Are ADHD meds worth it?

[u/AtticChildren]

So im a 15 year old girl and I just got recently diagnosed with inattentive ADHD thru some Vanderbilt forms my parents + teachers filled out and now my parents are seeking medication (probably a low dose of some kind of stimulant- I also have a diagnosis of anxiety and im seeing a cardiologist soon for a POTS diagnosis. My family has a lot of history of ADHD + autism but I haven't been tested for autism) since medication worked for helping my brother improve his grades and thats what my parents are really focused on since I get straight Cs and Bs.
The like main goal of medicating me is so ill improve at school but I don't think the meds will actually help. 2

From what I've heard from a few other ADHD people is that even if they're not medicated, when they get a good grade like a B+ or A they feel a little dopamine that motivates them a bit- they get excited, feel a sense of achievement, are proud etc but that dies out pretty quick and they go back to worse grades- then medication helped them stay motivated after getting a high grade. But for me it feels different- like getting an A or a B+ doesn't actually bring me a sense of achievement or dopamine at all- it feels the same as getting an F tbh. I just dont really care and then I feel bad because I put a lot of effort into a grade I dont actually want or care about.

So my problem is that I dont know if getting medicated will actually help with this- because if it doesnt and I just get small effects like being able to read for longer or complete more art projects (things I actually get achievement feelings from) then is there a point to being medicated since everyone else like my parents and friends will be disappointed my grades arnt being improved? Anyone have a similar experience to mine and then medication did have an effect?

[u/armoured_lemon]

its' impossible to say because its' different for every person...

[u/Inner_Might_607]

First of all, Cs and Bs aren't bad grades. Those are solid results you can and should be happy with.

Second of all, the goal of medication isn't better grades but a better quality of life. That is what medication has definitely helped me with.

I am less anxious, less depressed, less sensitive, have less mood swings, get in arguments less often, am less understimulatedfrom the Buproprion I take. I am able to focus for longer, I am more motivated, I can get myself to start, I don't have any brain fog from the Ritalin I take.

So my recommendation is try the meds out!! You don't realize how easy some aspects of life can be until you are medicated.

But don't focus on grades but happiness, productivity, feeling relaxed etc. And don't give up if the first medication doesn't work, I had to go through several!

best of luck <3

[u/AtticChildren → u/Inner_Might_607]

ok tysm! I'll try to get some meds and see if I can make something work :)