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3rd line ADHD meds (guanfacin, clonidine) have a role regulating anxiety, feelings, and sometimes, RSD. They're supposed to make executive functioning better, but they usually have the opposite effect, because they take away a coping mechanism for Executive duysfunction: Anxiety.
Many ADHDers rely on urgency and anxiety (deadline induced blind panic, fear or disappointment) to motivate and function. When that's taken away by guanfacin/clonidine, they find themselves unable to do anything. Like taking away the red plancks @howtoADHD
Does that mean that Executive Functioning is worse? yes, and no. It gets worse at first, since it's been a lifetime of relying on anxiety to function. But with time and work, it's possible to find other sources of motivation (see video above).
Alpha 2 agonists (guanfacin/clonidine), make it easier to start trying other ways to motivate, and also make it easier to keep them. So, on the long run, it can make it better.
Not recommended if you're in college or with a PhD, since blind panic is strong in those settings.
Not recommended if you're in college or with a PhD, since blind panic is strong in those settings.
As opposed to stimulants, they lower the heart rate and blood pressure. That can be a disadvantage, or an advantage, if you suffer from hypertension. They also produce sleepiness, which can be beneficial if you take them before sleep, working as a sleeping pill (and a good one).
They can also be taken alongside stimulants, so they could, theoretically, counteract each other, both in executive functioning and hemodynamic side effects.
I don't personally know anyone who has, nor have I read much about it, but they're supposed to be compatible.
I don't personally know anyone who has, nor have I read much about it, but they're supposed to be compatible.
So, why would anyone take them over stimulants? Well, it all depends on your goal. If you're not in a moment of your life where you require that much executive functioning, but RSD and anxiety are making your life a living hell, it might be an option to consider.
It worked wonders for me. It made me more in charge of my feelings, like I suddenly had that moment to think before bursting into emotion. I felt under control for the first time ever. My RSD got much better (although this doesn't always happen), so did my anxiety.
My executive functioning was close to 0 for a few months. I wasn't doing anything but I was so not-anxious I didn't really care much about it. Weird feeling, for someone who has lived with crippling anxiety their whole life. It got better with time and healthier ways to motivate.
Alpha 2 agonists helped me start to exercise, that helped me with my executive functioning, which helped with having an stablished routine. A positive feedback cycle was created. They also help now, being more calm and collected in the stressful times we're facing.
ADHD stimulants:
- Wear off
- Fast effect on Executive Functioning (EF)
- Lesser impact on feelings
- Hypertension, tachicardia.
Alpha 2 agonists:
- Don't wear off
- Mainly emotional regulation
- Worse EF at first; helps on the long run
- Hypotension, bradycardia, sedative
- Wear off
- Fast effect on Executive Functioning (EF)
- Lesser impact on feelings
- Hypertension, tachicardia.
Alpha 2 agonists:
- Don't wear off
- Mainly emotional regulation
- Worse EF at first; helps on the long run
- Hypotension, bradycardia, sedative
