How many of you have been diagnosed with ADHD

[GMScud]

Don't get me started on the BS that is Ritalin and Adderal. It's prescription speed. The technical name for Ritalin is methylphenidate. As in, methamphetamines.

During my sophomore year of high school my grades had dipped quite a bit, and my parents had me tested for ADD. After some stupid therapist took me through an array of tests, she determined I was ADD and reccomended a doctor to give me Ritalin. In hindsight my grades dipped because I had discovered girls and was too caught up in playing sports and not focused enough on academics. Plus my parents marriage was falling apart, and that was obviously a big distraction for our family. But ADD was so trendy, and so many doctors were writing Ritalin prescriptions like it was candy.

Anyway, I ended up taking Ritalin during my junior and senior years in high school and on into college. My grades did improve initially, but I think it was more that I was growing up and cared about getting into a good college than it was Ritalin.

In the second half of my senior year, I started upping my own doses of Ritalin. Instead of 20mgs 3x a day, I pushed it to 30. Then 50, and on and on. I had become physically addicted. Hell, I was given prescription meth for two years, it's not surprising that it turned into an addiction. I knew it was bad, but I couldn't really stop myself. Aside from that, my life was in order at that point, so I wasn't suffering any consequences that would force me to stop.

But it spiraled out of control over the next year and a half. I lost tons of weight, failed out of my freshman year of college, was lying, stealing, and doing anything I could to get my hands on more Ritalin. And the crazy thing was, it did nothing positive for me, I knew that, and I still wanted more. I had literally become a full fledged drug addict. It even got to the point where I was crushing it up and snorting it. Disgusting and embarrassing. My parents had suspected a problem for a while and, after failing out of college, they organized an intervention.

I broke down and was honest with everyone about what had been going on. I ended up going to rehab to get clean. It worked, I haven't touched Ritalin since, I went back to school, and life is good. I don't do 12 step meetings or anything like that, I just needed serious help to get away from the damn prescription speed.

The sad part is, I never needed Ritalin in the first place. I just needed to learn to balance school, sports, and social life. I don't even think I have ADD, despite what that quack told me back in the day. I think Ritalin and Adderal are awful, awful things to give to kids.

That nearly two year stretch right after high school was the worst part of my life thus far. I learned a lot though, and I'm better for it today. I was hesitant to share this because it's personal and sensitive, but we're kind of anonymous here, so there it is.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Don't get me started on the BS that is Ritalin and Adderal. It's prescription speed. The technical name for Ritalin is methyphenidate. As in, methamphetamines.

During my sophomore year of high school my grades had dipped quite a bit, and my parents had me tested for ADD. After some stupid therapist took me through an array of tests, she determined I was ADD and reccomended a doctor to give me Ritalin. In hindsight my grades dipped because I had discovered girls and was too caught up in playing sports and not focused enough on academics. Plus my parents marriage was falling apart, and that was obviously a big distraction for our family. But ADD was so trendy, and so many doctors were writing Ritalin prescriptions like it was candy.

Anyway, I ended up taking Ritalin during my junior and senior years in high school and on into college. My grades did improve initially, but I think it was more that I was growing up and cared about getting into a good college than it was Ritalin.

In the second half of my senior year, I started upping my own doses of Ritalin. Instead of 20mgs 3x a day, I pushed it to 30. Then 50, and on and on. I had become physically addicted. Hell, I was given prescription meth for two years, it's not surprising that it turned into an addiction. I knew it was bad, but I couldn't really stop myself. Aside from that, my life was in order at that point, so I wasn't suffering any consequences that would force me to stop.

But it spiraled out of control over the next year and a half. I lost tons of weight, failed out of my freshman year of college, was lying, stealing, and doing anything I could to get my hands on more Ritalin. And the crazy thing was, it did nothing positive for me, I knew that, and I still wanted more. I had literally become a full fledged drug addict. It even got to the point where I was crushing it up and snorting it. Disgusting and embarrassing. My parents had suspected a problem for a while and, after failing out of college, they organized an intervention.

I broke down and was honest with everyone about what had been going on. I ended up going to rehab to get clean. It worked, I haven't touched Ritalin since, I went back to school, and life is good. I don't do 12 step meetings or anything like that, I just needed serious help to get away from the damn prescription speed.

The sad part is, I never needed Ritalin in the first place. I just needed to learn to balance school, sports, and social life. I don't even think I have ADD, despite what that quack told me back in the day. I think Ritalin and Adderal are awful, awful things to give to kids.

