I never have been diagnosed with ADD; I never was on Ritalin or Adderal or whatever as a kid. I've wondered for a while if I might be afflicted by it a little bit, but I think I never got diagnosed as a kid because I wasn't hyper, or prone to behavior problems, and I did pretty well in school (although never up to my real potential, I think, at least in terms of grades). I think I have a pretty stable personality--I don't think I would strike a lot of people as being ADD.

I was talking with a friend who's a special-ed teacher, though, and she connected some dots for me that I'd never really thought about. It started out from a conversation we were having about drugs (she at least experimented with most things when she was younger). I never did much, but I mentioned that I looooove stimulants. I drink caffeine like you read about...coffee, energy drinks, you name it. What's weird, though, is that I barely feel any effect from it--I can drink a LOT of it, and not really feel energized by it. I can even drink it and go to sleep. I still crave it, though. I have a damned espresso machine on my counter at home, haha. I also really liked the dexedrine that was given to us as a prescribed drug when flying long/odd hours in Afghanistan. Finally, most of my hobbies are things that give a sort of "natural high" or stimulation: exercise, flying, motorsports (cars and motorcycles), skiing, etc.



Does anyone who was actually formally diagnosed with ADD or ADHD have a similar tendency to self-medicate with stimulants? You don't have to be a cokehead or meth-head...I'd be interested in knowing if others are prone to drinking lots of coffee and energy drinks.

7/17/2011 1:54:17 AM

AHA, you're high on stimulants right now.

7/17/2011 2:36:34 AM

I was on ADD meds for years as a kid, up until my health insurance coverage wore out around the age of 24. Now I'm in grad school with a 4.0 GPA and I haven't used any ritalin in over two years. Instead, I rely on crazy amounts of caffeine when I need to pull an all-nighter to write a paper. If I had decent health insurance, I wouldn't self medicate this way, but honestly I think I function pretty well on a daily basis without taking anything. Shrug.

7/17/2011 3:21:10 AM

I have been diagnosed ADHD multiples times from childhood through to adulthood. I'm apparently in the 99th percentile in terms of the symptoms.

yes, ADHD people tend to enjoy activities that have multi-sensory overload like racing and flying. but that is only one aspect. They also find it all but impossible to keep a routine for any more than a week or two. They tend to be incredibly irresponsible socially, financially and professionally. Most severe ADHD adults have a very hard time staying employed, having long term relationships and staying out of debt.

I have been lucky, and avoided the worst of most of these events, but if I wasn't on a regimented schedule that left me almost no "free" time, I could easily see myself drowning in debt, losing my fiance and underperforming at work.

I take adderall now but didnt start any medications until I was 26. it made an incredible difference in my life. I don't drink much caffeine, and have a very low tolerance to it. drinking a 32oz coke will keep me awake for 48 hours easily.

7/17/2011 4:05:12 AM

If you use caffeine too often, you need more and more to feel the same effects. Sounds like you're hooked! But you've swilled so much coffee that you don't even feel the buzz like a college freshman would. I know plenty of Navy people who drink five cups of coffee in the morning and still feel tired.

7/17/2011 10:33:03 AM

You need a lot more than a love for stimulants and stimulating hobbies to be classified as having ADHD-Inattentive Type, Hyperactive-Impulsive or Combined. A diagnosis really requires your difficulties to seriously affect your functioning across settings. I deal with a lot of parents who wonder if their kids have ADHD and while I can't formally diagnose, I can give rating scales and then make suggestions from there (e.g., take this write-up to your pediatrician for a further look). I would think you may show some symptoms, but not enough to meet criteria for a diagnosis...just based on your initial comment anyway.

