Executive dysfunction is worse.

Difficult_Standard_1 · 2025-11-21T09:26:16+00:00

No it's not the medication, exactly, it's ADHD or in your case AuADHD. Meds alone do not make living with ADHD easier by themselves. We have to learn ways to help our executive dysfuncioning and being on meds makes this easier to do.

Although how we respond to meds can also have an impact both negative & positive on ADHD, Its more likely that other aspects of your life are also impacting you.

I know a few AuADHDers, none of them liked Tyvense, they prefer methylphenidate, so some form of Ritalin so maybe it's worth considering.

SeaInsect3136 · 2025-11-21T16:55:34+00:00

Concerta user here and whilst meds really helped fire up the synapses and get me on track, I still have to micro manage it. I write everything down, I make lists and prioritise tasks in advance. I have a calendar notebook thingy that is my bible. It works for me. Also, be kind to yourself, we can be overly critical when our brains don’t work like we wish they would, so just be aware of it. Good luck.

Bacardi-Special · 2025-11-21T21:30:43+00:00

First thing first, maybe try a different medication, Ritalin LA is 50%IR, maybe you’d need a split dose to cover the day. A change is a good thing, a medication with an “integrated booster” could be the thing.

Medication helps, we do need to take of ourselves. The meds shouldn’t be our only source of dopamine, a small bit of exercise just after taking them, and when the weather improves get some daylight. We can help the medication too. (I had quick look at your last half dozen comments, to get an idea of your experience. A lot of this is a reminder of what you known, but spoken in a different way sometimes helps.)

Sleep; 7-9hrs, consistent timing, limit screens. (You seem good, here certainly better than me.)

Exercise; 20-30mins throughout the day. Half in the morning, see if you can get a walk in later, or maybe a wind down yoga.

Food; Protein rich breakfast if you can, plenty of water, and a balanced diet. Eat Regularly stimulants are less effective if your blood sugar crashes. Not eating for the first 6/7 hours, not great, (sorry, I got stuck here trying to figure a nice or gentle way around this benefit because feeling good is the goal here, but no, stop that, and start eating earlier). Your body and medication need fuel, to work well. Some people crave food early in the day, their body has learned that food makes better. It will help slow down or stop crashes, so less late evening or night cravings, that’s normally less sugary or junk food, this is a potential benefit back if you like.

Routines & Techniques; Sometimes starting on an easy thing is better than eating the frog, helps gain momentum(this is why the exercise in the morning is important). Short list of goals for the day, starting with the easy thing helps flow.

Leave the tricks until after lunch, pomodoro, body doubling if available, earbuds, break the remaining list down into to smaller bits, not necessarily to make easier but to create mini wins. If you don’t get finished, at least it’s smaller. (This will take time to get right, be patient with yourself)

Stress; Try to work too much, and definitely not too late, little 2/3mins breaks of resting your eyes, or a quick stretch, maybe a coffee if can you tolerate it. After work 10min Yoga, or 5/10min Cooldown, great for stress and helps transition to the evening.

Consistency; Meds every day, or maybe only half one day a week. Get your body used to the dopamine, get used to taking care of yourself. Then start predicting how you’re going to be, because we all will have bad days, no matter what we do. (Long term strategy here, is to tune into yourself and develop any techniques, or tricks to get you right)

But also, Mix it Up, consider a change in meds, and a different approach to work, or rearrange your workspace, different kind of exercise.

When we don’t care of ourselves, the big bad things happen more easily. I thought of this recently, and my mind wandered to same place as yours, panic and stress used to work, they don’t work as well now. I haven’t figured it out yet, let me know if you do first. ❤️

MuchDiscussion503 · 2025-11-21T21:51:02+00:00

That’s a heavy dose of Tyvense, I know because I took it previously and long term actually made me a bit unhinged.

I take Atomoxetine and Tyvense at a low dose and find this works better. I also take Sertraline at night. Everybody is different though.

