to be tested or not to be that is the question

If he does prescribe medication how do I know its safe I just read this in a post a bit down

“It sounds like this guy was irrepairably damged from the years of Ritalin. There used to be an old saying “SPEED KILLS” It kills brain cells in the frontal lobes.

There may be some treatments for his damage but the person nature intended to him to bedied a long time ago.

This man is not a happy person and he probably never will be.”

When my mom mentioned it to our doctor she said he seemed to like the sound of some new medication that just came out resently, I forget the name. But I’m not so positive I need medication I would be great if it helped. But in the large scheme of things I’ve met people who seem to be a lot worse off than me. I can basicly function albeit a bit haphazzerdly in my life. Its just that I want more. I want to take classes and BE something. but I can’t. I thought maybe meds would help but I don’t want to hurt myself its not worth it.

sorry I keep thinking of something else I should have said.

Part of the problem is Steve my friend/boyfriend (I’m sorry but boyfriend seems a bit childish like 9 year olds playing at dating but I don’t know what else to call him) I’ve known him for almost two years but it has only been since summer that I realized he was intrested in me as more than just a friend. (ok so I was a little slow at picking up on it I’ve been told)But he is 29 and he is very sucssesful (at least comparitivly) he went to collage and is an enginer, he is paying the morgage on his own house! I still live at home can’t even pay for an apartment with my part time job as a bagger carryout girl in the local grocery store. I’ve never had many friends and to be honest never a boyfriend. suddenly I care what some one thinks about me When I get too excited or happy its hard to controle my self and I have to move and I get loud and he thinks I’m acting like a child. He says it jokingly but maybe its the age differance that makes it hurt. I try to stay calm so he won’t think that but it is more fun to be excited :mrgreen:

Sorry I got sidetraked any way so here he is 29 and I think where will I be in eight years and honestly it doesn’t look to promising…Grrrr I forget where I was going with this. Thats really not funny. *sigh*

I’m making a fool of myself. :?
Sometimes I just wish someone could tell me what to do. I like exploring unknown lands, but I feel lost.

Ok I promise that was the last post now this little thread of mine can fade into oblivion. :) It feels like I’ve taken a load off, even if I am still a little lost. And that helps.

:?: :?: :? :? :shock:

:mrgreen: LOL sorry I shouldn’t stay up past my bed time.

Sorry again I wish there was a delete button I should probably always go back and read what I have written before I post it. I realised that earlier today but did not have time to fix it. If some one moderates this board please feel free to delete all above posts by me. They make no sense. I was in one of those moods last night I just wanted to spill my guts. My Dad always used to laugh at me because when he asked a question I always had to start the answer with what I ate for breakfast. I just feel like no one can understand me unless they know the whole story. Sorry. To try and dig out the point.

Questions

1) I will not ask how you know you have ADD beacuse the obviouse answer is to get tested. But how do you know when you should be tested?

2)How do you know if the diognosis is accurate.

3)If you are diognosed how do you know if you are “bad” enough to need or benifit from medications.

4)how do you know what medications are best.

5) if medicated what can you expect? instant help, or a barely prceptible differance.

6)What exactly is the medications supposed to help with? Because I don’t think I’m hyper, a bit restless if I have to just sit for a while, or if I’m bored. But definantly not hyper.

7)is there a medication you can just take when you think you will need it instead of all the time?

8) are the medications really dangerouse like some people on this bored seem to think?

9) If I do have ADD is it normal for it to be more prevalant at times for no apparent reason.

10) Is swiching words around really one of the symptoms aff ADD. Because it seems like frequently My brain is working faster than my mouth and I end up saying what I’m now thinking instead of what I was trying to talk about. That seems to happen when I type too.

thanks for any help. I aplologize again I feel pretty stupid right about now.

Um, wow. Well, I’m not a doctor, but judging from those posts I’d say it’s a pretty safe bet you have ADD/ADHD. Considering that you just posted two pages of info before anyone could reply… :D . But don’t take that as an insult, by any means… I do the same thing. You’re certainly not stupid just because you see things differently than other people do. Calm down for a second… take a breath.

