Comment by k__

I'm happy you found a good balance for yourself - I've been medicated since I was about 14 and I've definitely noticed a difference whenever I've been forced onto a break. I think one thing that puzzles people observing us from the outside is that we're talking about stimulants and from the outside it looks like the meds are filling us full of energy to complete a task - but most[1] people with ADHD actually "come down" when on stimulants and rather than the medication boosting my energy level upwards, for me personally at least, it makes the constant distractions less important and vital allowing me to concentrate my energy on a single task.

Brains are complicated stuff so everyone is going to find a different ideal treatment path - some people can manage with exercise alone and have a strict morning regiment, some people find medication to be the perfect pills - others use a mix of both. Trying to train yourself to not be ADHD and maintain completely through self-discipline is indeed hard mode.

1. There are some people that respond terribly to normal ADHD meds and they were part of the reason that ADHD used to be divided into the ADHD and ADD labels with the older version of ADHD labeled persons usually responding poorly to standard medications like methylphenidate.

You were. I'll give you how much of a handicap it may have been.

I was 50th percentile on the CAT in 2nd grade, unmedicated.

I was 90th percentile on the CAT in 3rd grade, medicated.

Figure out how much catch up and passing I did in 1 year... 1 year.

I've gone on to have a nice successful career and life. But without meds and help... No way.

Can I ask which meds did you get?

Resonate.