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Every autumn, thousands of students move away from the structure and safety of home to the freedoms of college life. While it’s an exciting time filled with many possibilities for learning and growth, it can also be challenging academically and socially—especially for college students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Learn some of the challenges that college students with ADHD face, as well as strategies that can be used to overcome these obstacles. This includes learning how to study with ADHD and taking certain actions to foster friendships with other students.

Qualities for Student Success

Sarah D. Wright, ADHD coach and author of “Fidget to Focus: Outwit Your Boredom—Sensory Strategies for Living with ADD,” explains that successful students usually have four qualities that help them achieve their goals:

• Sticking with things even when the going gets tough (perseverance)
• Ability to delay gratification and focus on the big picture
• Time management and organizational skills
• Striking the right balance between fun and work

These particular skills, however, don’t come easily to people with ADHD. One of the hallmarks of this mental health condition is impaired executive functioning. This means that students with ADHD may struggle with staying organized, sticking to a plan, and managing time effectively.

How ADHD Affects College Students

College students often face more responsibilities, less structured time, increased distractions, and new social situations—all while lacking access to many of the support systems they had in high school. Impaired executive functioning can make handling these changes a bit harder for students with ADHD, resulting in:

• Poor academic performance and achievement: Students with ADHD frequently report feeling dissatisfied with their grades. They may struggle in their classes due to difficulties starting and completing tasks, disorganization, problems remembering assignments, difficulty memorizing facts, and trouble working on lengthy papers or complex math problems.
• Troubles with time management: Students with ADHD often have irregular lifestyles that result from poor time management. This can create problems with being on time, preparing and planning for the future, and prioritizing tasks.
• Difficulty regulating and managing emotions: Students with ADHD also often struggle with social issues, negative thoughts, and poor self-esteem. Some ADHD symptoms can make friendships and other relationships more challenging while worrying about these issues contributes to poor self-image.

The good news is that these areas of executive function can be improved. For most college students with ADHD, the problem isn’t in knowing what to do, it’s getting it done. Developing strategies that focus on this goal can lead to positive academic and social effects.

Tips for Succeeding in College With ADHD

There are several strategies you can use to help stay on track if you are a college student with ADHD. Here are seven that Wright suggests.

1. Take Steps to Start the Day on Time

There are three main factors that contribute to being late in the morning: Getting up late, getting sidetracked, and being disorganized.

If Getting Up Late Is an Issue

Set two alarms to go off in sequence. Put the first alarm across the room so you have to get out of bed to turn it off. Put the second where you know it will bother your roommates, increasing the consequences if you don’t get out of bed and turn it off. Set both alarms to go off early so you can take your time getting ready.

If Getting Sidetracked Is an Issue

If certain actions tend to derail you, like checking your email or reading the news, make it a rule that those activities must wait until later in the day so you can stay on task. Also, figure out how much time you need to dress, eat, and get organized, then set alarms or other reminders to cue these tasks.

Three options are:

• Use a music mix as a timer. If you have 30 minutes to get ready, the schedule might look like this: wash and dress to songs 1 to 3, eat breakfast to songs 4 to 6, get your stuff together during song 7, and walk out the door by song 8. This option works best if you use the same mix every morning.
• Use your phone or buy a programmable reminder watch so your alarms are always nearby.
• Put a big wall clock in your room where you can easily see it. If your room is part of a suite with a common room and bathroom, put wall clocks in those spaces as well.

If Being Disorganized Is the Issue

Create a “launch pad” by your door. Collect all of the things you’ll need the next day the night before (like your backpack and keys), and put them on the pad so you can grab them and go. Include a note to help you remember important events for the day, such as an appointment or quiz.

2. Work With Your Urge to Procrastinate

Though it may sound counterproductive, if you feel the urge to procrastinate, go with it. When you have ADHD, sometimes things only get done right before they’re due. At that point, nothing has higher priority, increasing the urgency and consequences if you don’t do them now. These qualities are what can finally make a task doable, so work with them.

If you plan to procrastinate, it’s important to stack the deck so you can pull it off. For example, if you have to write a paper, make sure you’ve done the reading or research in advance and have some idea of what you want to write. Next, figure out how many hours you’ll need, block those hours out in your schedule, and then, with the deadline in sight, sit down and do it.

3. Study Smarter, Not Harder

Boredom and working memory issues can make studying a bit more challenging for students with ADHD. Rather than trying harder to force the information into your head, get creative with the learning process.

If you’re wondering how to study with ADHD, research shows that multi-modal learning or learning via a variety of different methods can be helpful. Ideas include:

• Highlight text with different-colored pens.
• Make doodles when taking notes.
• Record notes as voice memos and listen to them as you walk across campus.
• Use mnemonics to create funny ways to remember facts.
• Stand up while you study.
• Read assignments aloud using an expressive (not boring) voice.
• If you can, get the audio version of a book you need to read and listen to it while you take notes and/or exercise.
• Work with a study buddy.

