Hi all. Love the forum and just wish we could all get together for a weekend in Vegas to bring new meaning to the slogan "What happens In Vegas, Stays in Vegas".:p

I have just recently been diagnosed with ADD and have begun the prescribed medication Adderall. It is truly a shame it has taken me 45 years to get to the doctor for something I was certain I have had for decades...but such is the nature ot the disorder right? I am curious to hear from other members how treatment and medication helped and affected there lives..if indeed it did. I am sure the results vary greatly from individual to individual but I would be very grateful if some of you would share your "before" and "after" stories. I suppose I am looking for a glimmer of hope here after a lifetime of disapointment.
Thank you!!!! ADD Andy

I'm recently diagnosed too. Since I started taking adderall, it's been almost a complete 180 both in my school and my work.

I'm pretty sure you'll wonder what took you so long to get meds once you've tried them.

I will try to keep this short, because boy could I get into telling a story on before and after.

Before - granted I had only been working for maybe 2 years, but I had been switching jobs about every 6 months. I did attend college for almost 4 years, but have nothing to show for it because I was changing my major every semester. Unmotivated. Unorganized. See-Saw performance in my current job...if I even bothered to show up...most of the time I was late anyway. Oh and I can't forget...one ruined engagement.

After - Work related I have managed to turn everything around 180 degrees. I'm currently in a developmental position, will be interviewing for the job offically(along with whoever else posts for it) as soon as the developmental period is over in another 2 months. Working on my agent's license along with my CPCU (underwriting designation...insurance things)...which means I can study. I will be going back to school, after I manage to pull myself from the horrid financial situation I managed to get myself in. Although, I haven't found that "one" special person yet, I do believe that things will go better this time. Not only cause I know what I want, but I won't lose myself in that "puppy love" and forget who I am and what I like.

Overall, I think things have gotten better. My mom, on the other hand, doesn't. Only because I managed to clean my room in the beginning, but it has fallen back into the blackhole of clutter again. I'm doing so much with work and studying that I just want time for me when I get home and that does not include cleaning my room or organizing my DVDs.

Speaking of which...that's next on my list of things to do today (so she'll shut up and leave me alone to enjoy my weekend)

I'm still in the process of diagnosis.. BUT.. I def think its a very positive step to take. .You're doing the right thing. Better late than never.

I'm 33. Before diagnosis:

job hopped, but would leave before I got fired. Heard the typical "you don't have any initiative, too social, falling behind in work, etc." Had two kids, ended up on zoloft for my alleged post partum depression. while it did help, somewhat, it didn't clear out that constant feeling of "not right".

Finally got so low, feeling like there's something wrong with me. Wanted to clean the house, wanted to be able to spend time with my kids, wanted to do all the things other people did but for some reason couldn't.

(insert really bad life experiences here that lasted almost 2 years). Got much needed kick in pants, and for some reason started researching ADD.

Had weight lifting AHA! moment, sought medical advisement. Put on adderall, and cut to 6 months later:

Life is completely different. dinner is prepared most nights of the week. laundry is done. cluttered basement that would make pro's quit, organized. etc. etc. you get the idea. I now function.

I don't lament the years wasted because of not being diagnosed. I just look forward to the ones I've got left. (sweet mary and joseph that sounded corny. :rolleyes:)