ADHD

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A casual community for people with ADHD

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Relevant Lemmy communities:

Neurodivergent Life Hacks

lemmy.world/c/adhd will happily promote other ND communities as long as said communities demonstrate that they share our values.

founded 1 year ago

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TIL about state dependence, and it makes so much sense (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by tonystark29@lemmy.world to c/adhd@lemmy.world

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This is primarily talking about state dependence with ADHD medication (stimulants).

State dependence is when information that is learned while taking ADHD medication is difficult to recall when not in the same physiological state (when not on ADHD meds).

I started taking Vyvanse about 7.5 years ago, and at that time I started learning so much more than I ever have. I hyperfocused on computers, learned how to program in multiple programming languages, I learned a lot about Linux. During that time, I also learned a lot about 3D printing and mechanical engineering, and made a lot of cool things. About 2 years ago, my tolerance to the meds reached a certain threshold where I stopped being able to recall all the things I have learned.

When I take double my prescribed dose (which I am not advising you to do), I can reach that state of clarity and recall everything again, but only for a few hours, and then I crash lasting a few days. It's not healthy for me to continuously do this, and my dose is already too high for my doctor to raise it anymore (90mg concerta).

Today I read about state dependence in a wellness book that has a section about stimulants and ADHD, and it explains why I can't remember or do any of the computer-related things I used to do. I wish there was a way to recall all the information I've learned without having to raise my dose or use any sort of substance. It's really a pickle of a situation.

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[–] Thrillhouse@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Could it also equally be that you spend a lot of time on the computer so everything you do there just turns into a blob of sameness?

That happens to me either on or off meds. The best way for me to remember something is to physically write it. Always has been. I would rewrite my notes in school by hand to study.

I don’t know what book you read or the research behind it so I can’t comment there but I would consider that it may not be the meds at all. And oh yeah, this problem has gotten worse for me with age so I enjoy that too.

Some things just stick in my brain better and some things just don’t.