I just started taking Ritalin (starting at 20mg/day and ramping up to 40mg). It was pretty cool to have a day where I felt pretty focused and my mind didn't race in 1000 different directions. However, I don't want to have to take this drug forever because I just don't think it's healthy for my body. Is there any kind of long term plan for stimulant medication? I'm a 30 year old female.
Thanks!
I'm a 27 year old female with ADHD. I've been on Adderall for about 4 years now and wish I would have started on meds earlier. Without it I can't sit still or concentrate at all, even on things I'm really interested in. I've pretty much accepted the fact that I will have to be on this the rest of my life. My symptoms are too severe to do without the medication. While I'm not happy that I have to take this everyday, I've learned to deal. For me not taking it would be more damaging then taking it for the next 50 years.
Anything you put in your body can be harmful. Studies have shown the more pills you take daily the shorter your life will be (not much shorter but it takes off a couple of years). My parents take cholestoral, blood pressure, thyroid and a ton of other medications every morning. So while statistically my mother is shaving a few years off her life expactancy because she takes 5 pills every morning. In reality if she stopped taking them she could die much much quicker. It's all a balance thing I'd rather lose a few years in the end then live the next 50 miserable and unable to function.
Of course if people aren't miserable and can function without meds then they shouldn't take them at all. It's just common sense that the more unnatural things you put into your body the less healthy you will be.