small amount of levo I have trouble motivating myself and can fall asleep easily. They also have 100% dextro in instant release format: dexedrine or zenzedi.
Although I was also of an age when I was diagnosed (40), where it not only threw my whole life up to that point into a different light….it also threw my parent’s lives up to that point into a different light. Because part of why I was sure I was ‘normal’ for 40 years was because my whole family did the exact same things….🤦🤷♂️
My mom was the one that didn’t think adhd existed at all. Even with psychs and teachers telling her that I have it severely.
She was recently diagnosed off the cuff by her psych and when she told me I was like “so does it exist now? Do you believe in it now?” And her only response was “god cameranotfound, that was so long ago. Can’t you get diagnosed too?”
I fucking have, but getting an actual psych to do an eval to be able to get me medication is damn near impossible. Thanks mom.
I got diagnosed with ADHD-PI at 23, after going no-contact with my abusive parents and finally getting therapy. Growing up, I always knew there was something different about how my brain processed things, but would have never known it was ADHD because I didn’t have any hyperactive symptoms. I was constantly being told that I was lazy, didn’t care, and immature, and being threatened and physically abused didn’t help either. I’m so glad I finally got diagnosed, found meds and organization systems that work for me, and know that neurodivergence is a normal thing!
It took a huge amount of time and self reflection to realize that I’m not lazy and I’m actually trying my best. It’s sad to think how misunderstood I was for so, so many years.
Diagnosed at 47. It’s been a helluva ride. I’ve been addicted to more substances than you can shake a stick at. Car crashes. Destroyed relationships. Academic disasters. Depression. Criminal justice. Happy now though, trying not to look back but it wasn’t all bad. Every day I do a bit of work on rebuilding my self esteem.
Just got my six year old diagnosed and we are learning how to help her develop strategies to deal with it. For now, we’re keeping meds on the back burner, but anyone have more recent experience with meds as a child? My husband wasn’t diagnosed until he was an adult and we don’t want to immediately start with meds or use his coping method of Adderall and copious amounts of caffeine.
Out of curiosity is there a particular reason you’re avoiding meds for them other than the stigma associated with stimulants? It’s a first-line treatment for ADHD not a last resort.
Never been on anything except for ssri’s, over the counter stimulants and alcohol. But I recall one of my first girlfriends was ADHD and on Adderall. She would skip it because she said it made her feel like a zombie.
Mostly because she’s six. It’s not so much about the stigma, but that my husband and I both feel that medication simply covers up the issue rather than learning ways to work with how her brain works. We will absolutely get her meds if need be, but right now things like movement breaks at dinner seem to be really helping.
Without intending to be pinickity, I would just like to say that, long-term studies of stimulant medication show growth in the areas of the brain ADHDers are typically underdeveloped.
Making no comment on you decision, I just wanted to challenge that it merely covers up the issue. It may very well be that understanding herself and ADHD-educated parents are the only necessary tools (I wouldn’t know - sounds like she’s lucked out). But the medication does actually address (to some extent) aspects of the underlying problem enough to be neurologically measurable.
Oh yes, it does address the underlying problem. Absolutely. We aren’t thinking of meds as a last resort, but simply after we all have some tools in our belt to help manage the symptoms. The underdevelopment is interesting. I’ll look into that, but it likely won’t affect our decision regarding medication.
Thank you for your comments and replies. They are very well thought out.
that hit me too. people want to avoid what is the mostly likely thing to work. how stimulants affect adhd people: the enhance concentration, making it possible to learn and grow in a healthier way, to succeed. they don’t do the same thing that they do to someone without adhd. just like insulin for a type one diabetic.
I got diagnosed at 35, and when I got out on Adderall, I got mad. I say there, no bees buzzing in my brain, focusing on one thing, thinking to myself, “THIS IS HOW NEUROTYPICAL PEOPLE FEEL ALL THE TIME?!”
I’m just now getting diagnosed, and I’m not super young. It has been starting to hit me, how much of my childhood is explained by this. This starter pack just drove in the point. It’s not all accurate, but the stuff that is accurate hits deep.
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