Ok, I firmly believe that ADD is overdiagnosed in kids these days, and that what doctors and school counsellors refer to as “Attection Deficit Disorder” is a gereralized term for a number of different conditions and personality types (sometimes when there isn’t even a behavioral or chemical disorder… just a different learning-style). Before I answer your questions IMHO, let me tell you where I’m coming from on the subject. Mabey you’ll hear something you relate can to. I also just want to talk to somebody about this too (this is my first post here).

I’m 24yrs old. I have never been able to excel in school, despite getting excellent grades on tests (they always said, “He’s such a bright boy… if he’d only do his homework…”). I wasn’t diagnosed with ADD, however, until I was graduating high-school (barely…). Up until the end of high school, I could ace most tests even though I never paid attention in class and did zero homework the whole year. Unfortunately for me, homework is often considered equal to or more important to testing… so I failed many clases before I finally graduated (after a second Senior year :? ). I’ve always been unbelievably disorganized… my lockers were just crammed with paperwork and folders, and they fell out everytime I opened them. I spent most of my years in school daydreaming through each class… dreading the moment when the teacher would say, “Ok, pass up your homework now… Ahh, I see you don’t have it as usual”. Hearing this everyday, along with getting bad grades every quarter, led me into depression for several years. I knew I was smart, but everyone must’ve thought I was stupid and lazy. I started trying harder to get my homework done, but it seemed impossibly hard to finish. “What is wrong with me?” I thought. By the time I was a Junior in high-school, I had heard more and more about ADD. I thought that seemed like what I had, but I had low self-esteem at the time and I just told myself I was making excuses for my lazyness.

My Senior year (the first one), I finally decided to talk to a doctor. My doctor talked to me about it for, like, 5 minutes and decided I needed Ritalin for the ADD and anti-depressants for the depression. Now I will admit, I DID find it much easier to concentrate while on the Ritalin. You should also know that Ritalin is does not work the way some people think… drastically altering your brain-chemistry like some anti-depressants do (although it is still a phychoactive drug). It is very similar chemically to caffine… oh yeah, and cocaine. Basically it just speeds up brain activity in specific areas of the brain. But wouldn’t anyone get more work done while on speed? What does that prove? I actually got A’s the first semester of my senior year on Ritalin… but I wasn’t happy. The anti-depressants just made me feel emotionless… like I didn’t care. The Ritalin made me focus better, but I felt jittery and got irritated easily. One day halfway through the semester, I just stopped taking the medicines. I didn’t consult my doctor or my parents… and it wasn’t necessarily such a good idea. You have to slowly lower the dose of medicines like that… and I paid the price for it: I got more depressed than I’ve ever been (my body was used to getting the anti-depressants), and my ADD symptoms got horribly worse for a while (since I was used to being on the Ritalin). The point is, Ritalin is only a quick fix. For it to keep working, you have to stay on it… for good. But the long-term effects on your heart are starting to be published and they’re not good (go to http://www.ritalindeath.com). After that, I went to a physcologist for a while (something I was really embarrased to tell people about). He specialized in kids with ADD, and his son had it as well. Just having someone to talk to about it makes a world of a difference.

