'Take Your Pills" documentary on Netflix

[Anonymous]

Parenting my ADHD child on meds is hard enough. I personally wouldn’t have made it to middle school years with my child unmedicated.

We were desperate and went to medication quicker than I would have liked, but it was like a switch flipped. Suddenly, school got a lot easier. Home? We still struggle there, but it is less hard than it used to be.

It makes me angry how many people pop prescription meds that are NOT necessary and likely will make things harder for those who really do need them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then why are people getting this prescribed that don’t actually need it?

Are we going to take it away from people who legitimately need it because assholes can’t use it properly?

Well, the answer the documentary touches on is that it's difficult to determine who "legitimately" needs it. There's no definitive test for those disorders, and many of the symptoms/signs are things that everyone experiences to a lesser degree in ordinary life.

Many doctors approached the drug as "if you take it and you notice an improvement, then you need it." But the documentary implies that everyone who takes it notices an improvement, but that doesn't mean everyone needs it.

And the documentary alludes to the reality that it may not be addictive in the same way heroin is, but it can cause a dependency. That's the problem with what some PPs above have done -- taking it just to get a boost, even though you don't have a diagnosis.

It would've been helpful if the documentary went into the long-term issues. The NFL guy alluded to downsides of taking it long term, as did his wife, but they didn't really go into that. It's a shame because in some ways, the documentary could've been an advertisement for the drugs as it basically mainly emphasized all of the enhancements without even really detailing the potential long-term issues. Seems like irresponsible documentary film-making to me.

That said, I'm glad I went to college before the use of this skyrocketed. It sounds like it does create an unlevel playing field.

They can't talk about the long-term issues because there haven't been any long-term studies done. As the documentary says, there were hardly even any SHORT term studies done.

They did say that these drugs are known to have the potential to cause death (cardiovascular issues) in addition to psychotic breaks even in patients without any history of such things.

I thought that was actually one of the points of the film - that so many people (especially parents) were choosing some known short-term effects over unknown long-term effects. And one of the other undertones was whether that's really a parent's right to choose, when at least some kids find that it changes their personality, makes them less "them", makes them have lower confidence overall since they know that any success is really attributed to the drug that they know also benefits other people too if they were to take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids take Vyvansse which is basically adderall.

We tried a lot of things before going to drugs.

Diet, cbt, meditation, tutoring, private schooling, positive outlets... you name it.

I finally caved when my 8th grader was suffering from depression from his inability to retain any information from lecture.

They say it's really easy to get at school if you want. They told me kids take it for studying but not for parting.

What diet did you try, PP?

Many. At first Fiengold, but we have settled on trying to eat mostly natural food, low processed. Meat, veggie, rice or potatoes as a carb. High protein, high fat. They only drink water. Never have soda, Gatorade only on hot days during sports. I have to get fat in their diet so they do cheese, high fat yogurt, ice cream. I allow chipotle.

Like most ADHD kids they are very active and have a hard time gaining weight even before meds. We don't medicate on weekends or summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's really only a matter of time before a paper like the NYTimes does a big exposé on the overuse of Adderall and people start getting exposed.

If you've got a legit disorder, fine. But it's being abused the way competitive athletes use performance-enhancing drugs and steroids.

As they say in the film, competitive athletes are also using stimulants like Adderall for performance-enhancement. It's hard to decide whether it's "legit" or not, but in any case, there are effects that spill over into other parts of playing/training though. As such, I don't think it should be allowed. It's impossible to give Person A "just" enough of an edge that they're level with the rest of the playing field (so to speak), since everyone is at different levels in different ways anyway, and so the end result is that the ones on Adderall get an advantage. It's not like they're using it to get through elementary school. Being a professional athlete isn't a right that we all have. There are rules against performance-enhancing drugs for a reason, and they should be observed by everyone.

[Anonymous]

Why cant they just drink an espresso? Not kidding. Just curious?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would like to watch this but am hesitant because our teen was just diagnosed with adhd combo and after learning about adhd, it's clear DC has it. I'm sure it will have me second guessing using drugs but DC is so much happier being able to finally focus. The medicine is amazing. Grades went up immediately because learning could occur as well as focus.

DC only wants to take it for school days, never on weekends or holidays unless has homework. I do worry about college and I do hear from older cousins that pretty much everyone uses it. DC uses an extended release version not Adderall which is shorter acting.

To be fair...like PPs said, pretty much anyone who starts taking this regularly will have their grades go up immediately. It's legal speed

I just posted about taking it one weekend. I don't 100% get this- is that just a matter of staying up longer/later to focus when normally you would be exhausted and not retaining as much? I know there was some abuse of it when I was in undergrad but that was 18 years ago, it wasn't THAT common. Because having been on recreation drugs that are upper/speedy, well, that didn't seem conducive to studying, honestly. But my drug experience isn't all that vast

Yeah I understand what you're saying - it's not like you feel like you're on meth (...disclaimer: haven't taken meth.) - but it's not like your heart is racing and you're sweaty and talking fast. Although when people take too much...it is actually not too far off. But yes it makes you focused and organized and alert, and it feels like tasks that seemed overwhelming seem manageable. But to your point yes, it's something you use as a tool...it's not like you pop an adderall and suddenly have a killer desire to do physics. But it DOES make big amounts of boring, mundane and dry material seem interesting and manageable. You still have to make the decision to do the work or whatever, but adderall makes it much easier / less painful (for everyone - not just if you have a diagnosis). But yeah, people definitely use it as a "tool" to stay awake / alert / energized when they go out. And it makes you feel social and energized - not unlike legal speed

