The results for me were immediate and dramatic. I'm a 41 year old woman who was originally diagnosed when I was 5, but I haven't received treatment since I was 11. After accepting that my entire life was a complete mess and being treated for my ADD again might help things out, I asked my doctor for help.

I was given Adderall XR 20 mg, and within the first few hours, I felt like I had been shot into a new life. I've been taking it for 6 weeks now and I'm up to 30 mg as my dose was adjusted to meet my individual needs. For me, there are terrific benefits of taking Adderall and there are also side effects that will have to be weighed out eventually.

I am a professional person and now I can focus, stay on task, retain information and complete projects on time. Before Adderall, it would take me forever to complete my work. I actually found a file in my office that I had been putting off for over a year!! The first week on the meds, it was taken care of and out of my hair forever.

But on the flip side, I don't really like taking the meds because I feel like it "morphs" me into "Super Penny" whether I like it or not. I take the pill and within 3/4 hour, I'm this super productive efficient focused "worker bee" who wants to get everything done and then start working on more.

Maybe I'm just ranting because I'm coming off of it and I'm tired and cranky. Which is another side effect. But I guess I've always been sort of tired and cranky at night so who knows if I should blame the meds or not.

I've decided to give it some time. I pay very close attention to how I feel and ask for feedback from my family if they think I'm acting strange. We'll see. If not Adderall, maybe something else.

Good luck to you.

Yeah, they work but aren't good for your health over a long period of time. I would only use them if you are desperate... and don't take them if you have anxiety; it'll make it worse!

Please let me provide a counterpoint to LJ1986's assertion. Currently, there is almost no scientific evidence to support the claim that ADHD medication increases long-term health risks in adults except for people with a high risk of heart disease. For more information, check this URL
http://blogs.webmd.com/adhd-medications-and-treatments/2007/02/risks-of-adhd-drugs.html

The benefits for beginning a treatment plan which may include medications far outweigh the risks of remaining untreated (read http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/adult-adhd-getting-right-treatment-you).

My point: We are not doctors. We are here to share support born from our experiences rather than assert that our way is the "right" way.

Back to the OP's comment, my experience is that the meds do not work for my form of the disorder -- ADD Inattentive. I tried them all but never realized the benefit that I was told I would expect. So, it was a waste of money. So, I've had to rely heavily on behavior modification and coaching. On the other hand, for my son who has ADD Hyperactive, Concerta is like a miracle drug. He switches from a defiant contrarian to an agreeable, happy 10-year old once the meds kick in. It's amazing!

So, it really depends on the individual. Work closely with your doctor to discover your modality - inattentive or hyperactive - and proceed from there.

Good luck and thanks for the post!

Like mstelly, I have yet to see results from the two adhd meds I have tried do far(Ritalin and Strattera). I also have ADHD(inattentive type). Was so hoping for the kind of results that I have heard from people like ArizonaPenny!

I also deal with depression and anxiety, so perhaps that makes a difference as well.

BTW, does anyone know of a med that helps with the ADHD as well as anxiety? I am currently on Cymbalta. Helps with the depression, bt not so much the anxiety or ADHD.

I beg to differ... the latest research suggests ADHD medication over a long period of time may not be a good idea. I have also read that most people on ADHD medication are extremely addicted to it. And I am disciplined enough to read the literature!!!

If you are ADHD and anxious at the same time- maybe the anxiety is just distracting or takes a toll on your brain (I know it DEF. effects memory) and you don't actually have ADHD? Could that be a possibility???

Thanks for your replys everyone an im sorry LJ1986 that you have had a bad experiance, i can see how someone who has been given adhd meds as a child who has not got it might be angry and feel that it does not exist. But for someone like myself who has had the opposite experiance having had adhd all my life undiagnosed and untreated believe me it is far from pleasant. Being from quite a rural part of Ireland ADHD was unheard of until very recent years, no such thing when i was at school. I never even knew there was such a thing until recently. All my life i just thought i was just a defect could never concentrate or stay seated for more than 5 mins all the adhd trates. Drug problems alcoholism relationship problems, fired from every job, yet really smart in other ways. My diagnoses answered so many questions and has given me hope. My anxiety comes from untreated adhd so my Psychologist and my psychiatrist tells me. Thanks again for everyones comments.

linalq1 -- it should be a relief for you to now know that your problems were not your fault -- it was a medical condition all along! I know that was true for me.

I recommend that you read the books Driven to Distraction and Delivered From Distraction by Ned Hallowell. They are both excellent resources.

Once you sort out all the "bad" stuff, you will be able to find out what your strengths are and realize that ADHD can be a GIFT!

I wish you all the best.

Well, I keep testing positive for it...

I am with her on the "can be a gift" thing...maybe it is all about sorting