"Meds Make Me Feel Weird!?"

2 Comments: "Meds Make Me Feel Weird!?"

1. Regarding the military’s acceptance of recruits with ‘imperfect’ wiring (please tell me what ‘perfect’wiring is?)… Son #1 trained hard for MONTHS with his recruiter, but when exam day came and he told the truth–against his recruiter’s advice–about a very brief treatment for depression, he was immediately shown the door. And I do mean IMMEDIATELY. No explanations necessary. He was heartbroken, and so were we. Son #2 also went against the advice of his recruiter when his exam day came, and didnt hide a scar from a single idiotic adolescent episode of anger when he was upset with me one day. He was NOT a habitual self-harmer. Again, out on his can–immediately. Had both of them lied as encouraged, they would have both been in, no problem. Just want all to know that it seems many factors play into one’s acceptance into the military: its need, physical AND mental health backgrounds, and whether or not one is willing to tell half-truths to get past exams. Our country (while our family still loves it, of course) missed out on two honest, well-adjusted, butt-busting young men who would have served honorably. I’m just saying, if a kid even MIGHT consider the military, parents may have to make some difficult decisions FOR their kids until those kids are old enough to understand the possible consequences of treatment that really helps them in daily life. All things came together for their good, but those were a couple of very disappointed young men for quite some time. Diagnoses and treatments: proceed with caution and an eye on the future.

2. I can’t second their opinion enough. I was diagnosed at 6 yrs old in 1978. Years of drinking black coffee until middle school when I found out it was quicker just to get it done along with strict routine had me turning around my grades from C’s & D’s to straight A’s but constantly getting in trouble for making noise while concentrating. Lol. I graduated Valedictorian with a full scholarship to college. In 1990 the prevalent thought HAD been that you outgrew ADHD. I graduated, married and started attending college in 1990.

   After 3 attempts to finish a college degree, changibg my degree choice 4 times, divorcing, and finally ended up driving truck (which was on my list of things to do, but was only supposed to be long enough to save money for college, lol). I have been in trucking since 1999. With two stints in the office. Each time I worked in the office the negative aspects of my ADHD reared its’ ugly head. I began to put two and two together. My special “superpower” didn’t always work to my advantage.

   I kind of always joked about my ADHD, but was never able to try ADHD medication besides caffeine, which usually helped most of the time. Either cost or because as a truck driver, I couldn’t take it and drive legally even with a prescription.

   At 42, I had been in the office for two years and had started to have issues again. So I went thru the ridiculously stringent requirements of getting diagnosed and getting medication, Adderall in this case.

   At first it made me so sleepy. Thru research I found I was either over or under medicated. After resting, we found the perfect dosage that didn’t make me sleepy. And I didn’t want to take anymore than I needed as this stuff was freaking expensive even with insurance. I felt I lost my “superpower”. But the transitioning from task to task and reverting back to a previous task was soooo much easier. Unfortunately, I hated the feeling of losing my “superpower”, but it helped so much. Unfortunately, my insurance began refusing to pay for my medication. I can say that while I understand your feelings, look at how my life has turned out because of lack of treatment. Military is a great way to go for people with ADHD. But if you have the apptitude for college, something in a field that actually pays, like sciences, computer, medical, engineering, then go for college. If you’re thinking of Arts or Education or Business, then I wouldn’t waste my time. The dividend college pays doesn’t seem to be there right now. I work with people in the same deadend job with Arts, Business, Music and Graphic Design degrees. I never finished my degree. The military often teaches you how to structure your time and life.

   I say all of this to point out exactly what they said… learn from a life time of failed attempts at college. At a continous struggle in my current field. I wish I had received treatment early on other than caffeine. Lol. I might have finished a degree. Learn from my mistakes, take the time to find a medication that works and evaluate how it affects you just like they did above. Good luck!