These won’t all work for every person, but try mixing up your strategies and see what happens. Taking study breaks every couple of hours and getting enough sleep are also part of studying smarter, not harder.

Sleep impacts learning in two main ways. First, sleep deprivation has a negative impact on short-term memory, which is what you use to learn the materials when you study. Second, sleep is needed to move short-term memories into long-term memory, which is what you rely on when it’s time to take the test.

4. Schedule Your Study Time

Many students with ADHD are highly intelligent. They can pull off a passing grade, or even a good one, in high school by cramming their studies in the night before a test.

This strategy doesn’t work as well in college since cramming reduces your ability to retain what you’ve learned long-term. This can make it harder to remember what you need to know once you enter your field of choice.

One good rule of thumb for college students is to study two to two-and-a-half hours per week for every course credit hour. Put this time into your schedule to make sure you have it.

5. Plan and Prioritize Your Time

It may sound strange, but it’s important to plan time to plan. If you don’t develop this habit, you may find yourself always being reactive with your day rather than proactive—the latter of which can help you take more control over your schedule.

Set aside time on Monday mornings to develop a high-level plan for the week, using Friday mornings to plan for the weekend. In addition, do a daily review of your plan over breakfast—possibly adding pertinent details—to make sure you know what’s coming your way that day.

When making your plans, differentiate between what you need to do and everything that can or should be done. Prioritize what needs to be done first, taking care of these items before moving on to lower-priority tasks on your list.

6. Implement Strategies to Stick to Your Plan

With ADHD, sticking to a plan is often difficult. If you like rewards, use them to assist with this. For instance, you might tell yourself, “I’ll read for two hours, then go to the coffee house.” Having something to look forward to can make it easier to muster through your studies.

If you’re competitive, use this personality trait instead. Pick another student in your class whom you want to do better than and go for it. If you know that you respond to social pressure, make plans to study with classmates so you won’t let them down. Or hire a tutor so you have structured study time.

Hiring a coach can also be beneficial. There is growing evidence, both research-based and anecdotal, that supports ADHD coaching as a vital strategy in helping students learn to plan, prioritize, and persist in following their plans.

This type of coaching is sometimes described as a form of life coaching influenced by cognitive behavioral-type therapy, which helps people develop behaviors, skills, and strategies to better deal with ADHD symptoms. It can lead to greater self-determination and direction, reduced feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, and increased self-confidence and self-sufficiency.

7. Manage Your Medication

One study found that only around 53% of college students with ADHD adhere to their medication plan. Poor medication adherence can have serious consequences, contributing to poor academic performance and decreased graduation rates. 

Steps you can take to stay on top of your ADHD medications include:

• Find a local healthcare provider: Regularly monitoring your medications helps ensure that you are at the best dosage for you. If you’re going to school a long way from home, find a local healthcare provider to meet with regularly. You can also schedule regular visits with your university’s health services.
• Find a local pharmacy: Determine where you’ll order and pick up your medication. Set reminders on your phone so you know when to refill your prescription. You may also be able to sign up for text reminders.
• Store medications safely: Abuse of ADHD medications is on the rise on college campuses, even though this can result in high blood pressure, increased feelings of anger and distrust, trouble sleeping, and even strokes. Keep your ADHD medications in a safe location and never share them with others. 
• Set reminders to take your medication: If you are struggling to take your medication as prescribed, consider using a reminder app or setting reminders on your phone.

Social Strategies for Students With ADHD

Interpersonal challenges are also common for college students with ADHD. While being out on your own for the first time can be exciting, this mental health condition can lead to difficulties in building and maintaining friendships.

CHADD—which stands for Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, an organization funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—offers these tips:

• Remember that you aren’t the only one who feels the way you do. Other students may be feeling just as excited (and overwhelmed) as you. During orientation, help them feel more comfortable by being friendly and listening when they share their concerns.
• Look for opportunities to meet and interact with others. You might make new friends in class, in your dorm, at the school cafeteria, or at other places on campus. View each of these locations as an opportunity to expand your social network.
• Find activities or clubs to join. Colleges and universities are great places to explore hobbies and meet people who share your interests. Check out bulletin boards on campus or look at your school’s website to learn more about the options that are available. 
• Stay in contact with your current friends. Don’t let your high school friendships fade into the background just because you’re at college. While you’re busy with new things and might not see each other every day, stay in touch by phone, text, social media, or email. Your current friends can be great sources of social support.

Not all abuse is physical, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t incredibly harmful. Physical abuse, also known as mental or emotional abuse, involves using verbal and non-verbal communication to try to control someone or harm them emotionally.

Though psychological abuse doesn’t leave bruises and broken bones, it can cause severe emotional issues and mental health conditions. Researchers have shown that emotional abuse can have long-lasting negative effects on mental well-being, including a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress, and neuroticism.

