"i&#039;m 31 and diagnosed with adhd for 23 years. when my parents started me on ritalin in 3rd grade their only regret was letting me struggle for so long. i was always being sent home from school for playing in the mud, walking out of class, etc. i was talkative and happy, but my grades were well below satisfactory - i had very few teachers encourage me, rather i was written off as a disruption. my first year on medication was hard, i had no appetite and trouble sleeping. after about 6 months all the side effects went away. i could eat and sleep no problem. i have been on adderal now for 17 years. i graduated college, have amazing job - not sure where i would be if nobody saw the signs and helped."