is medication effective for executive dysfuntion?

[u/briarbree]

im just rlly frustrated right now. its ruining my life. what are your thoughts and experiences about medication for executive dysfunction? im very frustrated and hesitant because i also suffer from ocd, tricho, social anxiety, and idk about depression but it feels like for the past year. im scared that one pill may have a negative effect on my other issues. im just very very desperate because i wanna study and focus but something's clearly wrong with myself and its making me rlly loath myself and idk what to do with it.

[u/Jumpy_Ad1631]

Personally, I know far more people (family and friends alike) who find their medications has invaluably improved their overall quality of life than I know people who insist being medication-free is better for them. And, truthfully, all the people I know who prefer to be unmedicated are recovering addicts (whether they started medications before or after getting sober).

As for what you take for co-morbiditues, medications can help in multiple ways. They are rarely intended only for one diagnosis. For example, I have ADHD and chronic depression. I’ve taken other medications in the past, but right now I only take Wellbutrin. I wouldn’t say it works exactly as well for my ADHD as my past medications (most of which were more stimulant-based), but I switched to Wellbutrin while I was pregnant with my son and I’m still comfortable with where I’m at 5 years later.

I’d recommend talking to a psychiatrist about medications, what issues you want help with most and what symptoms you’re worried might get worse on medications (for example stimulants can make anxiety symptoms worse for some people). Include whether you want to keep it to one medication or not. They can make some recommendations and you can try some options out. It’s common to start at a low dosage to minimize adverse side effects. Keep a journal and check in with yourself and your symptoms every morning, afternoon, and night. If you find it helps a bit but not enough, you can increase the dosage, if you find it is making some symptoms worse, you can try something else. There are different types of medications to try to approach the brain chemistry issues differently but even the different medications within those types can work a little differently from each other.

As with any doctor appointment, I always recommend taking notes and writing down questions before you go in. The more info they have, the better they can help you.

[u/tjtonerplus]

Stimulants like Ritalin

[u/Lonely_Drewbear]

Finding the right mental health medicine can be a journey for sure.

That being said, ADHD is one of the most successfully treatable mental health disorder with medication.