7/17/2011 11:01:00 AM

I was diagnosed with ADHD in 9th grade. I took Ritalin at first, then it started affecting my moods in a bad way. I then switched to Adderall, which at first seemed like a dream drug (as far as effectiveness), then that too began to give me an unhealthy amount of anxiety, even with a small dosage. I am also very sensitive to stimulants like caffeine, as ^^^ said. To answer your question, I don't really ever find myself pounding caffeine/energy drinks. Hell, I don't even drink coffee. My hyperactivity comes in segments...I'll be all amped up for a few hours, then crash, kind of like my brain has it's own arsenal of caffeine.

Dexedrine was by far the best drug I took for ADHD. It helped me focus and get things done, but it didn't feel like I was even on medication, which I can't say about Ritalin/Adderall.

These days I don't take any medication. I've learned coping strategies...writing lists, keeping routines, etc. They sound simple, but I've tried my hardest to instill discipline in myself. I really prefer managing my symptoms (I've known about them long enough to immediately identify them) to taking medication.

[Edited on July 17, 2011 at 11:08 AM. Reason : .]

7/17/2011 11:08:35 AM

Quote :

"You need a lot more than a love for stimulants and stimulating hobbies to be classified as having ADHD-Inattentive Type, Hyperactive-Impulsive or Combined."

yeah, there's more to it...I was just interested to see if this caused anyone else to swill coffee and red bull like you read about.

for years, I used to keep a folded up index card in my pocket (or a small notebook) to keep a running to-do list and write down anything important that I needed to keep in mind. I just do it with the Notes thing on my iPhone, now (but I have it divided into 8 pages, hahaha).

I was never a "good student". I made decent grades, but not as good as I should have based on my comprehension of the material. I think that I've unknowingly developed some coping mechanisms, and I think that I've always gotten by pretty well just by having intelligence and motivation.

As I read more about it, I exhibit a number of the symptoms. However, I don't think I'm impulsive at all, and I don't have any problems with debt or gambling or whatever (although I do trade stocks a good bit).

Quote :

"If you use caffeine too often, you need more and more to feel the same effects. Sounds like you're hooked! But you've swilled so much coffee that you don't even feel the buzz like a college freshman would. I know plenty of Navy people who drink five cups of coffee in the morning and still feel tired. "

Maybe, but I've NEVER really gotten much of an effect from it, as long as I can remember. It just doesn't make me all amped up like it does some people. I can feel a little jittery if I drink a completely inordinate amount all at once, but it's more uncomfortable than anything else. Beneath that threshold (i.e., any sane amount of consumption), I don't feel much effect.

Quote :

"Dexedrine was by far the best drug I took for ADHD. "

Yeah, the dozen or so pills of Dex I've taken were great stuff. I was honestly a little scared of it, because I really liked it. I've never been a big substance abuser, and I don't really have an addictive personality, but I consciously limited my use of the Dex a lot (aside from the fact that they would only give you a certain amount). I couldn't believe how focused and productive it made me.

7/17/2011 12:34:42 PM

Quote :

"These days I don't take any medication. I've learned coping strategies...writing lists, keeping routines, etc. They sound simple, but I've tried my hardest to instill discipline in myself. I really prefer managing my symptoms (I've known about them long enough to immediately identify them) to taking medication."

Same. I'm kinda scared of the long-term effects that may occur from medication I can live without. Although I'm not really great at coping with yet, I'm definitely getting better at it.

7/17/2011 12:37:35 PM

Yep, I'm a little wary of having an ongoing low-dose amphetamine habit.

7/17/2011 12:43:32 PM

I was diagnosed when I was young, hated ritalin and adderall. After I quit taking them I found myself pounding caffeine like you described to similar results, though i'd never had much of an effect before.

7/17/2011 2:17:20 PM

I'm addicted to espresso.

As a college student, I would crush and snort Ritalin, dex and adderall. Kids do stupid shit.

7/17/2011 3:20:29 PM

theDuke866,

You honestly sound like everyone else. Caffeine is the most used drug in the world that we develop a dependence on. You have developed a tolerance to Caffeine, and you likely were never sensitive to it at all.