The problem is that this form of abuse can be harder to detect. However, it’s important to recognize it and seek help as soon as possible, as it is often a precursor to physical abuse. If you think that you or someone you know is a victim of psychological abuse, it is important to take steps to get help and leave the abusive situation as soon as possible.

Signs of Psychological Abuse

Emotional abuse isn’t always easy to spot. These are some of the warning signs that someone is being psychologically abused:

• Being visibly upset or agitated
• Being withdrawn and unresponsive
• Avoiding certain people or being scared, nervous, or timid around them
• Behaving in unusual ways, such as rocking, biting, or sucking

There are also more subtle signs, such as:

• Starting to cancel plans at the last minute
• Making excuses for the partner’s hurtful words or behaviors
• Being more quiet when the partner is around
• Being overly apologetic
• Appearing to be more indecisive and insecure
• Feeling rushed all the time
• Constantly checking the phone/partner is constantly checking in

Examples of Psychological Abuse

Psychological abuse involves behaviors that are designed to cause another person mental or emotional harm. No one is perfect, and we all do things that might hurt another person from time to time. Abuse, however, is deliberate and persistent. It isn’t a one-time thing. It happens over and over again, often to the point that it starts to undermine your confidence, well-being, and self-worth.

Psychological abuse can take different forms, which can include:

Types of Psychological Abuse

It doesn’t just occur in the context of romantic relationships; it can also happen at work, in family relationships, and in friendships. It can take many forms, include verbal aggression, controlling behaviors, humiliation, and ridicule, which is why it can sometimes be difficult to recognize.

Psychological abuse can occur in any relationship, but child abuse and intimate partner violence are two of the most common types.

Child Abuse

These are some examples of psychological child abuse:

• Yelling or swearing at the child 
• Constantly criticizing or picking on the child
• Humiliating the child or talking down to them
• Blaming or punishing the child for adults’ problems
• Threatening to hurt the child or abandon them
• Failing to create a healthy, safe, and stable environment for the child
• Allowing the child to witness violence or abuse at home
• Not being concerned with the child and refusing others’ help for the child

Children who have been emotionally abused may have:

• Difficulties in school
• Trouble sleeping
• Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
• Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulty regulating emotions
• Behavioral issues, such as aggression, acting out, lying, or trying hard to please
• Physical health issues, including aches and pains and gastrointestinal issues
• Tendency to engage in risky behaviors or use substances at an early age

Psychological abuse can be just as damaging to children as physical or sexual abuse; however, it can be harder to detect, so people may be less likely to help the child.

Children who have grown up with abusive caregivers may have trouble recognizing that they are being abused, as it may seem like normal behavior to them. As a result, they may carry these behaviors forward and behave abusively or seek relationships with abusers in their adult lives.

Intimate Partner Abuse

According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 49.4% of women and 45.1% of men have experienced psychological aggression from an intimate partner in their lifetime. These are some examples of intimate partner abuse:

• Wanting to know what you’re doing, where you are, and who you’re with at all times
• Expecting you to be in constant contact or checking up on your whereabouts
• Wanting the passwords to your phone, email address, and social media accounts to track your digital activity
• Monitoring your spending habits and controlling your finances
• Getting jealous and frequently accusing you of cheating on them
• Making decisions on your behalf, like what you will eat or wear, often without consulting you
• Trying to keep you from meeting your friends and family
• Discouraging you from working, going to school, or attending social events
• Deterring you from getting medical help or advice
• Getting angry and abusive in ways that are frightening to you
• Swearing at you, calling you names, or treating you like a child
• Ridiculing you or humiliating you in front of others
• Threatening you or your loved ones with bodily harm
• Threatening you with police or legal action, often for made-up reasons
• Threatening to hurt themselves when they’re upset with you as a way of manipulating you and controlling your behavior
• Telling you things like, “If I can’t have you, no one can.”

Experiencing intimate partner abuse can cause you to:

• Feel unwanted and undeserving of love and respect
• Feel hopeless, powerless, guilty, or ashamed
• Feel controlled, manipulated, or used
• Feel overwhelmed and stressed
• Live in constant fear of upsetting your abuser
• Act differently to avoid upsetting your abuser
• Doubt and question your version of events
• Have difficulty focusing, sleeping, or enjoying your work and hobbies
• Develop anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, or chronic pain

Coping With Psychological Abuse

Here are some strategies that can help you cope if you have experienced psychological abuse:

• Recognize the problem: The first step, which can sometimes be the hardest, is recognizing that you’re being abused. For instance, you may think, “But, my parent/partner has always behaved this way.” Learn what are healthy relationship dynamics and start seeing unhealthy behaviors for what they are.
• Leave the abusive situation: If you are in an abusive situation, it’s important to create a safety plan and leave as soon as you can. Seek help from trusted friends, family members, neighbors, law enforcement, or organizations if you need it.
• Maintain a record of the abuse: Your abuser may gaslight you by saying, “I never said that,” which can cause you to doubt yourself and question your reality. It can be helpful to write down all the details of the abusive situations, so you have a record of what really transpired.
• Don’t engage your abuser: If you come face-to-face with your abuser, don’t give them the satisfaction of reacting to them. Learn to set firm boundaries and refuse to engage with them.

