ADHD impacts my life very much, but I was diagnosed as an adult. I honestly have no idea how I operated pre-diagnosis (and pre-medication). I think about some of the struggles I went through (e.g. my entire educational experience or my entire experience as a founder) and I really suffered in those times.
However, I absolutely agree with you.
Daily stimulants are a frustrating balancing act. Anti-depressants have frustrating side-effects. If I operated well without either or both, I would drop them in a hot second.
I DO benefit from medication to a degree that it has vastly improved my quality of life. I also benefit from therapy and the development of coping tools — in fact, I think anyone who benefits from medication should also seek therapy because it’s SO helpful.
This isn’t really a counterpoint to your experience, but more of a companion-point. Your post doesn’t make me think that you are an irrationally anti-pill person or anything like that. I’m just reinforcing what you’ve implied: treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all (although, at least in America, the medical system sure tries to make it that way). It’s incredibly important for anyone with ADHD to find the right tools for them.