how do i help people understand my adhd? and why i have to take adderall xr

If you really think they won't understand, then don't tell them. But, if you've already told them and they still don't like it, that's their problem. They'll have to get over it. They're the ones who are ignorant. 

Disliking someone with ADHD because they take meds is just plain stupid. It's like disliking a quadraplegic because he uses a wheelchair.

genny, i've had the same feelings about another illness but the same circumstances.  what i did after months and months of being judged harshly, and critized,because of it and told i was taking these drugs just to get high ect. i went here on this site and a few others that plainly talked and told what the illness is about what the sysmtoms are, and tells them exactly from a physician, what this illness consist of.  get the parts that really have to do with how you are affected by it(things that they would know about you) and print this stuff out on your computer. sit them down and tell them that you have something important that you want them to read and let them knnow that this literature is from experts in this field.  surely they can't argue with that! since they are no experts and anythig much less mental illness.  my family didn't believe in mental illness either. they just thought i acted this way cause i was mean or bad or something! i never knew but i know how they can make you feel inside without even(at the time) knowing why myself. so good luck to you hon. make sure they read it.

im sorry 2 hear that u cant make ppl understand or listen but if u have leaflets and things on the matter then ask them 2 read and let them find the way 2 understand and dont b ashamed of the fact that u have adhd or u r on meds for it as there is alot of ppl in the same situation as urself my 6 yr old son has epilepsy on top of adhd maybe and i wish i new how i cud sit him down 2 help him understand but all i can do is b there for him and u do have sum crual ppl in the world who will never understand unless they r in the same situation as our selves x its hard but we learn 2 deal with it and cope with who we r b cus of it

    To be blunt, unfortunately they will never understand!!! Believe me I understand the frustration. It is just impossible accomplish. They can go to one of your doctors appointments or read information but they will still never understand. Trying to explain I have found just makes it worse. My parents blame medication for my symptoms even when I had symptoms not on meds (makes no sense).

    What you are really looking for is ACCEPTANCE of who you are. I'm sure their are way more positives than negatives. Your boyfriend sees this or he wouldn't be with you.

    Don't justify your medication for ADHD to anyone, that is between you and your doctor. ADHD includes many gifts. I am very sensitive too. Just don't lose site of those gifts and everything should fall into place. (I'm trying its hard.) You have positives that you need to believe in and they will see eventually. It seems as though it probably isn't you but the fact that their son is in love and they are possibly being overly protective.

   ADHD is a gift. Focus on that. Your boyfriend is with you and accepts you. So if you stay together either his family will eventually accept you or they won't. Who knows. Just focus on the positive in yourself. Everyone has things they aren't good at whether it is focus or their handwriting. If a diabetic has to take insulin then they take it or will possibly die. ADHD is a medical issue and treated with meds in the same way. I hope this helped. I'm going through this myself. It's hard.