I have struggled with ADHD for years. I was diagnosed at only 12 years old, but my parents didn't believe that ADHD was a real condition or disorder and I wasn't truly treated for the condition until I turned 20. I was reluctant to start ADHD medications, mostly because of all of the bad press they received. There were so many people talking about the dangers and risks of these drugs. It seemed like nothing good could come of these medications. After all, who wants to be pumped full of stimulants all day?
Anti-depressants didn't work I had been diagnosed with ADHD almost a decade before I started treatment for the condition. After I had my second child, I went to my doctor telling him I felt depressed and that I needed some type of anti-depressant. He started asking me about different anti-depressants and whether or not I had tried them before. Almost every medication he listed, I had tried at one point or another and none had worked for me in the past. I wasn't hopeful that they'd work for me now.
Depression wasn't the problem
I had spent years thinking that I suffered from chronic depression, but when I went to visit my doctor he asked if I had ever been diagnosed with ADHD. At the time, the question seemed irrelevant. After all, I was there for anti-depressants. My ability to focus and concentrate shouldn't matter, should it? I told my physician that I had been diagnosed as ADHD when I was twelve, but that I had never really been treated for the condition with the exception of temporary medications that were used sporadically throughout my childhood. My doctor suggested that my depression may not be the problem, but rather a symptom of the ADHD and suggested that I try some medication.
A trial run When my doctor suggested ADHD medications, I was hesitant. I had never heard anything good about those medications and I didn't want to be one of "those" people who relied on medications like Ritalin or Adderall to make me focus. At the same time though, my doctor was right. Anti-depressants never worked for me before, so maybe depression wasn't the problem. I agreed to try to medication and scheduled a follow-up appointment for two weeks later.
Inner conflict The first pill I took was the hardest one to swallow. As a child, I had been drugged and medicated with every psychotropic drug known to mankind. Day after day, I was forced to take medications that didn't work, medications that made me sick and made me shake, even if I protested. When I turned 18, I swore I'd never take another psychotropic medication again, but here I was, this time, taking the pills of my own free will. Looking back, I am glad I did.
A life-changing treatment At first, the medications made me feel more energetic and focused. It was almost like I had a mild cup of coffee. I was motivated and I was getting things done. It was nice, but I didn't notice a difference in my depression until a week or two after starting the medication. I noticed that because I was getting things done, I was able to focus and concentrate, that I wasn't as stressed. I wasn't as overwhelmed and I had more time to relax and enjoy my family. My depression wasn't a chemical imbalance. My depression was a side effect of my inability to focus and concentrate, leading me to feel overwhelmed and anxious. Admitting that I needed treatment and accepting treatment for my ADHD was likely one of the hardest things I have ever done, but my life has changed dramatically for the better because of it.
Reference:- Samantha Van Vleet, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Mar 23, 2012.
Anti-depressants didn't work I had been diagnosed with ADHD almost a decade before I started treatment for the condition. After I had my second child, I went to my doctor telling him I felt depressed and that I needed some type of anti-depressant. He started asking me about different anti-depressants and whether or not I had tried them before. Almost every medication he listed, I had tried at one point or another and none had worked for me in the past. I wasn't hopeful that they'd work for me now.
Depression wasn't the problem
I had spent years thinking that I suffered from chronic depression, but when I went to visit my doctor he asked if I had ever been diagnosed with ADHD. At the time, the question seemed irrelevant. After all, I was there for anti-depressants. My ability to focus and concentrate shouldn't matter, should it? I told my physician that I had been diagnosed as ADHD when I was twelve, but that I had never really been treated for the condition with the exception of temporary medications that were used sporadically throughout my childhood. My doctor suggested that my depression may not be the problem, but rather a symptom of the ADHD and suggested that I try some medication.
A trial run When my doctor suggested ADHD medications, I was hesitant. I had never heard anything good about those medications and I didn't want to be one of "those" people who relied on medications like Ritalin or Adderall to make me focus. At the same time though, my doctor was right. Anti-depressants never worked for me before, so maybe depression wasn't the problem. I agreed to try to medication and scheduled a follow-up appointment for two weeks later.
Inner conflict The first pill I took was the hardest one to swallow. As a child, I had been drugged and medicated with every psychotropic drug known to mankind. Day after day, I was forced to take medications that didn't work, medications that made me sick and made me shake, even if I protested. When I turned 18, I swore I'd never take another psychotropic medication again, but here I was, this time, taking the pills of my own free will. Looking back, I am glad I did.
A life-changing treatment At first, the medications made me feel more energetic and focused. It was almost like I had a mild cup of coffee. I was motivated and I was getting things done. It was nice, but I didn't notice a difference in my depression until a week or two after starting the medication. I noticed that because I was getting things done, I was able to focus and concentrate, that I wasn't as stressed. I wasn't as overwhelmed and I had more time to relax and enjoy my family. My depression wasn't a chemical imbalance. My depression was a side effect of my inability to focus and concentrate, leading me to feel overwhelmed and anxious. Admitting that I needed treatment and accepting treatment for my ADHD was likely one of the hardest things I have ever done, but my life has changed dramatically for the better because of it.
Reference:- Samantha Van Vleet, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Mar 23, 2012.
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