exam to study for

do you ever find that you start concentrating intently on the WRONG thing?

i fully intended to study, but for the last 3 hours, i've been organizing and cleaning out my music collection, and i just realized i was doing it instead of studying...

9/21/2008 4:21:33 PM

first

9/21/2008 4:21:45 PM

i always end up cleaning my house

9/21/2008 4:21:59 PM

I have never taken Adderall, but good lord did I have my ear talked off one night by two people who were on it.

9/21/2008 4:22:08 PM

raises hand

9/21/2008 4:22:24 PM

Soooooooooooooo. . .how do you people that take Adderall get it? You can't all have ADD.

9/21/2008 4:23:45 PM

i have ADD in addition to my not-exactly-narcolepsy-but-pretty-fucking-similar

adderall is the only thing that keeps me awake during the day

as an added bonus, it takes care of the horrible ADD i have

25mg po bid

[Edited on September 21, 2008 at 4:26 PM. Reason : .]

9/21/2008 4:24:17 PM

doesn't matter if you have it or not..only that the doc thinks you do

9/21/2008 4:27:41 PM

hah, yeah

doctors are surprisingly very willing to give you a script for it

9/21/2008 4:28:23 PM

take some more pills, pill head

but yeah, I often focus on the wrong things when I take my doctor prescribed adderall

TO THE MOON!

9/21/2008 4:28:34 PM

i think i know more people on adderall than not

it's crazy, you know...i can't believe people ever managed to survive without drugs to help them focus

9/21/2008 4:28:46 PM

Yeah, I remember you talking about taking ProVigil at one time. Have you had a sleepy study done and a good work up? Or are you a victim of Shift Work?

I NEVER SLEEP.
EVER.
I wish my metabolism was a fucking wired as my brain.

9/21/2008 4:29:21 PM

^yup. there's a loooong story behind all that, it ends in me having surgery in a couple of months.

9/21/2008 4:31:21 PM

people survived because they weren't being pulled in so many directions by their fragmented lives and mediated culture

drug (ab?)use in order to get an edge on the competition at work or school is a symptom of capitalist culture, buddy boy

welcome to today

9/21/2008 4:32:31 PM

snewf hit the nail on the head.

9/21/2008 4:33:19 PM

I'm going to be nosy and you don't have to answer, but what kind of surgery?

9/21/2008 4:34:16 PM

butt surgery

9/21/2008 4:35:07 PM

Quote :

"people survived because they weren't being pulled in so many directions by their fragmented lives and mediated culture"

then what about the people who are capable of doing it without drugs to keep them going? i mean...blaming everyone else for a person's inability to handle the lives they've knowingly made for themselves seems like a cop out

[Edited on September 21, 2008 at 4:36 PM. Reason : .]

9/21/2008 4:35:15 PM

*laughs at Nick*

9/21/2008 4:35:35 PM

Quote :

"I'm going to be nosy and you don't have to answer, but what kind of surgery?"

anal rupture

9/21/2008 4:35:40 PM

^^^they usually don't do that for very long.

and p.s. it's neurosurgery.

[Edited on September 21, 2008 at 4:36 PM. Reason : .]

9/21/2008 4:35:54 PM

the people that are capable of doing it without drugs are doing just fine

what I'm getting at is that there is pressure for EVERYONE to do it

and those un-medicated individuals may find themselves, eventually, in a situation where they have to supplement their own natural talents to stay competitive

9/21/2008 4:37:24 PM

i'm not saying everyone who uses adderall is using it as a crutch or doesn't really need it

in fact, i know some people who literally can't focus on day-to-day activities if they don't use it...i understand this purpose

it's the others that kind of annoy me...we live in a culture where the solution to every problem (problems which are conveniently blamed on anyone and everyone but the person with the problem) is to prescribe a drug to "fix" it

i daresay that half the kids that are prescribed ritalin are just kids with imaginations, energy, and lazy/dumbass parents

9/21/2008 4:38:29 PM

look I don't disagree with you

but I think we're talking about two different things

here's an article from The Economist that may clarify the position I'm arguing

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11412603

9/21/2008 4:39:14 PM

Quote :

"i daresay that half the kids that are prescribed ritalin are just kids with imaginations, energy, and lazy/dumbass parents "

The best thing that my mother ever did for me was refuse to put my happy ass on medication.

9/21/2008 4:39:24 PM

Quote :

"but I think we're talking about two different things"

and we may be...i know i'm coming off as an ass (it's pretty in line with this sn, anyway), but it's really not intentional...i'm railing against a drug-reliant culture (though i completely understand and agree with the fact that it's the culture that created the situation, in part)

Quote :

"The best thing that my mother ever did for me was refuse to put my happy ass on medication."

yeah...my brother was "diagnosed" with ADD, and when they prescribed ritalin, my parents called the doctor a moron

big surprise, my little brother grew up just fine

[Edited on September 21, 2008 at 4:41 PM. Reason : .]

9/21/2008 4:40:30 PM

I wasn't medicated until I was an adult, by the way

and it only came up because I was in a situation where I was feeling pressure to stay academically competitive

9/21/2008 4:40:34 PM

I am certain there are those that need Ritalin but it does seem to be over-prescribed at times.

9/21/2008 5:28:05 PM

I think that it is prescribed to children simply because they are being children and their parents are foolish.

