Adderall is NOT for everyone. It is only for very few.

by James Bowles
(Riverside, CA, US)

I took two years of tests before taking Adderall. I researched it on the internet. I saw numerous psyhologists and 3 psychiatrists about it. I read lots of books about it.
I eventually took it on a trial basis, getting tested weekly. I had to change dosage quite a bit to get the right dosage for my size, age and weight. I monitored my pulse and blood pressure daily.
For me, I found that I had different results than anyone that I know, except for one of my sons.
It actually calms me down. Helps me sleep. I take mine about one hour before I get up in the morning.
There is no noticable difference in my blood pressure, but there is an increase of 15 to 20 beats a minute in my pulse.
I never take it after 10 a.m. in the morning, because results are not good. I can't sleep all night.
I've never abused it and I've gone for two straight months without it. I returned to it because it helps me concentrate and helps me mellow out. Otherwise, I can't sit still.
I have never abused drugs. I have never smoked. I rarely drink alcohol and when I do, it's usually half a glass of whatever drink.
I would not recommend it to anyone without extensive testing and a doctor who specializes in ADD or ADHD who has extensive knowledge of what ADD is and is willing to check your family history and give you extensive testing.

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Jan 09, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		wanting to try adderall
by: Anonymous


Like you, I have read, researched and read some more about Adderall and its positive and negative effects.

I find myself wavering between wanting to try it and not wanting to go down that road of meds at all.

Over a decade ago, I began seeing a therapist to help me deal with some life struggles I was having at the time. Halfway through the first visit, he stopped me and asked, "Have you ever been tested for ADD?". I looked at him funny, said, "no" and he replied, "You are ALL over the place" - to which I replied "that's just me". And it was. My family knew it, my friends knew it, and we often joked about it - how I was talking and couldn't shut up... how I'd stop in the middle of a conversation because I forgot what I was talking about or why... I was the "queen of tangents" because I'd just start talking about whatever popped into my head and never get back to the original conversation. It wasn't just conversations I'd started and never finished, it was also schoolwork, projects, housework, etc.

Growing up, my parents always said, "Think about what you're going to say, and then say it" because I'd stammer over my words trying to talk as fast as my thoughts. I still do it, and it's frustrating.

Until now, I have avoided taking medication. But I realize that the ADD has manifested itself into the anxiety I deal with on a daily basis. I make lists all day long - partly in an effort not to forget something, and partly in a feeble attempt to get those thoughts out of my head. Now, even the small tasks overwhelm me. A trip to the grocery store is sometimes too much. Too many decisions to make, what if I forget something?, etc. And I come home with a headache and mentally/emotionally exhausted.

I woke up this New Years Day and the very first words out of my mouth were "too much, too much, too much" as I held my head from the instant headache and rush of anxiety over everything racing through my head demanding my attention.

I get this feeling that life shouldn't be like this. My racing thoughts and scrambled head and my constant mental conflicts have slowly chipped away at my quality of life. I don't want to feel like this anymore. But it's all I've ever known, and I just want to see what "normal" feels like.



Dec 21, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		I agree adderall should only be used by those who need it
by: Anonymous

James I completely agree, it's not for everyone only for people with actual ADHD. You get a calming effect because you actually need it for ADHD so it has the opposite effect of someone without the condition. People who don't have ADHD get speed like effects and get a high from it which is dangerous and can lead to addiction and abuse because they have to take larger doses to get the same euphoric uplifting effect on their mood and that is not what it is intended for.
Nov 17, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		How long
by: TJ Chambers

How long have you been taking the stimulant medication for, anonymous commenter?
Nov 17, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Adderal has saved my life!
by: Anonymous

I've seen a pychiatrist for the past 10 years. I started because of depresson after I stopped drinking. It took us 5 years to get my medication right. He tested me for ADHD and I failed with flying colors. But I did not want to go on any more medication. He finally talked me into ritalin. Took it for a while and always felt tired. So I stoped. So for the next 5 years I suffered from fatique constintly. I just figured thats what my life would be. I felt so bad for my husband cause I never wanted to do anything. In school I struggled so much. I was always the stupid one. It's like things got so twisted in my brain. I told myself that was just me. My kids would get so upset with me cause I'd ask a question and before they could answer I was on to the next question. At work people would just roll there eyes at me (in a loving way) cause I was always forgetting something. I'd be talking to people and in the middle of saying something I could'nt remember what I was saying. So I went back to my psychitrist and told him I give adderal a chance. He was very happy I changed my mind. He put me on 10mg. twice a day. I could not believe the effect it had on me after the first dose. I had this calmness just come over me but also I felt some energy like I had'nt felt in years. That was the best weekend of my life. My huxband and I went out saturday and sunday and I could actually hold a conversation without my mind wandering all over the place. I just sat back and could take every thing in and it actually stayed with me. I cryed that weekend because for the first time in my life I felt normal. I called my doctor that monday and asked him why he did'nt shove these down my throat a long time ago. The reason for my long story is because I think there are a lot of people who take it and don't really need it. So many doctors just presribe it to people without rally knowing what that person is all about. I really believe if you really have ADD or ADHD you need to get evaluated by a psychiatrist. I suffered for so many years but I'm 52 and feel like my kife is just starting because of adderal,

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