• Work on healthy relationships: To break the cycle of abuse, it’s important to develop self-awareness and distinguish between healthy and unhealthy behaviors across different types of relationships. It may be difficult to trust people or let yourself be vulnerable, but those are important components of healthy relationships with mutual respect, trust, and affection.
• Seek help: There is no shame in seeking therapy to help you cope. Therapy can help you process your emotions, develop coping skills, build self-esteem, and heal from the trauma.
• Join a support group: Domestic violence support groups can help you voice your abuse amongst people who have had similar experiences. They can be a source of support, inspiration, and advice.

“Ugh, I hate my life!” We sometimes use this as a hyperbolic way to express frustration. We’re overworked and overtired, and nothing seems to be going our way. We might not literally mean that we hate our lives, but there might be some aspect of it we’re genuinely dissatisfied at the moment. 

If you feel like you hate your life, you’re not alone. Everyone feels angry, frustrated, and dissatisfied at certain points in life, says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva University.

‘I Hate My Life’: Why You Might Feel This Way

What causes this feeling is unique to each person. According to Dr. Romanoff, this feeling could come from different areas of your life, which could include:

• Your career and work
• Your financial status
• Your daily routine 
• Your leisure activities
• Your health or your body
• Your residential situation or geographic location
• Your relationships with romantic partners, friends, family members, and others
• Your social situation and status

For instance, you may be unhappy with your job if you have a difficult manager or an uncooperative colleague. Or, you may be aggravated by the culture at your workplace or in disagreement with the direction your firm is taking. This anger and frustration can pile up and spill over into other parts of your life.

Another example is a family conflict. If you’re having a disagreement with someone in your family, such as your parents, siblings, spouse, or in-laws, it can lead to an overall sense of frustration with your life.

The Mental and Physical Impact of Feeling This Way

If you feel like you hate your life, it’s important to channel this feeling into a productive emotion or experience and use it as motivation to take action and make a change, according to Dr. Romanoff. 

“If you remain inactive it could spark feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. You may start to feel depressed if you believe you are stuck and there is nothing you can do to change the negative aspects of your life,” says Dr. Romanoff.

That feeling of hopelessness can cause you to have negative perceptions of your ability to create change and find happiness in the different domains of your life, including in your relationships, work, family, and even in the way you complete small daily tasks, Dr. Romanoff explains.

How to Cope If You Hate Your Life

It’s important to take steps to feel better and make changes. In the short-term, feeling dissatisfied with your life can affect your mood and ability to enjoy your life. Over time, the stress and unhappiness you feel can start to affect your relationships, ability to function, and even your health.

Dr. Romanoff suggests some tips to help you cope if you feel like you hate your life:

Reflect on the Important Aspects of Your Life

It can be helpful to reflect on whether you are satisfied in the most important aspects of your life such as: your career and your purpose in life, your relationships and your capacity to love others, your self-worth and acceptance of yourself, and the enjoyment you experience through your body via health and movement.

Identify Your Triggers

If you are dissatisfied, it’s important to introspect and make the necessary changes. Pay attention to the moments when you are most dissatisfied in your life. Use them as a compass to understand what is getting triggered in you. Be reflective and try to identify themes in what sparks this feeling.

Start Making Changes

Use moments of dissatisfaction as lessons. Try to understand ways you can grow or make changes based on these situations. These feelings might require you to do something brave, such as cutting off a relationship or a situation that is no longer serving you, advocating for your needs to be met, or making some other change.  

Don’t Let Paralysis Keep You Trapped

On the other hand, if you are paralyzed with fear and do not make changes in these situations, it might only reinforce the feelings of resignation and hopelessness in your life. The key is to be more present in your life and make small changes for the better in each moment, instead of feeling powerless and as if you must make do with your circumstances.

Remember That You’re in Control

Remember, ultimately you’re in control of your life. If there is something you don’t like, it’s up to you to change it. You can’t wait for others to meet your needs. You must rely on yourself to give yourself what you need.

Break Patterns of Learned Helplessness

Often, many people feel like they must make do with their circumstances. This is usually a repetition of an earlier dynamic in their life in which they were helpless and could not escape an intolerable situation. As adults, people find this feeling of helplessness familiar and don’t use all their skills and capabilities to advocate for themselves.

When to Seek Help

If you are unable to cope with your circumstances and continue feeling like you hate your life, it may be helpful to see a mental healthcare provider. They can help you explore the source of your feelings, put things into perspective, develop healthier coping skills, and make the necessary changes in your life.

