Adult ADD??
Tuesday morning I went to see a head doctor again. My mother is convinced that I have ADD. She is actually conviced that all her sons have this problem. One of my older brothers went to a different head doctor and recieved a prescription for some medicine that would help him — if he did, indeed, have Adult ADD.
She is actually conviced that all her sons have this problem. One of my older brothers went to a different head doctor and recieved a prescription for some medicine that would help him — if he did, indeed, have Adult ADD. Well, the medication worked really well. He is now always in a better humor. I am starting to have more of a relationship with him. Also, he rarely ever got an A (and graduated with a 2.07 GPA,) but now he is in Law School and is at the top of his class.
I have a prescription now too. I might get around to filling it sometime next week. The weird thing is that I do actually have some of the symptoms of this issue, but I never want to be that ADD guy… or the guy who uses something as an excuse.
One of the symptoms I read of ADD is giving these long monologues when you are talking to someone. Totally dominating a conversation to the point that you are just talking to yourself, but someone is within earshot of you and suffering through the whole ordeal. I do that from time to time. I notice that people don’t always appreciate it, so I turned to blogging as a form of self-therapy. Now, instead of talking someone’s ear off… I just realize that I’ve already shared this or that story with the world through my blog. It helps me be more patient in conversation, and maybe a better listener.
So, I am wondering now… if I do have ADD AND this medication works will I no longer need to blog? I mean… what’s the point of self-medicating therapies when you have an alternate solution the problem? Well, we’ll see how it goes. I’ve just noticed that many of my more normal friends have had the blogging thing come into their lives and leave just as quickly. They’re normal. They probably didn’t need to write as therapy for themselves… to cope socially and interpersonally.
ADD meds are weird, they can change who you are. I’ve met some totally medicated kids that have lost all signs of personality, it’s sad. When I was in high school my mom and a doctor (not my dad) wanted me to take ADD meds, but I refused. They’re supposed to “balance” a person out, but you also lose some of your individuality. I’m scared of losing who I am because I like who I am (for the most part) and I feel that God has made me who I am for a reason.
Comment by Nate — July 21, 2005 @ 5:20 pm
Nate, I couldn’t have said that better myself. I’d like to just officially take all of your words up there and make them my own. It’s funny how Dad’s don’t seem to get involved in pushing this sort of thing. Maybe that just true of our two dads, but I’d bet good money that it is a universal thing.
AC, No problem. I like to let people know that I stopped by when I go blogrolling.
My mother actually has that book. She wants me to read it, but I “haven’t gotten around to it yet.”
Comment by David — July 21, 2005 @ 11:28 pm
I don’t think ADD meds are weird or bad. I’m glad that you saw the doctor and I think that you should try them and see if they help balance you out.
I disagree with Nate that they will change you and you will lose your personality. People tend to be extremely apprehensive about medication and perhaps the cases Nate has seen have been kids who perhaps didn’t need it. I think that you do have some of these signs and perhaps trying this as a temporary solution might benefit you greatly. So I’m supporting you taking this medication. If it doesn’t work, then at least you tried it to see if it would help.
I think you’re brother is a good example of how this can benefit someone. Some of these issues are more likely in families when one person has it, so your mom might not be wrong in her thinking that all her kids have ADD (yet I realize the other issues with this idea so I don’t fully believe it). I’m just glad that you are open to it and have considered how it could help you.
Comment by Jessica — July 21, 2005 @ 11:36 pm
It’s kind of interesting that even in this comment section, it seems that the men are wary of ADD meds (like David and my father are). I’m not sure if the Academic Coach is a male or female…
Comment by Nate — July 22, 2005 @ 9:42 am
I’m weary of them too Nate…but that’s because i definetly see times where they have been over prescribed (I can recall that it seems that nearly all my friends who had younger brothers told me at one time that their bro’s were on them, which seemed like overusage to me). But, it can’t hurt to try, and it very might be the thing you need. You are a grown adult, and I think those areound you and yourself will be able to detect both positve and negative ramifications from the medication.
Comment by JennyJ — July 22, 2005 @ 10:30 pm
man, it seems that my writing has descended into a sad depth of barely being inteligable…i am sorry
Comment by JennyJ — July 22, 2005 @ 10:32 pm
haha…you know what i mean….it’s barely decipherable (that sounds a little more accurate)
Comment by JennyJ — July 22, 2005 @ 10:32 pm
I would like to point out that though there are strong opinions on this topic, it’s not a debate here where the situation is nuetral. I understand people are apprehensive of medication and I believe that they should be since meds are over prescribed for wrong reasons. However after suffereing with a condition for years, one should consider taking medication to help get on track esp if an inability to focus is a huge issue.
I just don’t want everyone’s opinion to prevent you from trying the medication. David, this is something that you and Joy live with and deal with. Please do not let others opinions or comments prevent you from filling and trying it because it might really help you with school and in life. I don’t know much about the medication or side effects or getting off of it later, but I still strongly believe that you should try it and try it before your class starts so you can see if there are any side effects before you need to be performing optimally.
I’m not just trying to push you around or something, I really believe that this will help you.
Comment by Jessica — July 23, 2005 @ 12:07 am