Hi,
I am 26 and in the Marine Corps. I have been diagnosed with add since I was in the 2nd grade. I was treated with Ritalin and it helped me out a lot until I hit my mid to late teen years, I became depressed and very self destructive, i.e. heavy drinking, total self-disregard for any safety. I am now off my medication and its like when I was 7 again, except I cant be medicated for ADD while in the military so I get held back from well deserved promotions and other good oporitunities. I have always had a very bad temper and have learned to keep it in check, I have learned to dicipline myself to think straight but only for short bursts and I get mentally fatigued very easily. For some reason I love mentally challenging myself, its like I am mentally masochistic or something. Sometimes I cant sleep because my mind is running so fast I don't know how to deal with it except do something, things that I like and that often leads me away from responsibility. The best way to deal with it I have found is to laugh, alot and don't be so self critical or you will drive yourself to defeat, I have been off my meds for 7 years and I have made 4 of them in the Marines and fought 2 wars with them, its not impossible, it just takes acceptance and time, you all will get the hang of it. Just believe in yourself. Good luck. I will check in on this post in the next few days to see how you all are. Later