I am going through add testing, and I am fairly certain I have it.

I told a family member about it, and they were concerned about the drug aspect. I have another family member who has many mental problems, and my family doesn't have many good things to say about psychologist and all the drugs they prescribed for her depression and such.

I am also paranoid about changing much about my personality and character through drugs. In some ways I see the need to change, so I can actually get things done... and be much more productive. But if I feel too different, and unnatural... I wouldn't like that either.

Also, addiction... is there any chance for this? I wouldn't want that.

The stigma associated with psychoactive drug... is it real or imagined?

Well, the nice thing about ADD medications is that their effects are immediate (for stimulants, and probably immediate to a degree for others). That is, if you don't like the effects, you won't have to wait around to see what happens.

Antidepressants are very famous for associated withdrawal syndromes. The occurrence of such syndromes is dependent on the drug, as well as the severity and longevity.

These syndromes are not associated with psychostimulants. Significant withdrawal is possible, but usually only happens when a large dose (abuse level) is used. Fortunately, this kind of abuse of stimulants has a tendency to be willful as compared to other drugs of abuse.

I think the drugs do tend to alter one's mood (perhaps make one more serious), though I don't think they change major personality factors to a high degree.

To answer your last question, yes, unfortunately there is a stigma associated with these drugs, and it is as real as the people around you (that is, if you think you're in the Matrix, then take that into consideration. :)) Everyone is different in response, but for the most part, it's probably not something to disclose to many.

I told a family member about it, and they were concerned about the drug aspect.

Yeh, same here. Everybody's got an opinion. But I'll tell you this - the people who don't have the experience of ADD/ADHD don't have a clue what it's like.


I have another family member who has many mental problems, and my family doesn't have many good things to say about psychologist and all the drugs they prescribed for her depression and such.

Sorry to hear that. There's a lot of misinformation out there and there will always be people who believe it. I think the problem is that the people who are doing well and improving their lives once they got on meds aren't talking about it due to the stigma of those mis-informed people. Too bad, we need more examples of people who show how their lives were turned around by taking correctly prescribed drugs.


I am also paranoid about changing much about my personality and character through drugs. ... But if I feel too different, and unnatural... I wouldn't like that either.

I had the same worries. Turned out to be a waste of time. Your personality and character will not change. You will be the same person, these drugs don't change that.

In my case, my sweetie (who knows I'm on stimulants) says my personality is shining through where before it was smoothered under self-doubt and worry. Once I got the diagnosis, that critical nasty you're such a f***-up voice inside my head got really small and really quiet. I know better now - I am not a f***-up, no way. And the meds really helped me get it together. I'm not all the way there yet, and I may never be, but I sure like myself a lot better and that means I'm a lot nicer to be around.

So, in a long winded way of saying it, I didn't really change other than get a WHOLE LOT BETTER!!

I would say you can expect the same to happen to you.

Also, addiction... is there any chance for this? I wouldn't want that.
The stigma associated with psychoactive drug... is it real or imagined?
There have been a number of studies that show that once people diagnosed with ADHD get on meds, their current addictions subside or stop because what they were doing was self-medicating without realizing it. Once they're on the right meds, there's no reason for the other addictions so it stops.

The stigma is real. Just know that and don't go telling everyone and their brother about it and you'll be ok. After all, it's nobody else's business. Think about it, do you really enjoy being around someone who tells you all about their gallbladder operation or talks about all the details of whatever illness they've contracted lately? So why talk about how you have ADHD and the medication you're taking? I think of it being like having some kind of sexual disease. Lots of people have those kinds of problems, but socially, it's not really acceptable to discuss it and there is a stigma attached.

Just think back to before you knew anything about ADHD. What would you have thought if someone told you they had it and you were taking legally prescribed stimulants?

Sorry, I'm running off at the mouth. Just hang in there and know that there are a lot of people with ADHD, some on meds, some not. And we're all just trying to get through life the best way we know how. If you feel like talking to someone about it, talk to those of us who are living with it. We understand what you're going through and we'll be understanding because we're going through it ourselves.

Best of luck.

Thanks for the info.

Much of the stigma seems to be from people who just say I'm lazy. To an extent, I am kind of lazy... if I want to be completely unbiased about it.

But I also forget many many things in a day. Can never plan for anything... and have general memory issues.

And if the meds help, well that basically goes in the face of all the doubters.

I kind of want to tell people, especially friends and people I work with... since the subject has come up about my odd nature. How an otherwise intelligent person can have so many problems... now I can tell them.

I guess the problem is all about perception and communication.

Another question I have, whenever I have started to drink alcohol... I feel much more productive and driven to get things done. It's like the filter I have and doubting and over thinking goes away... I just take the action needed. I am wondering if this is similar to what happens on the meds?

If it is similar, but without the performance issues that goes along with alcohol... It would make a world of difference.

Another question I have, whenever I have started to drink alcohol... I feel much more productive and driven to get things done. It's like the filter I have and doubting and over thinking goes away... I just take the action needed. I am wondering if this is similar to what happens on the meds?

If it is similar, but without the performance issues that goes along with alcohol... It would make a world of difference.

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47522

That old thread a member mentioned something similar about alcohol.
Secondary mental issues make treating ADHD more difficult. Alcohol has a short term antidepressant and anti-anxiety effect so that might explain the
mechanism of action your observing.

Stimulants...if the diagnosis is hyperactive or combo...odds are titled highly in your favour that a trial run is well worth your time.