I just started working again (on medication) after a 6month work break and it is so refreshing to be able to focus on work for the full 8 hours in a work day.
Like you said, the medication doesn't really help with all the "other" stuff that comes with ADHD. (forgetting to brush your teeth is a real struggle) but at least it helps me to be productive and have a stable income again.
There were definitely years spent afterwards unrolling maladaptive coping strategies I'd developed, and I've just had six teeth out leaving me with less than half of what I should have, so definitely use reminders to brush, it's super-easy to forget.
PS. I've been on Ritalin (the Concerta XXL slow-release) for a decade now and it's a life-changer. The first time I woke up in the morning and remembered what it was I'd been thinking I needed to do before I went to bed was amazing.
My personal version of this hell is remembering to take the meds at all: if I don't have the "getting ready for work" routine (which is when I take my meds) ... I usually forget to take my meds. In fact, this just reminded me that I told my doctor I was going to try and download an app to try to remember to take them.
Yay for not being able to remember things!
I drink half-caff double shots (sounds odd but I want a decent amount of flavor but not too much caffeine), making macchiato first thing in the morning, americano later.
People laugh at how I’m always carrying a coffee when I’m working. I tell them I’m just keeping my caffeine at the perfect level, which is true.
Another example, Benadryl makes me insanely hyper. One of my kids is same way.
Telling a doctor results in being labeled a liar.
At least a dozen medications that I respond in weird ways to.
A 4 hour adderall (20mg), lasts me about 30 hours.
Worked better when younger. Now it’s role as a vascular-constrictor is dangerous for me.
It's infinitely more difficult with ADHD. I use phone apps to remind myself of everyday things and track my shopping lists. This may sound normal but it's a coping strategy and when it's gone I am unable to function as a normal human being. I cannot go shopping without a shopping list because I will grab things I think I need but that I actually do not need (which is why I have 3 glasses of chocolate spread for bread and 3 packs of cereal, but no bread or milk on most weekdays).
And I will point out that children in Europe are regularly treated for ADHD. I was treated for ADHD. As an adult however, it's impossible to be prescribed ADHD medication (all of which requires a prescription). In a lot of cases, coffee or other stimulants can help but aren't always available and don't fix it all.
Without suffering from ADHD, I'd say it's impossible to even comprehend the mental strain one experiences even for menial everyday tasks like remembering to brush your teeth (I require an app to remind me of doing that when it is not a workday, as my usual routine of going to work and going to bed early for a workday involves it. On weekends or vacation, I do not remember on my own to do basic things like that).