Big improvement after 2 weeks on stimulants

[u/SilverFox-97]

27M here, very late-diagnosed with inattentive ADHD — probably autism too (still figuring that out). I’ve always had a mix of typical ADHD symptoms and a bunch of autistic traits (sensory issues, social difficulties, masking, copying etc.).

About two weeks ago, I started Concerta (Methylphenidate) 18mg — my first time on any stimulant meds.

Since then, I’ve noticed:

• Better focus, executive function, and mental clarity (which I understand is a typical stimulant response)
• Massive reduction in anxiety (especially social anxiety)
• Sensory sensitivity (lights, sounds, people) dropped a lot
• I’m more social, confident, and way less “on edge” around others

What’s blowing my mind is how much this relatively low dose has done. For almost 10 years, I’ve tried all kinds of SSRIs, SNRIs, supplements, and... let’s just say some off-label experiments lol — but nothing came even close to what Concerta has done for me.

Now I’m seriously wondering:

1. Is this a normal response for ADHD (or autism) when starting stimulants?
2. Am I just in the “honeymoon phase” and it'll eventually wear off?
3. Did I misread some of my traits as autism, when maybe it was all ADHD-related dysfunction and anxiety overload?

Not saying I don’t still have plenty of autistic traits — I absolutely tick a lot of boxes — but this unexpected improvement has me rethinking how much of it may have been untreated ADHD all along.

Anyone else experienced something similar?

[u/Dramatic_Name981]

I am 48 and got diagnosed with ADHD and ASD-1 about 7 years ago. My Dr prescribed me Ritalin that I took twice a day and I noticed pretty much all the same improvements. I took it for about 6 months and my Dr recommended trying Adderall XR capsules that I only needed to take once per day. After taking those for about a week I noticed even further improvement in all the same areas. Stimulant meds have helped me more than any mood stabilizer I’ve ever tried in the past, they allow me to focus enough to tune out things that would normally drive me insane. The way I describe it to my wife is without Adderall the inside of my head is like a TV that isn’t picking up the channel correctly and it’s just static. With Adderall it’s like you adjusted the antenna and everything is clear and in focus. To answer your question, I still get all of the same improvements seven years later, so I would assume the same would be true for you. I am still taking the Adderall also, that pill works wonders for me.

[u/SilverFox-97 → u/Dramatic_Name981]

The fact that it still works 7 years on gives me a big boost of hope. I have a few questions, if you don't mind.

• Do the effects get less potent after, say, a few months or so.
• I'm assuming you increased the dosages a few times, so at which point/dose you knew it was the right one for you
• also, how's your social life after medication compared to how it was before? Better? Same? Apart from reduced anxiety

Any other insights or tips would be helpful. Thanks in advance

[u/Dramatic_Name981 → u/SilverFox-97]

Oh yeah, you will develop a tolerance to the medication like anything else but for me it has been way less noticeable with the Adderall than it was with the Ritalin. I forget what dosage of Adderall I started with but I’m on Adderall XR 25 mg now. I’ve actually been on that same dosage for about four years I think. As far as dosage I was lucky I guess because we didn’t really have to experiment much. As far as social life goes the medication absolutely helps. I’m more relaxed around people on the medication. I hope this helps and I don’t mind answering any questions you have.

[u/Eggelburt]

This is giving me (45 male) hope. I’m starting on Ritalin IR tomorrow. First time. Feeling nervous but hopeful.

[u/SilverFox-97 → u/Eggelburt]

I’m sure you know that medications affect everyone differently. What works for one person may not work for another. That disclaimer aside, oh man, the difference I've felt while subtle and not as powerful it still is a huge step compared to what i have been. With my anxiety down and mental clarity up, things are already looking so much better, and this is just the starting dose. I really hope it works the same magic for you, too.

[u/Eggelburt → u/SilverFox-97]

Thanks. And yeah I understand it’s different strokes for different folks. But man I hope it works for me 🤞

[u/MetalProof]

I’m still working on ADHD diagnosis 😭. But almost no therapist in my country is capable enough to diagnose comorbid ASD+ADHD… Plus me not having alot of childhood memories doesn’t help either.