It is particularly important to talk to a doctor or therapist if you are also experiencing other symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of interest, irritability, and feelings of worthlessness.

Your mental health care provider can evaluate your symptoms, provide a diagnosis if relevant, and recommend treatments that can help. They may suggest therapies like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), medications, or both.

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Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) are stimulant medications prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While they share some similarities, there are several differences between the two medications.

For example, the effects of Vyvanse generally last longer than those of Adderall since Vyvanse has a slower absorption rate. Adderall also has a higher potential to be misused than Vyvanse. Keep reading to learn more about their similarities and differences, as well as how to decide which is right for you.

Vyvanse vs. Adderall: Key Facts

Vyvanse and Adderall are both drugs that work by acting on the central nervous system, which boosts the availability of neurotransmitters in the brain. With increased amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine, it is easier for people with ADHD to pay attention and focus. In addition, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior are reduced.

Since Vyvanse and Adderall are both stimulant medications from the same drug family—they’re both amphetamines—they may be confused as being the same medication. Here are some basic facts about the two drugs to shed light on their similarities and differences.

Adderall

Adderall is a brand name for a drug that contains dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It is available in two formulas: Adderall IR (immediate-release) and Adderall XR (extended-release) capsules.

Adderall IR is short-acting and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Typically, when a person is prescribed this immediate-release version, they take it two or three times a day, or every 4 to 6 hours.

Adderall XR was approved by the FDA in 2001 and may be prescribed for the treatment of ADHD in patients 6 years of age and older. Unlike Adderall IR, Adderall XR is taken once per day, typically in the morning.

Vyvanse

Vyvanse is a brand name for a drug that contains lisdexamfetamine. When lisdexamfetamine enters the body, it is converted to dextroamphetamine. Vyvanse is available in one formula, which was approved by the FDA in 2007 for people 6 years and older. 

In addition to treating ADHD, Vyvanse is also approved to treat binge eating disorder in adults. For both conditions, patients take this medication once per day, often in the morning.

Effectiveness of Vyvanse vs. Adderall

Stimulant medications are widely accepted as being effective ADHD treatments. But if you’re looking at Vyvanse and Adderall specifically, there is little comparative research to suggest that one is better than the other.

The two medications do differ in terms of how long they last. This can be a deciding factor for many people as it may impact how effective the medication is for controlling ADHD symptoms.

• The immediate-release form of Adderall lasts for around three to four hours. However, people may be able to take a dose two to three times per day. The extended-release form is taken once per day and lasts for 10 to 12 hours.
• One dose of Vyvanse can last up to 14 hours, which means that it can last all day.

Side Effects of Vyvanse vs. Adderall

As Vyvanse and Adderall are both amphetamine-type stimulant medications, the side effects of each drug are similar and include:

• Abdominal pain
• Affect lability
• Anxiety, nervousness, or jitteriness
• Appetite loss
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fever
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sleep problems
• Weight loss

There are some additional side effects that need to be considered. Men might experience erectile dysfunction (ED) when taking an amphetamine. Although you might feel embarrassed to talk about this with a healthcare provider, they will be able to work with you to help resolve this issue.

Precautions

People with certain conditions should not take Vyvanse or Adderall. For example, you should not take either of these medications if you have:

• Bipolar disorder
• Cardiovascular disease
• Glaucoma
• High blood pressure
• Hyperthyroidism
• Liver problems

Additionally, Adderall and Vyvanse could both be unsafe during pregnancy, and they are not recommended while breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your prescribing physician.

Since both medications are amphetamines that can be addicting, you should also not use them if you have a history of substance abuse.

Drug Interactions

There is also a risk of drug interactions that can occur if you combine Adderall or Vyvanse with another substance. Medications that you should avoid while taking these ADHD medications include:

• Antacids
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Blood pressure medications
• Cold or allergy medications containing antihistamines or decongestants
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Opioid pain medications

Other things that can interact with and affect the actions of Vyvanse and Adderall include alcohol, caffeine, and foods or beverages containing ascorbic acid.

Differences in Vyvanse vs. Adderall

While Vyvanse and Adderall share a number of similarities, there are some important differences between the two medications. These differences can play a role in determining which medication is right for you. 

Absorption Rate

Perhaps the biggest distinction between Adderall and Vyvanse is that Vyvanse is a prodrug. This means that it needs to be taken orally in order to be metabolized by the body’s enzymes to become effective.

The effects of Adderall start to work within 30 minutes. In contrast, Vyvanse takes approximately one to two hours to take effect.

Vyvanse is often described as “smoother” than Adderall. One of the reasons for this is that because it has a slower absorption rate, there is not a “kick” or “jolt” to the system when the medication starts to work.

Medication Rebound

In addition, there is less medication rebound when Vyvanse starts to wear off. Since Adderall is available in both intermediate and extended versions, it allows for great flexibility in how it can be taken.

