this post was submitted on 14 May 2026
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ADHD

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Trying to put down in words what it feels like taking Vyvanse for the first time as an adult diagnosed after 30.

After years of trying other treatments, therapy, non-stimulant medications, I’ve got my first prescription for a stimulant and today is my first time taking it. I was always wondering what would it feel like so I think I’d try to describe it:

After the initial physical sensation subsided (stiff feeling in the neck, jaw, a feeling like tension on the skin of the back of the head) and I’ve started my work day I’ve realized that I’m pretty much feeling calm. Like there was a race in the back of my head where each task was fighting for a priority and I was trying to accommodate the first one that came to mind, but now while the race is still there I can just methodically pick one out and focus on it for a bit, or switch to another while still remembering the first one. It feels almost mechanical in how calm the process is (maybe a bit too mechanical actually), and I feel less governed by emotion.

I’m still getting distracted, but it seems like distractions last much less and I don’t feel panic and urgency after returning to the task at hand.

Now I wonder what it feels like once the effect is over, and if I will be able to sleep tonight normally.

One other effect is that there is almost no hunger, so I had to remind myself to eat something. In that regard it feels similar to hyperfocus when I’m absorbed in a task and forget to eat anything. I don’t know if it’s actually bad since I do have enough weight that needs losing, but I also don’t want an eating disorder. Feels like I need to start planning my meals.

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[–] AddLemmus@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

It's crucial; you'll have a short boost and then crash, otherwise. Personally, I also have to track the calories, because if I'd eat intuitively, it'd be nothing for 6 hours, then crash & crave fast food & sugar.

Edit: Same for rest, by the way. Can't just rest when I feel like it, I have to time it. For household chores, I can either do 3 hours non-stop and crash, or I can alternate 20 minutes work, 10 minutes lying down, but then for pretty much the whole day.