I'm feeling like a failure.?

Question

Ever since I was little the doctors had diagnosed me with ADD and Dyslexia. To try and help me they put me on Adderal from the ADD and the Dyslexia was never truly cured, I just found ways to work with it. When I was in 8th grade I stopped taking the Adderal and all trough high school make grades were horrible. In the last six months of high school, I decided to go back on the meds and my average GPA went from a 1.7-2.0 to a 3.5-3.7. Now I’m in college and I want to pursue a career in medicine, but every time I take my medication I feel that I am only weakening myself. If someone can get into a good college without medication they don’t need the medicine, but I do. So I’m not really able to deal with it like the person w/out the medication, because they can do it naturally, and I feel like I’m doomed to relying on a pill or being a failure.

Answer 1

Did you know that Adderall used to be a diet pill, (Obetrol for weight loss and diet control). Prescribing amphetamines for weight loss eventually fell out of favor due to the potential for abuse of the medications and other possible health concerns. Doctors eventually stopped prescribing Obetrol for weight loss. It became an orphan drug that was later adopted by Shire, renamed Adderall, and re-approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of AD/HD it to give to children.

Sorry, but you've been eating diet pills that the government found too dangerous for adults. Now you're probably addicted to speed.

Answer 2

Failures are not a bad thing because they can be a most valuable learning experience. Thomas Edison: I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. Someone here said it best. I feel failure when I have failed to live up to my expectations. So I think I'm going to be easier on myself because I think I'm pretty tough and it may be affecting my health.

Answer 3

Believe it or not i have the same problem. *sigh* I went on and off ritalin for most of my school carreer, diagnosed with mild dyslexia in 4th grade, and ADD in 5th. My grades bounced back and forth and i really tried to make myself be the person who could get along with out having to be medicated. Going on and off the medication also made me notice mood swings... beating myself up when i went off of it "why can't you do this better, work harder, motivate and get this stuff done!" Or worse, when i was on it i felt like a fake, a liar, and that i had to show people this put together front that was being created by a chemical that i took 3 times a day. I wrote my undergraduate thesis last May, took my medication regualrly, for 6 weeks, and sometimes i took more (not in the extream) then i was perscribed. When my thesis was handed in i went off it right away, and i became so lethargic, and anxious, and didn't even notice until my roommate pointed it out... Maybe i don't know EXACTLY how you feel, but i have a pretty good idea. I can't work with out my medicine, this frazzled me isn't really me like i kept telling myself. The real me is confident, and loves to learn, i need help to be the person i know i am. Medical school is a big deal, and though i don't know you, i have full faith that you can accomplish what you set out to do... but you will need to take your medication. Think of it like glasses to a person with a stigmatism, needing an aid isn't a bad thing. You are not weakening yourself you are making yourself stronger by making good decisions that are right for you and have nothing to do with others.
And lastly, I think all that you have endured will help to make you a better doctor, one who tries to understand the persons emotions, not just the medication they are on, or what their symptoms are. So it's a gift, and be proud of that.
Good luck.

Answer 4

it's sad but true...i think it's a shame that some people can't get by without medication, it's like the med is running your life instead of you! but if it helps the dyslexia enough that you can pursue a career in medicine that is very good. that field is very difficult for somebody that suffers from dyslexia. the meds are just a necessity for you and they do make your life better even though it seems like they are controlling you. and it's not your fault that you have these traits so you shouldn't feel like a failure.

Answer 5

I can speak of Dyslexia. I have it. I'm 51 years old. I had very bad grades in high school , but I learn how to study. I graduated College B.S. in 1979. No pills in the 60's or 70's. Take the pills.
I never wanted to take pills, but I am for panic attacks. Never look down to science. I need pills for very high blood pressure and cholesterol do I stop taking those ? Good Luck

Answer 6

Listen dude , Take the medicine..In the past people were not priviliged to have the medicine because advances in medical science were not advanced enough to even understand what ADD was.. Those people suffered terrible and would only wish they lived in your era.. Thats what advancement in medical science is all about, to make progress and help and find cures for all ailments. You are deffo .. not a failure, You are just lucky you can treat it..

Answer 7

Is the medicine giving you side effects which are intolerable? If not, why stop it when it helps you? And if you want to stop, first work out an alternative and then stop. Have you explored the alternative systems? I would suggest that you join some yahoo health groups dealing wtih alternative systems and pose your problem there for solution. I know that homeopathy is holistic for almost all health conditions and may help you but it is better for you to explore and decide.

Best wishes

Answer 8

Ok--to put this in perspective. I am insulin dependent diabetic. I need Insulin to survive on a daily basis. Without it I could die. That doesn't make me a failure...it just means I need some assistance to lead a happy, "normal" life.
Same is true for you. You need some assistance to help your mind focus. No big deal really. You are not relying it--you need it.
There a millions of people who fail everyday because they cannot or will not seek the help they need to complete their goals in life.

Answer 9

Trust me...It's taken me a bit to get used to the idea of taking a pill everyday. I had my thyroid removed and I HAVE to take daily or I start to fall apart.
Taking a pill everyday is not a failure. I fact it makes you a success because you keep going on even tho you have this "thing" that a lot of people don't have to deal with.

Answer 10

You've come so far & you should be very proud of yourself. If you need the medication, take it, & please do not feel that it's a sign of weakness or failure. You are neither!!! I applaud you for your strength & determination. I wish you all the best as you pursue a career in medicine. I know you'll do well. :)