For example, a person might be prescribed Adderall XR to take daily and have Adderall IR to take when a more immediate effect is needed or when it is beneficial to have the medication wear off before bedtime.

Safety

Vyvanse and Adderall are Schedule II drugs, which means there is a potential for abuse and dependency. Both are approved to take orally. Since Vyvanse needs to be converted in the body, it can’t be inhaled or injected as a way to become high, so it is less likely to be misused than Adderall and other stimulant medications.

Forms and Dosages

Adderall IR is available in tablets ranging from 5 to 30 milligrams (mg). Adderall XR is available in six different doses ranging from 5mg to 30mg. Vyvanse is available in capsules and chewable tablets in doses from 10mg to 70mg.

Physicians usually prescribe a lower dose when you first start taking a medication and gradually increase it until they find the right therapeutic dose for you and your symptoms.

Cost

Adderall and Vyvanse are both brand names and a month’s supply without insurance can cost from around $150 to $400 depending on the frequency and dose. Your cost can vary according to your insurance coverage. If the cost is too much, generic versions can be considerably cheaper.

Adderall is available in generic versions called mixed amphetamine salts. In 2023, the FDA approved multiple generic versions of Vyvanse, called lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, offering patients both capsule and chewable tablet options.

Which ADHD Drug Is Right For You?

If you are wondering which ADHD medication is best for you or your child, talk through the options with your healthcare provider. Finding the optimal medication often involves some back and forth with your physician as each person responds differently.

When you start taking a new medication, monitor how it makes you feel, including side effects. Then inform your prescribing physician so they can make the necessary adjustments if needed.

Some of the key factors that might go into deciding which one is right for you are how long the medication lasts and how much it costs. After trying one medication, you might find that it is not working as well as expected, and you may want to switch. Each person is different, so go off of how you feel and work with your healthcare provider to come up with the right approach.

Because Vyvanse and Adderall are similar medications in many ways, the choice really comes down to what works best for you. Both are effective for managing symptoms of ADHD, but it may take some trial and error to find the medication and dose that works best.

It is also important to remember that while these are among the most popular options for treating ADHD, they are not the only ones. There are also other options available, which you should discuss with your physician if you feel like neither Vyvanse nor Adderall is right for your needs.

We’re not afraid to say it: there is nothing inherently bad about watching porn if it’s ethically made and is positively impacting your sexuality. If it helps tap into your fantasies to turn you on and get you off, we really don’t see a problem. Pornography itself isn’t “bad” or “wrong,” but it does have benefits and drawbacks that can vary based on each individual person.

Only when pornography viewing starts to take up all your time, impact your relationships, or even harm the people on screen, does it become a bigger issue. And we’re going to unpack that.

Porn Is Hard to Define

You may have an immediate image in your mind of what “porn” is but in reality, it means something different to different people. Most commonly, it refers to sexually explicit media—whether its online videos or printed in a magazine—intended to arouse sexual excitement. Written pornography can range from erotica (more focused on romance and sensuality) to smut (more graphic depictions of sex acts).

Thanks to the Internet, porn is far more easily and widely available than it once was. There is also a huge spectrum of what might be considered porn, from woman-centered erotica to harmful material that depicts brutality, violence, or abuse of children.

Watching Porn Has Its Benefits

People’s attitudes about porn influence how beneficial it is for them, and people who use it regularly tend to feel more positively about the role it plays in their lives. They characterize it as something that:

• Increases their sexual knowledge
• Improves their attitudes about sex
• Improves their overall quality of life

Porn is most frequently used for masturbation, which has its own set of health benefits. In general, masturbation can help people feel more comfortable with their bodies, their sexuality, and their sexual fantasies. Masturbation can also lessen the effects of stress and anxiety.

For men specifically, more frequent ejaculation (including through masturbation) may improve prostate health and lead to lower rates of prostate cancer.

Pornography (and masturbation) can also provide an outlet for you to explore your body and your sexuality, which can be an empowering, confidence-boosting experience. Women, in particular, seem to benefit from this aspect of porn.

What’s more, porn can be positive for people in the LGBTQ community, provided it represents their viewpoints and isn’t focused only on heterosexual relationships.

For some couples, watching porn together may offer benefits to the relationship (assuming that both partners have the same positive attitude toward porn). In one study, people who viewed pornography together with their partner reported a higher-quality relationship with better communication, sexual satisfaction, and commitment compared to people who viewed porn alone.

…But Also Some Risks

Exposure to any sexual media, even non-pornographic forms, can influence your sexual attitudes and behavior. This can cause problems any time you encounter a movie, TV show, or work of fiction that depicts sex in an unrealistic manner, but it also makes specific types of porn more concerning.

Porn that promotes unrealistic body images, risky or unsafe sexual behavior, sexism, or violence may be particularly problematic. This is even more of an issue for adolescents and younger adults whose sexuality isn’t established yet.

