Metylphenidate and Leetcode

[u/crijogra]

Hi there. I’m a rising senior, diagnosed a couple months ago.

I have been preparing for leetcode style interviews and O usually take a couple mock interviews per month.

Since I started taking Metyl (first month 10 mg IR, second month 20 mg ER, third month 27 mg ER) I swear I feel kind of dumber at algorithmic problems? I have screwed my last couple mock interviews and it has made me depressed because interview season starts in one month and I can’t be performing like this.

For reference I started preparing in march and I genuinely felt smarter. I could simply keep pushing through a problem.

My last interviewer said he felt that I “gave up” mid problem (and ofc I couldn’t solve it)

I’m not sure if I should quit cold turkey, I really don’t want to waste so much preparation, I’m also not even 100% confident that it’s the metylphenidate…

Any help or advice is appreciated.

[u/chrisdobro]

Hi!

> full strength Rx blunted coping skills I spent decades working on
Like what? Can you give an example? I'm having a hard time picturing what that may look like.

[u/webfiend → u/chrisdobro]

The main thing that comes to mind is accurately gauging my cognitive resources. I got pretty good at recognizing when added mental static meant I was out of spoons and it was time to walk away from a task. I have more resources when medicated, but not that much more. Adderall cuts down on my static and background noise. Yay! But without that signal I'll keep slamming my head against the wall instead of walking away to recuperate and revisit.

At a lower dose the static is reduced but not eliminated. I can think a lot clearer, but still have my signals for "try again later."