I was diagnosed late with ADD (26) and despite being considered gifted throughout my childhood, starting around 17 years old it was getting harder to just get started, let alone be consistent. There was nothing more frustrating than knowing I'm smart but to keep failing without knowing why.
Doctor prescribed Concerta and the mental fog went away immediately and I felt like my younger self again, brain ready to attack any task without needing the stimulation of an imminent deadline.
Recently I realized through psychology sessions and introspection that I had a blanket of anxiety covering me constantly for the past 6-7 years. It fueled me to always do more and perform better but it was a negative source of motivation and it burnt me out. I had trouble sticking to anything long term or even keeping my house clean often because I wanted to go back to distracting myself to avoid being alone in my thoughts. Countless hours wasted on my phone and on Reddit.
I wanted to try an SSRI because things got bad and after discussion with my doctor, she prescribed Escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex). The effect has been mind boggling, as in I can't believe how I was able to tolerate my previous state of mind for so long.
The weight of anxiety has been lifted from my shoulders almost completely. For so long I thought my ADD was the only thing stopping me from being consistent in long terms task but it was the anxiety that really paralyzed me.
I'm finally doing all the things I always knew I fundamentally wanted but kept trying and failing to keep going.
I'm working out again with amazing consistency, weightlifting/rowing/yoga. I'm fully enjoying the workouts too because I'm not anxious to go back to a safe space like my phone. I'm tracking my calories and losing weight and it's a pleasure. I'm cooking and cleaning, my place looks amazing. I'm going to sleep every day early because I'm no longer wasting time on my phone until I'm so tired that I drop the phone on my face. I'm reading books again too and meditating daily.
I had been stuck in these loops of knowing what I wanted and making insignificant progress. I never stopped wanting these things and now I can finally have them.
Obviously it would be better to function normally without medication but I have no issues with continuing.