Frequent porn use may also lead to desensitization toward sex—specifically, men who use porn more often show less activity in areas in the brain that are normally activated during sex. It’s not clear whether this is caused by porn, or if men who are already desensitized to sex are more likely to use porn.

Porn should be used in moderation. Porn can be addictive, in the same way that other gratifying behaviors like gambling can be.

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Marriage Problems

Porn in and of itself may not be an issue in all relationships, provided it’s legal, adult material made with consent. Where issues arise is when there is a disconnect between partners or if one partner is using it in an unhealthy way.

Some spouses may consider pornography to be insulting, degrading, and even a form of cheating. But others may not feel the same and, as a result, may not understand their partner’s anger or hurt about their use of porn.

It’s important to communicate openly and honestly about the role that porn plays in your sex life. In general, talking with your partner about sex can ensure you’re on the same page and bring you closer together as a couple.

Warning Signs of Harmful Porn Use

An obvious sign of harmful pornography use is a lack of sex in your marriage. Additional warning signs that you or your spouse may have an unhealthy relationship with porn include:

• Allowing easy access to pornographic magazines, videos, and computer files to other family members
• Demanding an unusual amount of privacy on the computer
• Dismissing a partner’s feelings on the issue
• Excessive masturbation
• Feeling anxious, stressed, or moody when unable to access porn
• Feeling unable to stop viewing porn despite negative consequences
• Lying about or hiding porn use
• Neglecting family, social, or work obligations to view porn
• Refusing to discuss the issue
• Spending an increasing amount of time watching porn
• Staying up late at night to spend time on the computer

While porn can be addictive, a porn addiction isn’t formally recognized as a mental health condition. However, if you do believe that you or your spouse has an unhealthy relationship with porn, therapy may help.

If Your Partner Is Watching Porn

When your marriage has obviously been hurt by pornography and your partner won’t stop watching porn, you may have to face the reality that you may not be able to change their behavior. However, you can try to address the issue and improve your relationship.

Here are some tips on how to broach the topic of porn with your spouse and get back on track:

• Try not to judge. If your partner’s use of porn is harmful or hurtful to you, the first step is to talk to them without being judgmental.
• Let them explain. Ask your partner what they like about porn. Listen calmly and respectfully to what your spouse has to say. Perhaps there are things they want both of you to try, or maybe they are watching porn out of boredom or habit.
• Share your feelings. Take the time to calmly and clearly articulate why you feel the way you do about porn. Again, do this in a loving, non-judgmental way. You don’t want your partner to feel like they are being attacked or blamed.
• Go to counseling. Consider seeking the help of a couples counselor or sex therapist if you can’t resolve the issue alone. You can also seek marriage counseling to see if there are other problems in your marriage that may be leading to excessive pornography use.

Talking about sex and pornography can be difficult, emotionally charged, and even awkward, but just like most difficult topics, getting on the same page is key.

Bullying is a behavior that has historically been linked to kids on the playground, but it can happen among people of any age in any setting—schools, households, workplaces. So the main question observers of such conduct have is…why do people bully others? 

The driving forces behind bullying may vary from person to person, but bullies share some common characteristics. For example, some people bully because they know that it gets them what they want, while others bully because they are deeply insecure. No matter the cause, bullying is unacceptable, regardless of where it takes place.

What Is Bullying?

Bullying is repeated unwelcome and hostile behavior long linked to power imbalances. Bullies often target people who are younger or smaller than they are, who work as their subordinates, or who belong to marginalized or minority groups.

Sometimes, envy motivates people to bully; individuals with personal traits, skills, relationships, or possessions that bullies want to possess themselves become targets.

Bullies victimize others by using tactics including:

• Intimidation
• Threats
• Insults
• Intentional exclusion
• Spreading rumors and lies

Bullying exists on a spectrum. Not all bullies resort to hitting or name-calling, as children are known to do. Sophisticated adult bullies may engage in smear campaigns against their targets rather than insult them to their faces. They might also enlist others to bully a target on their behalf. This is why some anti-bullying groups say that bullying isn’t always easy to define.

Understanding Why People Bully

There’s no one reason why people bully, but many people who engage in this conduct:

• Feel powerless
• Suffer from insecurity
• Need to control others
• Enjoy the rewards they get from bullying

For example, bullying a classmate might make a kid more popular, or bullying a worker might stop other employees from questioning management decisions. These outcomes show bullies that this conduct pays off.

Learned Behavior

Bullying is often a learned behavior. Young bullies might live in households where adults bully one another to get their way or deal with conflict. They might not know how else to get their needs met or how to manage disagreements.

Past Experiences

Some bullies have had temper tantrums to get their way since they were small children and were never told “no.” Others were once bullied themselves and repeated the behavior to feel powerful. 