That nearly two year stretch right after high school was the worst part of my life thus far. I learned a lot though, and I'm better for it today. I was hesitant to share this because it's personal and sensitive, but we're kind of anonymous here, so there it is.

That's one hell of a testimonial. Thanks for sharing. I will never put my kids on that shit.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Angry

That's one hell of a testimonial. Thanks for sharing. I will never put my kids on that shit.

I agree. My daughter is also a crazy spaz like 70's and the plan is just to keep her moving. And kick her ass if she starts sucking it up in school. Great kid in so many ways but she just has energy pouring out of her body constantly. I hate giving her cold medicine much less some brain altering junk.

[CRedskinsRule]

brain altering meds are simply way to dangerous. we are not that smart. I'm not as brave as you GMScud (thanks for sharing) but I've made helluva mistakes in my life, and without relinquishing the blame that is rightly mine, I know anti-depressant crud that i was given played a role in the mental lapses that occurred.

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Don't get me started on the BS that is Ritalin and Adderal. It's prescription speed. The technical name for Ritalin is methylphenidate. As in, methamphetamines.

During my sophomore year of high school my grades had dipped quite a bit, and my parents had me tested for ADD. After some stupid therapist took me through an array of tests, she determined I was ADD and reccomended a doctor to give me Ritalin. In hindsight my grades dipped because I had discovered girls and was too caught up in playing sports and not focused enough on academics. Plus my parents marriage was falling apart, and that was obviously a big distraction for our family. But ADD was so trendy, and so many doctors were writing Ritalin prescriptions like it was candy.

Anyway, I ended up taking Ritalin during my junior and senior years in high school and on into college. My grades did improve initially, but I think it was more that I was growing up and cared about getting into a good college than it was Ritalin.

In the second half of my senior year, I started upping my own doses of Ritalin. Instead of 20mgs 3x a day, I pushed it to 30. Then 50, and on and on. I had become physically addicted. Hell, I was given prescription meth for two years, it's not surprising that it turned into an addiction. I knew it was bad, but I couldn't really stop myself. Aside from that, my life was in order at that point, so I wasn't suffering any consequences that would force me to stop.

But it spiraled out of control over the next year and a half. I lost tons of weight, failed out of my freshman year of college, was lying, stealing, and doing anything I could to get my hands on more Ritalin. And the crazy thing was, it did nothing positive for me, I knew that, and I still wanted more. I had literally become a full fledged drug addict. It even got to the point where I was crushing it up and snorting it. Disgusting and embarrassing. My parents had suspected a problem for a while and, after failing out of college, they organized an intervention.

I broke down and was honest with everyone about what had been going on. I ended up going to rehab to get clean. It worked, I haven't touched Ritalin since, I went back to school, and life is good. I don't do 12 step meetings or anything like that, I just needed serious help to get away from the damn prescription speed.

The sad part is, I never needed Ritalin in the first place. I just needed to learn to balance school, sports, and social life. I don't even think I have ADD, despite what that quack told me back in the day. I think Ritalin and Adderal are awful, awful things to give to kids.

That nearly two year stretch right after high school was the worst part of my life thus far. I learned a lot though, and I'm better for it today. I was hesitant to share this because it's personal and sensitive, but we're kind of anonymous here, so there it is.

While I understand that ADHD is a way over diagnosed condition, it certainly isn't a non-existent condition. I'm very sorry that you had the problems you did with the drug, and its incredibly unfortunate that you had to go through all that. With that being said, there is a popular trend in society to say that ADHD and the medication for it is complete total bullshit.

It's correct that adderall is in the same drug catagory as speed. They are both stimulants, and both can exhibit many of the same side effects. But people who genuinely have ADHD have different brains, and stimulants can chemically alter their brains to wire more normally. It stimulates

There is some crazy weird brain chemistry going on, and for some people (including me) the good medication brings way outweighs the bad. I hate the feeling of the side effects, but I also love being able to not leave the oven on every time I cook my food. I also really enjoy being able to do school work, and not have to re-read the same page four times because I keep zoning out.

I understand that there is major problem with over diagnosing ADHD, but also understand that there are people who genuinely do have it, and lead better more successful lives because of the option of medication.

See

"The brain of someone who does not have the disorder operates at a baseline of stimulation, so psychostimulants would put them in a state of overstimulation, resulting in the rush drug abusers seek. But when an ADHD patient is given a stimulant, he or she drops dramatically to a state of understimulation for a few minutes, then gradually reaches a baseline of normal stimulation that allows him or her to concentrate."