The other reason I went to him (the other reason for my depression) was my lack in relationships… or social skills in general. I have always been a friendly person… but I find it hard to talk to people. Like you, I have a difficulty in telling story without giving every little detail (take this one for example… and here I even had the chance to go back and cut things out :) ). Most people have a hard tome following my conversations, and get impatient. I have a few friends that don’t mind the way I talk (actually they like the way I tell storys… well, most of the time). I like that you mentioned how you can’t tell a story without starting with what you had for breakfast, lol. My friends give me a hard time about that all the time. I’ll also start with the middle of the story sometimes, work my way to the begining, change the subject several times… and then finally finish the end of the first story (if I can remember where I started). OK, sorry… I’m rambling. Let’s see, where was I? Oh… I had a hard time making friends… and I had low self-esteem. I never dated in school at all. I wouldn’t say that I’m unattractive, but I’m extreamly shy when it comes to women. I usually overcame this by becomming friends with the girls I liked, but that just made things worse (they’d always just want to stay friends). Mabey your friend Steve made the same mistake (trying to become friends with a girl he liked). I’m curious, why haven’t you had a boyfriend? They say alot of people with ADD have problems with relationships. I’m 24 and I haven’t had a girlfriend :oops: . That’s really hard to say… I usually just act like I’m confident and not shy and most people assume I’ve had a girlfriend before. Some eventually ask and when they ask why I don’t really know what to tell them (besides that I’m shy). Mabey it’s the fear of rejection. I’ve had several chances with girls I really liked in school who practically spelled it out for me that I should ask them out… but I just kept putting it off until it was too late.

Anyways, here I am now… several years out of school and working full time. I can remember having the same fears about the future as you do (and still have them) when I was younger. I wonder if I’ll ever get on track. I have been able to improve somewhat without medication… I have a full-time job (although not the kind I’d like to work at forever), a great apartment, a fairly new car, and I pay my bills on-time (I didn’t used to). I still procrastinate horribly though, and I have a real problem going to bed and getting up on-time (I always have). I’m getting by fine… but what about the rest of my life? What am I doing to get where I want to be? One of my best friends once said that the thing she disliked about me the most was that I always know exactly what I need to do to get on track, but I never do it. But it’s harder than she thinks. What’s solution? I’m still trying to figure it out. In the mean time, I’ll keep trying to improve until something works.

Ok, that’s enough of my life story… on to your specific questions. As I said, I’m not a doctor, so these are just my honest opinions:

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1) I will not ask how you know you have ADD beacuse the obviouse answer is to get tested. But how do you know when you should be tested?

I think it’s safe to say that you probably have ADD (it’s a rather broad catagory), and should consider getting tested to be sure.

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2) How do you know if the diognosis is accurate.

Get more than one opinion, and do your homework on the subject. There is a ton of information about ADD on the web.

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3) If you are diognosed how do you know if you are “bad” enough to need or benifit from medications.

Hmmm. This is a tough one. I have very strong feelings about the medication, and so I’m biased on the subject. I feel that they give kids ADD medications any time they’re unruly these days (ADHD). I strongly reccommend finding other alternatives to medication, unless you feel that your problems are quite extreame and need immediate attention. Just don’t look to the medicines as a “quick fix”. There are some natural alternatives to the medicine.. but I’ve yet to try any (I hope to soon… I’ll post if I find one that works).

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4) How do you know what medications are best.

This is also difficult, as I am against medicating for ADD. They each carry risks… Ritilan, Adderall, Dexadrine. As these are stimulants, you’ll find that all of these can cause dizzyness, insomnia, irritability, poor appetite, mood swings, dry mouth, increased heart rate…. and the list goes on. Concerta and Stratera are newer, and are supposed to be much safer, but there’s already studies that show they can have similar side-effects as well. This one is between you and your doctor should you decide to go this route.

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5) if medicated what can you expect? instant help, or a barely prceptible differance.

Well, yes… instant help… depending on the medicine. Most add medication works very rapidly (within about 30 minutes)… about as fast as drinking a cup of coffee :shock: . These wear off quite fast though, and you’ll come down off them in only a few hours. They have time-release forms of medication that take longer to start working, but last much longer to get you through the day. Will they totally change who you are? Yes and no. Everyone has a different chemical make up and medication works differently on each person. There are many people (myself included) who say that they do not like the way they felt while on Ritalin. There are also many people who say it made a world of a difference for them. It’s difficult to say how you might react to the medications.

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6)What exactly is the medications supposed to help with? Because I don’t think I’m hyper, a bit restless if I have to just sit for a while, or if I’m bored. But definantly not hyper.

