ADHD stimulants appear to work less by sharpening focus and more by waking up the brain. Brain scans revealed that these medications activate reward and alertness systems, helping children stay interested in tasks they would normally avoid. The drugs even reversed brain patterns linked to sleep deprivation. Researchers say this could complicate ADHD diagnoses if poor sleep is the real underlying problem.
This makes a ton of sense seeing as most people with ADHD i’ve talked to/read their perspective is that ADHD fucks with their motivation.
Mine is depression. Absolutely nothing is rewarding because every job in my field is bullshit now. I’m too tired after work to enjoy anything. I’ve awakened tired every day of my life. Adderall is a lifesaver and I seriously would have killed myself if I had to be without it because I literally can’t function.
It doesn’t really match my experience though. I’m one of those rare ADHD folk who has zero issues with sleep.
Well they did say it was like that, not exactly that and also highlighted that it helped turn on reward centers. I’ve had a pretty consistent sleep schedule for the past couple years and getting good sleep didn’t resolve my issues with motivation. To be fair, adderall didn’t resolve them either (not a neuroscientist so no idea why).