I can understand parents concerns about putting there kids on meds. So I thought I'd add my story and maybe you would feel a bit more comfortable with the decision. I posted this someplace else but my story hasn't changed so here it is.
I'm a 27 year old woman with severe adhd. As a child my parents (actually my mother, dad was out of the picture pretty early) didn't put me on meds and pretty much knew nothing about the disorder. I was constantly in trouble at home, in school and my grades were horrible. I also suffered from terrible headaches, stomach aches and nausia both at home and at school. In fact I devolped an ulcer at age 9 and again at 13 from all the stress I had put on myself. Looking back now I'm sure my symptoms were mostly stress related. I wasn't physically sick, just overwhelmed most of the time. I'd worry constantly about getting in trouble because that would mean the teacher would yell at me and then my mother would yell and punish me when I got home. I remember knowing I was really smart, but after awhile I started believing that I was just a bad, lazy kid. I struggled and suffered with this until I got to college and had enough. All growing up people (teachers, family friends, etc..) had said that I was probably hyperactive but nobody went any further than just mentioning it in conversation. Anyway in college I was miserable, I had gotten by on raw intelligence and a bit of luck in grade school and high school so even though my grades weren't good I was able to graduate. In college I was finding life impossible, I couldn't sit through the lectures or complete all the heavy reading that was assigned. I had an idea what was wrong with me so I went to a Psychiatrist that specialized in ADHD. I got tested, diagnosed and put on medication for the first time at age 24. It was truly like a miracle for me. This sounds dumb to people who aren't hyper but I felt so comfortable inside. Finally after all those years I could sit on the couch, relax and watch an entire 30 minute show without feeling like I was going to explode. Not only that but I read my first real book. I actually read an entire book without getting frustrated, skipping pages or rereading the same page several times. It may sound like no big deal but to have to wait until your 24 to be able to enjoy a book was a major breakthrough for me. In fact I called several memebers of my family just to tell them. I've been on Adderall XR for almost 4 years now. I have never had a side effect and it works great. I am also planning on going back to college to get my degree. This time I will pick a difficult degree I know I will enjoy instead of just looking for the easiest program and hoping I can handle it. I know I can handle it and that I am smart, I'm not the lazy, bad kid from my youth. I am upset about all the time I've lost but finally excited about my future because I know I will have a future now. If I could go back in time I would make my mother put me on medication. Yes some medications have side effects, it is good to be informed about that possibility and to know what to watch for. It's all about finding the right one for you. Besides the effects of stress can be just as dangerous if left untreated. Not to mention the self esteem problems and depression that usually follows someone that is constantly failing. I'm not thrilled that I will most likely be on medication for the rest of my life, but I would not go back to the way I was before for all the money in the world.
Were you diagnosed ADHD as a child mafio could you paste this story of yours under this thread I have started under children and young adults. I am trying to accumulate some stories to reflect on Rae7038277.0330439815I was not diagnosed as a child had to wait and get help on my own when I was in college. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 24. Don't know if you are still interested so let me know.Hi
I just wanna say some relaly important stuff. Im gonna give a description of my case and some remarks on what ive read. Im 17 and i've had adhd now for about 2-3 years, diagnosed a year ago approxiamately. Ive been on adderall for half a year and ive raised the dose 3 times and every time it works than i build up tolerance to it. So most of the time im sad cuz i cant do the things i love. Moms, i have to say i love that u all care for your kids but i get distressed when i see parents who are scared to put their kids on drugs or parents who are worn out from the diagnosis. I wish we kids couldn't be a burden. The thing is moms, let your kids try something that might make them happy. We cant fully explain how we feel or what our problem is but i can tell u one thing. If my mom was afraid for my health and wouldn't let me even try to find something that helps, i would be way to sad. I used to be able to skateboard fine and i pooping cry soemtimes (i mean dont cry) because its just not fair that most of the time i cant even enjoy it. But when i can its glorious, so im telling you that personally id rather have an enjoyable short life than a miserable long one. Of course the point is to get an enjoyable long life but i hope u understand. And my comrades with ADHD, how much does this suck. Please help me out and give me some experiences that helped outside of the doc becasue we all have different cases. Thanks for listening, God bless-dont worry about other people, you can care for them but dont interfere because we only know whats really goin on.