-http://www.ocweekly.com/2008-08-28/news/this-is-your-brain-on-adderall/

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

It's an occasional verbal tic (like a hiccup almost), and then I have several head/neck/shoulder movements. I mean it's basically the same movement over and over and over and over again. Hard to describe over the interwebs. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does I can't stop it (until it just stops). I don't do any cursing or yelling or anything like that.

My older brother has pretty much the exact same thing. I've read that OCD, ADHD, and Tourette's are all genetically linked. Something to do with dopamine receptors, I don't know "It's Science".

Kind of interesting because everyone in my family pretty much has one of the three.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

While I understand that ADHD is a way over diagnosed condition, it certainly isn't a non-existent condition. I'm very sorry that you had the problems you did with the drug, and its incredibly unfortunate that you had to go through all that. With that being said, there is a popular trend in society to say that ADHD and the medication for it is complete total bullshit.

It's correct that adderall is in the same drug catagory as speed. They are both stimulants, and both can exhibit many of the same side effects. But people who genuinely have ADHD have different brains, and stimulants can chemically alter their brains to wire more normally. It stimulates

There is some crazy weird brain chemistry going on, and for some people (including me) the good medication brings way outweighs the bad. I hate the feeling of the side effects, but I also love being able to not leave the oven on every time I cook my food. I also really enjoy being able to do school work, and not have to re-read the same page four times because I keep zoning out.

I understand that there is major problem with over diagnosing ADHD, but also understand that there are people who genuinely do have it, and lead better more successful lives because of the option of medication.

See

"The brain of someone who does not have the disorder operates at a baseline of stimulation, so psychostimulants would put them in a state of overstimulation, resulting in the rush drug abusers seek. But when an ADHD patient is given a stimulant, he or she drops dramatically to a state of understimulation for a few minutes, then gradually reaches a baseline of normal stimulation that allows him or her to concentrate."

-http://www.ocweekly.com/2008-08-28/news/this-is-your-brain-on-adderall/

I totally appreciate that. I'm glad the meds have helped you. That said, I would still NEVER put my kids on it. There's an unfortunate flip side to taking medication like that, even if it's working the way it's supposed to for you. It's a double edged sword really. The physical affects it may have on your body could be really bad, but it's still helping you in a big way as well.

I guess the issue is just as much about an accurate diagnosis as it is the treatment prescribed. I was obviously misdiagnosed, and then given the wrong treatment as a result.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Yep been diagnosed with ADHD. Was on Riddilin till 6th grade and I was diagnosed at 5.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

It's an occasional verbal tic (like a hiccup almost), and then I have several head/neck/shoulder movements. I mean it's basically the same movement over and over and over and over again. Hard to describe over the interwebs. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does I can't stop it (until it just stops). I don't do any cursing or yelling or anything like that.

..........kinda like Stevie Wonder?
I know.......it was tasteless, but...........well intentioned
BTW, glad to hear the other proved to be nothing SS

[NYCSkin]

Interesting stories here. Thanks to those who have shared some powerful personal stories...

As medical conditions become better understood and defined--this can lead to the perception that the condition is being "overdiagnosed". I don't entirely feel that docs are at fault when they follow currently understood diagnostic criteria. I think the issue here is how a doc manages the diagnosis. And this is where it gets muddy as conservative management of diseases is unfortunately not the norm. The medical industry is pro prescription of meds--since this is tied into reimbursement and paradoxically a protection from litigation. For that matter, patients are also (unfortunately) mostly pro prescription of meds--instead of managing their conditions in other ways.

I am a parent of child whom I believe has ADHD. I have no plans to have her take meds since I think she can function fine without them with conservative management. However, I do think there are many cases where prescribed medications are needed and justified.

And full disclosure--I am a physician and have also worked in the pharma industry...

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by NYCSkin

Interesting stories here. Thanks to those who have shared some powerful personal stories...

As medical conditions become better understood and defined--this can lead to the perception that the condition is being "overdiagnosed". I don't entirely feel that docs are at fault when they follow currently understood diagnostic criteria. I think the issue here is how a doc manages the diagnosis. And this is where it gets muddy as conservative management of diseases is unfortunately not the norm. The medical industry is pro prescription of meds--since this is tied into reimbursement and paradoxically a protection from litigation. For that matter, patients are also (unfortunately) mostly pro prescription of meds--instead of managing their conditions in other ways.

