Will medication change my life?

I'm a 33 year old male who's recently been diagnosed with ADD.  I have an above average i.q. and come from a stable middle class background.  Unfortunately I've never been able to keep a job, finish a course, or fulfill my obligations in a relationship.  Will going on stimulants help me get organized, get into a meaningful career, get my wife back, remember things, enjoy life and even thrive?

I know that no drug is a miracle cure, but does it work?

Welcome.

Lots of people have good results from stimulants...some don't. Good luck accomplishing the goals on your list. Even the simpler goals like getting organized can be daunting (impossible for me, but I am not on meds now)...I must say the "getting wife back" thing sounds a little messy...and nobody here knows enough about you, the severity of your problems, or your reaction to the meds to be able to tell you: Yes. You can accomplish everything you want on ritalin or whatever you go on.  Take it easy, and tell us what happens.

Good luck,

Laurala

A pill isn't a cure all, but it can help us to slow down enough to organize our life. I remember thinking that maybe once on meds my whole life would change! but life isn't quite that simple. The meds will help but as cheekyd said it is up to YOU to change YOUR life. No one can do it for you and no pill will magically change things.

Start reading books on where you want to improve your life, start taking responsibility for your actions/thoughts. Join an ADD support group if you have one, they really help or get some counseling to help you get where you want to be or moving in the right direction.

Having a relationship with ourselves is the first thing and that isn't easy!k Positive self talk is helpful and powerful. Most ADD/ADHD people has low self-esteem. Things are harder usually for us to finish, comprehend, getting along with people. We need to take a hard look at ourselves and what it is possible to change and work on those things. Once we accept ourselves then others will accept us and all areas of our lives will work better. It begins with truely understanding oneself, what we can change, what we can't, how to learn to live with what we can /can't accept about ourselves, being realistic about expectations of ourselves and what others expect of us.

At least your on your way with the diagnosis, just take little steps forward and you will get there.  Starting with yourself is a great place to begin.

One day at a time. Good Luck!

Any medication for ADHD have the possibility of improving your life by adjusting your brain's chemistry to ensure that a chemical difficiency is not hindering it's function.

HOWEVER, if you want to talk about life changes, it is truly up to YOU. ADHD or not, if you really want to change your life, you can. If that means taking medication, seeking therapy, making individual changes, it doesn't matter.

Congradulate yourself on making the first steps toward a desired change. You're already half-way there, keep going!

Cheekydeeky

I spose it is so hard to tell you if they will work or not - because everyone is so different.  I guess they must work because so many people use them.

Just be aware of any possible side affects and ensure you have a good psychiatrist before you start so as your med program can be monitored well