"hi! i am 18 years old . i was diagnosed with adhd just a couple months after starting kindergarten. i was having trouble paying attention, got in trouble everyday; seeing the principal was 2-3 times every 2 weeks was normal. i started taking focalin at 5. my grades improved, my conduct improved, and i could focus. i took it  every weekday i was in school. it killed my appetite, i became dehydrated a lot and i didn&#039;t get all the nutrients i needed to grow properly ( 16, 124lbs).  i stopped taking in 7th grade at my discretion and my grades dropped instantly, my conduct went back. 11th- i started back and instantly my grades improved. only drawback is i have to force myself to eat."