I have been a long time dealing with this condition. I was diagnosed ADD in my early teenage years. In fact I had to be constantly reminded just to take the medication (Ritalin at the time) I was perscribed. I clearly remember the impact it had helping me to get focused enough to 'just pass' high school. Now college kids are taking advantage of these medications and using them as a crutch for a 24 hour cram session. It sickens me because it makes it just that much harder for folks with a legitimate need.
I'm 34 now and it's been years since I've taken any medications to help me deal with ADD although I still cope with the symptoms daily. In fact I'm completely confident that I'm still a legitimate ADD case as an adult. Those you say you grow out of it?.. I beg to differ... (in fact I'm on the job now... distracted of course... supposed to be banging out some purchase requests). You learn to adapt and live it with it, that's all. I wish for one momenent someone who has the advantage of a normal chemical though process could walk a day in my shoes and deal with the frustrations it brings.
My problem is a giant lack of organizational skills, and focus. On the other hand, I've developed several coping mechanisms over the years to help me get by mostly centered around regular routines I've forced myself into; like immediately emptying my pockets with my car keys, wallet, and phone right next to the dryer. I'm not good at doing that every time and man do I suffer for it when I don't because I am the world's worst at setting stuff down in random places and having no idea what happened to the stuff. But when I'm able to remember, the routines help.
I've also been able to put myself through college by just forcing myself to sit down and do it. This was no easy task and it took me 7 years of starting and stopping to complete a 4 year degree but I did it and I did it with Honors and a 4.0 GPA and a Bachelors of Science in Information Technology so it just goes to prove where there is a will there is a way. The trick is finding what genuinely interests you.. I'm a techie geek, so anything to do with electronics I dig on. I also like to build and create things and have ever since I was a kid.
I can't tell you how or why my mind works the way it does and how I make it each day but I do it anyway... I have an uncanny ability to make mental leaps and see the solution to a problem without having to actually work through the process to arrive at the answer. A lot of times I can't tell you how I know the answer,.. I just know and not always, but more often than not I'm right. That much and knowing my own interests and tendencies has made me a success at my job as a Network Engineer where I'm responsible for developing new and creative ways to implement computer networks.
My desk is a pile of papers everywhere. I've usually got 14 projects going at once yet I'm able to stay with it most days. I could best describe it as organized chaos. Somehow I make it work for me... My work in the field of IT is by nature in an ever-changing state of development and re-invention so the whole "trouble with finshing a task" doesn't come into play all that much. Although I definitely struggle with that. The half dozen or so 80-90% completed home improvement projects I've lived with over the past several months that would take me just a week or less of dedicating my evenings after work to complete are a living testimony to that!
I still do stupid things like drive my car too fast and getting a ticket when I know better. Or going out and buying that must-have whatever-it-is on a whim and then living paycheck to paycheck on over-extended credit with no savings to back it up. Thankfully I've been lucky enough to have not had any serious injuries that have taken me away from my work.
I know if I got back on some medication my live would be a whole lot more organized and less in disarray, but at the same time I fear I'd loose part of myself in the process. I remember taking Ritilan before and yes it helped me focus like I never thought could be possible. Thoughts and speech came easy for me and in an organized manner. Everything became methodical and had to follow a process too. At the same time I thought I was a more muted almost robotic version of myself or like I had to give up a piece of me to have that.
Sometimes I think it would still be worth it to pursue a new prescription, but at the same time I wonder who it would turn me into. Also, I wouldn't want to jeapordize the creative side of me that can still "just see the answers" and is a big secret to my success. For all my faults and struggles, I've got a successful career, a wife who loves me for who I am (not who I would be if I were a different version of myself), and.... whatever that other though was just just escaped me while the though of what I wanted to put in those parenthesis above for extra clarification about the wife bit took it's place instead.. HAHA!
That's just my life though..
In closing, these kids shouldn't be allowed to take advantage of a situation when there are those of us with a legitimate need. It's not fair to those who need the help and the abusers are only cheating themselves in the long run..
I've scrapped and fought (and continue to fight) for what I have and I've done it honestly in the old fashioned way - with hard work and dedication. I have my flaws still yet, but I would defy any college kid who Ritalined his way through exam week to show up at my place of work and attempt to "school" me in my field of experties. I would be a sad and agonizing embarrassment for them.
They can have their drugs... I'll keep my crutches thank you very much!
-Adam
Adam
Thanks so much for your response. I enjoyed reading about your life and it sounds like you have found some great ways for coping. I, myself am a piler, I have piles all around my house, but seem to know what is in every pile. At work I am organized but as I always tell people, that is because someone is paying me to be organized!
I do have to congratulate you on all your many successes. You have done well for yourself and you sound like you are okay with how you turned out. That is more than most people can say (with and without ADHD) so you are really ahead of the game.
I agree with you point though about how those that don't need the medication shouldn't take it, it makes it more difficult for those that do.
Eileen
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Thanks for sharing your story. You were honest in saying you exaggerated your symptoms in the beginning. It is sad that those who do have ADHD are afraid of not being diagnosed, while some that do not have ADHD are getting diagnosed. I agree that treatment and medication are there to help those that need it and they are set back by those that "cheat" in order to get the medication. We live in a world where achievement and getting ahead is so important and "must" be done at any cost.
I wish you the best with continuing your education. You should be proud of what you have accomplished so far. Keep up the great work!
Eileen