Quote:
Originally Posted by AniManiac
I'm not saying the "if a stimulant helps you must have ADHD" thing is true - it's just something I've heard more than once from multiple doctors.
The main difference (according to the sources I can find) in reactions to stimulants for people with ADHD versus not, is whether the meds are 1) calming (and focusing), or 2) the opposite - which can include sleep loss and euphoria. Basically it's whether your body gets stimulated versus calmed at a normal therapeutic dose.
Speaking only for myself, I don't get a "stimulated" feeling from ADD meds, and it does not trigger hypo/mania as might happen otherwise for someone who is bipolar. I have never lost sleep, felt euphoric or gotten energetic from the meds - it's exactly the opposite! I feel calmer, I slow down, and I actually sleep better...
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At a quick glance, the first is what might seem to be my psych's perspective. BUT. It is
in concert with the second. It's not "help" in the same way as, for lack of a better term, the "general public" is "helped" by them. It's in the calming/focusing kind of help, not the "wow, I can stay up and study all night" kind of "help".
Considerably different things.
Speaking for
myself, I can say the same things as the last paragraph. The sleep thing was particulary surprising. Not only better, but earlier! The only alteration, a nuance really, that I'd make for my experience is that I don't "slow down" so much as... there is less chatter in my head. I do get more done (not as in tons, or in any kind of hypo way)
not because I have more energy, but because I am not floating around, pulled in every direction, essentially spinning in a useless circle.