The following is an interview with a college student diagnosed with ADD. He is a junior at Emory University. His name is John.
Me: How long have you been diagnosed with ADD?
John: I was first diagnosed with ADD when I was in sixth grade.
Me: Who first noticed you had a problem?
John: Well I had been struggling in school. I was having problems finishing my work and found it especially difficult to concentrate. After numerous notes home my parents set up a meeting with a doctor. After undergoing many observations and many behavioral tests through multiple visits I was diagnosed with ADD and immediately subscribed Ritalin.
Me: How long have you been taking medication for it?
John: I began taking Ritalin shortly after. I took it regularly all through school until my senior year in high school. Senior year I began taking it as needed. For example, when I knew I was going to have a quiz or test or if I needed to study at home.
Me: Now to your knowledge, what is Ritalin?
John: Ritalin is a mild stimulant used to help me focus. There is a short release and a long release type. The short release lasts for 2-3 hours and the long release could last up to about 10 hours.
Me: When would you take the short release and when would you take the long release?
John: I would always take the long release when I was in grade school, middle school, and high school. Now that I'm in college I take my Ritalin only when I have tests or quizzes or when I know I'm going to need to focus like if I have to read something long or do some lengthy studying. And unless it is going to be a long study session I try to only take the short release.
Me: What is the most significant difference you have noticed when taking Ritalin?
John: When I am on Ritalin it is like night and day. Normally I would have trouble reading something or trying to do homework. When I take my Ritalin it almost seems like it gives me motivation and I seem to have and interest in my work. I get it done much more quickly and don't have to go over it three or four times.
Me: Did you ever receive any behavioral treatments or programs?
John: When I was in elementary school I was placed in a once a day program with the "slower" kids. We would meet in a room before lunch every day and go over our work and get help from our tutors. I really didn't like it and fortunately that was my first and last time into that room.
Me: Where do you think you'd be without Ritalin or any other ADD medications?
John: Probably struggling in a community college somewhere. Definitely not at Emory University, on track to graduate in four years. I am very thankful for Ritalin and all the research gone into the ADD field.
Me: How long have you been diagnosed with ADD?
John: I was first diagnosed with ADD when I was in sixth grade.
Me: Who first noticed you had a problem?
John: Well I had been struggling in school. I was having problems finishing my work and found it especially difficult to concentrate. After numerous notes home my parents set up a meeting with a doctor. After undergoing many observations and many behavioral tests through multiple visits I was diagnosed with ADD and immediately subscribed Ritalin.
Me: How long have you been taking medication for it?
John: I began taking Ritalin shortly after. I took it regularly all through school until my senior year in high school. Senior year I began taking it as needed. For example, when I knew I was going to have a quiz or test or if I needed to study at home.
Me: Now to your knowledge, what is Ritalin?
John: Ritalin is a mild stimulant used to help me focus. There is a short release and a long release type. The short release lasts for 2-3 hours and the long release could last up to about 10 hours.
Me: When would you take the short release and when would you take the long release?
John: I would always take the long release when I was in grade school, middle school, and high school. Now that I'm in college I take my Ritalin only when I have tests or quizzes or when I know I'm going to need to focus like if I have to read something long or do some lengthy studying. And unless it is going to be a long study session I try to only take the short release.
Me: What is the most significant difference you have noticed when taking Ritalin?
John: When I am on Ritalin it is like night and day. Normally I would have trouble reading something or trying to do homework. When I take my Ritalin it almost seems like it gives me motivation and I seem to have and interest in my work. I get it done much more quickly and don't have to go over it three or four times.
Me: Did you ever receive any behavioral treatments or programs?
John: When I was in elementary school I was placed in a once a day program with the "slower" kids. We would meet in a room before lunch every day and go over our work and get help from our tutors. I really didn't like it and fortunately that was my first and last time into that room.
Me: Where do you think you'd be without Ritalin or any other ADD medications?
John: Probably struggling in a community college somewhere. Definitely not at Emory University, on track to graduate in four years. I am very thankful for Ritalin and all the research gone into the ADD field.