ADHD and the back bone.?

I'm 15 and have been diagnosed with ADHD, ADD. Either two, since I was about 6. And I can tell you my life is SH*T. Here are the details, I was able to do everything in my class, I would wright amazing Stories, my creativness was amazing, my other class mates never did anything like this, all they did was nose down on there books doing their work, I never could stay still doing work, but for other things I could do them fine, school was hard for me, my Teacher then came to my parents and told them I was different, that called up Ritalin, I hate the stuff, I've been taking it for over 7 Years, I always said no, but it was forced down onto me, I hated it!!!! ! Heres the line, it dropped my IQ and made me so skinny I get made fun off, looked at differently, I don't see myself normal anymore, my brain is so messed up on this drug that it has changed my hole life, so heres something NOT coming from a doctor, or a nurse.
Please, Don't give your children Ritalin, or any drug for that matter.

My children all have ADD but they never had Ritalin because I had heard of the side effects as you described. My children were put on a different type of medication - Tofranil and they all improved. All of my children are creative in their own ways. One of my daughters is an artist and the other daughter is training to be an event planner. My son like you was very good at drawing. He wanted to join the Army and now won't because he doesn't want to go Iraq. He was my youngest and he had the most trouble with his ADD. He still hasn't found himself but I have confidence in him.

parents only try to do the best for their children and giving you Ritalin is what they were advised to do. So don't blame your parents. Now that you are 15 maybe you could talk to the doctor yourself and maybe there is another type of medication that will help you better than Ritalin. There's no harm in asking your doctor to review your medication.

It happens to more people then just you hopefully if your parents or the people taking care of you won't take you off of it you can take yourself off of it then, but this has already ruined so much of your life and your future I feel sorry that they did this to you

You sound like one of the ones that did'nt need it but ther are those that it does help. if your still on it start refusing it. no one has the right to force anything into your body that is hurting you. If you have to act like your taking it and like nothing is wrong and spit it out later. If they check your mouth then get gum and put it on the roof of your mouth and put it in the gum so they think that you took it. Good luck!!!

I think ADHD is over-diagnosed and/or not even a condition but a product of a society gone mad. Children are not disciplined anymore and that is the problem. They say that the downers they give these children stops them misbehaving, it's so ridiculous, you stick anyone on some bloody valium and they'd be chilled! It's nothing to do with so called ADHD.

To me, it sounded like you are beyond the capacity of your class mates- you are more intelligent than them and restricted by them. They needed to advance you- give you a personal approach to your education- encouraging your expression through creativity. You weren't naughty, just smart on a different level to them!

You are very brave to talk out like this, and it's interesting to hear it from the childs point of view. You should try to work with yoruself- stop taking the medication, and focus on yourself- write your stories, vent out with art, be creative!

Thanks for sharing

Your question mentioned the "back bone" but nowhere in your extension of it was courage (backbone) mentioned. Be of good cheer. Long before the stimulants like Ritalin were invented people were displaying the symptoms which lead to ADD/ADHD diagnosis and they never had much difficulty getting on in school or society. Psychiatrists don't know what "normal" is! They or any other philosophy will ever make everyone the same! Do not be discouraged if your experiencing side effects from Ritalin.

Type "ADHD/Ritalin" into Yahoo! search for a whole lot of links with good information on the disorder (if it is a disorder) and its treatment with stimulants like Ritalin. Your "backbone" is probably pretty normal! Use it to not be ashamed of being "different"!

Good luck, good health, peace and love!