What ADHD Titration Really Feels Like (From Someone Who’s Been There)
Let’s be honest: starting ADHD medication is rarely as simple as “take the pill, feel better.”
For many of us, it means entering a weird in-between space — where everything is slightly more intense, slightly more hopeful, and sometimes… slightly more confusing.
This process is called titration — and it’s a word you probably hadn’t heard before your diagnosis. But if you're starting meds (or supporting someone who is), here's a real-world breakdown of what titration actually feels like.
💊 What is Titration?
Titration is the process of gradually adjusting your ADHD medication dosage. The goal?
To find the lowest effective dose — the one that improves your focus and function without making you feel spaced-out, jittery, or shut down.
It’s usually done in small steps (under guidance from a clinician), with weekly check-ins and ongoing reviews. In the UK, this often happens over several weeks or even months.
🔁 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Week One
“Is this working?”
“Wait, maybe it is?”
“Okay, no, I just had coffee.”
“Why do I feel weirdly calm and uncomfortable at the same time?”
The early days can feel uncertain. Some people notice changes within a few hours. Others? It takes days — or until someone else points it out.
👉 What helped me: Keeping a daily log. I tracked not just side effects, but also little wins (like remembering to eat lunch or answering emails without spiralling).
Pro tip: Use a simple medication tracker or symptom journal — like this one in the Reset Bundle.
⚖️ Balancing the Benefits and Side Effects
Common early side effects include:
Appetite drop
Dry mouth
Sleep changes
Slight emotional flatness
These often settle within the first week or two — but they can feel unsettling when you're in it. Keep your clinician updated, stay hydrated, and don’t be afraid to ask for adjustments.
📆 The Waiting Game
Sometimes the dose isn’t quite right. You might feel:
Super focused but emotionally muted
Calm but still procrastinating
Like you’ve got clarity but no motivation
That’s why titration exists. It's not failure — it’s fine-tuning.
✍️ Track What Matters (Not Just the Side Effects)
I learned to track things like:
Did I eat lunch today?
How quickly did I bounce back from distraction?
Did I feel like me today?
These soft signs helped me notice when things were working — or when they weren’t.
🧠 Want a tool to help? Try the printable Titration Log inside the ADHD Reset Bundle.
💬 Final Thoughts
Titration isn’t a straight line — it’s a process of meeting your brain where it is and adjusting gently.
It might take time. It might take several tries. And that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
You’re not broken. You’re just in progress.
Start where you are. Track what feels true. Focus, gently. 🌿
