I HATE "ADD"

[Galkar]

So, I was diagnosed with ADD during middle school. I tried 2 medications back then (I think they were adderol and ritalin) but at the time I didn't really notice any difference, and was quite adverse to taking the drugs. A few weeks ago my mom (who has since also been diagnosed and has been taking concerta, a form of ritalin and says that it is helping her immensely) suggested that I try medication again. Figuring that it really was time that I became less of a slacker, I figured I'd try it again. The first one was Concerta. I tried 1 pill a day for about a week with no noticable difference. So then I tried 2 pills, as the doctor said I should do. The whole day I felt like crap. I just felt really uncomfortable and uneasy the whole day. Needless to say I never touched the stuff again. So about a week later the doctor perscribed another one called Dextroamphet. I took it for about a week and they certainly seemed to help me concentrate better, except that a few days in, I started feeling a fair bit depressed. Now, I would have immediately stopped taking them were they the only factor, however there are a few other things that might have caused my depression. So, after a relaxing (if somewhat uneasy) weekend, I have decided to try them for a few more days to see if they're really the cause. I usually try to keep my rants to a minimum, but I felt compelled to rant about this both here and on my LJ which I have posted in a total of 6 times.

[Battle_Pope]

I was diagnosed with ADD quite recently. January 21st I have an appointment with a psychiatrist. For fun I've tried adderall, concerta, and dextroamphet (aka dexedrine), and for the most part I felt really good on them. I'm expecting to be put on concerta since that seems like the most ideal thing, having the doctors play it safe with methylphenidate instead of addictive as hell amphetamines. I hope to notice differences, but I hear methylphenidate wears off after some time during longterm use.

[darkon]

You can get drugs for the most minor of cases here.

My bro has it, and he really struggles in school unfortunately.

[Mithrandir]

I've been on dexedrine for a little over a year.

I'll probably stop taking it in college, because I only have trouble paying attention in classes which I'm not interested in (i.e. Math and Science).

[Gundampilotspaz]

I'll probably stop taking it in college, because I only have trouble paying attention in classes which I'm not interested in (i.e. Math and Science).

You see, I don't think thats ADD. That's just being human.

[amy]

I don't really understand ADD, i don't know where it separates from "the human condition", but I know it exists because this brilliant woman had it, and I know she must have had something if she said she did, cause she was brilliant.

is it like if someone gives you an SAT and says "Finish this in an hour", you can't do it, even though you want to?

or is it more like, theoretically you want to do a lot of things (math probs. 25-45 odd, finish spanish comp., history rough draft), but you end up doing nothing.

xD Because I'm seriously lazy and I know everyone's lazy but I'm like the sixth laziest person I know and I'd like to stop being lazy so if I have a minor degree of this thing maybe I can read like "suggestions for you" and be like, "Ahhh." :D;; Although I already know what I need to do I am just too lazy to do it. I know that's my fault but I don't want it to be XD

[Venom112]

I don't really understand ADD, i don't know where it separates from "the human condition", but I know it exists because this brilliant woman had it, and I know she must have had something if she said she did, cause she was brilliant.

is it like if someone gives you an SAT and says "Finish this in an hour", you can't do it, even though you want to?

Apparently people with ADD have a higher rate of information intake than others, but they process less.

There was a commercial that seemed to have a good analogy for ADD. "It's like channel surfing, only you're not in charge of the remote." You see you could be on a completely great line of thought and consideration, only by the swiftest moment suck you from what you were trying to do b-

Oooooh, butterfly! *chases*

[Siendra]

Dude... Seeing as I am/have been on a vast number of medications, I can tell you right now that you didn't even take them long enough to have them kicked in. You're fixing a chemical inbalance for petes sake.

Genereal rule of thumb is 28 days.

[Galkar]

So I didn't take it today and I felt a lot better, though I couldn't concentrate as well. So much for that medication.

[Reinas]

Also, I'd like to comment that it seems uniquely American to treat your problems by throwing drugs at them.

I've noticed that as well. The same can be applied for Canada. It seems as if the *best* treatment is a jump on the drugs bandwagon.

Why?

