The increasing diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has brought greater scrutiny to medications like Adderall, with some users describing a profound impact on their personality and daily functioning. Annabel Fenwick Elliott, diagnosed with ADHD six years ago, shared her "love-hate relationship" with Adderall, noting that while it enables her to concentrate and manage tasks, it also makes her feel "boring" and diminishes her creative spark.
Elliott's experience echoes concerns about the potential side effects of ADHD medication. Citing reports, she mentioned studies suggesting that long-term use, specifically after five years, could increase the risk of heart disease by nearly a quarter. While her own personal health checks have shown no abnormalities and her blood pressure is low, she experiences a racing pulse, describing the medication as "pharmaceutical speed."
This sentiment was echoed by celebrity Justin Bieber, who in 2016 reportedly stopped taking ADHD medication due to anxiety he believed was linked to the drug. He noted that while the medication helped him concentrate and appear more "normal," the anxiety was a significant concern.
For individuals with ADHD, medication can quiet the internal "noise" and facilitate functioning in a neurotypical-centric society. However, Elliott posits that for those without ADHD, these stimulants can induce a "high," contributing to their status as controlled substances. She characterized the effect as a "temporary lobotomy," suggesting it alters core personality traits.
Redefining ADHD and Neurodiversity
Some experts challenge the notion of ADHD solely as a disorder. Evolutionary scientists propose that traits associated with ADHD, such as novelty-seeking and impulsivity, may have offered adaptive advantages in prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies. According to research from Columbia University's Sultan Lab for Mental Health Informatics, these traits likely aided in resource discovery and community survival.
Elliott's husband, Julius, acknowledges the duality of living with someone with ADHD, finding both the endearing and sometimes challenging aspects of her personality. Her own impulsive behavior, which she attributes partly to her ADHD, led to significant life events, including the spontaneous decision to pursue a relationship that began during a brief encounter.
When properly channeled, ADHD traits can be viewed as strengths. These include enhanced performance under pressure, creative problem-solving, entrepreneurial risk-taking, and the capacity for "hyperfocus" on engaging tasks. Elliott argues that ADHD is not a complete lack of attention, but rather an inability to direct it in conventional ways, often leading to expertise in obscure subjects rather than mundane tasks.
Elliott's ADHD specialist, Dr. Frances Klemperer, had warned her that medication could make her writing "dull and formulaic." This aligns with the observation that many individuals with ADHD thrive in creative fields due to their unconventional thinking patterns. Elliott's prose, she notes, becomes "unsatisfactorily ordinary" when she takes Adderall.
Given these considerations, Elliott stated she would not allow her children to take ADHD medication if diagnosed, at least not until they reach adulthood. She prefers to help them leverage the advantages of their neurotype and manage the challenges, such as the rigidity of the school system.
Elliott anticipates continuing to use Adderall when necessary for societal demands like managing finances and punctuality. However, she plans to cease use if heart issues arise or if the physical side effects outweigh the benefits. She believes society should not necessitate stimulant use for basic functioning, suggesting a future where such reliance is viewed with historical concern, much like past medical treatments for conditions like "hysteria."