anyone? anyone?

[mirtizzle]

so to make a long story short, i've always had a frustratingly horrible time with studying and paying attention in class.. and this semester, it was recommended by not one, but two of my instructors (both from completely different departments of the university and don't work with each other) that i check out my university's mental health department in the infirmiry and get screened for add because they were concerned that i wasn't doing my best in their classes and that it was due to the fact i could possibly have it.

anyway, today i went for my appointment, and my counselor said that i showed quite a few of the characteristics of adults who suffer from add, and she made me an appointment for a comprehensive psychological test, that's three hours long and can cost over $1000, but is free to me through the university. unfortunately the only time i could get an appointment for that was in january, and she was concerned with how i was going to deal until then... so she recommended me going to a general practitioner in town and talking to them, because many doctors forego the tests since they're so expensive and do a trial-and-error kind of plan, and just give a prescription and see if it works.. so now i have an appointment coming up to see how that goes.


my question is, has anyone in here been diagnosed with add and treated? i've been reading up on adderall, ritalin, and concerta and i'm kind of concerned about side effects and things like that, and how soon you start noticing a change in your life, and so on... so i was just wondering if anyone had anything to say, it'd be really helpful

thanks

[zach]

I have ADD and ADHD. I was never on any pills for it. I turned out fine.

[Surreal_Gurl]

I have never been diagnosed with ADD but my best friend was diagnosed just last year at 18, they put him on ritallin and he said that he completely lost his appetite and lost alot of weight.

He also went through a crazy personallity change, he went from being so perky and ubeat to really withdrawn and solem, sure his concentration was alot better but his personallity changed so dramatically, now Im not sure if that was a result of the medication or just him.

Im not pretending to know anything about ADD or the medication but Im just letting you know what happened to my friend.

[Bishop]

I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 12 for much of the same reasons as you because whenever I'd work I'd get the highest grades out of anybody but I just didn't want to. And I was on some type of medication and I can't say that I felt much different than before, because I was always a pretty depressed and sallow kid and usually pretty quiet. It really depends on your biology and mental mindset.

[SingleDoubt]

i have add, i used to take pills for it but i stopped a while ago cause i couldnt sleep on them.

[kimosabe]

I love how you started with "so to make a long story short," and then just went on forever.

[Andy]

I swear, half of the people I talk to on the net have some mental illness. They're everywhere.

[Timberwolf]

I swear, half of the people I talk to on the net have some mental illness. They're everywhere.

mentall illnesses are cool

[13th hour]

I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 12 for much of the same reasons as you because whenever I'd work I'd get the highest grades out of anybody but I just didn't want to.


Thats ADD?
ha, and all this time, I just thought that I was lazy.

[FallingOut]

I think I may have the same problem. I can never pay attention or study at all.

[saosinteam]

I wouldn't be so quick to start on those drugs.

They're class 2 narcotics, meaning they're as addictive as Oxycontin and Perocet.

I know they help a lot of people, but they're also among the most highly over-prescribed drugs in the country. Adderall is just an amphetamine mixture. Ritalin and Concerta are essentially the same drug (methylphenidate HCL); Concerta is just an extended-release formula (although Ritalin is now available in that form as well).

It's your decision. I'd ask around for a recommendation for the best doctor to see. your school's clinic could help you there probably. With something like this, you want to be sure to go to a doctor who really knows what he's talking about. And when you go, make sure to really ask him a lot of questions about the disorder, about the drugs, and make an informed decision.

Good luck.

[PunkDrums182]

I have ADD and ADHD. I was never on any pills for it. I turned out fine.
whatever you say bananna man! lol just kidding

[SilverStar89]

My younger brother has ADD and he's taking Strattera (sp?) for it. It seriously was a really great thing for him. He pays attention a lot more and he can concentrate for long periods of time. At the end of the day he's pretty much back to the way he was off of the medication, but it really doesn't matter at that point of the day. The medication keeps him focused through school and through his homework. So far it's been a really good thing for him.

[PunkDrums182]

I love how you started with "so to make a long story short," and then just went on forever.
hahaha

[Volcom Stone]

I've always thought I had A.D.D. Ever since I was little I've had so much trouble just focusing, paying attention, and following simple directions. Even now, I catch myself spacing out in my classes. . .and I could probably even space out for an hour or more straight.

Also, I can make it look like I'm being attentive and look the person in the eye, and even say 'mmhmm' while they're talking to me, when in my head I'm catching the biggest wave in Hawaii with no concern of what the person is telling me.