Wow, you’re really set on this medication thing. That’s ok though… it’s been drilled into our heads for years that’s that’s the soultion. Unfortunately, it’s the pharmaceutical companies that push that message over and over again. Ok, sorry… I’m ranting again. The medicines are not just for ADHD patients, they are for ADD as well.

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7)is there a medication you can just take when you think you will need it instead of all the time?

I think this one’s explained above… but a quick recap: ADD medications are usually fast-acting, so you could just take them when you need them. However, the ups and downs of taking stimulants inconsitantly throughout the week may make you wish you’d never used them at all.

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8.) are the medications really dangerouse like some people on this bored seem to think?

Yes.

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9) If I do have ADD is it normal for it to be more prevalant at times for no apparent reason.

Oh yeah. ADD is not as simple as one type of behavior. It’s you’re entire way you grasp a situation or express a thought. You react differently (not necessarily incorrectly) than other people do in the same situation. Sometimes, this doesn’t cause much of a problem with what you’re doing… others it does.

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10) Is swiching words around really one of the symptoms aff ADD. Because it seems like frequently My brain is working faster than my mouth and I end up saying what I’m now thinking instead of what I was trying to talk about. That seems to happen when I type too.

Yes… i see that, lol. As you can though, I just did the same thing. Does that mean you have ADD? Well, no… not necessarily. It certainly is a symptom though if that’s what you’re asking. I think the definition for ADD is far too broad…. too easy for anyone to think they have it. But from what you’ve said… about you’re memory and all… I’d say there’s a pretty good chance you have ADD.

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Well, that’s it… as brief as I could get it out :roll: . Hope that helps. Feel free to ask again if there’s anything I didn’t cover.

Wow thanks for the respose I really didn’t think I would get one. LOL I’m really feeling a little more rational now. I was all obsesed on getting tested and stuff buit now it doesn’t seem like such a big deal to me so I’m not sure what to do. But I guess that is ok, I might just do it any way because I know sooner or later I will want to know again and I won’t want to wait to get an appointment and what not.

Sorry its not so much that I am obsesed with the medication part I’m not even sure I want meds. its just that when my mom kind of broched the subject at my dads doctors apointment a week ago the doctor really seemed set on the meds even implieing that he would let me try them even if he wasn’t sure about wheather or not I even have add. And I was a bit worryed about that. Not only can the price of prescriptions really wrack up even with insurance I’m not sure I want to be on a medication for the rest of my life when I guess I’ve made it through this far I can keep going.

Thare are some things I wish I could stop doing but I’ve learned to antisipate it from myself and so it is easier to deal with. I know I will get myself so worked up and excited over something that it will never live up to my dreams, I accept that and am ready for it. So sure I get dissapointed but at least I reasure my self that things will be good and I will still have fun. And I do. That a big thing for me maybe it has nothing to do with ADD but I will make it through my boring day at work and at other times by looking ahead to things that I know will take place in a week or two something out of the oridinary like going away or a big activity. My gramma like to say I wish my life away always looking ahead. But I fantisise about it like just how things might go or the best possible senario to have the most excitment and fun that the real life can never live up to it. Things are never quite the adventure I was hoping for. But at least now in the last few months since I have become contiouse of doing so I can really understand more and be dissapointed but work through it very quickly say 10 minutes as aposed to hours, or less if I don’t brood and get my mind on the fun I am haveing :D or if its a big flop and I’m not haveing any fun I can retreat take a quick cry and get over it and come back smiling.

Sorry everyone says I’m too emotional. I guess I am I’ve never handled dissapointment well after all I depend very much on the high times to get me through. like now I just came back from a weekend away and I’m fighting back dispare after all I have nothing planned for at least two weeks maybe more, its hard to look that far ahead. That far seems like forever, and I don’t know what I’m going to do to not just go crazy. :lol:

