Re: Irvingchang

You obviously don't have ADHD or have a friend or relative who does. If you did, you would know that the right kind of drugs are a big help - although they're only part of the solution, and they often come with unpleasant side effects. I have been taking drugs to manage my own ADHD for years. When I was taking Ritalin I had headaches, nausea, and "space-out" periods on a regular basis, but without it I could not have gotten through school. Yes, I did have a problem. The drugs caused me other problems, but they were a heck of a lot more manageable than what I was taking the drugs for.

People who have ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, to drop out of college (if they get into college in the first place), and be unable to hold down a job. I beat the odds by not getting an STD, getting my college degree in four years, holding down a job and, now, going to graduate school. I don't think I could have done it without meds, even if they're a hassle.

I tried going off my meds for a while when I was living on my own and realized that I had a more difficult time getting things done and tended to put my foot in my mouth more often. Take it from me, some of us need those meds.

That said, medications alone are not enough to cope with ADHD. Social coaching and therapy helps. Regular exercise helps too, by releasing endorphins that help calm you down.
Not watching TV is a good idea as well. If television conditions a short attention span into "normal" people, think of what it does to someone with an attention deficit disorder. Better to read a book.