I find any time my s routine changes I have a hard time getting back into the swing of things. I recently took off work to go to a conference and even though I was only gone five days from work when I returned I met with the same "duh which way do I go?" feeling you describe.

I have found the more I drift away from my routine sleep schedule the thicker the fog. Sticking to my sleep schedule even on week-ends helps noticeably

Also adding even just 15-20 minutes of moderate exercise in the morning such as a brisk walk a flight of stares, some thing any thing to get my blood flowing helps clear out the brain fog every morning but the benefits are most noticeable on Monday mornings -

I hope this helps

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Sometimes I wake up in a fog and it continues until mid morning. I have come to realize that I also have gotten off schedule with my sleep. If I haven't gotten enough sleep it makes all of my ADHD symptoms worst, especially the inattention. So I understand how that feels. Try to keep the same sleep schedule all of the time. I know that sometimes there is going to be an acception. But then I go right back to my usual schedule. Thanks

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The ADD brain doesn't have enough (available) neurotransmitter dopamine. Norepinephrine (aka noradrenaline), another neurotransmitter, is only made from dopamine. Ergo, if ADDer's lack suffient levels of dopamine (associated concentration and mood), we will also are deficient in norepinephrine. Despite all the naggings of my ex-wife, it has absolutely nothing to do with the time one goes to bed.

I suggest two ways to help break through the early morning fog. A good scare would work wonders -- something like almost stepping on a coiled rattlesnake to give the system a good shot of adrenaline. Alternatively, albeit more slowly, a change in medication to something like ADDERALL might help. This medication contain levo-amphetamine salts that affect norepinephrine neurochemistry; something that neither methyphenidate nor dextroamphetamines do.

I find that my fog disapates within an hour, after I take my meds; when left untreated, the fog typically clears around noon.

Suffice to say, ADD/ADHD is, in part, an unrecognized sleep disorder (although these manifestations are not included in any diagnostic criteria or treatment plans). In part, ADDers generally find it difficult to fall asleep and because norepinephrine levels normally rise prior to waking, we ADDers have difficulty in waking.

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I've struggled with Morning ADHD Fog for much of my life, and while there is no perfect solution, I've found a few things which help...

(a) I've found drinking at night, even 1 beer or glass of wine, significantly increases my morning ADHD fog. So while college offers many opportunities to drink socially, I usually stop and ask myself first if I'm willing to sacrifice my productivity the next day, and drink only if I can afford to do so. I also make sure that if I do decide to have a social drink or two, I drink LOTS of water before, during, and after drinking, which helps somewhat, as the dehydration caused by alcohol can really interfer with quality sleep.

(b) I've found that varying my bedtime or wakeup time, even by 30 minutes just 1 day a week, significantly increases my morning ADHD fog, for several days after. Unfortunately, I struggled with a circadian rhythm disorder since adolenscence, which makes it hard. My doctor prescribed Rozerem at night and 1/2 hour of a BluWave lightbox in the morning, which really helps. Of course, that's me... if you feel you may struggle with circadian rhythms, you should speak to your doctor about it.

(c) I personally found my ADHD did best when I took my Strattera at night. It's unusual, but for me it substancially improved my ability to wake up feeling rested. Of course, every person is different, so again you should work with your doctor and do what works best for you.

(d) Getting plenty of exercise has really helped. While exercise alone isn't necessarily a proven treatment for ADHD, being healthy and getting good diet and exercise can be beneficial for just about anyone. Being on a college campus, I found I could get exercise simply by walking to class (or riding my bike) rather than taking the bus made it easier to get exercise. Later, when I started working, I opted to take the stairs to the 3rd floor rather than taking the elevator, which again helped work in a small about of exercise into my daily routine.

I hope this helps....

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Thanks for the input!I'm still contemplating whether or not to get back on my meds since I'm in college and work.

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As the new person on this website, and it a year since your posting. Your comments on Morning Fog, really hits the spot. I find that if I actually turn off my alarm clock and know that I have to stay awake vs let my snooze button re:wake me is not a good idea. Secondly I take my meds, right there so it starts it;s work. I take 15 ml of Dexitrine (sp?) this gets me out of the FOG within 45 min.

Like LeeN said, the morning you take your meds the better the morning, the more is accomplished factor is in place. As sure as the sun comes up in the morning, so does the fog if you don't take it right away.

I have to have a routine for the meds, I have a 7 day pill container, and a water bottle in place before I go to bed. If you do the evening routine, it makes the morning a (no fog morning). Of course, refilling the pill container, is another routine. I do every five or six days as I never get it done if I leave it to day 7. The one thing is if you have ADD or not, routines are good for you.

I remember when I was thought to have ADD but was no diagnosis until my long awaited specialist appointment. In doing my research, having routines was one of the most common suggestions. I thought this would work for me even if I was told I am not ADD. I had lived 44 years with no idea I had ADD and to change very old habits was going to be hard.

Of course it I out of fog within 45 minutes, I had to build structure of routines up until that time. Doing this is part trying not to backslide into a bad habit or whatever

Smilie59

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