ADHD and caffeine
Hylian
Citizen, Mentor
I'm curious to know how others with ADHD react to caffeine, especially other people with hyperactivity as a component to it?
I always hear that caffeine is good for people with ADHD since its a stimulant, so it should help with focus and attention. My doctor even encouraged my parents to give me small amounts of coffee as a kid to help with it, which I think is silly to think about now.
I do agree that it helps with my attention and focus, but it can kind of worsen my hyperactivity sometimes. I noticed I stim a lot more and find it even harder to hold still when I drink it. That's why I'm curious about how other people with ADHD react to it, since some swear by it, though for me it seems to have equal pros and cons to it.
I always hear that caffeine is good for people with ADHD since its a stimulant, so it should help with focus and attention. My doctor even encouraged my parents to give me small amounts of coffee as a kid to help with it, which I think is silly to think about now.
I do agree that it helps with my attention and focus, but it can kind of worsen my hyperactivity sometimes. I noticed I stim a lot more and find it even harder to hold still when I drink it. That's why I'm curious about how other people with ADHD react to it, since some swear by it, though for me it seems to have equal pros and cons to it.
Comments
Anyway, high amounts of caffeine is a no-go for me. Stimulants appear to have the opposite effect on my body (expect sugar - that makes me go hyper). If I drink coffee, I become relaxed. My reaction time appears to slow down and my thinking becomes fuzzy. If it's strong enough, then I tire out and fall asleep. Concentrating in that state is difficult, I zone out which is why I'd always avoid it when I needed to focus.
I used to have coffee sometimes during stressful situations to calm my nerves or to make myself sleep when I couldn't. However, I've since cut out coffee. The weirdest experience was when I'd have something with high amounts of sugar and caffeine. Whenever I did, I'd have the desire to run about, but physically not have the energy to do so. Then I'd zone out and have a confusing mess of overlapping thoughts.