Why do you assume that I'm not already using all of the techniques you described, in conjunction with the meds? Why do you assume that you know what's going on inside my head better than I do?
I'm not being rhetorical, I honestly would like to know. It's a huge problem that so many people refuse to believe that mental illness exists, not just for me and not just for ADD. You wouldn't say to someone with chronic fatigue syndrome "Yes, nobody likes to get up for work, but you just have to suck it up and deal with it." You wouldn't tell a diabetic that they shouldn't have to take shots just to get through the day. What makes you feel qualified to do that to me?
> Yes, we should be exploring alternative treatments besides powerful amphetamines which can cause addiction and health issues.
Absolutely we should! I would love to find a non-stimulant treatment that works for me. I regularly do research and ask my doctor to see if there are any new treatments available. Until they come up with one that works, I'm going to keep doing what I need to do to get by.
Also, I'd love to see a source on "addiction and health issues," because Ritalin and the other common ADD meds are not addictive, and have no long-term side effects for the large majority of patients, at clinical doses.
> I don't want to have to do drugs at work to keep my career from those who want to take a pill and work for 12 hours a day.
This is a strawman. That has never happened to you; your career is not under threat from drug abusers. My career will absolutely crash out immediately if I stop taking my meds, I've tried it before. What you're doing is no different than medical marijuana prohibition: you'd sooner let patients suffer than run the risk that someone might get high.
I'm not being rhetorical, I honestly would like to know. It's a huge problem that so many people refuse to believe that mental illness exists, not just for me and not just for ADD. You wouldn't say to someone with chronic fatigue syndrome "Yes, nobody likes to get up for work, but you just have to suck it up and deal with it." You wouldn't tell a diabetic that they shouldn't have to take shots just to get through the day. What makes you feel qualified to do that to me?
> Yes, we should be exploring alternative treatments besides powerful amphetamines which can cause addiction and health issues.
Absolutely we should! I would love to find a non-stimulant treatment that works for me. I regularly do research and ask my doctor to see if there are any new treatments available. Until they come up with one that works, I'm going to keep doing what I need to do to get by.
Also, I'd love to see a source on "addiction and health issues," because Ritalin and the other common ADD meds are not addictive, and have no long-term side effects for the large majority of patients, at clinical doses.
> I don't want to have to do drugs at work to keep my career from those who want to take a pill and work for 12 hours a day.
This is a strawman. That has never happened to you; your career is not under threat from drug abusers. My career will absolutely crash out immediately if I stop taking my meds, I've tried it before. What you're doing is no different than medical marijuana prohibition: you'd sooner let patients suffer than run the risk that someone might get high.