How many of you adults are taking ADHD medicine? Adderal?

Question

Recently, after years of struggling with focus, finishing things I started, concentration, and more recently, irritability -- my doctor suggested that I try taking Adderal and see if it helps.

Well, my lord, there is an amazing change! I'm still me, but I can focus. I can organize. I get things done. I still have the same go-go-go drive I had before, but I have direction. Thirty six years old, and NOW I come across this stuff?

I had always rolled my eyes at the idea of ADHD. My thought was that every kid is hyper. I was hyper, and did fine. Not great in school, but very successful in my adult life. I have to say though, this stuff is a miracle drug. What a difference!

Answer 1

When I was first diagnosed with ADHD, I started on Adderall XR. I remember the drastic change that it made in my life. I became optimistic, out-going, and a little bit bold. I broke out of my shell and wound up meeting the woman that I would latter marry. Plus the appetite suppressant had me lose about 40 pounds.

However, it did have a few negative effects. I have a minor OCD that became major while on the Adderall. I would take apart appliances and other equipment for the purpose of cleaning the insides. When I reassembled them, I had--mixed levels of success. I would get my kitchen cleaned up, but I'd be up until 3 or 4 AM working on every space, and I do mean EVERY space.

After a while, I developed a weird tic in my eye, so I had to go off of Adderall. I went onto Strattera. It's not as drastic as the Adderall was, but it seems to work well enough for me.

I probably had a similar experience as you growing up. I was a bit on the hyper side, but I did well in school, so I suppose that I didn't set off any concerns. However, when I was in graduate school, I couldn't get into anything self-structured like research, so I never got beyond classwork. It wouldn't be until I was 33 that I got diagnosed, so you're not alone in terms of late diagnosis.

I wish you well with your Adderal regimen. It's not a 100% treatment for ADHD, but it looks like it helps a lot.

Answer 2

I take Adderall XR. I have ADD without the Hyperactivity. I have the major focus problems and anxiety. I get VERY overstimulated very quickly if I don't take it. I was diagnosed when I was 25 and started with Strattera, but it didn't help me as much as I would have liked, so I switched to Adderall b/c I needed something more stimulating. It has helped me tremendously!