Some ED on Concerta or Vyvanse. Not an inability, more of a sluggishness to achieve a good erection. However, this is now in the back of my mind, so it impacts my drive a bit as I’m conscious of it.

In short: not perfect but not ruinous either. I’m also 44 so it could be a little more noticeable for me than for a younger person?

Frustrations at not seeing things the same way and needing to find ways to compensate and fit in properly with people who don’t think/feel the same way are absolutely valid, but this “they’re targeting me for being neurodivergent” mentality is totally unfounded.

You’re being downvoted because you’re ascribing dickish internet behaviour to some sort of broad-based discrimination by neurotypical people against neurodivergent people. You encountered an asshole…”NTs vs NDs” is not a thing. Besides, how do you precisely define neurotypical, and why do you assume the world is run by them? (I actually assume the opposite is true) How do you know the person/people you were engaging with were neurotypical? Why would a world created by people who do not fit your definition of neurotypical be any better to live in? There is generally more variation of people and behaviours within, versus between, large populations.

There are long-acting formulations that can get you through a day. If you want a short-acting med then that’s your call, but I prefer a steady level of stimulation that carries me through the day.

On meds I have to make sure I don’t lose control of my focus. It’s the opposite problem; I need to make sure I don’t lock on too strongly, versus not being able to focus at all. After all, the underlying problem of inattentive ADHD is an inability to regulate focus appropriately. I find it’s a much better trade-off, mind you, but my point is that I no longer need to rely on this roll-of-the-dice “hyperfocus” state to kick in. Especially useful since I rarely achieve this unless there is a panic-induced deadline looming.

Sorry, meant to say that executive dysfunction and depression are separate but can be intertwined. I think I was unclear.

They are closely linked conditions. I do not have anxiety or depression, but my undiagnosed and then untreated ADHD was causing me both conditions.

They are separate things but they are intertwined, so much so that ADHD very frequently comes with a dual diagnosis of one or more other conditions, or is confused/commingled with eg. autism. A proper assessment can disentangle them and reach the correct diagnosis.

I don’t like to call it hyperfocus because of this narrative that it is a “superpower”. It is still inappropriate focus. Barkley calls it “perseveration”, which seems more accurate to me. Yes I can get things done, but at the cost of an inability to observe time and by causing me to forget everything else, including food.

Medication has been wonderful but it isn’t perfect, and I find that it takes work for me not to overcorrect and lapse into too deep a state of focus.

As for exhaustion, I used to get that when I was undermedicated. At the appropriate dose, I’m fine. My “natural” state of perseveration of focus usually comes with much larger baggage (eg. blind panic at a looming deadline) so it’s hard to ascribe the exhaustion to the act of focusing.

Diagnosed at 43-44. Went to psychologist, talked about why I wanted an assessment, did a questionnaire. Had a second appointment, asked questions based on first questionnaire, did another one while also assessing for other co-morbidities. Wound up doing at least two more questionnaires, plus my spouse and wife did one each. Received ~10 page report that several aspects of the ADHD “spectrum”, as well as other common co-diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, autism. We discussed to ensure I was ok with it and understood it, she suggested other resources and tools, and I took that to my PCP to start trialling medications.

It’s personal, not professional. They’re treating you like a child.

Worth noting that THC turns my ADHD up to 11, so cutting it out is definitely the right answer for me. YMMV.