Do you ever wish you could take a week off from your prescription meds just to see if you're able to function in an organised, efficient manner even without them? I'm really scared to try because I'm pretty hopeless without them, but I wonder if 18+ months of being on them changes brain chemistry at all. Does anyone have information about this? How does it work? Do you plan to stay on meds for the rest of your life, or do you know when you're going to stop?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I think the need in meds is often driven by the type of job we do. Have you tried staying off meds on your weeks off? Did you feel you needed them then?

like

Did exactly this for 6 weeks, ended it one month ago. At work, my performance didn’t really change other than when I felt myself slipping on really complex tasks. I also noticed that, while it hurt me a lot on the learning side of things, it didn’t meaningfully impact my performance on habits and tasks. I also felt like it was way easier to relax and hangout with my family after work.

Does it change your brain? Well, in a literal sense, dextroamphetamine does increase neuroplasticity and gradually makes changes to your brain. In a less literal, more anecdotal sense, I noticed after 2 years of meds that the symptoms I usually experience while reading, even when off meds was substantially reduced and I had a much easier time remembering and not losing my place.

My takeaway? Learned skills and habits don’t really require meds as much as complex tasks and learning do, or anything that requires me to have an organized mind in unfamiliar territory. My actions? I wound up cutting my dose in half, a good middle ground since I’m not really learning anything new and I can relax better at night, but I still keep my edge on complex tasks.

like

I've had these exact same questions, but honestly, taking a drug holiday doesn't do much but disappoint you. And even if you plan to take on, please always plan it with your doctor/clinician. When I took mine without asking my doctor, I pretty much had the same underlying symptoms pop back up and felt so horrible with the irritability, major mood swings, tiredness, etc. But to answer your question, no, taking meds for several months will not “reset” your brain to function like someone without ADHD.

Lucky that you got through the past couple years without any of the shortages affecting you lol. Last year, I had to find out the hard way that it is not fun to be in the middle of busy season without meds. Barely functioned with keeping up with work tasks, let alone home and self care.

I take breaks on weekends when I don’t need to get stuff done & that is manageable. Long term like 3+ weeks is not

I've never thought about this for my adhd meds, but I constantly think about it for my bipolar medication. I tried it once, and it went well for a couple of months until it didn't go well anymore lol

I wondered this for years. When I got pregnant I did. I stopped for about 18 months total between begin pregnant and breastfeeding. I had been on meds for about 20 years and I guess I proved *can* function without them… but I also went back on them and proved to myself that life really is better with the meds.

I struggle to remember to take my meds , so a few days a week, I'm off meds and struggling.

Its just the opposit for me..i wonder what it would be like to be ON meds for a week because i turned down the xanex, which is what they wanted to perscribe. I may have an overactive brain But im not stupid

Related Posts

Jummah Mubarak Fam ☪️💚
14 Muharram 1444

like

Any Saudi folks here? Alf Mabrook!

likeuplifting

Question on sponsoring my sibling - If my Parents are US citizen and they sponsor for my sister who is married and age of 35. How long it can take for her to get green card?

Hello guys is anyone living in chennai nearest to tril infopark tharamani? I am looking for a pg please do let me know if anyone vacancy is there

like

What is the best compliance certificate to have?

like

Question. Court case reveals a security breach of an associate. Should the firm be notified?

like

are you satisfied with your job? why?

like

PARTNERS: two questions —1. If you see an associate has really low hours for the month, do you imagine them chillen on a beach somewhere or do you consider they probably spent most of their days sitting in front of the computer being “available”? 2. If you send an associate a random e-mail on a weekend like “Can you pull X and send to Y”, would you get annoyed if they responded saying they weren’t by a comp or would you consider it reasonable that they wouldn’t be by a comp on a weekend?

like

Hi - Is there any cut-off day/date each month, by which Managers need to confirm their choice of Promotions in Workday ? For eg : ESP cycle changes need to be inputted by 15th and are confirmed on the 20th, I have been informed.

Is there any such days/dates for confirming promotions on Workday ?

like

As someone who gets an offer to work in PwC, can I relocate internationally within PwC to other countries ? PwC

like

Hi fishes,need you inputs regarding Notice period and retention policy.
1. 3 months np is negotiable or its fixed?
2.once you resign do cognizant retain its employees and if yes how much do they offer?

like

How is the work culture in Microsoft database teams?
And what is the expected TC for 8yoe?

like

Trump just surprised me.

like

Have any of you been a part of the protests in Portland? If so what was your take on what is happening there.

likefunny

I interviewed at a law firm and had my final round last Friday. The Tuesday afterward, I got a call from the recruiter saying the firm won’t have a decision for another week. I believe they’re interviewing other candidates. Does that make me second or third choice? And does the fact that I’m working with a recruiter hurt my chances of being selected due to the commission? Should I hold out for the offer or is 1+ week a sign that I won’t be selected?