About the boyfriend thing I felt like it took me a long time to grow up. and Its not that at a I didn’t get crushes or like a guy but I… Well it is hard to explain but I am a christian (I think the only thing that saves my from my chaotic and and impulsive nature:) ) and I never felt like I “Needed” a boy friend. I’ts like some people say well my significant other makes me complete, well I have always felt complete with out the need to have another. So dating at a young age wasn’t a real goal for me I always knew I would someday date and such but I knew it would be on a line leading toward marrige. I didn’t need some one else just to make my life worth living I didn’t need a status symbol or anything.
As well I think I mentioned that I was home schooled so I wasn’t getting the pressure to date that other kids had. Pluss I’ve always been very shy although I’m getting better, I lack in confidence I’m usually supprised and some what suspisiouse when some wants to spend time with me. like even when Steve askes me to do something part of me feels that I must have some how guilted him into it or something because why whould he just want to spend time with me. Needless to say that is not an attitude that tend to make people attracted to you. But I am getting better even with that :0

but it is hard I am a perfectionist when it comes to my self and I always judge myself to hard. I think it really drives people away sometimes because like when I play vollyball I’ll be like I don’t know how I missed that, I suck at this, or something I really started because it hurt less for me to hear it from me that for someone else to tease me or say I screwed up. But it is just now that I realise it doesn;t help I only get my self down or mad and other people don’t want to hear it they want a positive attitude, But I’m like that in everything. So I don’t know but that probably didn’t help its hard on a friend because I think they feel they either have to contridict me and say no your doing well wich just gets irritating sometimes, or if they are silent they think that I will think that they think that I’ really do suck. Or some thing. All right I’ve said to mcuh more than you want to hear I’m sure.

And just to let you know your not allone on the time thing I have to be at work at 8:00, it is now 2:00 in the morning. I must go to bed. LOL luckly like somone else stated in a differant thread I’m quite good at multi tasking in the morning,. Apply deoderant while putting on shoes, brush teeth in the shower, let out dogs, while brushing hair. But still it seems no matter what I do I’m always about five minutes late *sigh* at least where I work now no one seems to have noticed or cared.

Sorry I hope this is rational and some what ledgible. I tried.

sounds like ADD to me. I have it myself and it makes life more of a challenge that’s for sure. You need to write stuff down. Some of us ADD people keep a small notepad in our back pockets and we write as much as we can down. Like most people keep a wallet in their side pocket, we keep a little notebook in our back pocket.

Jot down where your car is. Keep a pencil to take notes when people give your directions and you’ll find writing it down helps you to remember it in and of itself.

You’re not alone. Maybe check out C.H.A.D.D. or do a search on google under ADD and you’ll find support groups out there.

Good luck.

What do you tell people when they say ADD is not real that it is a phycological. They seem to think that you could control if you just tried. I have not been officialy tested but am pretty convinced that I have ADD at least mildly.

When I read an artical about it, that I stumbled on at random. It was like a light bulb. I laughed out loud. I was so excited I wanted to yell for the world to know that I understand now!! Finally it sounds stupid but I always felt there was something “wrong” with me. I was just some how not right, and by right I mean normal. People always blew me off when I said something along those lines, like oh your fine everyone is different, you cant compare yourself to others. But now suddenly it seems to all make sense even stuff I remember from when I was young in elementry school. Ok what I can remember from then anyway :)

I wanted to tell every one I knew. Especially my boyfried because he laughes at me (in an amused way not seriously makeing fun) and he is like why would you do that, or arrrr pay attention, would you listen.
But now after a disscusion in the car between him and my brother about another mutual friend whom I am positive is ADD they both seemed inclined to think that it is not a real thing. Espesially my twin brother he was quiet firm in the belif. It really hurts because if it is not “real” then I really am just stuid, or lazy, or week willed. Now I can tell anyone because they will think I am just making excusses.

And to make it worse now after what they all said I doubt that our friend would ever admit it either. Saddly the friend who I’m sure also has ADD was in the car as well. And they started it all with a gentle tease at him. Like “I think you should get tested for ADHD”. But then took that back because why get tested for something that is not real.

And they don’t know but I think it hurt him in a way as well because while he denied that he had ADD he didn’t seem very convinsed only worryed that if he got tested they would put him on ritalin. But I don’t think my brother or boyfried saw that.