As far as your adventuresome lifestyle, I don't see how that could point to you being ADD. You don't like being bored and you enjoy something exciting. Many people would consider that healthy.

As far as your love of Dex. I mean, who doesn't like a good stimulant? Just because you like it, does not mean you have ADD, it just means you like it. If anything, you sound like you have a bit of an addictive personality in general.

Perhaps you do exhibit some symptoms of ADD. But in all honesty, who doesn't? When I'm doing my monthly report, I'm easily distracted, I hate sitting at my desk doing boring shit. Does that mean that I have ADD? No. It means I don't like being bored.

You really shouldn't over-analyze yourself and convince yourself of having something you probably don't have.

Quote :

"Now I'm in grad school with a 4.0 GPA and I haven't used any ritalin in over two years. Instead, I rely on crazy amounts of caffeine when I need to pull an all-nighter to write a paper."

What college student who's working their ass off doesn't do this? Seriously. I did this several times, most of my friends did this as well. We would take 5-hour energy drink and energy drinks. We would get so strung out on the shit that hours after the test we still couldn't sleep.

Quote :

"If I had decent health insurance, I wouldn't self medicate this way, but honestly I think I function pretty well on a daily basis without taking anything. Shrug."

Wat? I would hardly describe yourself as self-medicating, but rather doing what you have to do academically to perform how you wish to perform. If you perform "pretty well" on a daily basis without anything, then you don't need to go to the doctor.

And it sounds to me like you were probably misdiagnosed as being ADD, which doesn't surprise me, as there is no incentive for doctors to not diagnose someone as being ADD.


I'm sorry if I'm sound like I'm trolling. I have a very negative view of ADD/ADHD and the people who are diagnosed with it. I know there are people with legitimate cases of having ADD/ADHD, but not as many people who are currently diagnosed with it. I really feel that it is over-diagnosed, especially in children. And what gets me is that people with ADD/ADHD will freely admit that they feel that it is over-diagnosed, but that they were somehow not misdiagnosed.

7/17/2011 3:39:47 PM

Duke, knowing you back in college, you don't have ADD or ADHD. The mere fact that you keep a to-do list tells me that you're just a normal adrenaline junkie alpha male

the longest I've ever been able to keep a to-do list is for a couple of days at a time. Then I'll stop for a few months.

7/17/2011 4:02:14 PM

I was diagnosed as a kid but never placed on meds. I always wondered how different I would be if I'd grown up with something to help me focus. I'm a strong student, but I have the worst work ethic/will of anyone I know. It's nigh impossible to stick on any sort of task until the deadline looms.

I don't self-medicate, but I do keep lists, self-check, and set early deadlines for myself: all the things I tell my students to do .

I feel like whatever focusing issues I have are mild enough that my parent's made the right decision. I could have done better, but I feel like most us feel that way. As it stands, I like how my brain functions: The lack of focus really helps me when connecting things I've learned to what I already know.

[Edited on July 17, 2011 at 4:14 PM. Reason : I say all of this having just brewed up a pot of coffee for myself.]

7/17/2011 4:14:01 PM

Quote :

"And it sounds to me like you were probably misdiagnosed as being ADD, which doesn't surprise me, as there is no incentive for doctors to not diagnose someone as being ADD. "

I don't really think so. I definitely have the classic signs/symptoms of ADD. I was a bright child, but I had a lot of difficulties focusing and getting anything finished. I've never been a hyperactive person, I'm more of a space cadet. It drove my parents and teachers crazy, so they put me on meds when I was 10. You can believe in it or not, but the truth is that stimulants have always calmed me down and made me a lot more introverted than given me a surge of energy. I actually hate the way coffee and caffeine make me feel. I'm normally a happy, go lucky, laid back kind of guy- stimulants make me a dull, edgy, and irritated person. But since my mind tends to race and wander on its own so I will do what it takes to calm it down.

ADD is over-diagnosed and people abuse the hell out of stimulants, but unless your mind works the way that mind does, I don't think your opinion has much weight.

