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Any thoughts on meditation? Has it helped you?
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Biggest thing: Pills aren't skills. Medication might give you access to your prefrontal cortex in a new way, but you still need to learn executive function skills now that you have that access. It's akin to getting your first car...now how do I drive it? I worked with a coach to help with this....and now I'm an ADHD coach myself! I help high-achieving college students and professionals (who are externally successful but feel like a wreck behind the scenes) to create ADHD-friendly systems to manage life and career. Anyway, you're doing the right thing and medication will hopefully really help and open doors to so many new tools :) message me if you want to chat!
Hey C1 you would like a great coach! Can you DM your contact or post below?
Find a high rated psychiatrist. Be honest with them about your experiences and how you feel. Give their suggestions an honest effort before moving to the next strategy.
I’d actually pose this question or search for posts in a larger community. There are a ton of great subreddits, including https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/s/IBgYTS13Bn.
I’ve been on meds for over a decade now, my fear is that they truly aren’t good for me, when I do med checks with my provider and tell her how I’m struggling, she only wants to increase dosage or try another drug. I’m a consultant too I guess, probably not a very good one. I’m at a time/age in my life where I don’t see the point in trying careers because I don’t even know what I’m good at. I don’t know, last few years have been rough.
Other pro-tip for me was switching to short acting medication (only after I’d rotated through several to figure out which one worked for my brain chemistry). Short acting gives me more control, and allows me to take a less when I don’t need it. (but I also have a weird metabolism, so long acting just was very inconsistent for me).
Other thing I found is my body really really needs protein while on meds, so I now carry protein bars with me all the time.
It was a strange mental state. Easiest to describe is feeling mentally on edge but not necessarily tired. I think my psychiatrist suggested protein, and I started eating eggs for breakfast and noticed it made a big difference.
While not the most sustainable option, I also realized animal protein is more effective at fixing those edgy states quickly than plant protein. I actually prefer something like prosciutto or beef jerky to protein bars - but slightly less convenient to carry around.
I’m a woman, but my male friends joke I eat more protein than them.
Try seeing a therapist knowledgeable about ADHD at the same time as you're trying meds with a psychiatrist. The therapist can help with the skills and strategies part. The meds do help but they're not magic pills.
Also, I find routine is very important to mitigate the side effects of stimulant meds. Sleep, food, timing, etc.
Chief
First, congratulations on your career at McKinsey. That’s no small feat for people even without ADHD.
I’d advise you to listen to your body. Medication can work wonders but it also has side effects. So if the dose isn’t working for you,, talk to your doc to change it. Also if you don’t feel the meds are for you, it’s not always necessary. There are coping strategies, many you probably already use.
Also meds are not necessarily lifelong. I take them when I feel I really need them. The side effects for me are too much for every day for years on end.
My heart goes out to you. I take medication, and I don't know how I did without it - also through my entire education and first job! I didn't make it that long at my first job, though, before I realized that I had to do something about my ADHD.
Exact same boat, got prescribed meds yesterday for the first time..
Good luck on this journey, you are not alone :)