Scared about going on Ritalin

[Cendrine]

Hello - I'm new here and have been reading past threads on Ritalin with great interest. I was diagnosed with ADHD about two weeks ago by a psychologist and his report will be available to my family physician in about three more weeks. I went see my GP (who had flatly told me several years ago he didn't think I had ADD) the same week I was diagnosed and told him about the visit with the psychologist and his recommendation that I begin to take Ritalin. We also talked about the related diagnosis of moderate depression which was also found at the same time. Then the doctor asked me if I wanted to start Ritalin - and I just sat there and mumbled something about how I knew it was controversial and I didn't know much about it and had some concerns. He decided to wait until he receives the psychologist's report before prescribing Ritalin. I realize now that I was surprised that he was willing to go along with this since he did not seem to believe that ADD could exist in adults but I also came to the realization that I have serious reservations about taking Ritalin as well. My biggest concern is that I would need to take Ritalin for the rest of my life (true?), that I would become dependent on it's help (I'm not speaking of chemical dependence here) and what would become of me if I had to stop taking it, say, because of high blood pressure or liver problems? I'm afraid of becoming like Charlie in Flowers for Algernon, tasting the benefits of focus and productivity, only to have it taken away later. I'm terribly anxious about this.

[Gregster]

Try not to be anxious - I suspect it's the "unknown" that you fear, more than the Ritalin. I know I felt the same way - I was worried that if I tried Ritalin and it didn't help me, or if it did and then I had to stop, I would be worse off than before. I think this is type of irrational fear is something like "fear of success".
I found that ritalin helped me a lot, but that it wasn't a magic pill that I couldn't live without. I found I was less anxious when taking it because my self-confidence was so much improved, and my blood pressure was actually lower - probably for the same reason. I know now that my worries were needless.
You may find that ritalin helps you greatly, only a little, or not at all (It helps about 70% of those that try it for ADD/ADHD) - but it's certainly worth trying to find out!
Don't worry about dependance or liver problems - when used as directed this drug is very safe - it's been given to children for years! - but it is often given a bad rap by the media.
Good luck,
Greg

[Cendrine]

Thank you for your reply, Gregster. I'll try very hard to not ruminate too much on this and try to be patient until I begin the prescription. I also understand that finding the best dose may take awhile and I will need to be patient with that. Patience is not one of my stellar virtues!

[QUICKzAND]

I too had quite some fears about starting ritalin, especially because in the week I was supposed to start, there was a drug related death in my girlfriends family.

taking ritalin for the rest of my life was one of my fears too. but someone in another supportgroup told me that you should just take it for a year or 2 an in that period of time try to organize your daily existance in such a manner that you would be able too keep it up even after gradually lowering the dose of ritalin, and eventually quitting the meds altogether.

[exeter]

Wow, I'm surprised I didn't see this post earlier. I felt exactly the same way about taking "mind altering drugs," when I first started with my psychiatrist. After having taken meds for almost 9 months, now, I just cannot imagine life without them.

I've spent the past 30 years "organizing my life," such that I've probably implemented almost every strategy you can read about in the various ADD books that would even have a chance of working for me. It isn't enough. I am now dependent on my meds in the same way, too.

I know I could live without them. When I went to get my driver's licence renewed, they ask if I had a medical condition which requires that I take meds, and I said "No," because, clearly, I survived 30 years having ADD without meds -- it clearly doesn't "require" meds. But, if I stop taking them, I'm almost certain I'd fall back into my depressed, ADD self, and I'm determined not to let that happen.

[andocrates]

When you said the 'rest of your life" it stuck a nerve with me. Most people just think about today and tomorrow and maybe next week. I tend to obbess about the future, what will I do when I get old, what happens if I lose my job, what if I get some dread illness, what will I do when my kids leave home, etc.

Ritalin helped me to NOT think about the rest of my life but just the day ahead. I think, at least for me, that was a huge weight lifted.

[Bonehead]

I was diagnosed two weeks ago and I'm a bit scared as well. At the same time I'm also excited that it will bring clarity to my life I go to get meds in a few days.

[Bonehead]

I was diagnosed two weeks ago and I'm a bit scared as well. At the same time I'm also excited that it will bring clarity to my life I go to get meds in a few days.
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[VisualImagery]

I am on Ritalin and it makes my life so much better. Went without it for blood tests one day-and wow, what a difference. It truly has changed so much in my life!

I take Concerta in the am, 20mg Ritalin about 2pm, and 10mg at 5pm-if I need focus and concentration in the evening. Grading papers, planning lessons, reading, recording for Librivox, I need it. Relaxed, kick back nights, don't need it. There are so many distractions in the classroom-it keeps me focused-to the dismay of my students. God help me if I forget my meds at school or at a serious meeting.