Problems of the mind... effecting work

[KenWittlief]

there have been many people who dont have ADD, or dont know someone who has it, who condemm the use of ritalin or other drugs for its treatment

thinking somehow these people are simply not disciplined enough, and all the doctors are doing in doping them up so they will sit still in class, and not be a bother to other students.

nothing could be further from the truth. People with ADD or ADHD have a difficult time working on single tasks that are not interesting to them, esp if its repetative.

They feel like they need to get up frequently, streach their legs, get some 'air', take a break - almost like they are locked in a box and NEED to get out.

Keep in mind that ritalin and other forms of medication used to treat ADD are a stimulant - NOT a sedative. In the '60s ritalin use to be called 'speed' on the street (yes, its the same drug).

So what would you expect would happen if you give a STIMULANT to a person who is already hyperactive, or who cant sit still for more than 10 minutes? The person would be bouncing off the walls, right?

If you gave ritalin to a person who does NOT have ADD, that would be true - they would be wired and jittery, like they had too much caffene

but it has the opposite effect on a person with ADD - it allows them to focus on one task, and to work at it for a long period of time, without feeling that need to escape.

And yes, it only lasts for 4 hours - it doesnt permanently alter your brain chemistry, just like eating food doenst permanently alter your blood sugar levels.

Which is a good thing - you would not want to permanantly alter a person with ADD or ADHD, because we have gifts and abilities that most people do not posess. Once we get through those situations that are difficult for us (like the typical classroom environment) we often excel in our careers and personal endevours.

We dont need to be taught to think outside the box. We LIVE outside the box :c)