ADD

I was recently told by my grandmother that I was diagnosed with ADD when I was little but they refused to put me on meds. But it would explain everything I went through in school and now my job. I have been having such a hard time concentrating and Im really implusive too. I do things with out even thinking. I dont know I have never considered getting on the meds but I think I should now because this whole consentration thing is getting hard to do and Im scared I will lose my job.

Hello NeverEndingStory: Well... it certainly couldn't hurt to look into it! Med's may or may not be the solution to your concentration problems. But, if you think you may be in danger of losing your job due to the problems you're having with concentration, it certainly would be worth considering, it seems to me.

It makes me extremely angry when I hear or read a story like yours. I won't mince words but your parents failed you in a big way. You were diagnosed and yet it appears nothing was done, no different than if you went undiagnosed or your parents ignored any symptoms and assumed that you were lazy, unmotivated, ect, ect,ect. I grew up in a time when little was known about ADD and it didn't have a name attached to the symptoms. My school days were nothing short of a living hell, and I am still paying a heavy price today(53, diagnosed at 37). I can't blame my parents entirely because of the unknown, but their parenting skills or lack of made a tough time even worse. If meds were available to me in grade or high school I know I would have had a much more positive childhood. Meds have been a god send for me but unfortunately to late to find success in career & relationships. My self esteem was destroyed.
What you need to do is make an appointment with an experienced medical professional, someone with knowledge of ADHD/ADD, since you were diagnosed as a kid but not told and nothing done you now have more control and input and the Dr. may want a current evaluation based on your perspective. As far as meds, there is nothing to fear. Meds are not a cure all and only part of a treatment plan but an important part . It's meds that will a positive effect on the difficulties your having. It is fear, ignorance and bad information that influence ones decision about meds, weather its the parents of an ADD child or the ADD sufferer themselves. There are numerous medications, what works for one person may not work for another, you may have to play around with dosages to see what works. I would also suggest that you educate yourself about ADD, many books listed here is a good start, there are several closed groups on Facebook where you can get valuable information from experienced doctors and ADD sufferers themselves. I would steer clear from anyone that has negative opinions about both ADD or Meds, most either don't have it or have an agenda. Scientology is notorious for spreading false and negative information about medications in general as they have an agenda against the Pharmaceutical Industry and Psychiatry community in general. But the most important thing is to educate yourself, that is key, the more YOU know the better. I would also at some point, if possible, ask your parents why they made the decision they did, they knew and chose to do nothing and you paid the price. I don't buy the " we did what was best" excuse, because that is exactly what it is an excuse. Parents are supposed to lay the foundation for there kids success in life, yours had the chance with your ADD diagnoses and the result of there failure was your difficulties in school and personal actions. Meds changed me for the better but after 40 years of difficulties in many areas trying to make that all up at my age is pretty much impossible. If I had been diagnosed in my early 20's I would have had a chance. There is nothing to be ashamed of by having ADD, and nothing to fear about meds. You are having the same difficulties that eventually destroyed me, you have the chance, a 2nd chance to change yours. Your parents failed you, don't do the same to yourself.

yeh... i was over achiever in some tings.. so its like... they dont listen, but when you slip up its a mistake on you, push harder. try harder. focus. you stop playing, you stop acting out and do your work, im like ok... sure... yes... thats what im doing... i go to work...

never been on medications... but they dx me at 26 years old this year in january... still not put on medications... so i dunno how medications might help... but i know it s annoying to have someone look at you and be like just do it, when you are trying to just do it, but you are moving from a million other things going on trying to just do it, just do it, just do it, and they act like its your fault... i swear if i went back i would be in jail because i would develop angery out bursts because they piss me off so much... but i have trauma disorders and i cant express emotions so blocks me from doing anything from that im told....
so im hoping meds can help when i get with new pdoc they will let me try... and i hope that you can get with a good doc and maybe hopefully if you decide to try some therapy because therapies is good for pretty much everyones.... just dont give up and keep fighting for what you deserve.... attention issue is something to really be upset about because no one in the world will believe us when we say we have it... they will probably just be like ok you just want some adderall, you are a drug addict, speed head, you want to get high, and i would stab them with a dagger through the eye if i could because they are so bloody stupids.... dummies.... but i have not ever been heard in my life so i seem to feel extreme.... i hope you dont feel the same.... just keep trying go for your best benefit... your health and welbeing is important so you deserve to be happy.... its not about drugs, its about some stupid suppliment that might can help some of us help focus and remember more.... rather that do what we normally do... which should be fine... but normal society thinks we are the problem... when i think they are the sick and should be medicated for their mediocrity....

Same thing happened to me and I just (today) started taking a low dose of Adderall. The intention was for it to uplift my depression and while everyone knows I have ADD, no one ever did anything about it. Took my first dose and I feel better. An unexpected side-effect right now is that I don't have any anxiety. I haven't been without anxiety for so long that I don't know what to do with how calm I feel. Now, as far as I understand it, it takes a few weeks to get everything right with the right dose and right drug. As of day one, I'm calm. Still have the same sort of energy, just not using it to flip out.