I need help... I think I have ADHD, and I just found my cure

[realitybias]

I need help, guys, and I'm not sure how to go about it. Maybe somewhere out there, someone has been in my shoes and will realize what I'm going through. Maybe someone will be able to advise me on what I need to do...

I believe that I have ADHD... and I am serious about this. ADHD isn't something "cool" to say you have, or something to be proud of, unlike the people out there who are pretenders. I was never diagnosed because I never had medical insurance, but now I have an insurance plan.

I'm a very smart person in general... I tend to do well in school, but not from paying attention in class (of which I seem to have no ability to do). I read a book, and get lost in the words, often finding myself skipping entire paragraphs impulsively and getting extremely frustrated at my lack of ability to sit down and read more than two or three pages of material. I often find myself stopping in the middle of my academic endeavors, distracted by my surroundings, and frustrated with my attempt to work or read. In class, I cannot listen to the teacher for more than 5 or 10 minutes... my whole life, I've been self taught, and thats how I've made it through school, but that's getting tougher as college goes on.

Yesterday, I tried adderall. It didn't "speed me up" like it does for most people, rather, it slowed me down and made me think more about what I was saying. I have a stuttering problem that completely disappeared upon taking this medicine. I was instantly able to connect to reality, to enjoy reading, to experience the same academic success that my peers experience, the same success I knew I was capable of.

I don't want to go to the doctor and get perscribed Ritalin, Concerta, Stratera, or an antidepressant like welbutrin. I don't like what I hear about these drugs, I don't like what I see in them and in the people I know who use them... and they don't seem to think it helps them nearly as much as adderall does either.

So what should I do? I feel like I have the potential to become whole, but lost as to how I can accomplish it...

(Oh, and I'm 19, just to let you guys know)


PS: After typing this, I would also like to add that another medication that I have used is Modavigil, a generic version of Provigil, which is currently being tested on those with ADHD. It worked, not nearly on the same level as Adderall, but it is quite expensive, and its use is not indicated yet for those with ADHD, only narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder. Not to mention, I doubt most local docs have EVER written a perscription for this medicine.

[jerbles]

tell your doc about these symptoms. he will most likely diagnose you with adhd and give you a med similar to adderal or maybe even give you adderal.

[angela20377]

yup, doctor is the best bet. swiy will probably have to take a test (for swim, it took about 3 days/ 2 hours a day) search around the forum to find out more about these tests.
oh yeah just a warning: always use swim(someone who isnt me) to avoid self-incrimination.

[Lehendakari]

I don't want to go to the doctor and get perscribed Ritalin, Concerta, Stratera, or an antidepressant like welbutrin. I don't like what I hear about these drugs, I don't like what I see in them and in the people I know who use them... and they don't seem to think it helps them nearly as much as adderall does either.

There is nothing you can do but go to the doctor and listen to what he/she says. Suggesting doctors what to prescribe doesn't sound like a good idea, even if you are being honest to them, they probably won't trust you.

Besides Concerta, ritalin and other meds can help you, why don't you give them a chance? Sure they have bad reactions to certain people, but adderall has also its dark side, don't you think? Sure it worked wonders for you one time but making it a daily treatment is different.

Try what your doc says, if that fails your doc will switch medications till finding the right treatment for you. Best wishes.