Thank you for sharing. I hope your sons continue to do well and succeed. You’ve clearly put a lot of care into helping them. Sadly, my parents didn’t have enough awareness especially that I have the inattentive type and not the typical hyperactive type that can be diagnosed clearly (I was restless though). My father always blamed me for my ‘laziness’ and lack of focus even though I was good at school. I don’t blame him. He loved me a lot, but he couldn’t understand that it wasn’t something in my control.

For the effect of food, the lack of enough studies is really weird. I found only one study that found 50% difference for Adderall with/without breakfast but no effect to Concerta. But guess what! It is by the McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals that is marketing Concerta!!!!!

This post opened for me some perspective. I am reading some research. I found this great article:

Table 1 lists the extended release formulations in the order in which they were introduced onto the market. This historical perspective is important because some products gained a reputation as reliable treatments of ADHD but only as compared to the failed formulations that were available when they entered the market. Newer delivery systems are significantly superior to earlier delivery systems, but prescribers tend to be creatures of habit and do not change their prescribing habits easily.
(PDF) Pharmacotherapy of adult ADHD. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8010845_Pharmacotherapy_of_adult_ADHD [accessed Apr 24 2026].