ADHD is common, manageable
Q. I know I can trust you but I feel kinda weak just writing about this. The trouble is I’m stupid. At least that’s the way I always feel. I mess up in school all the time. I feel good in some of my classes but not most of them. I get lost. My mum split when I was a kid so I live with my dad. Last week, the guidance people called me to the office. My dad was there. I freaked out. Nobody knew though. I acted all cool and stuff. Then they said that I have ADHD. I have to take some drug. Ritalin I think. I do not want to take some stupid drug. Why can’t I just quit school? I don’t need this. I can go work on cars or something. Can you help me understand this ADHD stuff? And what will Ritalin do to me? My dad won’t talk about it with me. He just grunts about how much trouble I am to him. – 14-year-old maleMary Jo’s response: Please listen carefully. You’re not stupid. Having ADHD (which stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) does not mean a person is stupid. Many people living with ADHD are gifted and have talents that are not always measured in a classroom. You are a person of great worth. You’re not trouble. Your dad may be worried about you yet not know how to express that worry. You’re important to me and to many others. The guidance staff at your school is trying to make learning easier for you. You didn’t do anything wrong. ADHD is not your fault, and no one should call you names. Finding out a person has difficulty learning can make a real difference in how that individual learns and enjoys school. With treatment, people living with ADHD can move beyond the distractions in their lives and better use their intelligence and other talents.I am honored by your trust. Let’s talk about ADHD. Let’s also arrange to meet. I am positive that you have gifts to share with others in your life. People living with ADHD often:n Have problems staying still for a long timen Are easily distracted n Have a hard time paying attentionn Find it difficult to wait in line, sit quietly, or finish tasksn May talk a lotn Don’t seem to listenn May interrupt others who are speakingn Forget thingsDo any of those symptoms sound familiar? If you are diagnosed with ADHD, your teachers, guidance personnel and health care provider will design a treatment plan that works for you. If you check out websites about ADHD, like the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/adhd/facts.html and Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder at http://www.chadd.org/, you will notice ADHD can be treated. Treatment options may include medication, behavioral therapy and tutoring. Ritalin is the most common medicine used to treat ADHD. Ritalin is a stimulant that helps people concentrate better, pay attention longer and feel less frustrated at school, work, or home. About three-fourths of the people living with ADHD who use Ritalin say it helps them by stimulating their brain on the inside so they don’t feel as affected by outside distractions. There are other medications that can be useful, however. Please share your fears and questions with your dad and your guidance counselor. Write them down so you don’t forget them when you meet. I’ll help you make a list if you like. Ask how the drug may make you feel. It’s important you have a voice in your treatment plan. Many famous people are living with ADHD. They’re shared their situation to help young people like you realize there are many ways to be successful. Among them are: actors Justin Timberlake, Jim Carrey and Will Smith; Olympic medalist Michael Phelps; former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw; the founder of Kinko’s, Paul Orfalea; and the founder of JetBlue Airways, David Neeleman. Many people believe Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Leonardo de Vinci and Mozart also lived with ADHD. You’re not alone. Let’s get together soon. Good luck. Q. This isn’t a question because I just have something to say. Will you please print this? I wrote to you for this column when I was in high school. My school told me that I shouldn’t go to college because I wouldn’t be able to do the work. You told me not to give up on myself. Well, guess what? I graduate this December. Thank you for believing in me. My mom believed in me, and my grandma and my uncle who helped pay some of my tuition. My pastor at church believed in me, too. I did it! Please continue to encourage kids. Maybe after Christmas we could get together. I’d really like that. Thanks again. -21-year-old maleMary Jo’s response: I’m so incredibly proud of you! Congratulations! I printed your comments today because I hope the author of question 1 will be empowered by your story and continue in school. Your message is so very important. Each person is a person of worth. You were surrounded by the support of your mom and family and your church community. These people are the people who held you up on a daily basis and gave you strength and motivation. I’m grateful you took the time to write to me. I don’t feel at all responsible for your success, though. You took school one assignment at a time and remained strong. I would love to get together. Our Teen Outreach office is at 410 N. Main Street in Washington and our Teen Center is at 53 N. College Street. Text me first at 412-877-4906 to be certain I’m there. It would be wonderful if you could talk with our young people at the Center. Your story will encourage them! Congrats again!