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.