[Venom112]

I've noticed that as well. The same can be applied for Canada. It seems as if the *best* treatment is a jump on the drugs bandwagon.

Why?

1. Drugs can stabalize a chemical inbalance that is potentially causing troubles.

2. Companies make more money off of people buying drugs over things such as therapy.

3. Quick solution, and Americans are notorious for being time efficient.

4. Haven't you seen Equilibrium!? :ohmy:

[Siendra]

I've noticed that as well. The same can be applied for Canada. It seems as if the *best* treatment is a jump on the drugs bandwagon.

Why?

It's simple, and allows a person the belief that "they" are helping themeselves. Even if all they do is pop some pills. And as for up here in the great white yonder (Even though we just got snow... Green christmas, eh?), it's cheaper then most other methods. For example, my strep. It could be dealt with by eating certain dishes, but they require expensive ingredients. So why do that when I can get a $15 bottle of antibiotics? A $15 bottle that I can claim on my insurance and get all but $2 back for.

[Reinas]

It's simple, and allows a person the belief that "they" are helping themeselves. Even if all they do is pop some pills. And as for up here in the great white yonder (Even though we just got snow... Green christmas, eh?), it's cheaper then most other methods. For example, my strep. It could be dealt with by eating certain dishes, but they require expensive ingredients. So why do that when I can get a $15 bottle of antibiotics? A $15 bottle that I can claim on my insurance and get all but $2 back for.

Wow. Seems lazy to me. But I guess popping pills is easier than to purchase expensive ingredients if you don't mind other complications in the future. Personally, I'd take a change of lifestyle than popping pills. Changing your lifestyle actually allows a person to believe they are helping themselves.

I don't know, maybe it's just me. My parents hardly pop pills and they hardly ever get sick. A couple months ago, my dad had some heart complications so he changed his diet and only took pills that he was given for a week. He was as good as new, two weeks after that.

I can't imagine taking multiple pills ever. My father's parents do and it's sad how they rely on pills so much. My mother's parents however, they don't act their age, I mean her dad still does push-ups every morning.

Another thing, I've noticed A LOT of people complaining about how depressed they are with one bad day and pretty soon they're popping pills like there's no tomorrow.

PS: Eh, Christmas without snow. What in the heck?! And it's the first time I've seen snow all winter long.

[Siendra]

Yeah. We had a very green christmas.

I personally find it hard to rag on medication. Mostly becuase I have been really ill most of my life and I know that I wouldn't have made it through a lot of it without drugs/steroids. My problem is with those people who want antibiotics everytime they have the sniffles, or pain killers when they twist their ankle.

[Venom112]

My problem is with those people who want antibiotics everytime they have the sniffles, or pain killers when they twist their ankle.

Well the doctors don't usually just hand those painkillers out, so you've got to take what you can get. Mmmm...

[Reinas]

I personally find it hard to rag on medication. Mostly becuase I have been really ill most of my life and I know that I wouldn't have made it through a lot of it without drugs/steroids. My problem is with those people who want antibiotics everytime they have the sniffles, or pain killers when they twist their ankle.

The best thing for sniffles is water. And oranges.

There's actually something more that's bothering me right now. More than the people wanting antibiotics for sniffles.

Your icon.

Rather, the lack of a red/black/white jersey coupled with a number such as #12 or #34 or #28.

XD

[darkon]

You're a real one to talk Reinas.

And I'm getting an Iggy avatar for the playoffs.

[Siendra]

The best thing for sniffles is water. And oranges.

There's actually something more that's bothering me right now. More than the people wanting antibiotics for sniffles.

Your icon.

Rather, the lack of a red/black/white jersey coupled with a number such as #12 or #34 or #28.

XD

Drinking a glass of green tea, then a glass of orange juice, and reapeating for a day, can cure any cold.

Heh.

[Reinas]

You're a real one to talk Reinas.

And I'm getting an Iggy avatar for the playoffs.

But he has the flaming icon.

[Venom112]

Drinking a glass of green tea, then a glass of orange juice, and reapeating for a day, can cure any cold.

Heh.

Even the cold... Of a dampened heart? [/deep]