Adderall? Absolutely!

On Thursday, March 22^nd 2012, a group of CSU students discussed and debated the usage of Adderall amongst boys and girls during their early childhood educational years (K-12). I was surprised of the number of students who viewed Adderall in a negative limelight. The majority of the students blamed the pharmaceutical industry for their manipulation of “mental sicknesses" and/ or made a reference to the usage based on race.  After hearing the harsh and premature personal views against the drug, I realized nearly all of the individuals were not diagnosed with ADHD. To finalize and clarify the debate, I would like to enlighten those who detest ADHD medication in an educational/ work environment.

            During the first few years of middle school, my parents received several complaints against my unusual behavior in class.  My parents reacted appropriately by assuming my intolerable behavior was inflected by my poor choices… This was not the case. Instead of meeting with a counselor for observation, my parents grounded me constantly grounded me in hopes of a better behavior. To their dismay, my behavior (condition) only worsened.  Finally, after I was stripped of my freedom and friends, I was appointed a Doctor to run several tests. At 13 years old, I was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).  Instead of becoming prescribed to a stimulant such as Adderall, my parents took matters in their own hands and decided to ignore my prognosis. After a while, my behavior defiant behavior patterns changed but my academia was still in jeopardy.

 

            Once enrolled in college, I took initiative and sought for a cure- Adderall.  Immediately I saw an almost indescribable change in my grades, thought process, behavior, intrapersonal communication skills, etc. In other words, a light had been finally turned-on. I no longer felt disconnected from life. Instantaneously the fog cleared and became a brighter day.  As it appears, the decisions my parents made for me were obviously not the best. Whether or not they were in denial or against the use of such medication was their prerogative. However, after experiencing my first  17 years of life without any sense of motivational direction, I can stand-up and advocate ADHD medications in educational/ work environments. While my circumstance may be one in a million It is important to know that I was able to make the comparison and contrast  of what life was without Adderall versus life on Adderall.