[Edited on July 17, 2011 at 8:06 PM. Reason : asdf]

7/17/2011 8:03:00 PM

Your first paragraph describes me to a T.

Not paying attention and not doing assignments was never an issue for me in high school... I mean 'never an issue" as it happend but it wasn't detrimental... even still I made it through college doing decently, so I never addressed the issue. But my grades took a hit. I wish i sought help, as now im wondering if i have the credentials to get into grad school. If i did get in, I'd go see a doctor. If i don't get in, its never limited me at work, so I doubt i'll seek out help...

But I always wondered what my real potential was. through my schooling i have contantly been told that i have never lived up to my potential. Its always sucked hearing that, but for whatever reason, when I've tried to change study habits, i never was able to pay attention for extended periods.

For me I've found that depressants like alcohol, and prescription pain meds I have for some health issues, have turned my thought processes down and i get less distracted. I'm just glad I lack the addictive personality.

/tww is a blog

7/17/2011 8:51:53 PM

Quote :

"I don't really think so. I definitely have the classic signs/symptoms of ADD. I was a bright child, but I had a lot of difficulties focusing and getting anything finished. I've never been a hyperactive person, I'm more of a space cadet. It drove my parents and teachers crazy, so they put me on meds when I was 10."

Most children show the "classic" signs of ADD of being annoying, won't focus, head in the clouds, ect. That's what children do, and that's why it's important that parents try to give them some structure and discipline. Nothing you're describing of yourself sounds like ADD, but rather a typical child who lacked some discipline. You don't think most children are space cadets in class? You have a teacher talking about some bullshit that you don't care about at the age of 8 and you can't focus on it because you're bored? That's 100% typical.

Now you're older, you've grown up a bit in personality and self-discipline and you're far more motivated, and that's why you find that you don't really need drugs any more to maintain that 4.0 GPA.

Quote :

" You can believe in it or not, but the truth is that stimulants have always calmed me down and made me a lot more introverted than given me a surge of energy. I actually hate the way coffee and caffeine make me feel. I'm normally a happy, go lucky, laid back kind of guy- stimulants make me a dull, edgy, and irritated person. But since my mind tends to race and wander on its own so I will do what it takes to calm it down. "

Of course stimulants calmed you down and helped you to focus. Do you think that's exclusive to ADD/ADHD sufferers? Why do you think Ritalin and other prescription stimulants are popular in college? Because they keep you up and help you focus.

It honestly sounds like your parents and doctors at a young age put it in your head that you have something you really don't. And given your 4.0 GPA, you are likely pretty smart, and your lack of attention in class was probably because you weren't being challenged and pushed hard enough.

Quote :

"ADD is over-diagnosed and people abuse the hell out of stimulants, but unless your mind works the way that mind does, I don't think your opinion has much weight."

This is what I'm talking about. Dang near every person diagnosed with ADD claims it is over-diagnosed, but they swear they have it. And why wouldn't my opinion have any more weight over yours? Are you aware of how subjective the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD is? Even DSM-IV's description and diagnosis criteria of ADD/ADHD is very subjective. There's no scientific evidence for ADD/ADHD with the treatment being powerful stimulants instead of a swift kick in the ass by the parents and some wholesome discipline.

How can you say my opinion has much weight when you have no baseline of comparison on how your brain works to how a "normal" person's brain works or even to how the brain of someone who is actually ADD/ADHD works.

I know the truth can be a tough pill to swallow, especially after being told for years that you have something that I think you're just now finding out you don't have it because your financial situation did not allow you to afford the "treatment."

But whatever, you'll believe what you want to believe because it allows you to have an excuse and something to go to when things aren't working out right...

7/17/2011 9:14:34 PM

Quote :

"Maybe, but I've NEVER really gotten much of an effect from it, as long as I can remember. It just doesn't make me all amped up like it does some people. I can feel a little jittery if I drink a completely inordinate amount all at once, but it's more uncomfortable than anything else. Beneath that threshold (i.e., any sane amount of consumption), I don't feel much effect."

