Meds??? Hell no. | ADHD Information

I guess what I was stating was that I wasn't hyperactive. I could sit quietly for hours and be happy. To the point I was labled spacey or just plain weird. Even today, I can easily entertain myself with no more than my imagination.

My thought processes were like a hundred colored balls bouncing around, with me trying to grab at them. Which created anxiety and frustration. Sometimes I would grab one after another in quick succession. Sometimes (hence the daydreams) I would grab one and take off with it. Problem was, it had nothing to do with what was going on around me (school, people talking to me, doing my chores).

It got to where the world in my head was a WHOLE lot more fun than anything going on around me. That is what attention deficit means to me, the fact that my attention was being pulled in many directions and I only had so much. That is why I startle so badly, I think. That is also why I got a reputation for being stuck-up when I was a kid.

Basically, if the outside world was to get my attention, it had to compete with the chaos going on inside my head. I do know that I was/am easily distractable once I was 'out' and doing something. Lights, a noice, a voice, the temp of the room, the texture of my clothes etc would pull me away.

I guess what I am trying to say, at least for me, ADD is thought process issue. That is why meds were such a miracle! It was like those balls stopped bouncing and lined up so I could process them one at a time.

I hope this helps.

[QUOTE=bcgirl1978]LOL - I have to agree. Unfortunately many of us (myself soon to be included in that "us"), need the meds to help conform to that society, in a sense, because we do have to make a living in it.
[/QUOTE]

Exactly!

I still multi-task, I still have a very active 'thought' life, and I still startle. But at least I can now work in the 'real' world without missing meetings, forgetting tasks, losing things, not finishing projects etc. I like the things that a job brings--food, clothing, shelter and air conditioning.

Yeah, society needs to understand us, but out of fairness to society, we have to take responsiblity for our behaviors and not be victims of our biology. Which means if we choose a particular vocation, we should be able to perform it without causing harm.

No one is going to give a rat's patootie if you are ADD if you are sitting in court saying "Your honor, you see, I have ADD. That is why I didn't turn his ventilator back on." Self understanding and honesty are very important. I learned a long time ago, it ain't all about me.

EBurns38387.3406481482

Wow I am impressed... It is so true that each situation is different.. My first husband was a smuk.. No that is not the point. LOL.. The point is that he refused to accept the fact that there might be something he didnt understand and would not even look at or read any of the material that I offered him about ADHD.. So when we had twins and I mentioned that their might be a chance that they might have it to he would not hear about it. It ends up that they do and it is good for us that he ran off ... Now I am with another man who at first was trying to tell me that I didnt need my medication and that he thought he might have depression and that he got over it himself... Which I applauded him for... But as was stated in one of the other posts just because one way works for you it might not work for someone else. I looked up ADHD in women on the internet and after one of our "discussions" he decided to read and after he read it he was more understanding and now sees why things are the way they are ... I have tried to deal with it without ritialian and I was ok but I find on it I can get things done and I still have the energy to be with the kids etc.... Thank you for this forum and website...

Caroline

PrincessC38386.5300115741

I find more positive uses for my high energy level than anyone would believe. I really distrust anyone whose first thought is what meds does the add or adhd person use/need.

There IS a positive aspect to add/adhd:

http://borntoexplore.org/addquo~1.htm

Not everyone can share your views.
Every case is diffrent.
I'm glad you've found an outlet but beating on adderall is barking up the wrong tree.
The stuff saved my life.
I'd appreciate it if you'd keep a slightly more open mind.Great website. Tahnks for posting it.

I am in the process of getting an ADHD diagnosis - I spoke to my family doctor, who agreed ADHD was definitely a possibility for me, and then she refferred me to a psychiatrist for formal evaluation. I haven't seen him yet.

I am very leary of trying meds. I asked this question on another ADHD board a while ago - do meds interupt or distort the gifts of ADHD? The general concensus from those on meds was "no". The meds can make you focus better on the boring tasks that inhibit your daily life, while still allowing you to be energetic, creative, intuitive, and abstract in your thinking.

My problem is my job. I HATE it. I have worked 8 jobs in 3 years at one point in my life, and I do not want to go there again. If meds can help me to earn a living for myself, then I will give them a try. JMHO.

Im happy if you're happy. I don't remember giving medical advice. That would be inappropriate. What I DO remember intending to say is that medication not always needed. My belief is that as a society, we use meds to feel "comfortable" at times when other measures are worth seeking out.

[QUOTE=SubtractTheWack]Not everyone can share your views.
Every case is diffrent.
I'm glad you've found an outlet but beating on adderall is barking up the wrong tree.
The stuff saved my life.
I'd appreciate it if you'd keep a slightly more open mind.[/QUOTE]

BC girl, after a LIFEtime of trying to be the square peg fitting into the round hole, I gave up in the sense that I have gifts not everyone has, and to try and live an conventional life was never going to happen. I now work 3 different jobs, am enrolled in an Aeronautical Engineering program, and am a member of the military. You have to find what works for YOU.

P.S. The military is National Guard. To try and do all that AND be full time would be too much even for THIS wild child, lol!!

XOXO

[QUOTE=WildChild]

[/QUOTE] "The square peg fitting into the round hole" - I love it! That's exactly how I feel. I know I am smart and intelligent and can get a good job done, but I just don't enjoy most of the conventional jobs out there. Desk jobs (which I have now) drive me bonkers, and I have no patience for dealing with customers or clients face to face or over the phone, so there goes sales, retail, PR, or consulting. Blech.

