Most of my ADD or ADHD patients use Ritalin and find it very helpful. Some need quite low doses and some quite high doses; everybody is different. I am not using it. When I tried it the small benefits (slightly better focus and slightly better get startedness) did not outweigh the small side effects (mild GI distress and slight jitteriness). Probably this is partly because I already had developed a lot of strategies to deal with the problems over the years so there was not as much room for the medicine to help.
A relative of mine uses a lot of vitamins and other “natural substances” which he says has helped his ADD immensely, and I assume it has. Although watching him it might seem simpler to just take a few Ritalin. But some people do not like the idea of “non-natural chemicals” – which I will write more about soon. There is a lot on the net about these alternative approaches – suggestion: be cautious about the miracle cures and the costs.
As an example of this different viewpoint, you might check out Yoly at http://mytruthseeking.wordpress.com/, who is into the alternative approach.
doug
there is a lot of controversy about Ritalin, especially for kids. If you look at the evidence (instead of just listening to people’s uninformed but strongly held opinions), it seems pretty clear that there are a fair number of kids on ritalin who do not need it and a fair number who need it who are not on it, probably more of the latter. The harm done by the error is probably higher in the latter group. In other words, the harm of omission is probably worse than the harm of commission. But anyway, we are here to talk about adults.
ADDadultstrategies 
Pingback: Stimulant Medicine for ADD ADHD and New Research — ADD Tip O the Day 587 | ADDadultstrategies
Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no backup.
Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?
LikeLike
A fatty liver is often a liver under strain from any number of reasons for example misuse of alcohol,
triglycerides too high, exposure to some drug or killer.
Local and systemic inflammations are often observed, specially
after injury or infection. “Effortless concern: What’s the next most suitable choice designed for my child.
LikeLike
Pingback: From ADD Tip o the Day | Living Daily With Adult ADD or ADHD
I delight in, cause I found exactly what I uxed to be taking a look
for.You have ended my four day lengthy hunt!
God Bless you man. Havve a nice day. Bye
LikeLike
Pingback: Ritalin Again — ADD Tip o the Day 420 | ADDadultstrategies
I’m really glad I found your blog. Wow, I thought I was late in finding out about my ADHD (at 33)! I’m looking forward to catching up on your posts and reading new ones.
LikeLike
jj- i’m glad you found it too. i hope you will find it interesting and useful and will leave lots more comments!
best wishes
doug
LikeLike
Thanks in support of sharing such a good opinion, piece of writing is pleasant,
thats why i have read it entirely
LikeLike
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot
drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.
My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views.
I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it
with someone!
LikeLike
healthcare –
are you suggesting that your cousin might have ADD? and how did your i phone do?
thank you for commenting
doug
LikeLike
You will also lower your cholesterol and risk of heart disease because you will be eliminating unhealthy fats from your diet.
Instead of wolfing down your food you chew it 20 to 30
times or more until it becomes a liquid in your mouth
and mixed well with saliva. The truth is by doing something like this you
actually can lose some weight fast but it can have
unfavorable affects on your health in the long run.
LikeLike
bobby-i need strategies to help me control my weight and the chewing is certainly one, plus slowing down increases my enjoyment, gives my brain a chance to recognize i’m full before i’ve eaten a lot more.
thank you for commenting
doug
LikeLike
My brother was on ritalin when he was in school and it helped him A LOT. Once he stopped, he dropped out of hs and cannot even drive his car.. I personally found that Vyvanse helped me. It nearly changed my life.
LikeLike
chica,
we each need to find the right med, right dose, right schedule – but it can be like a miracle. sorry about your brother. often when we find something that helps us, we stop doing it; seems to be human nature.
best wishes
doug
LikeLike
I have been taking Norpramin for 17 years for my Adult ADHD and now it’s being discontinued…Would Ritalin work for me? I cannot function on a daily basis or concentrate,
bring any project to completion or focus on one thing at a time…Therefore, going without meds is not an option….
LikeLike
i didn’t know about the discontinue???? did you mean off the market or just discontinue for you? the generic is desipramine, which should be available.
ritalin will probably work for you, it does for most people with ADD/ADHD. here is a previous comment :
“good thinking and good courage on your part. for some people the meds are like a miracle, for others, not so much. it always means finding the right medicine, the right dose, the right timing. and for some medicine is not the way. each person is unique.”
otherwise, you might try strattera which would be a lot like norpramin, but probably a lot more expensive. (also the generic ritalin is a lot less than the brand name)
i hope you have a good doctor who is knowledgeable about ADD/ADHD
best wishes and thank you for commenting
doug
LikeLike
pamela, no way to tell if ritalin will work, but probably is well worth a try. everyone is unique. it is specific for the ADHD and might work better than the norpramin. (it also has some antidepressant effect.) the main cautions would be if you have hi blood pressure or heart disease, need to be careful.
best wishes
doug
LikeLike
now i see that this reply to pamela is out of date. with ADD, i osten scan things instead of totally reading them, and i missed the date on this one. oh, well, hope it all worked out for pamela.
doug
LikeLike
on the last note: i also osten mispell things and dont notice to check them.
doug
LikeLike
Pingback: ritalin – cons and pros —– ADD Tip o the Day 314 | ADDadultstrategies
Pingback: Topics from ADDerWorld —- ADD Tip o the Day 291 | ADDadultstrategies
I have many times said to people who are declining to try medications for their AD/HD or refusing to let their child try medications for AD/HD that until and unless they have tried medications long enough to find the right medication at the right dose and frequency, then they aren’t making an informed choice. This has offended a few, turned on a lightbulb for most. Once I knew I had ADD, I was ready to take medications. The fellow evaluating me cautioned me not to start right away because, “they are more effective if the person is really positive and ready to give them a try.” I leaned across the desk and said, in a loud whisper, “I’m positive I’m ready.” Heavens, at my age I had tried everything else. I got a psychiatrist who was ADD friendly and agreed to let me try all the meds then available to see which worked best for me. Not just, does it work? But, does it work better than the others?
LikeLike
good thinking and good courage on your part. for some people the meds are like a miracle, for others, not so much. it always means finding the right medicine, the right dose, the right timing. and for some medicine is not the way. each person is unique.
LikeLike
Important post, Doug. As a psychologist/social worker, I, too, am familiar with the arguments for and against the use of pharmaceutical treatment for adults and youth with ADD. Many individuals suffer without becoming more informed. I choose to take Ritilin ( generic = methylphenidate), and I tout its effectiveness. Fortunatlely, I have a well-informed prescriber and openly discuss these pros and cons.
LikeLike
thanks, good input. ritalin doesnt work for weveryone, but sometimes it is a miracle, other times maybe just helpful. like most things in life, it has its pros and cons. i want to discuss the concept of “drugs” ie medicines in more detail soon.
thank you for commenting
LikeLike