Different people have different reactions to drugs. I never get the "buzz" that people talk about with caffeine. Usually it just gets me feeling pretty good and not as grumpy but that's about it. Now, if I drink a SHITLOAD of caffeine all at once, then I'll start getting jittery. But I mean, that's drinking 10+ shots of espresso in less than an hour or something. Other people the same thing would probably kill them

7/17/2011 9:25:08 PM

is this the thread where I find people that will sell me adderall

7/17/2011 11:11:50 PM

Naw, itt, you learn how to freebase caffeine.

7/17/2011 11:30:56 PM

I can't keep a routine for shit

but I don't really know how I feel about mood altering drugs

I've never really taken pills, but I have drank excessively in my Navy days

I can't seem to kick my sugar habit though, but caffeine is not really a big deal for me

[Edited on July 18, 2011 at 12:35 AM. Reason : but]

7/18/2011 12:30:25 AM

adderall/ritalin etc. have always worried me. no one knows the long term consequences on your health when taking these pills on a daily basis. to me, that is extremely unsettling.

i'll never take another of those pills again. it's just not worth it to me.

7/18/2011 1:35:45 AM

I've been diagnosed ADD/ADHD since kindergarten. I HATE stimulants and used to fight my parents about taking ritalin, adderall, etc. and haven't taken a single pill since 11th grade (parents tried to start me up on it after summer on the first day of class and I puked). I also do very well in school (grad student earning a double masters and law degree) but I feel like I agree with Noen if I'm not busy in something I feel is productive then I'm self destructive and unlike craving stimulants. I actually go the opposite and tend to drink a lot of beer and sometimes it's the only way that I can wind down enough to sleep because when I try, no matter how tired my body is I just keep thinking about different things, and trying to "not think" just makes me think about "not thinking" if you know what I mean. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that ADD people don't inherently crave stimulants, but they have a normalizing effect on some people whereas pot (back in the day) and beer have a leveling effect on me because I'm so transiently deep in thought and wound up.

7/18/2011 2:21:33 AM

I didn't get diagnosed until I was an adult. I had all of the signs as a kid, i suppose, but I had straight As for the most part all the way through high school since you don't really need to study much or actually work at it to excel.

College hit me like a ton of bricks. I had never developed study habits, and I couldn't focus on anything beyond the immediate thing, which was usually alcohol and hooking up with girls. I'd never have to do more than a 15 minute cram session in high school, and I didn't know how to study for long periods of time. In order to avoid flunking, I started buying ritalin from some TWWer, and it was like flipping a switch in my brain. I had one full semester where I had enough supply to take it regularly, and I had a 3.6 GPA that semester.

After college and back on insurance, I went to see an adult ADHD specialist, and have been on ritalin since. It's kind of tough to remember to take it 4x per day. Since it's a schedule 2 drug, you have to go to the doctor ever 3 months to be seen, and you have to pick up the prescription each month in person, both of which are pretty challenging for anyone with ADHD to do. So i often end up with gaps in having medication which pretty much means I suck at work for that time. and right now there's a ritalin shortage (along with tons and tons of other generics), and the last few months, I've had to try multiple pharmacies to even find it.

The other thing that helps me quite a bit is having a smartphone. Even with ritalin, I get really anxious if I have no 'input.' standing in line or being in a waiting room or anything that involves a lack of mental stimulation is absolutely torturous to me, and I tend to get really really agitated.

7/18/2011 10:36:24 AM

Quote :

"Of course stimulants calmed you down and helped you to focus. Do you think that's exclusive to ADD/ADHD sufferers? Why do you think Ritalin and other prescription stimulants are popular in college? Because they keep you up and help you focus"

No. Stimulants have a different effect on me. They actually make me lethargic and yawn a lot. Most people love the rush they give you, but for me, unless I'm taking a very high dose, they are more of a sedative than anything and they really put me in a negative and grouchy mood. People with ADD react to stimulants differently than people who don't have it. The only times I ever tried cocaine, it actually put me to sleep, while me friends were up talking and dancing all night...