like

Recently started freelancing and working from home and realized that I really need a quality office chair cause my current one is killing my back. Any suggestions below $500 if possible?

like

Recently hired an admissions consultant and based off of our consultation she was great. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a ton of non-gmat club/PQ feedback on her but I went with my gut and moved forward. What is the best way to get the most out of my experience with her? I am starting from the ground up for R1.

like

Additional Posts in ADHD Professionals

Strat consultants: work performance Remote vs In-Office. Do you find you are able to perform better in an office as there are less ways you can procrastinate or relax than at home?

like

Does anyone else struggle immensely with cleaning/keeping things clean? I struggle with clutter.
I haven’t been able to get my apartment clean since I moved in over a year ago and it’s just a disaster.
What do you do? I can’t really afford to hire someone so I need all the info.

like

What are your best tools for self-motivation at work? There are days when it takes a huge amount of effort for me to get started and in the groove and I'm looking for ways to make work days easier.

like

Can you cut 18mg Delmosart (i.e. Concerta) to get 2x 9mg?

like

About to start Vyvance, when insurance approves the prescription… Traditional stimulants did not work for me. Heard good things. Fingers crossed 🤞🏽

like

Looking for a good playlist to keep me motivated this morning :( I usually listen to Ava Max or something #ADHD is real!!

like

For anyone who has a consistent exercise routine can you explain if it has helped you manage your ADHD symptoms and all the different ways it has helped?

like

Just restarted stimulants and already I'm dealing with twitches again. Does anyone else get these? No type of pain or anything just every once and a while my body will twitch strongly. Afterward I feel normal, but it's a bit annoying, and I can't control it at all which is a little disconcerting. Don't remember this from when I took stimulants as a kid, but it's been a while.

like

I keep starting huge projects or hobbies and being intensely into it for about 10 days/2 weeks, after which I forget about it and the project just lays around my house for months until I get interested in it again or I toss it out/donate it. It was fine when I was living alone but my partner is seriously frustrated with how messy the house gets and how much I spend on supplies for these things. How can I be less impulsive OR how can I stay motivated past the 10 day mark?? TIA

like

It’s looking like my job is gonna start asking us to return to the office. We have an open office plan and before we wfh FT I would save all my work for my telework days bc I can’t get shit done in the office. I’m having major anxiety about them making this decision. I know I’m not alone that people don’t want to return to the office. My ADHD and the open office just makes working from the office a nightmare and I’m feeling really nervous and kind of resentful.

like

Anyone here struggle with drinking enough water every day? Growing up, I drank a lot of soda and fruit juices but since 2020, I’ve been trying to be one of those people who always has a water bottle. They say you drink some when you first wake up but I never have a taste for it and then never remember to start drinking until about noon.

Does anyone have a list of the things (food, drink, other OTC meds) that make adderall less effective? I know I can simple google search and ask my doctor but want to hear other peoples thoughts…I love drinking my coffee to wake me up in the morning but I’m afraid it’s making my meds less bc of its acidic nature 😵

like

How do you get out of the burnout cycle? I’ve felt overwhelmed for a while and now I’m in the “can’t function at all” stage. It’s so hard explaining this to my manager because I already have a workload that’s lighter than others (not because of performance or my request). Any tips on how to get re-engaged, since the overwhelming feeling will come back?

like

Has anyone gotten to the point where it is physically painful to try and concentrate? Not sure what to do at this point; had Ritalin for a bit, but I adjusted in like 10 days before the benefits went away. Now I’m scared I’ll just keep getting worse

like

I found a place with great reviews to be diagnosed for ADHD, but it’s through virtual appointments, is this a normal thing?

like

I have tried absolutely everything I can think of to limit distractions during the work day and none of it has worked. Working from home has only made it 100 times worse because now I know there are other more interesting things to be distracted by all around me. What do you do to hold focus during working hours? What will get me to be able to work for longer than 35 minutes without getting distracted?

Been thinking about the other post about ADHD jobs. Any other job hoppers here or people with non linear careers? Or maybe you got a specific degree and are now doing something completely different? This has been a decade-long struggle for me.

like

Does anyone with adhd ever feel like they just can’t wake up? I feel so lazy but I want to be so productive. Also, lately when I take my medicine I can’t even focus on work just other things.

like

Been really fighting sleep lately. I recall reading that’s an ADHD symptom but I can’t find it now in my half asleep but wide awake state.

like

Has anyone else tried Strattera, had success, and a few months later felt like work was a struggle again? Am I imagining it? There are reasons why I should not take stimulants, but I miss that feeling of being a “regular” person at work and so am curious if others have had a similar journey and where you all ended up

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal