Have you ever considered the fact that if you didnt have adhd you might be somewhere completely different in your life? Maybe youd be earning more money, or in a different relationship, or be more physically fit?

This kinda stuff is always running through my mind when I am on adderall. I think to myself "if only I was like this naturally, I could make so much money. I could get so much done!".

Its motivating because I have medications to give me the boost, but when they wear off so does my drive and motivation. Its similar to starting over everyday at level 1 in the game of life.

Frustrating! :confused:

That sort of thought pops in my head a lot. But if you take a moment to look around you and be realistic, then you will quickly notice that there are obviously all these other people without AD/HD... who aren't making a ton of money, who aren't in wonderful relationships, and aren't that fit. The vast overwhelming majority of people fit this bill, AD/HD or not. So next time you think AD/HD is causing your life to be ****tier than you think it ought to be, take stock of the rest of society and realize that you're probably about par for the course. Not saying you shouldn't strive to be better... hell yes, go for the stars, reach for the heavens, live life boldly and be all that you can be. But realize that having AD/HD probably didn't break your life and prevent it from being "what it could have been."

Everybody's got problems of some kind or another. That's just life. You can juggle all the possibilities and "what ifs" of your life until you're blue in the face and give yourself an aneurysm. If it wasn't AD/HD, it might be something else. And then in some alternate universe somewhere you'd be making some post about that instead.

It's what do you now, in the moment, that matters. Anything else is BS. And all kinds of "problems" can actually be turned into advantages. AD/HD is certainly one of those. You just gotta find a niche for it where the positive benefits of it can be put to use and shine. Otherwise it's just like trying to put a round peg into a square hole. It doesn't work and it's frustrating to try over and over again. Go find a round hole instead.

I wish I had a dollar for every dollar ADHD has cost me and or crazy situation or undesired result/decision/unnecessary remark derived from ADHD...

Yes. This is a disorder. ADHD is real.

Missed opportunities, relationships, etc. cost time, money and potential avenues.

I don't know any other way, I have made great money here and there, I will again, I am a figher, but you bet your sweet behind ADHD slows progress on several levels. I say I have made peace with it, but I guess it depends on what minute of the day you ask me. Everyone can make a mistake or bad decision, but when you have ADHD, you always question if it is human nature or an ADD moment!!!

Hopefully my posts do not all reek of whining and negativity. I am trying to be the best I can. I would love to run away from all responsibilty, but that is not realistic. I AM STUCK. but, I like my life. I am a slave to an enviroment that I CHOSE and created myself. A walking contridiction, I have everything, yet, I have nothing.

There can be happiness in slavery. ADHD keeps me young. Sometimes I can just smile or smirk about something, knowing I give in to what I am, and just do the best I can.

My personal best effort is significantly better than some folks without any disorder! I push myself twice as hard as I push others. I can only hope it is perceived as genuine and taken constructively... but PROBABLY NOT!

WELCOME TO INSANITY.

But if you take a moment to look around you and be realistic, then you will quickly notice that there are obviously all these other people without AD/HD... Everybody's got problems of some kind or another. That's just life..
I agree with in parts with what Dynamicism said. People with ADHD certainly aren't alone in their problems with getting things done.

However, I think we have to appreciate the differences between 'regular' people and folks with ADHD. The inablity to focus, inspite of our own motivation to try, is a very demoralizing and frustrating experience. Even though ADHD people want to do something about their lack of focus, they can't get it done.

I always think about where I'd be in my career if it wasn't for my ADHD. It's part of the anger that comes with having ADHD. What would I be doing? What kind of salary would I have?

ya, I think that maybe I shouldn't bother with meds anymore, cuz' of how much more life could be offerring. I'm into spiritual, anti-stress lifestyles. Sometimes, just have to make a choice. Every situation is different. But, I dunno, after a Yoga, class, I feel that stress itself is definitely uneccessary and I get thinking and stuff. But, meds do help me out.

Have you ever considered the fact that if you didnt have adhd you might be somewhere completely different in your life?

Yea maybe for the first decade then I decided it was a waste of time and mental energy that could be better spent dealing with the present reality called my life.

It doesn't really matter how I feel or what I would have , should have, or could have become I am what I am and I have to work with that the best I can. That believe it or not is what the "normals" have to do too.


Life has a way of leveling the playing field we are often too distracted to realize it.


This kinda stuff is always running through my mind when I am on adderall. I think to myself "if only I was like this naturally, I could make so much money. I could get so much done!

or you could be worse off, make less money or even be dead, you will never know and neither will any one else. Sound cruel? It isn't my intention. There wasn't any one around to tell me these things so it took me forever to get over it and get on with the business of living life as it is now and learning from all the past mistakes I made. If ADD indeed caused you to make a lot of mistakes then you should have a well spring of knowledge of what doesn't work out well.


The "gift" part of being ADD doesn't necessarily come in a pretty package few truly useful things in life do . Plants do not grow in a well of perfume and ribbons but they do pretty well in dirt with a little fertilizer here and there, perhaps we aren't so different.