Comments on: Do You Have an ADD/ADHD Medication Success Story?

By: Dr. Kenny Handelman

Dr. Kenny Handelman — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:02:36 +0000

Congrats, EH. Thanks for taking the time to share your story!

By: EH

EH — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 06:51:08 +0000

Adderall changed my life.

Educators for countless years had been telling me that I’m “very smart,” however, I absolutely never believed it; first, I’m very humble, and second, humbleness aside, I seriously didn’t see any evidence in my academic performance from which I could reasonably draw the conclusion that I’m “very smart.” What my friends (familiar with ADHD) and physicians kept telling me was that, for me to have gotten where I am (I have a Juris Doctor degree; i.e., I am an attorney) with untreated ADHD, I could only have accomplished if I were a genius (my friends’ and physicians’ words, not mine).

After years of denial, I finally threw down the money and underwent diagnosis for ADHD. My physician concluded after testing that I might have ADHD–he wasn’t sure. He said that, as a diagnostic tool, he could start me on ADHD meds; he indicated that if I did not have ADHD that the meds would not improve my ability to focus; begrudgingly, I accepted his proposal.

Long story short, after taking Adderall for less than a month I am a very different (i.e., focused) person. For the first time ever, I can read a book (and understand and digest its content) easily. Reading is now enjoyable where, before, it was a chore. While some reading this will chalk what I am about to say up to hyperbole, I warrant the preceding to be true: within the first month of taking Adderall, I applied, and was accepted, to Harvard Business School. I am not suggesting that my experience is represented of the average experience; however, I want to make clear that I am certain that, with untreated ADHD, I would never have had the gumption (and certainly not the focus) to apply to Harvard.

If you suspect you might have ADHD, I sincerely recommend seeking treatment. I hate being on medication as much as the next person, but, for me, the pros of taking Adderall outweighs the (perceived) cons.

By: KELLY

KELLY — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:51:59 +0000

Hey. I just read your post. Omg. I have been really struggling lately. I went to the clinic that specializes in ADHD. They told me it sounds as though I have more than just ADHD and that I didn’t need the clinic. I was so saddened by that. I was diagnosed with add as a kid, and my mom never put me on meds. I wish she did. I really do. As an adult I tried to get assessed for it two times and each time they told me I had bipolar. But I really think its the ADHD. I am just really sad, because no one believes me. I have all the symptoms. But people keep saying… no its something else. I even researched it a lot, and see that a lot of my symptoms (that are emotional) can come from ADHD untreated. My therapist says that I might have bipolar and ADHD, but she really thinks I have it. She is the only one who believes me, and I am just beside myself. Things are really crazy in my life. Mainly struggling with 2 jobs, raising my son, and finances.

By: KELLY

KELLY — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:24:41 +0000

I have been reading this site. I am going to an ADHD specialty clinic for adults. Starting tomorrow. I have been struggling since I was a kid, and was diagnosed with every psych disorder known to man. I am just hoping/praying to GOD that they will try me on stimulant medications for the first time in my whole life. I have been on so many meds, and none of them seem to help. So I want to try this kind, and I hope to GOD I see results. I am so frustrated with myself and the way life is going. I really feel as if its a focusing issue. I want to do so much, and am capable of so much. But I just feel lost in the mix. I am so frustrated with everyone who just diagnosed me with everything under the son, refusing to give me any medications that could have helped. I mean what if it would have prevented me from all the failures in life. Right now I am working two jobs, waiting to get back into school so I can graduate and be successful. Its taken me SO many years to try and get a career. It takes some people 4 years. I want to be successful, and be a great influence for my son. I really hope that I am heading down the right path!! I want to sit down and study, to finish all the tasks I need to. I want to focus on my son and play with him. I want to focus on work and stop staring at the clock inpatiently. I want to be able to relax, and enjoy myself rather than chain smoke, and stress out. I dont want to feel like I need to nap all day long, I want to feel awake. Please please please let this ADHD place help me. Okay I am done rambling!

By: Dr. Kenny Handelman

Dr. Kenny Handelman — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:18:15 +0000

Justin – I think that makes a lot of sense, and getting assessed and looking at treatment options can make a huge difference for you, your relationships and your quality of life. Good luck!
Dr. Kenny

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:59:19 +0000

So, this is the first time I have posted about this.

In short I was diagnosed with ADD when I was about 14 years old. I was put on medication for a few weeks before it made me feel sick so I (with my parents) chose to come off of it. I was alwasy active in sports which helped releive some of the nervous engergy. Now fast forward….I am 32 years old with a wife and 4 kids. I have a great job and do very well. However, recently I have noticed the ADHD side of me effecting my life. I have always found it hard to sit down and play or listen to my wife or kids for too long. I always have to be on the move or doing something. Sometimes I will just leave the house to get a soda becase it is something to do. I day dream constantly and rarely pay attention when people are talking to me. I am outgoing, but do not hold long deep conversation with anyone given my short attention span.