I get that you don't believe in it, but there is medical evidence that refutes all of your opinions and beliefs, no matter how strong they are.

7/18/2011 11:36:07 AM

^ you will believe whatever you want to believe about your perceived illness. The fact that you have exemplary academic performance without needing to take anything just shows that you don't have add, but rather that your parents and teachers didn't want to deal with your discipline problems.

7/18/2011 12:58:00 PM

ADD and ADHD are both completely bullshit afflictions made up by pharm companies to prey on stupid suburban moms and dads who can't control their own children. Where was ADD prior to the 80s when children were disciplined properly? Do you really expect a 6 year old to sit still in time out?

Let's call this what it is... steroids for focusing. No one NEEDS aderall or ritalin. Everyone has the ability to focus, this just helps. The same way everyone has the ability run, steroids just help you become faster.

I see the affects these drugs have on both children and adults, and it is not natural and in most cases not needed. But instead of categorizing these kids with some stigmatic made up disability that was most likely self diagnosed by some indifferent parent, why not make it available for everyone OTC to use as their choice?

7/18/2011 1:05:59 PM

Well I'm glad that TWW is full of doctors. If only my parents, neurologists, and psychiatrists growing up could have consulted it when I was a child.

7/18/2011 2:48:42 PM

I was diagnosed with ADD as a kid but never went on medication because I was naturally intelligent and really good at standardized tests so I could pull out 97-99th percentile end of grade tests to keep my grades high even though I never did homework or paid attention.

However when I came to college I found that just being smart wasn't enough (at least not for me) and I actually had to work and pay attention, and I found out that I couldn't do it. I would fall behind, procrastinate terribly, shrug off homework and studying, etc.

I honestly don't care if someone thinks I was misdiagnosed. Adderall helped me in my classes and I was never addicted or dependent on it.

I don't know how overdiagnosed it is, I just know that without medication I was falling way short of my potential in college. Maybe some people just have greater motivation than I do and are strong enough to buckle down and force themselves past boredom where I don't, but then again maybe that's what ADD means.

[Edited on July 18, 2011 at 3:02 PM. Reason : ]

7/18/2011 3:00:42 PM

So Aderall is just Like welfare. Help for people who can't help themselves.

Sounds to me like you were just lazy.

7/18/2011 3:33:41 PM

Man, sounds like I could have scored some Adderall while I was in college. I, too, would rather play video games than study in college.

7/18/2011 3:40:07 PM

i have ADD like a beast.


i can't sit through movies. at all.
when we go to movies i usually have to get up at least once or twice so i can go roam the hall and just look around.
dont even THINK about watching them at home.
i have to be in the perfect mood...or really hungover.
it pisses cody off so so badly.

i find it hard to sit through TV episodes now >.<

so now transfer that to school....

it's THAT bad.


when i study i study in 5-10 minute increments.
it sucks but it gets the job done.

[Edited on July 18, 2011 at 3:46 PM. Reason : ]

7/18/2011 3:43:01 PM

everybody likes stimulants and performs better with them. its why they're addictive. but i also think dexedrine and/or ritalin should be available to consenting adults without a prescription. it would probably cut down on the incidence of parents getting their doctor to prescribe it for their child so they can take it. and since its apparently safe for a wide variety of 5 year olds, we should get to enhance our concentration as well if we wish.

7/18/2011 3:49:15 PM

Quote :

"So Aderall is just Like welfare. Help for people who can't help themselves. Sounds to me like you were just lazy."

Like I said, there's something different between all people. Most people don't want to study but some people can do it and others can't.

