After a month on Adderall, I am feeling that the drug has made a significant improvement in my life. For example, yesterday, in one day, I accomplished more than I would have normally accomplished in 3 months. That is no exaggeration either. The drug makes me very goal-directed, and enables me to start and finish a project without feeling overwhelmed. Prior to taking Adderall, I would get overwhelmed and become paralyzed and get very little done. For example, I took a day off of work with the intention of getting my garage cleaned out; however, before I knew it 5pm had rolled around and I had only managed sort some screws, sweep the floor, and stack up some boxes. That day off was a complete waste - the only other thing I managed to do that day was a load of laundry! Some have called situations like this ADHD psychosis (http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/ADHD_psychosis (http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/ADHD_psychosis)). I had never thought of myself as psychotic, but after reading the link, it makes sense, albeit a bit of a stretch of the true definition of psychosis.


Anyway, on Adderall, I not only cleaned the garage out and did my laundry, but I also cleaned out my gutters, removed some overgrown shrubs, raked and bagged leaves, sweep off my deck, cooked dinner for myself and my wife, and started stripping paint from my garage door. Again, prior to Adderall, this stuff would have taken me months to complete. On Adderall, my mind doesn't get bogged down or overwhelmed. For example, I got up on the roof to clean my gutters and realized I didn't have my gloves. With ADHD, this is a semi-crisis. On Adderall, I get down, get my gloves, and then get right back to work (note: on Adderall my memory and planning is a lot better. My point is that when I do forget or do have a set-back it doesn't stop me).

The first week or two on Adderall was a little bumpy, but now I am able to sleep very well and I remember to eat enough and all is fine. I don't take it more than 4 days a week though because I am afraid of building a tolerance. I do feel that I am totally hooked psychologically and that is something I am working through now. Days without Adderall are largely unproductive ones. ADHD makes me so tired and frustrated! If anyone can refer me to any articles on thrawting tolerance or dosing to avoid tolerance effects, I'd appreciate it!

I too don't take it 7 days a week in an effort to prevent tolerance, and dependance. Instead I try to use the momentum I built on medicated days to continue progress on the projects on unmedicated days. --- sometimes sucessfully, sometimes not.

Here are things that help focus on unmedicated days:
sleep
diet (breakfast including protein, ideally)
excercise. In the 'Delivered from Distraction' book, they describe excercise as being like a 'shot of ritalin to the brain'. It's true. If you are feeling scrambled, try going for a walk, run, jog, whatever, and see how much more focussed you feel afterwards.

Great advice! Thanks a lot :)