Attention vs Impulsivity; and Medication

[spc123]

Procrastination has always been a problem for me. In fact an aversion to doing things I don't want to do has lead to trouble with school, work and relationships. Quite frankly, it has been destroying my life. I procrastinate far more than the average. It has gotten to the point where I honestly don't feel my life is worth living.

I have done quite a bit of research into the causes of procrastination, and the one explanation that resonated with me attributed it to impulse control. As I have read, procrastination can occur when an individual faces a task they need to complete, but impulsively decides to do something else in response to their disdain for the task. Surfing the internet, watching TV, playing a silly game on their phone. When I look at my own procrastination I realize that I don't tend to think very long about the task. I look at the stack of papers, and almost immediately do something else in response.

My question is this: Has anyone found that any of the ADHD medications work particularly well for impulse control? I am prescribed Dexedrine, and while it works very well in helping me focus, it doesn't seem to control my impulsivity at all. I freely admit that I suffer from an inability to direct my focus, but it was my impulsivity that lead me to seek a diagnosis and treatment in the first place. I felt very good when I got my diagnosis, because I thought treatment could help me get my life in order. However I am now quite pessimistic that treatment will help me. Does anyone have an answer, advice, or insight they would like to share?

[sarahsweets]

For me it is more like avoidance than procrastination. If its not fun than the excuses start. One thing though, when I took dexedrine (about 7 years) it made me chill, relaxed and more social. Great for anxiety and clear thinking terrible for motivation and focus. You might want to consider adderall.

[spc123]

Adderall is exactly my next step. I have had much the same experience as you did with Dexedrine. I did find it helped me focus quite well on something once I got into it, but it has done nothing at all to help with motivation or impulse control.

[chiank]

For me my medicines are doing reverse job, it is helping me in my anxiety and impulsiveness but not on attention

[ADDinHDefgHi?!]

All medications effect everyone differently.

If one isn't working for you try another.

I do think Adderall is more motivating though if that's what you're looking for, just my opinion.

You and your rx'ing physician should ultimately be making this decision. It's good that you're educating yourself and asking for other people's advice. The more pro active you are in your treatment the better.

Good Luck! May the Med Go Round treat you kindly!

Remember dosage and sleep and diet are all equally important, Adderall can become ineffective when you're sleep and or food deprived.

[Chicchick]

Happened to me on Vyvanse and dex, zero motivation. Relaxed me but no impulse control (still said inappropriate things at the wrong time and felt like an idiot) Adderall is far better IMO. I would advise trying that med next.

[ana futura]

I actually find dex very helpful for certain types of impulse control. I'm a very impulsive shopper, and dex helps me really think things through before I make a purchase. It also helps me hold my tongue, and not interupt people when they're talking. It seems to give me a little extra room to think through consequences before I act.

It doesn't help with procrastination at all though. If I want to check facebook instead of doing homework, I'm going to check facebook.

It also makes me super aware of the passage of time, which can sometimes actually make mundane things like washing dishes seem harder.

[Raye]

Straterra has given my mind motivation to want to do things and stop procrastination- but the fatigue has interfered in the past from actually getting things done. The fatigue is diminishing though, and I'm accomplishing alot more.

It's a non stim though and for me, it doesn't really help with focus.

[spc123]

I finished with the Dex, but I am still waiting for my health insurance to kick in so I decided to give Ritalin a try before Adderall. Unfortunately in Canada there are no generics for Dexedrine or Adderall, so you pay through the nose. A two week trial of Ritalin cost me 20 bucks. The same for Dexedrine was 130, and Adderall is more expensive again.

I just started on my current dose of Ritalin yesterday, so I reserve judgement, but I should have an idea by Monday.

[Raye]

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[hjajck]

I am on Adderall, and I find it helps some with impulse control and focus, but not completely. I don't know if the dosage needs adjusted, or if it just won't help me with everything. Hard to tell at this point.

I still avoid things that I need to do, but am more motivated than I used to be. And, I have tons more energy.

[Amtram]

I've tried every medication on the market, and not a single one of them helps me with procrastination or avoidance of things I don't want to do. Unfortunately, I'm on my own with that one.

[spc123]

That's my biggest fear. If there is no help then I'd be back at square one.

[Amtram]

That's why it helps to find a good therapist. If you've been doing things wrong all your life, you have no idea where to start when it comes to changing for the better.

[ana futura]

Originally Posted by Amtram

I've tried every medication on the market, and not a single one of them helps me with procrastination or avoidance of things I don't want to do. Unfortunately, I'm on my own with that one.

I really think that procrastination and avoidance are self destructive coping mechanisms and not actual "aspects" of ADHD. Sure, they are related to impulse control, but only slightly.

Observing my own behavior, avoidance seems to be a behavior that I cultivated over time because trying to accomplish task was just too difficult.

Medication will make the accomplishing the task easier, but the avoidant behavior is a management strategy I developed, and now has to be unlearned.

Coaching and CBT are likely far better treatments for procrastination and avoidance than medication.

It's possible that procrastination and avoidance (and laziness) could be actual aspects of ADHD, as much as say poor emotional regulation, but they are not treatable through medication alone, unlike other ADHD related behaviors.