"So This Is What 'Normal' Feels Like."

15 Comments: "So This Is What 'Normal' Feels Like."

1. If it was 2005 it was likely either Adderall, Ritalin, or Strattera (Atomoxetine). This woman likely had a great response to medication largely because it was the first answer she had ever gotten. Maybe to her it felt like a miracle because prior to medication she didn’t even know she had a diagnosis. Everyone responds differently to medication, and it’s possible that unlike many of us she doesn’t have any of the Comorbidities that can make prescribing more complicated. I would also be willing to bet that this article was written during a “honeymoon” period with the drug. It reads like something I would’ve written when I was taking Adderal the first time. I was virtually euphoric; which is both a side affect of the drug itself, and a side affect of finally finding some relief after years of struggling with ADHD. If she is like most of us, I’d also be willing to bet that this honeymoon period has since worn off and that she is either on a different treatment plan now, is struggling in silence again, or has found that she did in fact need (more realistically) cognitive therapy in addition to medication to continue the level of success she initially experienced when she first started taking Adderall the wonder drug… Another important point for you to consider dear reader is this: she never mentions getting tested for ADHD… she was handed a script and it worked—that style of diagnosis for an issue as complex as ADHD is dangerous and now antiquated. You know who is disorganized and down on themselves for not being able to keep up the many demands of modern life??? …most single mothers of three… …especially those working the night shift, who therefore are sleep deprived with a disrupted sleep cycle… if a prescription for Adderall ACTUALLY magically “fixed” this woman’s ADHD like a tap-tap-tap from Miss Poppin’s umbrella I would argue that without proper diagnosis this writer is more than likely NOT an ADHD person, but more likely just a great example of a severely stressed, sleep deprived person who felt great relief with the assistance of a drug like amphemtamine salts to help her through her night shift life. PLEASE do not take her story as the norm. What you and I are dealing with is rarely fixed that easily, and more often than not takes an incredible amount of diligence and life-long learning to survive. I actually think ADDitude should consider taking this article down, making way for more current, informative material. False hope is the last thing you or I need.

2. Hi
   This was so encouraging to me. But after getting treated with low dose aderral, shifted to higher then had palpitations with higher doses, short acting once usually forgot the last dose. SHIFTED to vyanse now but the aha moment if last yr after diagnosis, is now again a everstruggling chaotic life, balancing wth lots of efforts… Just can Donna or ADDitude reply the ways she did it along wth meds, which meds, what doses, whether tht covered her entire waking up period.
   Will be greatful. Hope, all like me get the guidance as i strongly beleive, let’s make the life of each one as effortless & joyful !
   Thanks

3. I’ve never been able to get past the anxiety of having work piles and endless chores. Medication helps me get through the work day, and stops me from getting myself fired. There is an underlying condition (I’m sure of it). Just don’t know what yet. I’ve gone through the various LDs and mental conditions. In therapy. Not sure what else I can do except hope the therapy works…

4. Your life before diagnosis sounds like my life after diagnosis and on medication….. Can I ask what medication your doctor prescribed?

5. I’d like to know if the writer lives in a large metro area or in a smaller population area? I live in an area with a max of one million people spread out over 5 counties and we just don’t seem to have support for adults with ADHD.

6. I’m so happy you received a diagnosis and feel better. May I asked what drug you were prescibed?

7. Like 2weelz, I’d like to know how common this type of response is and how long it persists. This article reads like an adult ADHD fantasy and so sounds more like a drug ad, especially when it’s over 10 years old. The comments back this up, with people wanting to try them as a result. I suggest further research.

8. This article is from 2005?!? Is anyone (from Additude or Donna) going to comment here?
   This is quite a succes story. I wanted to ask which medicine(s) Donna uses that helped this miracle to happen. Thanks for sharing!

9. Donna, Thanks for sharing your success story. I want to suggest to watch your children for any signs of children ADHD.

10. Donna, thank you soooo much for sharing your story; so similar to my husband’s. He has just been diagnosed at the age of 49, and after 12 years together, suddenly everything has fallen into place for us in pretty much every aspect of our lives together (and even separately!). We call this post-diagnostic time a ‘recovery’ of sorts. We realise we’ve been putting in lots of strategies to manage it all these years, without knowing what we were actually dealing with. Live is good again, and knowledge is indeed power!

11. I wish I could have a treatment success story like that. In the over 20 years since my diagnosis, I have yet to find anything that really helps. My post-diagnosis life is more like Donna’s pre-diagnosis life. I wonder how common this kind of treatment response really is?

12. Donna, your pre-diagnosis life sounds just like mine! thanks so much for sharing. i think i really need to get to those meds! was it mainly the meds that helped you?

13. I want that! I’m 52 and have never been diagnosed. I’m inspired by you. It is time. Thank you so much for this article!

14. Bless you Donna, *and* your girls! You’ve obviously found a solution 🙂

15. B