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One of my daughters has ADHD-was diagnosed in middle school. She is now in her mid-twenties. Distractability/zoning out was/is her main issue. She felt frustrated because she knew she was smart enough to do the homework or the classwork, but she just couldn't... she actually brought it to our attention. Anyway, we went through a number of meds-some made her anxious and angry, some made her nauseous, but vyvance works very well on her. She "feels like herself" on it-not drugged/zombied/angry. It's kind of like ADHD Goldilocks- "and this one is just right!" Dosing is also really critical-too little and it isn't quite enough, too much and she was bouncing off the walls and hyper-detail oriented (She does not have hyperactivity component). We were lucky to be part of a fairly large pediatric group where one of the docs is an ADHD specialist. So one needs to be patient determining which medication works best, as there is no one size fits all med out there.
We also developed coping mechanisms like working on organization skills and making sure that she got enough exercise/flossing around time and minimized sugar/chemical food colorings. We also had to let go of some things and pick our battles-like expecting her to hang her wet towel up every time she took a shower, or making her bed every day-too many other things were more important to keep organized.
She can tell the difference when she is not on it, and it bothers her, as she prefers her brain to be more organized. She also has a very detail oriented and demanding job. My husband and I, along with her boyfriend can kind of tell when she is not on it (usually the weekends, as she doesn't care if she is a bit spacey then), but it is no biggie to us. Her essential personality is still there, regardless of being on her meds or not. Which is, in the end, what you want.
Good luck!
Oh, and your medical insurance company may try and make your pediatrician/psychiatrist use the cheapest/generic meds first, as some of the ADHD meds are expensive (like Vyvance). Your doc will have to be willing to do battle with the insurance company if he/she moves up the chain of ADHD meds.
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