SleekZ, you say:
all of you who say you have it seem to be very articulate and intelligent
There's a reason for that. As I mentioned, our filters are screwed up. Due to that, we notice
everything. If we've got enough raw IQ, we manage to pick up enough of what's important to slip through the system as normal. If we don't have enough raw IQ, we're labeled early as having some form of learning disability. Only later does ADD become more of a hinderance than a benefit, as coursework becomes more difficult, requiring more of our focused attention.
I was diagnosed in 6th grade. Until then, I was always considered hyper, my report cards always had a note saying "does not pay attention in class" or "Not performing up to potential", yet my grades were good. I was that kid who appeared to be daydreaming or otherwise occupied, but would deliver the right answer when called on, even if I did have to ask for the question to be repeated.
I was put on ritalin (this was back when ritalin was fairly new, and proper doses hadn't quite been established) at a dose of 15 mg six times a day. Basically, I was stoned into submission. After about a month I became so physically dependent that I needed a booster dose at around 2 AM, or I'd get excruciating withdrawal headaches. About this point, I decided that I wouldn't take it anymore, and focused hard on other methods of treatment.
I learned of the Feingold program, which postulated that ADD is often aggrivated by chemical allergies which effect whatever part of the brain acts as the sensory input filter. I try to avoid any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, as well as natural salicylates (aspirin, apples, tomatoes, most citrus). I can tolerate the salicylate foods reasonably well, but I notice a huge impact with any artificial preservatives, especially BHA, BHT and TBHQ. By eliminating these chemicals from my diet, my symptoms were greatly reduced, but not eliminated.
One point that I neglected to make earlier was the strong effect that ADD has on effective short-term memory. In order to assimilate whatever is stored in short-term memory, you need to keep that memory current for sufficient time. With so many distractions vying for attention, short-term memory is often flushed out with new info before the old info can be retained.
Through diligent use of my dayplanner, I was able to partially compensate for the remaining effects of the ADD.
I did take advantage of alternate test-taking programs that would remove me from the distractions of the classroom environment, but as a matter of personal ethics, I refused to allow myself additional time.
If you use ADD as an excuse for preferential treatment while you're in school, but do not actively try to overcome the symptoms, you will very quickly fall behind when you get out into the real world.[/i]