I am a parent of child whom I believe has ADHD. I have no plans to have her take meds since I think she can function fine without them with conservative management. However, I do think there are many cases where prescribed medications are needed and justified.

And full disclosure--I am a physician and have also worked in the pharma industry...

I can pretty much agree with this. People want to think of doc's as benevolent creatures and not business people. Saintly, rather than capitalist. Doc's go for the med cabinet and the CAT scan to fast for my taste. My son was diagnosed ADHD 11 years ago at age 6 (although undiagnosed, he gets it from me). The outlook, a lifetime of Riddlin was....... urged. I thought, feed my child this? THAT ain't gonna happen........SO through some trial and error, we found refined Cane sugar was a major trigger. At least for him, exercise, and sugar control made the difference. He plays varsity sports in HS and does well in school. It may be that meds are a possible answer, but NOT the only answer, and quite probably NOT the best answer. Question things...........often

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I totally appreciate that. I'm glad the meds have helped you. That said, I would still NEVER put my kids on it. There's an unfortunate flip side to taking medication like that, even if it's working the way it's supposed to for you. It's a double edged sword really. The physical affects it may have on your body could be really bad, but it's still helping you in a big way as well.

I guess the issue is just as much about an accurate diagnosis as it is the treatment prescribed. I was obviously misdiagnosed, and then given the wrong treatment as a result.

The issue with this misdiagnosis is that is also happens with more serious conditions that require antidepressants, etc.

What I have learned through other peoples experiences and my own is that we should always try alternatives before we pop meds. In our society is so acceptable to do that, but there are other alternatives that do work a lot of the time.

Obviously alternative medicines, acupuncture, meditation, athletics, etc don't always work AND they require a lot of patience. IMO, however, that is always worth the wait rather than risk dangerous side effects.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Hog1

I can pretty much agree with this. People want to think of doc's as benevolent creatures and not business people. Saintly, rather than capitalist. Doc's go for the med cabinet and the CAT scan to fast for my taste. My son was diagnosed ADHD 11 years ago at age 6 (although undiagnosed, he gets it from me). The outlook, a lifetime of Riddlin was....... urged. I thought, feed my child this? THAT ain't gonna happen........SO through some trial and error, we found refined Cane sugar was a major trigger. At least for him, exercise, and sugar control made the difference. He plays varsity sports in HS and does well in school. It may be that meds are a possible answer, but NOT the only answer, and quite probably NOT the best answer. Question things...........often

your experience sounds similar to mine. I am glad you did not subject your son to meds right away.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by Hog1

I can pretty much agree with this. People want to think of doc's as benevolent creatures and not business people. Saintly, rather than capitalist. Doc's go for the med cabinet and the CAT scan to fast for my taste. My son was diagnosed ADHD 11 years ago at age 6 (although undiagnosed, he gets it from me). The outlook, a lifetime of Riddlin was....... urged. I thought, feed my child this? THAT ain't gonna happen........SO through some trial and error, we found refined Cane sugar was a major trigger. At least for him, exercise, and sugar control made the difference. He plays varsity sports in HS and does well in school. It may be that meds are a possible answer, but NOT the only answer, and quite probably NOT the best answer. Question things...........often

My nephew was diagnosed with ADHD and quickly put on Riddlin. You could tell that he "calmed down" but we sort of felt something still wasn't quite right. One day we were talking around the dinner table and my nephew comes in and tells his mom (my sister) that his stomach hurts. She says something like, "Again?!" We ask her "What do you mean 'again'?. She says that his stomach is always upset/hurting. My wife recommends a consultation with an allergist. It turns out out the nephew is allergic to corn, wheat and a couple of other things. Once his diet was altered his behavior, both academically and socially, changed.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by hooskins

The issue with this misdiagnosis is that is also happens with more serious conditions that require antidepressants, etc.

What I have learned through other peoples experiences and my own is that we should always try alternatives before we pop meds. In our society is so acceptable to do that, but there are other alternatives that do work a lot of the time.

Obviously alternative medicines, acupuncture, meditation, athletics, etc don't always work AND they require a lot of patience. IMO, however, that is always worth the wait rather than risk dangerous side effects.

No doubt. I read an article about a few weeks ago saying that 27 MILLION Americans are on anti-depressants. 27 million!! No way in hell almost 10% of the population is depressed enough to be medicated. Then I stumbled upon this article (a good example of mis-daignosis):

How Many of the 27 Million Americans on Antidepressants Actually Have Undiagnosed Thyroid Disease?