If this is a part of me that I can’t change then I want those important to me to know. And to understand but I’m not sure I understand. And now I’m very reluctant to tell any one, even if I get tested to try to make it official. I don’t want an excuse I just want to know I’m not alone that I’m normal in a select group. And I want them to know I’m really trying my best.

Its just when I say I can’t they think I mean I won’t, they don’t understand that at times I really can’t add that colum of numbers or listen to the rules well enough to play. I don’t want them to be irritated when they have to repeat that last few sentances because I unintentionally stoped listening. I just want them to know I’m not trying to be hard to get along with, I really am trying to do things right.

does anyone else have similer experiances.

We all have to deal with this situation at one time or another… and it’s hard. I had to tell everyone I had ADD my senior year of highschool. Most of my friends just said “Duh”, or “That explains so much…”. A few of them just stared at me blankly, like they didn’t believe me. Most of my teachers were also supportive, but there was this one… he didn’t believe in ADD. The problem was, I wasn’t very sure it was real either (a common problem among people who have it). After I told him I had it, he said to my face that it wasn’t real… just an excuse to be lazy. I wish I’d had the confidence to fight him on it, but I thought he was right (not a good thing for your self esteem). He said that if I’d only “try harder” :evil: . I read a good analogy in this forum that said telling someone with ADD to try harder at things they have difficulty doing is like telling a deaf person hear better. You didn’t make this illness up, and neither did your friend. I have a friend that is very much like me, and I’m pretty sure he also has ADD (even if it is a bit milder than mine). I mentioned it casually to him a few days ago, but he got irratated. I can’t for the life of me get him to consider the possibility that he has ADD. He thinks he just lazy. It’s easy to see why people think it’s an excuse… look at some of the symptoms:

_ Having difficulty remaining seated.
_ Having difficulty awaiting turn in games or group activities.
_ Often blurting out answers before questions are completed.
_ Often shifting from one uncompleted task to another.
_ Often talking excessively.
_ Often interrupting or intruding on others.
_ Often makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
_ Often becomes easily distracted by irrelevant sights, sounds, etc.
_ Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
_ Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace.
_ Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
_ Often avoids tasks, such as schoolwork or homework, that require sustained mental effort.
_ Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities, like school assignments, pencils, books, or tools.

Many of these things are usually associated with laziness and irresponsibility. There are many things though someone with ADD may have no control over, though, like their poor short-term memory. There have been countless studies in the past ten years on the validity of ADD/ADHD, and it has been proven in many cases to be a hereditary, biological condition (not just bad habits). You can’t let what other people think scare you away from believing in ADD. If you had cancer, and your brother said, “Yeah right… I don’t believe in that stuff…” you’d be outraged. The problem is, you’re afraid he might be right. But you need to tell someone. Don’t keep it inside. You’d be suprised how different people talk about it when you say you have it (not just joking around like someone might have it, like they did in the car). The best thing you can do to prepare for that situation is to be well read on the subject. Then, when someone says it’s not real, you can tell them why they’re wrong (and yes, they are). You said your pretty sure your friend has it… why don’t you talk to him about this? Of course, he sounds like he’s not sure what to do either, but it would do you both good to talk about it.

It would also help if you’d accept that it’s real yourself… it doesn’t have to be an excuse. I know I have ADD, but that doesn’t mean I’m never lazy. An ADD-related situation would be like, I forgot to do the laundry. Laziness would remembering to do it, but saying “I don’t feel like doing it right now.”

