ADD/ADHD- What is ADD and ADHD?
Ciata Perkins
COM 125
Utilizing Information in College Writing
Instructor Galvan
September 30, 2007
Abstract
“I just turned 36 years old. I was diagnosed with ADD 6 months ago, after having impulsively quit yet another job. I was initially prescribed Ritalin, but was having side effects and didn’t like the stimulant aspect to it, so my doctor switched me to Wellbutrin, which has been working okay (not as well as the Ritalin did).
Getting diagnosed was an ““aha”” moment for me; it explained a lot, going back to childhood: in elementary school I was involved in everything under the sun – choir, orchestra, stamp club, girl scouts, soccer, sewing, student council – you name it – I was involved in it all, but my interest would wane before I moved on to the next thing. My dad said I had the ““hobby of the month””, as I’d want to change from one thing to another. My parents forced me to stick with the violin as I had started in the 3rd grade, even though I would never practice. About the time I entered high school, they gave up on me, and I quit. Although I was an A student in elementary school, once I hit junior high, I became painstakingly average, and have been ever since.
I went to state university only to change my major three times, and eventually dropped out altogether after starting most classes with great fervor and interest, then disengaging when it came time to study. I’d find myself reading the same text over and over, but not really synthesizing it, having a hard time grasping concepts. I just couldn’t focus. Needless to say, I never finished college.
I would come off as intelligent, smart, articulate and personable, and I think that has served me well in establishing a good-paying career without a college degree. I was in Human Resources management, but in a highly specialized analytical role, which just never suited me. I always struggled with the...