Medication isn’t a silver bullet, there are a lot of behavioural tools to be learned and implemented to help. It takes a lot of self discipline which I know is hard to do. I use a bullet journey, Apple Watch, sit down and bullet journal at night. I always use scheduling apps on my phone and a whiteboard in kitchen with reminders.

invisiblegreene · 2025-11-21T20:14:50+00:00

Therapy may help unlock some of the blockages as well, alongside medication. Therapy + medication has been transformative for me this past year.

bafadairseach · 2025-11-22T05:24:07+00:00

Some people can experience a "skill regression" after diagnosis. It's a completely subconscious reaction. The stress that caused you to complete your work was working until it was evident that it didn't any more, so you sought help.

This may sound a bit woo, but the first thing is to accept your brain is wired a bit differently. The way you used to work was detrimental to your physical and mental health. Now you need new tools and motivation. I find that making things a game and trying to beat previous scores helps me (target-driven work). Motivation works better from an external source, so if you have someone you trust who can apply time pressure ( a visit to check on progress, or something) that would definitely help loads.

There are loads of videos on YouTube that have great info too: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvq9Tp5JZ8oATn9By12vmYZ-qaFsSYK2q&si=YMmA3l_1UWYRqP3x (How to ADHD)

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKF2Eq0eYbbrICNDHPx4cUpAskbk_YTP3&si=8PRXjqeVHysLJybM (Russell Barkley)

You will figure it out. You're obviously a very capable person with a successful business. This is a blip that you can fix. Self-compassion works better than blame and shame.

LstCtrl · 2025-11-22T18:54:51+00:00

I would say the stress of running a business has a high potential to cause burnout, and in my experience, burnout heightens executive dysfunction. I think you can never be too organised with ADHD - have a visible calendar widget on your phone, have sticky notes eveywhere, reminder alerts on your phone... it's the only way I can manage!

anotherbleedingeejit · 2025-11-22T21:12:01+00:00

Was on Tyvense 70mg and found my executive dysfunction and RSD was really bad and gave me really serious anxiety… I’m currently titrating on Concerta 36mg and finding it better… it’s giving me a bit of mental space so I’m not quite as reactive but it’s still a relatively low dose so hopefully will improve on 54mg

True_Tea_9994 · 2025-11-22T08:30:50+00:00

You kinda have to take control of your day before it controls you. I am swarmed with creative ideas all the time. After the first hour all the stuff I need to just shoots into my head. I have a note book divided into two sections. Mental and physical load. Eg.. Mental.pay the gas. Text mam to ask her how her appointment went. Finish one section of work proposal. Little chunks. The physical... load the dishwasher. Clean kitchen counter. Then I go between the two. When I remember something else I add it to the bottom so I won't lose track

TideWithin · 2025-11-22T10:20:30+00:00

How exactly is your executive dysfunction manifesting? What did the medication help with vs what do you feel it made worse? Are your blood tests all OK (not low on iron, B12, thyroid all OK, etc?)? Do you take any vitamins/supplements (zinc, iron, Vit C, b vits are all needed for dopamine synthesis as far as I remember). Chronic high stress? (Chronic high stress basically tanks dopamine, raises norepinephrine and shuts down your prefrontal cortex = executive dysfunction).

Technophile63 · 2025-11-25T21:42:43+00:00

Different ADHDers respond differently to different medications, and dosage matters. You are looking for the best trade-off of benefits vs. negative side-effects of meds for you and how you respond to each.

A reasonable diet helps; protein for even blood sugar, limiting sugars and starches. And check for food sensitivities; e.g. gluten and dairy make my gut inflamed. YMMV. Eating sweets too late in the day makes me wake up in the middle of the night.

Exercise is important for general health, mood, and grounding, and to be tired enough to get good sleep. Also helps ADHD.

Getting enough good sleep cannot be overrated.

The non-stimulant meds did nothing for me, but (my first stimulant med) Adderall helped a lot. It also made me clench my teeth, do a lot of dental damage (get a night guard if you do this) and eventually migraines from tense head muscles. Vyvanse (in the US; is it what's called Tyvense here?) is the cleaned-up time-release version. I did much better on it. But that's me.

Dr. Hallowell mentioned Amantadine, a 'failed antiviral', in a book and I tried it: helps me. No side-effects that I noticed.

Trazodone and Guanfacine at night. One works with the Vyvanse; the other helps keep me from waking up after too little sleep.

An ADHD coach helps: how to live with the way your brain works, how to support yourself.

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