“Attention” [...]]]> I’ve blogged before about the seasonal aspects of my ADD.  Unsurprisingly, things have been even worse since the return to Standard Time (ptui!) and the loss of another hour of light in the afternoon.  I’ve been more tried, more hungry, more spacey … and paradoxically, less able to get to sleep at a reasonable hour.

“Attention” is a neurological state that’s heavily dependent on dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical.  Dopamine, in turn, is heavily dependent on a number of factors, including sunlight.  Most people are aware of seasonal and weather impacts on their mood and habits, but for some people, these effects can be extreme.  I obviously fall into the second camp.

My doc and I decided to up my Vyvanse from 50 to 60 mgs.  My hope is that this will improve my concentration, attention, and ability to take initiative.  He also advised me to spend time in my art studio from 4 pm until 7 pm ever day.  If you’ve read my previous post, you’ll know that my art studio is equipped with a full-spectrum daylight bulbs.  My doc says it takes 5 or 6 “average” 150-watt bulbs to produce a therapeutic amount of light.  I already had four, and I knew my two overhead lights would put me into therapeutic territory; this was a major impetus for getting off my ass and hanging the lights.

Finally, he advised me to start taking melatonin before bed.

Today is the first day I’ve managed to be in my studio right at 4 pm.  I’ve got to admit it feels pretty good. I am noticing, however, just how hard it is for me to stay in one place for more than an hour.  My inclination is to jump up and go do something, and come back, and jump up and do something else, and come back … it’s so annoying when you have to fight ADD tendencies in order to treat ADD.

In general I’ve been sleeping better, but it does seem harder to get up in the morning.  Whether this is the melatonin or the increasing dimness of my bedroom I’m not sure.  Tomorrow will be my seventh day on the new regime.  Maybe things will settle in and get better.