MaryP

Although I personally do not have ADHD, both my ex and my 28-year old daughter have it. So, yes, I have "lived with it" and I have seen, first hand, the effects that it has had on not only my daughter and my ex-, but also the effects it has had on the family, and also the effects it has had on their social and business relationships. If you go back and read my first post about this, it was in response to minobu's question regarding people's experience with Ritalin. I NEVER said that it is the only answer -- what I did say is that is what extremely helpful in my daughter's case. As far as looking for alternatives to Ritalin, I HAVE DEFINITELY researched ADHD in depth over the last 15 years (when my daughter was diagnosed with it) and she has even resorted to trying biofeedback as a way to control it. However, that, too, was not a viable solution for my daughter. I do take offense to your statement "why work, develop and teach self discipline skills when a pill can make it all go away for you???" Just curious -- do you take aspirin for a headache or cold meds when you have a cold or any other over-the-counter drugs or prescription drugs? This is my last post on this subject because it has definitely gotten away from the original question.

Obviously you and a couple of others replying in this thread know more about ADHD - a recognized and legitimate learning disability -- than the Mayo Clinic, the National Health Institute, neurologists, psychologists, educators and other professionals in the medical field! It must be nice to be a know-it-all without ever studying or researching anything. Good luck with your life.

A better starting point is the website www.chadd.org. CHADD( Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1987. A few of the direct quotes from this website (recommended by doctors, educators, etc.) is: SYMPTOMS include: 1. Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes at work. 2. Poor attention; excessive distractibility 3. Excessive impulsivity; saying or doing things without thinking. Etc. Another quote: "Although individuals with ADD can be very successful in life, without identification and treatment, AD/HD may have serious consequences, including school failure, family stress and disruption, depression, problems with relationships, substance abuse, delinquency, RISK FOR ACCIDENTAL INJURIES, and job failure." You are right when you reference "absent-minded geniuses". It is a fact that many ADD / ADHD people are EXTREMELY intelligent - hence, the reason that their grades tend to be straight A's when they get on their meds. In other words, the meds don't make you any smarter...they just allow you to access the "smarts" that are already there.

Risky behavior is NOT a form of self-medication! It may be a reason why ADD people gravitate to skydiving -- but ADD people (according to doctors, ADD authorities, etc.) tend to live for the moment ONLY and do not always tend to think about or put alot of weight on the ramifications of their actions. This is a fact, not an opinion.

My point is, if you're ADD -- and you not taking your meds -- you could be putting yourself and others at risk. Having been around ADD people (children and adults), I know that it is not unusual for an ADD person to forget (or neglect) to take their meds.

My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD when she was a high school freshman, after years of visits to the school psychologist all through grade school for inability to concentrate in class, excessive talking, etc. Once she was diagnosed and prescribed Ritalin, her behavior and grades (from struggling C's to straight A's) improved dramatically. Her "forgetfullness" also drastically improved. (I can't tell you how many coats, shoes, books, etc. were lost when she was young because she would just forget them -- even in the dead of winter when you needed a coat when you went home from school...) During high school and college, she worked summers as a server at various restaurants and when she forgot to take her medication, she was unable to keep the customers' order straight, she couldn't make correct change, she would forget which days she was scheduled to work, she would forget to wear part of her server's uniform, etc. She also played competitive tennis in high school (she was #11 in the state and also had a regional ranking) and went to college on a tennis scholarship. I went to most of her matches and it was EXTREMELY obvious when she forgot to take her medication -- she was unable to focus on the match to the point where the opposing player would ask her if she was ready or if she was ok, etc. Like many ADD patients, she did not want anyone to know that she was ADD and taking Ritalin and often would be beligerent if I tried to remind her to take it. Also, like a handful of ADD patients, she tended to be extremely combative and destructive when she was not on medications -- a couple of times to the point that I had to take extraordinary measures to keep her under control. However, when she was on Ritalin, her behavior was always normal and acceptable. Almost 14 years later, at the age of 28, she is still on a strong dose of Ritalin twice a day and even she can tell a difference when she does not take her medication. The doctor has said that children normally "outgrow" ADHD by 18 years old -- but those that do not, will more than likely have it for a lifetime. Also, ADHD is normally inherited (her Dad has it). At 28, she is extremely successful and driven in her career (earns 6 figures) -- but she has finally accepted that she MUST take her Ritalin every day if she wants to function at all! Ritalin has been a lifesaver for her (and me). I would be afraid to think about where she would be right now without it. You hear of how it is over-prescribed, and that is probably true, but when those that need it, use it, it is the difference between day and night. If you truly do have ADD, I would give serious consideration as to whether or not you should be jumping because, as we all realize, a few seconds of distraction (the primary symptom of ADD) at the wrong time can be disasterous. ADD is not something that you can control -- it controls you.