>It sounds like you are already using medication, just not ones that are approved by the FDA.

For me the difference is not if something is FDA approved or not but if I depend everyday on something new.

Because of a difficult time in high school I spent most of my time before the computer as an escape. This escape showed me also my addictive personality and the following negative consequences. And thus I'm now very reluctant to add anything addiction-like to my daily life. I never even tried coffee so far.

> Do not be afraid of antidepressants

Don't they make you dull and feel nothing? Also I wanted to focus on ADHD and not on depression/anxiety because I want to have good grades. The depression & anxiety I think I can more or less handle until the end of my masters and get by.

> Meditation is good, but regular exercise should be the first line therapy for most mental health issues: a good goal would be to do 1 hour of cardio 5 days a week. It is good even if you do half of that, but it takes most people about 45 minutes to start experiencing the "Runner's High"

Thanks, did know that there are some benefits in doing sports but not to that extent. Already cycle 10m to the train station every day and sometimes make kettle bell exercises. Will try to do more sports.

> As for amphetamines, Ritalin, etc. I can say that I don't know any young adults who are taking those drugs to get into a high-functioning zone. I do know older (65+) people who use them to shake grogginess and I know children who seem to be doing OK.

Although I don't want to try ADHD drugs, here I read a counter point: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12345234

>I have been told, and I have learned, to give no quarter to negative thoughts such as you have described. It is not so easy to do because it so compelling, but trying to explore them in great detail tends to increase their power over you more than decrease it.

Yes that's indeed true, it's so easy to think negative. Thanks for sharing your insights.