When I used adderall studying wasn't quite so torturous (even though I had to be careful to avoid wikipedia lest I go on a 4 hour wiki binge). The knock on welfare is that other people have to pay for it, what's the negative about adderall?

If thinking you're just better than people who need medications to do the same things makes you feel proud, go for it.

7/18/2011 4:04:15 PM

All I am saying is that there is nothing wrong with you. ADD and ADHD are a fairy tale.

7/18/2011 4:06:47 PM

And I'm saying that taking adderall makes studying easier. I couldn't study without it, with it I could.

You got a problem with that,


[Edited on July 18, 2011 at 4:10 PM. Reason : ]

7/18/2011 4:09:28 PM

Quote :

"taking adderall makes studying easier"

you are 100% right.
like cocaine makes losing weight easier

hahaha i keed, i keed.



i heard a girl on NPR the other day talking about her ADD and how she spent 4 hours searching for the perfect painting one day instead of working on her thesis.
she expalined how ADD makes you hyperfocus on what you want to focus on

7/18/2011 4:13:46 PM

Quote :

"So i often end up with gaps in having medication which pretty much means I suck at work for that time. and right now there's a ritalin shortage (along with tons and tons of other generics), and the last few months, I've had to try multiple pharmacies to even find it. "

Amen brother. I honestly think this should be one of the criteria for determining whether you actually have ADD. It's taken me 2-3 weeks before to remember to actually go pick up the prescription to have it refilled.

Quote :

"ADD and ADHD are both completely bullshit afflictions made up by pharm companies to prey on stupid suburban moms and dads who can't control their own children. Where was ADD prior to the 80s when children were disciplined properly? Do you really expect a 6 year old to sit still in time out? "

They are not made up afflictions. They are just horrifically over diagnosed to avoid dealing with children. I didn't take any medication until I was 23 and out of college. As an adult I can tell you that my brain chemistry is significantly different than 99% of my peers. And it's both what gives me a huge edge professionally and what makes my life teeter on disaster perpetually.

Quote :

"Let's call this what it is... steroids for focusing. No one NEEDS aderall or ritalin. Everyone has the ability to focus, this just helps. The same way everyone has the ability run, steroids just help you become faster. "

Not true again. For one, not all ADD medications are stimulants. In fact, there are 2-3 non-stimulant drugs that work for many people (I've heard anecdotally from the doctors I've been to that 80%+ of adult ADD/ADHD patients end up on a non-stimulant drug). Aderall and Ritalin are reserved for the small percentage of people who don't respond to other treatments. They also happen to be the ONLY treatments that act like "steroids" for non-sufferers. Which is why it's abused is mis-prescribed so often, particularly in kids.

7/18/2011 8:40:33 PM

Quote :

"and since its apparently safe for a wide variety of 5 year olds, we should get to enhance our concentration as well if we wish."

Agreed.

7/18/2011 9:56:22 PM

Quote :

"i heard a girl on NPR the other day talking about her ADD and how she spent 4 hours searching for the perfect painting one day instead of working on her thesis."

One day I spent 3 hours looking for a Hello Kitty shirt someone had told me about so I could use it for our engagement pictures a month later. I had a giant test the next day I believe.



BTW, I read an interesting article in some magazine named Wired a few months ago. It was an interview with the main author of the DSM-IV and how he regrets ever helping put out the book. He claims it has ruined a lot of lives iirc, and basicaly said how it caused a mass of people to be over diagnosed. He also talked about how there's so much overlap, you really can't place anyone into a single category. The DSM-V is coming out soon (or very recently came out) and I guess he was pushing for them not to do it...

7/18/2011 10:29:26 PM

For all the reasons above you don't have ADD/ADHD. I have/had a odd version of it coupled with slow processing speed relative to my abilities. I only have average sensory processing abilities when it should far exceed that. Though it doesn't sound like you have that either.

7/18/2011 10:46:34 PM

Interesting to hear that other people have found depressants like alcohol have helped them, too.

