<pre><code> Have any of you been diagnosed with any of these three
conditions and are you receiving medication for it? Since I
am seriously considering medication (and since I have been
legitimately diagnosed with one of these, this is legal, and
yes, I have talked with disability services and realize that
this may be my last resort), I would like to have some advice
about this.
First of all, my main concern is addiction and tolerance. I
do realize that after the first month of taking medication, I
might be having the best moments of my life. But after the
first month or so, I am concerned about potential tolerance
afterwards. Do you ever find yourself having to upp your
dosage after a while? And do the effects ultimately wear off?
Is it possible to even function for a while without them? And
how many years have you been on them? Do you end up having to
take them for a lifetime?
Second of all, is it easy to get off these medications during
periods of time when you don't need them? (for example,
vacations/breaks).
Third of all, how do the medications really differ from each
other? What I am considering is a medication to control my
ADD (primarily attention-deficit, not the hyperactive form)
symptoms - so I am considering Adderall and Ritalin - and am
curious about their differences. Also, do anti-depressants work just as well as Adderall/Ritalin?
<p>Hi Simfish-
I'm replying as a parent of a child with ADD. First, you should definitely discuss these questions with a doctor! Health Services should have someone (GP or Psych) who is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD. I'm a little uncomfortable about giving medical advice, but nevertheless there are some basics of which you should be aware... </p>
<p>There are a number of treatment options for ADD. Stimulants (Concerta, Ritalin, Adderall, etc) are the most common first approach. They are in and out of your system in a day or less and are not addictive, although they may have side effects (again, talk to a doctor!), such as sleeplessness, loss of appetite and the unmasking of motor tics. In rare cases there have been reports of increased suicidality and depression, heart issues and other nastiness. You do not build up a tolerance for these meds., but it may take a few weeks to get the dosage right, as individual reactions to the meds. vary. In children dosages sometimes need to be adjusted due to growth, but it sound like you're old enough for this not to be much of an issue. Because they're so fast-acting, you will generally start to see/feel the effects within 20-60 minutes. These meds. can also be taken one day and not the next without danger. Some people outgrow the need for meds.(I've seen stats. ranging from 25%-70%), others choose to continue medication into adulthood.</p>
<p>I am less able to comment on non-stimulants (Strattera, anti-depressants), although I do know that unlike the common stimulant meds., they must be taken consistently (every day, without skipping) and it can take weeks of taking them before their effect can be evaluated. These, too, have side-effects, and in any case must be monitored by a physician.</p>
<p>I have ADD and have tried Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta and have had bad experiences with all of them. Tolerance was never an issue. The one thing I will warn you about is that once you are used to being on them, everything will seem easier, but once you stop taking them for whatever reason, everything is all of the sudden much harder than it had been before using the medicine. For example, I have always had a hard time focusing on studying, but then it was much easier while on the medicine, but then once I realized that the medicine was not right for me and stopped taking it, studying seemed even more difficult than it had been before. I was on Ritalin for about 2 weeks so I really don't have much to say about it(I stopped because I got hives and my mom panicked). Adderall didn't help me at all. Concerta at first seemed to be just what I needed. However, I gradually became depressed and took myself off the medication after about 5 months. Apparently, depression is not an uncommon side effect. I then decided to write my sophomore research paper about the potential dangers of stimulants. I still take Concerta when I have a big test and for my SATs, but I would never ever let myself become dependent on it again.</p>
<p>Wow, those were very helpful... Thanks! BUt ali12, why is "but once you stop taking them for whatever reason, everything is all of the sudden much harder than it had been before using the medicine" the case? Is that a sort of tolerance?</p>
<p>My brother took all four, and took himself off of all four because they each made him "flat". He felt as is he had no personality, and most non-linear thinking (an advantage of ADD) lost all of its... (joy? I dunno the right word)</p>
<p>I have a not-so-severe case, and i don't go anywhere near medicine. Yeah, I guess it would help my GPA if I could focus more, but I don't want to risk losing what I consider to be my best qualities along with those I don't like.</p>
<p>Of course, I don't know you, how serious your case is, or how much it would help you. Talk to your teachers, doctor, and parents, and tell them to "keep you in check" if you do take the medicine-- others usually see what's wrong with us before we do.</p>