Going by Dr. Amen's descriptions of the different types of ADHD I fit mostly in the overfocus subtype. I am fiddling with medication trying to find the right combo. I haven't hit on something that allows me to 'unstick' myself from things. I take adderall and it seems to help alot with prioritizing, planning ahead and organizing. It has helped with me following conversations better. Those things have been good. I find it does not help with impulsivityand sensory overload. I also feel like it doesn't help with the ability to shift my attention. I still seem to get stuck on things or activities. I zero in on one thing and thats all I can think of.

What have you found to be helpful in shifting of your attention from one task to another? The time I was on an SSRI it took the obsessive part of my ADHD away but left me not feeling like myself. I don't know how to function without this zeroing in or hyperfocus.

thanks!

I am just bumping this up to see if anyone cares to comment.

Well, I think we're in the same boat. I've got that hyperfocus thing going on as well. In some ways I really like it. It's especially good for whatever I'm zeroing in on. But in other ways it's not so good, as you well know. It's so easy to lose focus or attention on other things. I don't have any answers though.

I'm on adderall 30xr and 15ir and wellbutrin 150 xl. which definately help. I tried stopping the wellbutrin recently, impulsively, and in afew days I found myself reading the same sentence over and over and not being able to grab a hold of it. I forgot what that was like. So i'm back on it and things are straightening out again.

If I remember correctly, you are newly on wellbutrin. I would suggest hanging with it for a while, at least a couple months. It takes a little while to settle in. The changes kind of happen behind the scenes. As far as the hyperfocus, I think it does help a bit.

The adderall helps me in the ways that you mentioned as well, and like for you, it doesn't touch the hyperfocus. If anything, it makes it worse. What I'm considering is going up to 300mg. with the wellbutrin. I've got to get geared up for that though. Because at that dose my cigarettes are history.

Actually, I think the higher dose did help with hyperfocus, if I'm not mistaken. At that time I was not on Adderall though. I think my chief complaint was that I felt too even, flat. So I dropped down to 150mg. I probably wanted to smoke too. But you've got me thinking now. I think the 300mg. is worth a shot. Let me know if you come up with any other ideas.

I have this to certain extent...

I take Adderall and it's very easy for me to go into this hypnotic-like state where I'll be reading whatever is in front of me. This is good in a way because I'll hyperfocus on something even if it's something I normally wouldn't be interested in reading. When I first started taking Adderall I wasn't fully aware of this effect and as a result would sit in bookstores or the library for HOURS on end and read about random things. I don't do this anymore because I know how to prioritize what is most important. Or rather, I do it still but only after I've done the things I NEEDED to do. LOL.

Well, I think we're in the same boat. I've got that hyperfocus thing going on as well. In some ways I really like it. It's especially good for whatever I'm zeroing in on. But in other ways it's not so good, as you well know. It's so easy to lose focus or attention on other things. I don't have any answers though.

I'm on adderall 30xr and 15ir and wellbutrin 150 xl. which definately help. I tried stopping the wellbutrin recently, impulsively, and in afew days I found myself reading the same sentence over and over and not being able to grab a hold of it. I forgot what that was like. So i'm back on it and things are straightening out again.

If I remember correctly, you are newly on wellbutrin. I would suggest hanging with it for a while, at least a couple months. It takes a little while to settle in. The changes kind of happen behind the scenes. As far as the hyperfocus, I think it does help a bit.

The adderall helps me in the ways that you mentioned as well, and like for you, it doesn't touch the hyperfocus. If anything, it makes it worse. What I'm considering is going up to 300mg. with the wellbutrin. I've got to get geared up for that though. Because at that dose my cigarettes are history.

Actually, I think the higher dose did help with hyperfocus, if I'm not mistaken. At that time I was not on Adderall though. I think my chief complaint was that I felt too even, flat. So I dropped down to 150mg. I probably wanted to smoke too. But you've got me thinking now. I think the 300mg. is worth a shot. Let me know if you come up with any other ideas.
I am newly on wellbutrin and it has been helping. I still can hyperfocus (as in when I am painting or doing artwork) but its more at will than a matter of not being able to get unstuck if that makes any sense. When I wrote this I was having a hard time with my kids. I would feel irritated when I had to think or respond to their needs. This is not acceptable for me as a mother! I was beginning to feel very discouraged. But the med change has helped. Now I am just dealing with overly tense neck muscles that I think is from medication-- if its not one thing its another! UGH!

I have this to certain extent...

I take Adderall and it's very easy for me to go into this hypnotic-like state where I'll be reading whatever is in front of me. This is good in a way because I'll hyperfocus on something even if it's something I normally wouldn't be interested in reading. When I first started taking Adderall I wasn't fully aware of this effect and as a result would sit in bookstores or the library for HOURS on end and read about random things. I don't do this anymore because I know how to prioritize what is most important. Or rather, I do it still but only after I've done the things I NEEDED to do. LOL.
It sounds like you have a good handle on things. :) Good for you! I still ahve a problem prioritizing- for example I am on this computer instead of doing what I need to do! I also did not take my adderall today. :eyebrow: