[mattdavis11]

I was diagnosed ADHD when I was about 6, 36 now. I don't know what kind of test there were, it's was pretty obvious I guess. They put me on Ritalin, and it worked, however I'm sure there are side effects. I couldn't tell you what the long term damages are from taking medication, as there are plenty of other things to factor in.

I was very active, played every sport I could, but containment in a classroom was not for me. It was pure hell throughout grade school for myself, the teachers, and my parents. I was off medication by the time I went to high school, but I probably should have stayed on it at least through the 9th grade. I was a habitual recidivist when off meds, and guess "better" when on them. Always in trouble at school, but not much trouble elsewhere.

I don't recall if my parents yanked me off of the pills in the summers. They probably did to save money, and honestly, I probably didn't need them. I had plenty of things to do, and at least someplace to go. You probably wouldn't think an ADHD kid would take to a sport that's as slow as golf, but I did around 9. It was great, carts rocked!! Typically, it was walk or jog 18, then go to baseball, soccer or whatever was next that particular day.

Just guessing I outgrew most of the HD by age 16. That's about the time, IIRC, I could sit still and focus. I still get antsy, just not very often. My mind still wanders, I enjoy the serenity. I'm not ashamed, and certainly don't think I'm disabled. Quite the opposite, it's definitely advantageous to unconsciously tune oral people out. I intake most everything that is verbalized, which is weird because I'm not paying a lick of attention. I'm miles down the road predicting what's next.