Can “inattentive” ADHD actually be AS?
The difference is inattentive ADHD can be treated effectively with stimulant medication. ASD doesn't respond to medication in the same way.
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ASD level 1 & ADHD-C (professional dx), dyscalcula (self dx), very severe RSD. Probably have BPD.
RAADs: 104 | ASQ: 30 | CAT-Q: 139 | Aspie Quiz: 116/200 (84% probability of being atypical)
theboogieman
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

Joined: 3 Jun 2023
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Posts: 64
Location: Louisiana
So that's what's so interesting about my case: I feel like my executive dysfunciton is definitely lessened by stimulant medication, but my irritability, poor sociability (in the sense of small talk/listening to others/ability to mask, etc.), and sensory overwhelm becomes worse when taking stimulants.
I described to the psychologist that "Stimulants feel like a tradeoff where I become more autistic in order to be less ADHD."
EDIT: I was reading some papers on AuDHD patients (sorry, I can't remember which one right now) and this experience seems to happen with other people in my position.
I've tried amphetamine, methylphenidate, and viloxatine (non-stimulant), and they all were effective at treating my executive dysfunction without as many side effects in that order. Methylphenidate was hell for me, viloxatine not only didn't work, but seemed to make me even more sluggish.
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funeralxempire
Veteran

Joined: 27 Oct 2014
Age: 40
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 33,533
Location: Right over your left shoulder
My experience mostly aligns with Disco Stu over here.
Although I'm pretty sure I'm mixed, not inattentive. Some of my diagnoses are hard to untangle from each other though.
Stimulants help my EF issues, but not significantly.
I wonder if they can make a lysmethylenedioxymethamphetamine.
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With anti-depressants, I understand it’s not just the medicine washing through a person’s system and the half-life and all that. It’s also that your body has gotten used to the medication and made adjustments.
* haven’t taken anti-depressants, but they’re my Ace in the Hole!

Partially, it's hard to deliver medication to just the brain due to the blood-brain barrier. Plus, it does impact a lot of the body.
However, stimulants have a much shorter half-life and are pretty much completely metabolized/removed from the system in a matter of a few hours. It takes a relatively short period of time to have so little of it left that it can't be detected with standard tests.
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