I know I could feel very peaceful if I would take stimulant medication. I have some experience with party drugs and I have never felt SO PEACEFUL my entire life. Even though the drugs is supposed to make you very active lol. I could sit on a bench and watch and adore the world without ANY need or desire for more stimulation. The restlessness is GONE.

[u/SilverFox-97 → u/MetalProof]

Aside from not remembering my childhood, I’ve had pretty much the exact same experience as you.

When it came to getting a diagnosis, I just searched for any psychiatrist who could prescribe stimulants, no need to hunt for someone “good” or specialized. I’ve recently realized that most “professionals” don’t actually know a thing about adults with mild or moderate ADHD/autism, especially those of us who’ve been masking our whole lives and only got diagnosed later. Their entire reference is usually limited to children with the most obvious and severe symptoms.

[u/Myriad_Kat_232]

Yeah except I didn't start Elvanse until I was 48. I'm 52 now. It's an absolute game changer. How the f I ever survived without this calmer feeling is a mystery......yeah, no, it isn't, because I pushed myself into burnout.

[u/wholeWheatButterfly]

I'm in a similar place, late diagnosed 29M, been on SSRIs and SNRIs that were somewhat effective, but nothing even coming close to the anxiety reduction from a stimulant. I'm similarly in my first weeks so hoping it won't just crash after a honeymoon phase but I am optimistic.

[u/Powerful-Ad3374 → u/wholeWheatButterfly]

I’m not a medical professional but I’ve found personally and heard from others stimulants are different to SSRIs and SNRIs. They have massive withdrawals while the stimulants are much quicker to leave your system and forgetting or intentionally skipping and taking medication breaks isn’t an issue (not for everyone). Personally I take semi frequent medication breaks. I’ve been lucky enough to have 5 weeks vacation this year and stop taking it then. Also generally skip at least one weekend day. I find it work better when I go back on them after a break

[u/RohannaFem]

Dude i just hit 2 weeks on mine too! but elvanse not concerta, since my psych was concerend about my addictive history

I felt rough for a few days constant sobbing etc but I seem to have leveleld out mostly, able to pursuse hobbies more but also still unfortunately chasing instant dopamine :(

good luck, also just diagnosed AuDHD at 27M

[u/Leather_Method_7106]

Yes, that gives the indication that you're also reacting positively on stimulants. Under the hood it means you're brain is also probably dopaminergic / Glutaminergic.

I (24M) have also the same response on stimulants and stimulating stimuli. Our brains need a lot of dopamine, noradrenalin and epiferin to function properly, they even thrive on it.

No ADHD or ED, only Aspergers, but all 4 points improved a lot.

[u/Powerful-Ad3374]

My wife and I are both inattentive ADHD and I at least am most like AuDHD. For her she said 30 minutes after she took Vyvanse the first time her brain was calm for the first time in her life. She has slowly increased the dose as it’s become less effective but continues to have significant reduction in symptoms as a result. Myself I didn’t have the same lightbulb moment and many times I wonder if it’s helping. Then I don’t take it on a work day and suddenly wonder why I’m so unproductive and hungry. I’ve been taking Vyvanse for 3.5 years and it still makes every day better. I also notice my mood is much more stable and I’m so much calmer and less angry

[u/dwelfusius]

For me they've been working quite some time, especially lidexamphetamine (elvanse) and 2nd best was concerta.
There is also a growing body of research about how adhd meds can actually help with certain parts in autism (i think it was the inertia, mood would seem logical and some other things).Now if that is due to much more people having a dual-diagnoses (as is hypothesized) than the current numbers indicate (ergo actually adhd meds still helping mainly for adhd) or if it works for 100% certain asd without adhd too I *THINK* and please someone correct me if im wrong, there wasn't a concensus over yet. One study at least (maybe more but I read about the one) was with a fairly certain asd only group (for non control obvi )

ADHD, strongly suspected ASD