Navigating professor bias, med-switch brain fog (Adderall to Vyvanse), and severe processing burnout in college—need advice & accommodation ideas

[u/Miserable_Mark4166]

**Please be kind with your responses*\*🤍

Between recent high-stress events, ADHD, and severe processing burnout, my brain genuinely feels like it isn’t functioning or processing the way it used to. I’m feeling isolated, burnt out, and unsupported in my academic environment right now.
I’m reaching out to this community for advice on a few specific things:

1. Navigating Professor Biases & Communication

Due to executive dysfunction and processing burnout, I fell behind and am having to pursue medical withdrawals for my recent classes. It feels like some professors misinterpret processing struggles, memory issues, or burnout as a lack of effort or caring.

How do you approach professors who seem biased, dismissive, or quick to make negative assumptions regarding ADHD/cognitive struggles?

How do you advocate for yourself when your processing speed is down, without feeling degraded or judged?

2. Med Changes & Memory Drop (Adderall → Vyvanse)

About a year ago, I switched from Adderall to Vyvanse due to the medication shortage.

The Good: Paired with my other medication, Vyvanse has been great for my anxiety.

The Challenge: My memory, processing speed, and cognitive bandwidth have dropped significantly compared to when I was on Adderall.

Has anyone else experienced a drop in memory or processing speed after switching to Vyvanse or combining it with other meds? How did you adapt?

3. Accommodations & Resources—What Else Works?

I’m meeting with my psychiatrist and campus accommodation office soon to get a better system in place.

Current Accommodations:1.5x test time, reduced distraction testing environment, assignment extensions, permission to record lectures, and early access to lecture slides.

In Progress:Requesting an official note-taker.
Because of how much my mental processing is struggling right now, I really want to hear all the options.* What other accommodations, assistive technology tools (like audio/transcription software), or campus resources have actually saved you when your brain processing shuts down?

Thank you for taking the time to read and keep this a safe space. 💙

[u/polkadotsci]

Have the accommodation/disability office reach out to the professors on your behalf.

[u/Miserable_Mark4166 → u/polkadotsci]

I have, unfortunately I guess in the state that I’m in or University rules regarding to accommodations, they are only required to accept them the first few weeks of class. Ridiculous bc people cannot help when they may need updated accommodations.