"when i was about 13 the school psychologist who i was seeing for behavior problems suggested to my mother that i start taking ritalin. i was hyperactive, could not focus, blurted things out, and was generally viewed as a weirdo by my peers. my mother refused to follow the psychologists advice because she &quot;didn&#039;t want me on medicines&quot;. 
the same diagnosis and suggested treatment followed the next year and the year after by the psychiatrist who i was referred to.
eventually i dropped out of school, somehow managed to get my ged and enroll in college. i decided a few years ago to see a doctor and he prescribed concerta.
i am now able to follow through on projects and not feel like a failure, frustrated all the time. it has really worked for me."