9/21/2008 5:30:09 PM

Quote :

"then what about the people who are capable of doing it without drugs to keep them going? i mean...blaming everyone else for a person's inability to handle the lives they've knowingly made for themselves seems like a cop out"

quite easy:

those who are doing fine in today's world without drugs to help them focus or calm are genetically superior to those who need such drugs. think about it... it makes sense from a darwinian perspective.

Quote :

"I am certain there are those that need Ritalin but it does seem to be GROSSSSSSSSSSSLY over-prescribed at times."

[Edited on September 21, 2008 at 5:41 PM. Reason : ]

9/21/2008 5:40:53 PM

i too dont rely on drugs to stay normal

9/21/2008 5:41:37 PM

Adderall does give some students an academic edge over others. Its your own choice not to take performance and or academic enhancing drugs. Dont bitch at the people that choose to take the next step to stay awake during boring fucking classes.

9/21/2008 5:58:15 PM

I just love it when people use it as a fucking crutch.

"Sorry I didn't listen to a fucking word you said, or remember important pieces of information you've had to repeat 48735986439876 times and have written on a piece of paper, I have ADD" when the only time you "show" symptoms of this horrible disease is when your ass gets called out.

FUCK YOUR ADD! I want an excuse too!

9/21/2008 6:01:36 PM

yeah, I truly have ADHD, shocker, and I didn't take anything for it while I was in college the first time around. I was even hesitant to take anything when I returned to school, but State wouldn't let me back without some show that I was going to do better in school, so, there you go. It definitely helped, but I probably would have done just as well without it. But, now I am trying to get off of that shit, cause I don't want to be dependent upon some drug for the rest of my life.

9/21/2008 6:19:02 PM

I have had ADD since I was a kid (diagnosed), but was never medicated for it until finally in college I went to my doctor and got some Adderall.

It helped a lot. I haven't used it in a while, but I think I'm going to renew my Rx soon, I'm starting to struggle with 2nd year graduate school plus work.

9/21/2008 6:29:18 PM

Adderall helps everybody.

They hand out ADD/ADHD diagnosis like a hooker spreads herpes. I don't believe it's a real "disease".

Some people may have short attention spans, some have hyper fucking activity going on, but none of them are "diseased". Just a bunch of excuses for you not knowing how to handle your shit.

IMO

9/21/2008 6:36:31 PM

well, your opinion is totally useless, because yes, it is a disability. You can learn to pay attention, but there are still legitimate things that you can't control. I can't keep my legs still to save my life. I never will be able to do that. So I just have to learn how to deal with that.

9/21/2008 6:38:10 PM

I don't believe bipolar disorder is a real disease. Just an excuse for people to act like an asshole whenever they want.



I don't believe autism is a real disease. just an excuse for people to not care about anyone else.


Repeat for OCD, Tourettes, etc.

[Edited on September 21, 2008 at 6:41 PM. Reason : ]

9/21/2008 6:39:35 PM

yeah

mental illness is made up stuff

there has never been any human malady that didn't manifest itself in totally physical ways that are clear and visible to laymen - in fact, all doctors really do is put on bandages on wounds and casts on broken bones

you guys r so smrt

9/21/2008 6:45:48 PM

Quote :

"I don't believe it's a real "disease"."

sorry, but this is pretty ignorant


also: STUDYING COMPLETE. sat down on my bed at 6pm, just finished. read 300 pages of material. did two old exams. passed both with flying colors.

phase 2: go to sleep, review/skim information tomorrow morning to reinforce concepts

[Edited on September 21, 2008 at 11:43 PM. Reason : .]

9/21/2008 11:41:52 PM

adderall = awesome.

9/21/2008 11:44:49 PM

I am glad I have no exams my final semester

9/21/2008 11:44:51 PM

Quote :

"I can't keep my legs still to save my life"

Is that a symptom of teh ADD?

9/21/2008 11:47:14 PM

Quote :

"i always end up cleaning my house"

9/21/2008 11:48:25 PM

*note to self: find adderall fiends to clean my apt fo cheap*

9/21/2008 11:50:56 PM

^^^ oh, hell yes. it's more of a symptom of the hyperactivity side of ADHD, but it's definitely one of the criteria in the DSM for a diagnosis.

from wikipedia

Quote :

" DSM-IV criteria I. Either A or B: A. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level: Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions). Often has trouble organizing activities. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework). Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools). Is often easily distracted. Often forgetful in daily activities. B. Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level: Hyperactivity: Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat. Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected. Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless). Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor". Often talks excessively. Impulsiveness: Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished. Often has trouble waiting one's turn. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games). II. Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years. III. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home). IV. There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning. V. The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder). "

9/21/2008 11:53:28 PM

I'd say it is fair that the people diagnosed with ADHD in this thread are aware of the criteria for diagnosis

since they were diagnosed and all

but I'm glad you're learning
keep it up, sparky!

shit that's right - you're diagnosed too

[Edited on September 21, 2008 at 11:58 PM. Reason : I fucking wasn't paying attention]

9/21/2008 11:58:03 PM

no. simply being diagnosed w/ it doesn't mean u know why u fit the diagnosis. it's a hell of a lot more than just simply not paying attention all the time

9/21/2008 11:59:36 PM

well I hope your doctor explained why you fit the description

shit I paid for a whole psychoeducational report cause I'm all about self-knowledge, what motherfucker

9/22/2008 12:01:14 AM

i was diagnosed in 2nd grade, dude.

9/22/2008 12:10:11 AM