I know I need to work with my hands. Sometimes I think I should have been a rancher or something - physical work keeps me interested, as long as I can SEE a result when I am done (so a mundane warehouse or factory job would not do either). Or maybe a chef, or landscaper.

I'm still young - hopefully I'll figure it out one of these days.

I don't need adderall honestly.
BUT. For me to function without a handicap in society I need to take it.

Gosh, what a cool board I have found, lol!! I am a very straighforward person, and I have REALLLY had to learn to curb wanting to say the first thing that pops into my head. So now, I have disciplined myself to mainly address the bluntness (the military REALLY helped in this regard) to mean/abusive people who won't take no for an answer. I.E., those who intentionally try and push buttons. I'm small, soft-spoken and blonde, and not real old (32), so some (mostly guys) think that's to their advantage . Um, no. And my civilian jobs are: sub teaching (mostly high school, and the kids LOVE the energy), and private tutoring and translating (languages...I'm multilingual). In the military I do security work. In the past my favorite job was construction. I do carpentry also, learned from my grandfather, and this type of work allows a lot of personal freedom yet also allows personal interaction with others, but pretty much as little or as much as is comfortable for you.

"My belief is that as a society, we use meds to feel "comfortable" at times when other measures are worth seeking out"

So, true for some things so not true in my experience living with ADD. When the topic of your post is "Meds hell no" it really isn't an inference to recognize you don't believe others need them. Do you believe other people need ADD medications..am I wrong? It's cool if you don't believe they do but, if that's the case don't be surprised when they disagree with you. I am glad you are happy. The medication did nothing to my energy level. It has helped me focus enough to eliminate a lot of chaos I didnt want in my life. For a long time I thought medication was a cop out...then I went on it.

to be clear...I am glad for you, but maybe a lil jealous, you don't need meds to be successful in your daily life. I beat my head against the wall a long time and surrendered to the fact I did need them. Well honestly!!!! ADHD is a society illness, not an inadequacy at all. Perhaps we should be changing the education system etcc.... to accommodate us, rather than us drugging ourselves to be acceptable!LOL - I have to agree. Unfortunately many of us (myself soon to be included in that "us"), need the meds to help conform to that society, in a sense, because we do have to make a living in it.

[QUOTE=Rae70]Well honestly!!!! ADHD is a society illness, not an inadequacy at all. Perhaps we should be changing the education system etcc.... to accommodate us, rather than us drugging ourselves to be acceptable![/QUOTE]shinsetu_hito thank you that was a real peral of wisdom.

Ok, to the person who just emailed this:

The fundamental problem with your argument is you judge the whole world by your experiences. I heard this old lady once, who had a little arthritis in her fingers, giving a woman with full-blown rheumatoid arthritis advice on how to treat the pain. Vinegar and ibuprofen. The old-lady only understood arthritis as it applied to her.

If you have ADD and can function you are not qualified to scold people who can not function in society. ADD can run from mild inattention to full-blown retardation.

Once again, let me reiterate. I did not join this board to give ear to ANYone with a negative bent. If you are trying to bring me down, fagetabout it. Ain't happenin. I am NOT a medical professional. I have not "scolded" anyone, and if this is how you feel from reading my posts, this is what's commonly known as transference. You have assumed the position my friend.

XOXO

For me it wasn't an issue of enery, but dealing with depression and helping with the attention/thought process issues of ADD (which is a bit different from ADHD)

I am on Wellbutrin, and for me, it was like someone turning off the static on the radio. Scrambled thoughts suddenly lined up neatly so I could process them. I can finish a project, make fewer mistakes on my job (which is in healthcare, and they tend to frown on foul-ups here ;) ) and in general, stay more organized and feel less chaotic.

It wasn't so much me 'fitting in' as it was me feeling comfortable in my own skin, instead of feeling like I was crawling out of it. I am probably the biggest non-conformist on the planet, but I also recognize that certain social structures do exist and I have to function with-in them.

Strangely, my energy seemed to improve, because I was no longer running in circles, feeling anxious and depressed because I felt my life was out of control. I am in the process of building a house, sub-contracting some things, but doing the majority myself or with family help. I wouldn't have had the focus or organization needed 2 years ago to do this. Now I am looking at moving in sometime early spring.

Bottom line for me, ADD/Depression are genetic and I want to have optimal quality of life. If meds help, I am all for them. I'm all for finding what works best for each individual.

If you have ADD and can function you are not qualified to scold people who can not function in society. ADD can run from mild inattention to full-blown retardation.

Eburns, Would you be able to elaborate more on the different thought processes of ADD and ADHD? I have a son who is inattentive ADD and I am ADHD. We are totally different in how are symptoms present. I would love to know what goes on in his head :) Thanks!

We live in a society thats makes a lot of money from the treatment of chronic conditions. Most doctors only know what they are told and as a result it is....which med, not if. I think we take meds to conform to society and the life we have created. It is a very tough thing to find a routine or situation that best compliments your personality. To name just a few, add'rs make great fireman, soldiers, and lots of jobs that most would consider high risk. I own a landscaping business and I am never in the same place for more than an hour, always outside in the fresh air, don't have to deal with people very long, and I get instant gratafication when people tell me how beautiful it looks. I get paid well to obsess and be way too critcal...something my competition can't do!! they're just too normal!