Individual Characteristics

Some supervisors bully their subordinates to deflect attention away from their incompetence. Other bullies believe their status entitles them to bully individuals of lower rank.

These bullies might also lack empathy, have narcissistic traits, or be emotionally unstable and dysregulated. Controlling and intimidating others helps them to feel better about themselves and self-soothe. 

Factors That Impact Bullying

Research has also shown that there are a variety of factors that can impact why people bully. Some of these include:

• Sex differences: While boys and girls are equally likely to be bullies, boys experience more physical bullying, while girls experience more verbal and indirect bullying.
• Age differences: Peer bullying tends to decrease as children age, but older kids are also more likely to experience online bullying.
• Differences: People who are perceived as different from the majority status group due to physical appearance, disability, race, nationality, color, immigration status, gender expression, or religion are more likely to experience bullying.

The Impact of Bullying 

Regardless of the causes, research suggests that bullying is a highly prevalent problem. Surveys have found that one in every three children has been the victim of bullying in the previous month.

Bullying is harmful not only to targets of this behavior but to bystanders and bullies themselves.

Effects on People Who Are Bullied

Targets of bullies may:

• Develop mental health problems like anxiety and depression
• Experience eating and sleeping changes
• Feel lonely and isolated
• Have suicidal thoughts
• Withdraw from activities they once enjoyed
• Miss days of school
• Drop out of school

Adults experiencing workplace bullying may increasingly call in sick from work. That’s why it’s essential to seek out a licensed mental health professional to work through the difficult emotions that arise in the wake of bullying. 

Effects on People Who Witness Bullying

Bystanders of bullying suffer, too. Young people who witness bullying are at increased risk of using illicit substances, tobacco, or alcohol. Like targets of bullies, they might also have more school absences and may develop mental health problems, especially anxiety and depression.

In addition, witnesses of bullying might feel guilty or ashamed for not intervening. In the workplace, observing bullying can lower morale and increase turnover rates.

Effects on Bullies

Bullies themselves experience the consequences of their actions. They, too, have an increased risk of substance use disorders and quitting school. In addition, they tend to have more physical fights, engage in sexual activity at younger ages, and enter the criminal justice system.

As adults, bullies are more likely to abuse their children and significant others. While workplace bullies might be able to move up the corporate ladder, they must contend with the low morale, decreased productivity, and high turnover rates their behaviors cause. They may also face workplace investigations, formal complaints, and lawsuits about their conduct. 

Action Against School Bullies

Protecting oneself against bullies typically requires effort and sacrifice. Youth who are being bullied might benefit from assertiveness training or self-defense classes, especially if they are physically bullied.

Family Actions

Families might also want to evaluate if any dynamics in the household contributed to their child becoming a target. For example, living in a household with authoritarian parents where children are punished for expressing their thoughts and needs makes it harder for youth to assert themselves and set boundaries with bullies. 

School Actions

Of course, the school environment also plays a role in preventing bullying or allowing it to spread. For instance, the families of targeted children might need to make arrangements with school staff to ensure that bullies don’t have access to them before and after school or between class periods.

Legal Actions

Taking legal action against the school or school district might be a possibility, too. This is certainly true if the bullied child is being targeted because of race, sexual orientation, disability, or another marginalized status.

The potential of lawsuits, bad press, and tragedies resulting from bullying is one reason school districts increasingly have anti-bullying programs. These initiatives educate the school community about bullying behaviors and urge bystanders, parents, and school staff to intervene.   

Online Bullying

In the 21st century, bullying is equally as likely to occur online as it is in person. If the bullying has spread to social media, families might need to do more than block their child’s bullies on these platforms.

Many of these platforms prohibit common cyberbullying tactics such as impersonation or harassment. It should also be possible to remove offensive videos and other content.   

Recourse for Adults Bullied At Work

Bullied adults can also take steps to protect themselves. If the bullying takes place at work, they should carefully document the behavior and determine if there’s a safe person to speak to about it. If the bully is an immediate supervisor or another higher-up, it might be harder to get results after reporting the bullying.

Unfortunately, targets of workplace bullies may find their jobs in danger after making such a complaint while their abusers remain protected. However, union workers typically have more options than workers without the protection of a union.

Looking for a New Job

Companies should take bullying seriously because it can drive the most conscientious and talented employees out of the workplace. If your workplace ignores or permits bullying, it is in your best interest to look for a new job.

If you’re financially able and your mental health is seriously suffering, you might need to leave without a new job lined up or try becoming a gig worker or independent contractor to make ends meet until more stable work arrives.  

When applying for jobs in the future, try to research the company beforehand. If the company always seems to be hiring and isn’t growing exponentially, it might be a hostile work environment with a revolving door of employees.

These could be planted reviews, as even workers who love their jobs typically admit that some areas of the company need improvement. Also, pay attention to how managers behave during the application process. It might not be a safe place to work if they are cold, pushy, inconsiderate, or evasive when you ask questions.