You don’t have to go on meds just because go get tested… heck, you don’t necessarily even need to be tested (I’ll probably be corrected on that, but oh well). You know that do things differently than other people… and that you have many of the strengths and weaknesses associated with ADD. What more do you need? I guess it might make it easier to prove to people (it’s a little easier to say, “I was tested” than, “I think I have it”). But either way you still have to deal with those same problems, even if it’s not called “ADD”. Medication does help some people, but I think it’s just a quick fix… the easy answer (except in the extreame cases, where people can’t fucntion at all). I haven’t been on medication in over five years, and I’m not doing so bad. Diet and exercise play a huge role in your mental health, and I’ve been working on eating better and actually gettting some exercise. Sticking to a regular sleep schedule can help alot too, but that’s easier said than done (I’ve been trying for a while now). No matter what you decide, you may find it difficult to get through alone. Find someone, your boyfriend mabey or that friend, that can help you get on track. It can be hard for someone without ADD to understand what you’re going through, so explain it to them as best as you can. Tell them you’re not being lazy… that you are really trying and just need to do things a little differently sometimes. Mabey they could help you out by coaching you to get in gear and offering a little constructive criticism when you’re off-track (don’t take it personally if they’re really trying to help). Or, you might consider joining an online support group as Sara mentioned above. At least you’re trying: you must have some ambition to change, or you wouldn’t have come here..

Above all, don’t let other people’s narrow-mindedness about this condition lead you to think ADD’s not real… because it is. 8)

BTW: You said you wish you could go back and edit or delete your old posts… you can. Click on the edit button in the top right of your post. There’s a delete option at the bottom of the edit screen. You might not be able to do it since you’re still a “guest”. Try registering an actual account… it’s free. Just don’t go randomly deleting old posts now that you have your answer… other people come here to read these looking for answers and it can get confusing if one or two get deleted in the middle.

I just had to make a quick response to your post. My 21 year old son has known at some level that he has ADD for years. Many many of the same things you mention, forgetting things, not being able to finish anything, etc. etc. etc. – He is in community college (just finished his two year degree and will be heading to a four year school in the fall.) Last quarter he had a very difficult class, and got so frustrated at his inability to sit and study for longer than 20 minutes without getting distracted that he decided to go to the doctor. She said he had the most clear cut case of ADHD she had seen in a long time. She prescribed Adderal (sp?) - and the change it has made in his life is remarkable. He was worried about all the same things you are - his friends said the medication would change his personality (he’s very outgoing and charming), he would be a “zombie” etc. etc. In fact, the only change he’s noted is that he can sit and concentrate for long periods as needed, and he told me yesterday “I notice myself thinking before I blurt things out.” He is very very happy that he got diagnosed and feeling much more confident about starting his junior year at a four year school.

One thing I forgot to mention in my post. IF you are diagnosed, and IF you do a medication trial - that’s all it is, a trial. If it helps you, and you feel better off (as my son does) - you continue. If it doesn’t seem to help, or the side effects are more than you want to deal with, and you can’t find an appropriate effective med - you stop, and you’re no worse off than you are now. You really have nothing to lose.

You seemed most worried that if you went for diagnosis that nothing would be found. From what you have said I would guess it was AD/HD but I am qualified to give diagnosis and difinetly not over the internet. One thing I can tell you is that the if you go for a diagnosis that the diagnosis will not be nothing. You may or may not be AD/HD but from what you have said I can tell you one thing that your problem is [b]NOT[/b] that you are either lazy or stupid. From what I know just about everyone can find something that will help coping with the world a little easier. Maybe even a lot easier.

Again, while I’m sure the meds show a huge improvement in almost no time at all, they are not safe for the long term. I do most certainly agree that these meds do not rob you of your personality, just make you focus. However, Adderall is an amphetamine and can have all the same risks/side effects that the illegal use carries… including addiction. It is a variation of Dexedrine, like methylphenidate (Ritalin), but is designed to have a longer, more even effect (6 hours as opposed to 4 hours). As it seems to be the most often one prescribed to kids today, I’ll list about the risks of Adderall (but it would be easy to gather such information about Ritalin, Dexadrine, and most other ADD medication as well). Here is an excerpt from rxlist.com, an online pharmaceutical index (in all caps on their site… I’m not emphasizing):

Adderall
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AMPHETAMINES HAVE A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE. ADMINISTRATION OF AMPHETAMINES FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME MAY LEAD TO DRUG DEPENDENCE AND MUST BE AVOIDED. PARTICULAR ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SUBJECTS OBTAINING AMPHETAMINES FOR NON THERAPEUTIC USE OR DISTRIBUTION TO OTHERS, AND THE DRUGS SHOULD BE PRESCRIBED OR DISPENSED SPARINGLY.

