You may have read that backwards. I’m on Stratera and about the other ADHD medications which are all versions of stimulants.

Stratera, also known as Atomoxetine, is a norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor. What does that mean? Ever have that clarity of mind and focus (and calm) when there is a crisis? That’s norepinephrine. It seems ADHD brains tend to absorb it quickly so while most people can stay calm and focused normally, it takes a huge crisis (and huge release of norepinephrine) for ADHDers to have that feeling. If we slow down the re-uptake then it helps us feel calm and focused.

Dosage was a bitch for a bit though: they started me on the “normal” adult dose (40mg), which left me feeling like an emotionless robot and very productive. The typical advice is to go up in dose but I asked to go down to a child’s dose (10mg) which has me feeling productive, calm, and frankly great. I’m still me now, but things that would normally set me off just don’t anymore. I can provide compassion and be the voice of reason, or be the firm without being mean.

Drop caffeine. Seriously, that took me from reacting like the hulk to just getting flushed in the face (in most cases…I still flew off the handle sometimes, but like less than 20% compared to before). Next step that helped then was getting a non stimulant medication for ADHD, but that may not be needed for you.

It surprises me that Nintendo would think enough people would pay for this, but considering the tech in it, I doubt it could sell for cheaper at a profit. What people don’t realize is that there is a full on radar based health monitoring system in there that drives the price up. I expect this is a test bed for a future product that someone is trying to make back the R&D money.