I am definitely more AS than ADHD, though high functioning to the point (or rather at this point...lol) I most likely could act my way through any formal AS evaluation and not be diagnosed as such-- can't see what the point of that would be, but you get the idea. In fact, given the lack of awareness and my age (nearly 50), I only came to realize many of my idiosyncratic behaviors could be classified as AS traits after raising my high functioning AS son, who DOES have a formal diagnosis, and is clearly much more on the spectrum than I am.
My experience with true ADHD, which I believe is terribly over diagnosed, comes from working with students who quite obviously have the condition and watching them respond to stimulants, as well as spending many years working with a creative partner in the entertainment business who had a diagnosis of ADHD. In those cases, I've seen these individuals respond to a variety of stimulant medications, or even high doses of caffeine, in a much different way than I do! Adderall will, especially over time, paradoxically, calm them down. Large doses of caffeine make them sleepy.
Now, even in my case, extended use of Adderall came to make me sleepy; but, I would now label the feeling as closer to "burnt out."
Part of the problem with Ritalin, Adderall, Focalin et all is at first they work for nearly everyone to increase focus. However, with those individuals who truly have ADHD, I've observed first hand, on numerous occasions, a different sort of reaction than the wired focus students often take Ritalin for.
In terms of motivation, I would encourage everyone to stay away from stimulants on a regular basis! Used infrequently, Modafinil can be a powerful tool to plow through a chunk of work, or study but I wouldn't classify it as great for motivation.
For physical exercise, my favorite motivational "supplement" at the moment is intermittent use of 200 mg of Phenylpiracetam along with Choline Bitrate, with the occasional addition of 10 mg of Noopept.
I've read a number of recent books on motivation, and it continues to be one of my obsessive interests. I think the best advice I can offer is to think of motivation as habit building with the end goal being to automate a task as much as possible. If you can get to the point where you are putting on your running shoes, or opening a book to study, with the same mindlessness as you continue to attempt to flip on the lights during a black out, you've got it made!
Another powerful tool is previsualization-- spend time meditating on the successful completion of whatever task you choose to accomplish, specifically how empowering, and how much self-esteem you derive from having finished.
Finally, face the reality that motivation can be improved but is still limited. Don't try and diet while quitting smoking. Don't cut out all refined sugar and start training for a 10k at the same time. Don't let yourself get too hungry, or too tired. Simple advice, yes, but how many of us who struggle with motivation, myself included, cultivate all or nothing thought patterns?
LongeCity
). So any herbal help is welcome.