EACH TABLET CONTAINS…………………… [5mg] — [10mg] - [20mg] - [30mg] <– (Adderall Dosage)
Dextroamphetamine Saccharate……….. 1.25mg — 2.5mg — 5mg –- 7.5mg
Amphetamine Aspartate………………….. 1.25mg — 2.5mg — 5mg –- 7.5mg
Dextroamphetamine Sulfate USP………. 1.25mg — 2.5mg — 5mg –- 7.5mg
Amphetamine Sulfate USP……………….. 1.25mg — 2.5mg — 5mg –- 7.5mg
Total amphetamine base equivalence… 3.13mg - 6.3mg - 12.6mg - 18.8mg

SIDE EFFECTS

Cardiovascular: Palpitations, tachycardia, elevation of blood pressure There have been isolated reports of cardiomyopathy (heart disease)associated with chronic amphetamine use.

Central Nervous System: Psychotic episodes at recommended doses (rare), overstimulation, restlessness. dizziness, insomnia, euphoria. dyskinesia, dysphoria, tremor, headache, exacerbation of motor and phonictics and Tourette’s syndrome.

Gastrointestinal: Dryness of the mouth, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation, other gastrointestinal disturbances. Anorexia and weight loss may occur as undesirable effects when amphetamines are used for other than the anorectic effect.

Allergic: Urticaria.

Endocrine: Impotence. Changes in libido.
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Not listed above is that all stimulants, when taken while the patient is still growing (under the age of 17), can inhibit a childs growth. That is not applicable to most here, since this is the “Adults with ADD” forum, but it is still important to know when you have children who are afflicted as well.

I know that there are some cases where the individual can not function in society, and meds may make sense in those cases (even though it’s still not good for their health). I use an inhaler for asthma quite often, but recent studies are showing that long-term users of albuterol (my inhaler) have a much higher death rate. But which is worse, taking medicine that shortens your life-span, or not being able to breate? Obviously I must accepts the risks associated with the medicince, because I have no other choice. But is relieving ADD related symptoms worth that risk? Is getting your homework done a little (ok, sometimes alot) quicker worth putting such strain on your heart and nervous system? Most people don’t stop to consider these questions because their doctor simply says, “Oh you’re having a hard time paying attention? Hmm… sounds like ADD all right. Here’s a prescription for Adderall.” That’s how I got on Ritalin several years ago. While I know now that I do have ADD (further testing and counseling later), a few quick questions in an exam room does not prove anything. That’s not to say that doctors are unintelligent, just that the only answer they see must be in the form of a pill. I can almost guarantee I could switch doctors, walk in one day, and walk out with anti-depressants or ritalin after a short conversation, even though I am certainly not depressed, and even if I didn’t have ADD. Some doctors are better than others though.

[quote=”Stoat”]You seemed most worried that if you went for diagnosis that nothing would be found. From what you have said I would guess it was AD/HD but I am qualified to give diagnosis and difinetly not over the internet. One thing I can tell you is that the if you go for a diagnosis that the diagnosis will not be nothing. You may or may not be AD/HD but from what you have said I can tell you one thing that your problem is [b]NOT[/b] that you are either lazy or stupid. From what I know just about everyone can find something that will help coping with the world a little easier. Maybe even a lot easier.[/quote]

WOW I didn’t know I had said that. But you hit it right on the head. You seriusly brought tears to my eyes just reading that. (ok but then I mentioned being a bit emotianal) You are SO right. It would be such a relief if he said I was ADD. Finally things could make sense and I could move on I would know what to expect, and how to deal with it.

I want to say thanks for all the help you guys have given me. Your all wonderful you even mention things I’ve said. So I can tell you somehow stuggled through all my posts :D I think I will get tested if just to help ease my own mind. At least then I will know what the doctor will say