Is the ADHD drugs crisis really a 'thing'?

I'm one of the many people impacted by the current shortage of Elvanse - a drug that's prescribed to help manage the symptoms of ADHD.

Which means I've had multiple periods over the last few months, where I've haven't been able to take my medication and/or I've had to 'ration' it. Which I'm currently doing as I wait for an appointment with my consultant who I hope will be able to prescribe an alternative.

And this is something I never imagined myself saying ... but it's really impacting on my quality of life (and not in a good way).

Because you may or may not know that one of the common features of ADHD is a low levels of dopamine - aka the 'feel good' hormone.

So if someone has ADHD it, effectively, means their natural level of happiness/contentment is likely on a 'lower' setting than yours.

And/or it's kind of 'faulty' - and the irregularities they experience means they're more inclined to experience low mood (and motivation) - regardless of whatever else is going on in their life.

Why I was reluctant to try ADHD medication in the first place

Deciding to try medication after my diagnosis, back in 2020, was a BIG deal for me. Because - despite experiencing years of low mood, repetitive behaviours (which included incessant worrying/ 'looping') and emotional dysregulation - along with the more commonly known 'distractibility' symptoms etc, I'd never spoken about how I was feeling to a doctor (or to anyone really).

If I had, I expect I'd have been told I was depressed/it was perimenopause or something.

Having done my research, I knew that wasn't the case. Because (amongst other things) my symptoms weren't 'new'. I couldn't remember a time when I hadn't been experiencing them - I was just trying to 'manage' and put a brave face on (while secretly thinking I just was a terrible, flawed person).

But having not taken any medication to help with anything 'mind' related before. And also being a bit of a scaredy cat over recreational drugs ... I didn't have any 'experience' to draw from. So I was, frankly, terrified of what it would do to me.

It may sound silly ... but I kind of imagined I'd pop an ADHD pill and then be fizzing around like I was at a Ministry of Sound night or something.

Instead, what I experienced - for the first time - was calm.

How does ADHD medication help?

Obviously I can't speak for everyone, but the best way I can describe my experience is this: it was like someone switching a light on for the first time. My mind didn't completely stop yo-yoing - but it was much easier to interrupt that pattern, settle down and focus on one thing. It also helped an awful lot with the persistent low mood, apathy and general sluggishness I'd got so used to living with.

Now it might surprise you to hear me say 'apathy'. Because people don't generally see me as an apathetic person. I mean apathetic people don't generally run marathons, start businesses, publish books and start podcasts etc.

However - contrary to popular belief - ADHD is not a lack of attention/focus. Rather it's an excess of attention/focus. Which is why ADHDers can be as creative and brilliant and productive as they are chaotic/forgetful/unreliable.

But while being able to 'hyperfocus' can be very helpful indeed for activities you want to focus on ... when you're required to focus on something you find hard, uninteresting, pointless etc ... not so much.

And when your happiness/contentment setting is naturally low/inconsistent ... getting yourself motivated to do anything can feel like an epic task.

Why I'm sharing this

So if you've read the news reports and/or someone close to you is affected. And/or you're wondering what all the fuss is about . Or if this is just another example of ADHD getting 'trendy'. I hope this post may give you some food for thought.

And yes I know there are bigger things going on in the world right now. But that doesn't mean it isn't deserving of attention.

Because for those (like myself) who have discovered that it's possible NOT to feel like your happiness level is on a 'minus' setting. And/or that it's possible not to have persistent 'brain fog' and want to sleep every afternoon (even when you've had plenty of sleep). Or that it's possible to stop, think and/or take a breather before you do/say something impulsive that might get you into trouble ...

... well it's kind of a Big Deal.

Janet Murray is a business strategist, copywriter and advocate for neurodivergent people in the workplace and voluntary sector.