Do ADHD medications for adults work? I found out treading water.

Do ADHD stimulants work? I had some side effects early on, and then I switched doses until my doctor felt they were working better, but I never knew until now.

I had read on ADHD Reddit and Facebook groups how newly diagnosed adults with ADHD feel incredible once on meds, but I never felt that eureka moment.

A few weeks ago, I met with my therapist and, after some discussion, decided to experiment by taking a week off my ADHD stimulants. I’m also on scripts for anxiety, and she urged me not to stop that one. And so I followed her suggestion and didn’t drown!

Off meds and treading water…

I landed on this analogy, which may resonate with you, my fellow Wise Squirrels: Being off my medication left me feeling like I was treading water in a large swimming pool, occasionally swiping the chlorine-filled water directly in my damn eyes.

I was upright, head above and bobbing in the warm pool water, looking up to the sky above. My legs were feverishly scissoring back and forth, and my heart raced in a healthy direction. Did you know swimming is among the best cardio workouts? You get a full-body workout; it's low impact, burns calories quickly, improves your lung capacity, builds endurance and versatility, and can reduce stress. Yay, swimming (but I digress).

My arms were busy sculling out from my chest in circular motions, keeping me gracefully floating and comfortable. Treading water can feel deeply relaxing until you can’t do it anymore, and your mood changes to the feeling of dread and despair like a lone survivor of an ocean plane crash praying for a rescue and that the sharks stay at bay.

Off my ADHD medication, I spent a highly unproductive week, unable to focus long enough on the work I knew I needed to do, but I was unable to make myself do it. And yet, I could still be hyperfocused on the fun work I love, like helping my coaching and speaking clients and working on my ADHD podcast, you know the one.

More focused, calm, less irritable, better food choices.

It’s true, your Chief Wise Squirrel loves his Indian food.

My overeating returned with a vengeance as my wife and I explored the restaurants, cafes, and farmer’s markets of Black Mountain and Ashville, North Carolina, on our much-needed, spontaneous weekend getaway. I have a personal rule about avoiding buffets at all costs, but my exception is Indian food, and I admit I should have called ahead to warn them.

If you’re on medication, speak with your doctor before making any changes that he or she agrees to. Taking a break from my ADHD medication left me feeling much better about how they are working for me. I’m more focused and calm, less irritable, and back to making better food decisions.

Would I drown off my meds?

I never felt like I was going to drown being off my ADHD stimulants; I suppose the anxiety meds, journaling, exercise, and meditation helped with this. But, I felt scattered and lost much of the time, wondering which side would be closest to finding the ladder, or better yet, asking what the hell I was doing in the middle of this massive pool in the first place.

Have you stopped your meds? What was the experience like for you?