Can medication help in motivation? My medication was working great for the first few days and has since almost seemed to wear off, or at least drastically reduce the positive effects. While it was working, I was actually motivated to perform tasks as well as stick with them until they were finished. I could actually multi-task effectively (which is essential being a SAHM of four kids - three of them 5 and under).

So, can medication be responsible for motivation and drive?

I think the stimulant medication certainly can help give you drive. As for motivation, it depends what you mean. If by motivate, you mean motivate you to clean the toilets (which you hate to do) rather than cook (which you love to do), I really don't think so IMHO. If by motivate, you mean motivate you to stay on task or follow through once you've started to clean the toilets, I think both stimulant and non-S meds can. :cool:

I found the opposite happened to me. Stimulants put my motivation [and sense of humour and levity] on hold.

I think it is better to find one's true passion and take advantage of the ADDers natural gift of "hyperfocus", to induce motivation. IME, anyway...

The meds help me do the things I never think to do, such as clean, finish mundane tasks, and make those phone calls that I've been avoiding. Thats why I space them out so that I take most of them during work, and then the last dose when I am home.

One caveat to the motivation factor... the meds can sometimes motivate me to do 10 other things instead of what I need to be doing at work, this forum posting being one of them. For that, I need to turn to some cognitive/behavioral training (self-discipline).

Hello Lailey,

I have found that my medication (Adderall) doesn't actually motivate me but it does eliminate the mental barriers that make certain tasks very difficult for me. The things I need/want to get done don't seem so overwhelming and impossible so I can actually start and complete them.

Persephone

Hello Lailey,

I have found that my medication (Adderall) doesn't actually motivate me but it does eliminate the mental barriers that make certain tasks very difficult for me. The things I need/want to get done don't seem so overwhelming and impossible so I can actually start and complete them.


This is my feeling as well. I don't think that it's the meds that motivate per se. Rather, it unleashes the motivation that's there but can't get out so to speak.