Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I got diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at 28, and honestly, it explained so much of my life. But now I am on Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine, and I do not know if it is actually working or if I am just convincing myself it is. Some days I feel laser-focused, and other days I am just as scattered as before. Is that normal, or does the dose need adjusting? Also, the crash at the end of the day is real.
I am irritable and exhausted, and my partner is getting frustrated with me, and I feel terrible about it. Is there anything that helps with the comedown? I have heard about taking a lower dose in the afternoon, but I do not want to mess with my prescription without asking my psychiatrist first.
Can you explain body doubling to me? I keep seeing it mentioned online. Does it actually work, or is it just a placebo thing? I work from home, and getting anything done is genuinely a struggle, and I am willing to try anything literally at this point.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
You are on a stimulant drug that is usually first-line pharmacological management for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Can you please tell me the current dosage of Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine tablets, and what exactly your schedule is?
Basically, it is given in two divided doses and works well. Some people, over time, develop tolerance to this medication, which may be the reason for a poor response. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral therapy alone also work well in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a more structured therapy; therefore, it needs time and sessions. Body doubling is a form of behavioral therapy that helps people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder increase their sitting time. You can keep a person by your side, either virtually or in person, who keeps motivating you.
Some other behavioral strategies that work well are:
Keep a routine.
Write your schedules on paper and divide them into small sections.
Do not make rigid plans, but keep them somewhat flexible.
Do one task at a time.
Alarms for scheduled work also work well.
The most important thing is reinforcement strategies, as every human being loves positive reinforcement. You can set small tasks, and after completing them on time, give yourself a gift in any form.
It is not a placebo, and it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If it is not working at all, then we can switch to another stimulant, such as Methylphenidate.
I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Avinash Choudhary
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
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