7/18/2011 10:51:17 PM

Alcohol makes me slightly more outgoing / able to cope better (feel a lot better) about being around a lot of people. Aside from that it doesn't help at all. I slowly took myself off of adderall which seems to be a good thing over 2.5 years ago. The doctors were informed and such and they didn't think it was a problem either. I haven't taken any of my add meds in quite a while.

7/18/2011 10:55:51 PM

I'm interested to know which of the people in this thread who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD actually think they have it? I've counted 9 people in this thread who have said they were diagnosed with it (some treated, some not). I believe many of them feel that it is over-diagnosed, along with people who have never been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.

Certainly all 9 are not "true" sufferers of ADD/ADHD while the rest of the world is just misdiagnosed.

7/18/2011 11:08:48 PM

I don't think it's "over-diagnosed" as much as it isn't really a disorder, per-se, it's just some people are wired differently than others.

For natural human activities most people diagnosed with ADD and ADHD wouldn't be at any disadvantage or have any problems. But when you put them in a setting alien to natural human activity (sitting at a desk for hours at a time and paying attention) those people find it harder than others who have different personalities and traits.

If it weren't for the rigid nature of education (and office jobs) very few people would need ADHD medication. That being said, considering the current education system and office environment is here to stay, I'm in support of ADD medication for those who need it.

[Edited on July 18, 2011 at 11:24 PM. Reason : ]

7/18/2011 11:23:05 PM

No I had a mild version of ADD (no HD). I am able to cope on my own even when young and compensate back to a above average level, though based on where I should be performing quite low. Counseling, medication and other therapy 'sped me up' and got me to a point where I only have a negligible difference in performance vs ability even without medication. I do believe that the majority of sufferers out grow their ADD to a large part, or at least have a sharp decrease in the impact of their symptoms. It's still wildly over diagnosed and too many kids are on medication now for it. Back when I was in elementary and middle school you didn't want to be the kid who had to come get pills during lunch or class.

7/18/2011 11:26:35 PM

Whether its over diagnosed or not, there some debate about letting adults get adderal prescriptions as a performance enhancing drug. Basically an informed adult can get an rx if they're healthy enough to take it. The argument is to boost productivity, imagine what intellegent people can do with an enhanced focus.

Obviously there's ethical issues to it. Its a curious subject.

7/18/2011 11:57:47 PM

To be clear, the thing about people with ADHD responding differently to stimulants than non-sufferers is not true.

There may be individuals who report being affected differently by the medicine, but as far as I know, they have not identified some special mysterious brain thing unique to people with ADHD that would make them respond differently to stimulants. They pretty much universally boost perceived energy, help concentration, cut appetite, etc... If you are an exception to this, it's because you are, not because you have ADD.

7/19/2011 12:51:53 AM

Quote :

"I'm interested to know which of the people in this thread who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD actually think they have it? I've counted 9 people in this thread who have said they were diagnosed with it (some treated, some not). I believe many of them feel that it is over-diagnosed, along with people who have never been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Certainly all 9 are not "true" sufferers of ADD/ADHD while the rest of the world is just misdiagnosed."

i was clinically diagnosed with ADHD in HS. you can argue the validity of the diagnosis, but after learning coping skills and taking medication, i was getting straight A's after getting D's and C's on everything.

i believe it is over-diagnosed...just like many other conditions. i had a family practice doctor tell me i was bi-polar from a short 10 question multiple choice test, and a psychiatrist literally laughed at the diagnosis. this hack was pushing to put me on bi-polar meds that day. turns out it was just depression/anxiety.

i think a lot of it depends on the doctor. my parents made sure that i saw one that was highly recommended and accomplished. i went through multiple sessions, with multiple tests. some of them were really hard, and i couldn't figure out why i needed to do some of the tests. she was very thorough.

[Edited on July 19, 2011 at 1:43 AM. Reason : .]

7/19/2011 1:42:40 AM