Anyway, I have a appointment with a specialist next week to discuss going on medication to help make life better for me and my family. I am concerned about the effects of the medication and will take a very concervative approach. My wife is totally onboard and thinks this will help our relationship. I tend to come home from work and veg out in front of the TV after we put the kids to bed. I wish I could just sit and talk to my wife, but it is hard for me.

Anyway, any suggestions would be helpful as I go down this path.

By: oleg

oleg — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 05:41:39 +0000

Hello, thounds like you have a bit of experience, i went to a psychiatrist 3 weeks ago and scored 15 out of 17 points on ADHD BUT i do not have H as there is clearly no hyperactivity but taking medicaiton for 3 weeks did not do anything to me as there were no changes in fighting with ADD. I TAKE Dex and seen the doctor the second time after been on Dex for a few weeks so he lowered the dousage but still no change . what do you think i need to do?
please say what you think ?

By: Kapell

Kapell — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 07:57:44 +0000

Hello everyone,

I WAS DIOGNOSED WITH ADHD AFTER 40 years ..!
I CAN’T BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE, MY LIFE HAS CHANGED IN SO MANY WAYS I CAN’T EVEN PUT INTO WORDS. I AM JUST STARTING TO LIVE LIFE RIGHTLY, I CAN NOW FINISH ANYTHING I HAVE TO DO. I AM ABLE TO WORK AND ENJOY IT INSTEAD OF DREADING IT AND LOOKING AT THE CLOCK. I TAKE ADDERALL 10mg 3* A DAY. I HAVE A NEW LIFE AND I FELT LIKE KELLY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL TO WHERE I THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY OR IF IT WAS ME THAT SOMETHINGS WRONG WITH ME. SO I DRANK ALCOHOL TO NUMB THE PAIN. ALL MY LIFE DOCTORS SAID I HAD ANXIETY, AND GAVE ME VALIUM XANAX KLONOPIN. IT HELPED TO CAL
ME BUT THAT WOULD BE IT. TEN MONTHS. AGO I GO TO A GOOD PHYCHIATRIST AND HAD 6-8 OF THE SYMTOMS OF ADHD. I THANK GOD AND MY FAMILY AND THE DR. THAT I WENT, THE FIRST DOSE OF ADDERALL WAS A FEELING LIKE SAYING ” AHH THIS LIVING”. THANKS TO THIS SITE THE DR. AND ALL OF YOU. Kelly if you read this n you need advice let me know.I will try to help you. Just post a message.

By: Kelly Metrich

Kelly Metrich — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:34:28 +0000

I have had the worst problems recently. Growing up I was always hyperactive, innapropriate (blurting out, interupting, saying things that offended others). I had problems with relationships, getting along with others, getting into verbal disagreements, school and work issues). As I got older I just got more and more overwhelmed. I was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 7, but never put on medications. Tutors never seemed to help either. Than as I got older I was diagnosed with Bipolar, multiple personalities. I was depressed, suicidal, ect. I just seemed lost, and disinterested. I seemed frustrated and confused. It wasn’t until I had my son that I really changed for the better. I was able to stay at home and care for him. I was able to be on a schedule — went to bed early, woke up early. But as time went on, things became overwhelming again. I was having racing thoughts, had trouble getting out of bed, trouble getting to sleep. I was depressed. I had school, work, and relationships to deal with. I did well in schoola nd made it almost the whole way through, and eventually three months before graduation I failed out due to missing two days (that were mandatory). I just could not get to bed, could not focus, felt hopeless like I could not do anything right. I could not remember things, or understand things — that other people were not having any problems remembering or understanding. I had impulsive problems — I had low self esteem (feeling very much lower than my peers). Right now I can’t even think straight to write this. I have been on so many medications and none seem to do much. I feel like I am disorganized and that my life is really falling apart. I am having trouble keeping a schedule for my son and I. I am impatient. I am extremely overwhelmed. I just want my life back. I pray everyday, and keep hoping that maybe a medication can help me. I have a psychiatrist appointment on Monday and am hoping that he can at least try me on an ADHD medication — just to see if that would help.

By: Will Y.

Will Y. — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:26:36 +0000

1.Why I decided to see a doctor.
Every project I ever had in college was finished the morning of, by staying up all night. Getting fired for making small mistakes was the last straw.
Here I was, about to graduate, just fired, and looking for a job in one of the worst recessions.

2 What happened after I started taking vyvanse.
Got a job unloading trucks. Received two promotions within a year. I am now a manager and I’m still moving up. Helped my family out financially and I am happier than ever before.