ADHD and Productivity

Stella Billerey
Mar 8
3 min read

By Stella Billerey – Queer ADHD Coach, London

Person with long dark hair walking outdoors in an urban setting, looking down and focused, representing reflection and movement—featured in a blog about ADHD medication, productivity, and self-care by queer ADHD coach Stella Billerey Therapies, London.

ADHD medication has been life-changing for many adults, including myself. As a queer ADHD coach, I want to share my experience of how ADHD medication improved my productivity, helped me build my business, and shaped my relationship with work, rest, and self-care. But is medication just about becoming more productive in a capitalist society? Let’s explore how we can use ADHD medication as a tool for fulfilment, not just output.

ADHD Medication & Productivity: My Journey

When I first started my ADHD medication journey, the impact on my productivity was profound. I was able to finish my master's degree, move back to London, and start work on a psychiatric ward. Medication gave me the capacity to set up my own business and begin teaching weekly inclusive yoga classes. I accomplished a lot in those first couple of years—things that had previously felt out of reach.

Taking slow-release stimulant medication most mornings, I find my peak ADHD productivity hits about an hour after dosing and carries me through the early afternoon. As the effects fade, my ability to concentrate drops—especially on tasks that aren’t inherently interesting or stimulating. Mundane admin, replying to emails, doing things in order, remembering details—all these become much harder once the medication “isn’t holding me anymore.”

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Beyond Productivity—The Importance of Fulfilment and Rest

It’s important to be crystal clear: this is not an anti-medication blog. Medication is an intensely personal journey. For me, it’s been life-affirming. It’s helped me access parts of daily life that once felt out of reach. But we need to be wary of equating medication solely with productivity. Yes, it can make us very effective workers—but does it make us happier or more fulfilled humans?

Early on, medication most obviously impacted my ability to sleep. I’ve always had sleep issues—even before medication—and stimulants did affect my sleep at first. Over time, this has shifted. I still have periods of insomnia, but it’s not always tied to medication; there are other factors at play. Through self-inquiry, I’ve learned that while medication is amazing for getting things done, thinking strategically, and paying attention to detail, it’s not the be-all and end-all. I now intentionally factor in rest: days when I don’t do anything “productive,” days when I can be in my own company doing things I love, like making costumes, spending time with my plants, gardening, or writing for pleasure—without needing to perform for anyone else. These moments help preserve my social battery and keep me grounded.

Challenging Capitalist Narratives Around ADHD and Work

So much of our worth in society is tied to what we do, how productive we are, and how useful we can be to others—whether that’s institutions or individuals. Many people I speak to about their ADHD medication journey echo this: medication gifts us more capacity to do things we find challenging, and work often tops that list. As our capacity increases, so do expectations—sometimes from others, sometimes from ourselves—and work volume tends to creep up.

But what if we reframed this? What if medication could be a tool to extend our bandwidth so we’re able to do more fulfilling things, as well as work? Maybe that’s coaching, therapy, journaling, movement, creative projects, or simply having energy for connection and play. It doesn’t have to be either/or. We can be productive workers andcarve out space for what nourishes us.

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ADHD Coaching Tips—Honouring Your Needs and Rhythms

As my understanding of my medication window has grown, I’ve become much more explicit with clients and employers about what I need. I’m transparent about when my medication is wearing off and when my energy (“spoons”) is low. I try to schedule work tasks, as well as other important things that require focus—like sorting out my wardrobe, planning creative business offerings, or writing—during my medication window. This has helped me honour my rhythms, rather than fighting against them.

For me, this means holding self-compassion when my focus dips, and gently resisting the urge to measure my worth by my output. It means being honest about when I need rest, and supporting clients to define success in ways that honour their whole selves—not just their productivity.