Thanks for the explanation. That's what I thought. FWIW I haven't done meth either! But I definitely felt more myself that weekend than I had in a LONG time. DS #2 was still shy of 1 year old, DS#1 was 3.5 and not sleeping well (still doesn't) we were away for a wedding and it honestly made me feel like the non-zombie version of myself but not jumpy. I truly hope that when the day comes that long term studies are done, we find out that there are minimal side effects because I know that parents who go this route are NOT looking for an easy way out, I imagine they stay awake at night trying to figure out how badly to let their kid fail/struggle before it might be too late to turn it around vs. taking a drug- I have nothing but empathy for them and hope for the best long term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would like to watch this but am hesitant because our teen was just diagnosed with adhd combo and after learning about adhd, it's clear DC has it. I'm sure it will have me second guessing using drugs but DC is so much happier being able to finally focus. The medicine is amazing. Grades went up immediately because learning could occur as well as focus.

DC only wants to take it for school days, never on weekends or holidays unless has homework. I do worry about college and I do hear from older cousins that pretty much everyone uses it. DC uses an extended release version not Adderall which is shorter acting.

To be fair...like PPs said, pretty much anyone who starts taking this regularly will have their grades go up immediately. It's legal speed

I just posted about taking it one weekend. I don't 100% get this- is that just a matter of staying up longer/later to focus when normally you would be exhausted and not retaining as much? I know there was some abuse of it when I was in undergrad but that was 18 years ago, it wasn't THAT common. Because having been on recreation drugs that are upper/speedy, well, that didn't seem conducive to studying, honestly. But my drug experience isn't all that vast

Yeah I understand what you're saying - it's not like you feel like you're on meth (...disclaimer: haven't taken meth.) - but it's not like your heart is racing and you're sweaty and talking fast. Although when people take too much...it is actually not too far off. But yes it makes you focused and organized and alert, and it feels like tasks that seemed overwhelming seem manageable. But to your point yes, it's something you use as a tool...it's not like you pop an adderall and suddenly have a killer desire to do physics. But it DOES make big amounts of boring, mundane and dry material seem interesting and manageable. You still have to make the decision to do the work or whatever, but adderall makes it much easier / less painful (for everyone - not just if you have a diagnosis). But yeah, people definitely use it as a "tool" to stay awake / alert / energized when they go out. And it makes you feel social and energized - not unlike legal speed

Thanks for the explanation. That's what I thought. FWIW I haven't done meth either! But I definitely felt more myself that weekend than I had in a LONG time. DS #2 was still shy of 1 year old, DS#1 was 3.5 and not sleeping well (still doesn't) we were away for a wedding and it honestly made me feel like the non-zombie version of myself but not jumpy. I truly hope that when the day comes that long term studies are done, we find out that there are minimal side effects because I know that parents who go this route are NOT looking for an easy way out, I imagine they stay awake at night trying to figure out how badly to let their kid fail/struggle before it might be too late to turn it around vs. taking a drug- I have nothing but empathy for them and hope for the best long term.

Thank you for writing this and for your empathy toward families like mine. This is the most accurate and succinct description I've seen. (I'm saving it for future use!)

[Anonymous]

It’s a sucky drug to take long term. As an adult diagnosed with adhd, it was like a lightbulb went off when my dr finally realized that the antidepressants I was taking weren’t rooting out the real issue: underperformance at work and in grad school. My life became great! I could actually follow through on all my innate brightness and was richly rewarded.
But you will feel strung out and have insomnia. It’s important to be extra vigilant about eating healthy food and not just running on fumes. What helps for insomnia? Never quite figured that one out.
I did nickname it Madderrall because my fuse was like so short it was nonexistent. I would fume! DH and I had horrendous fights but looking back I think our marriage was actually pretty strong because I was so successful in other areas.
Haven’t taken it since I got pregnant 5 years ago and I do fine but I SAH. Worried for my DS who is brilliant but shows signs if you know what to look for.
I would say there are about 10% of the population that really need it. My mom for example never completed much in her life despite having crazy energy and diverse interests, she probably could be a PhD if they knew about this back then. She definitely has a problem! My DH in the other hand cruises through grad school no sweat and studied and aced tests with the TV on and the kids running around. Definitely doesn’t have a problem.
Sucks that it’s so widely abused, those people would be addicted to anything! Some people really need it despite desperately not wanting to take anything.

[Anonymous]

The collective ignorance and misinformation in this thread is astounding.

[Anonymous]

This whole documentary made me want to pop an adderall. I'd love to be able to concentrate on my boring work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The collective ignorance and misinformation in this thread is astounding.

Have you actually watched the documentary that this thread is about? Maybe you could stop being astounded and go watch it before you comment. Otherwise feel free to point out where the documentary was wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The collective ignorance and misinformation in this thread is astounding.

As someone with ADHD who takes a stimulant, the stigma, lack of empathy and misinformation on DCUM shocks me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The collective ignorance and misinformation in this thread is astounding.

Have you actually watched the documentary that this thread is about? Maybe you could stop being astounded and go watch it before you comment. Otherwise feel free to point out where the documentary was wrong.

Exactly. PP's comment lacked any substance whatsoever

[Anonymous]

I am going to watch this, but I feel apprehensive b/c my son has ADHD and really needs pills (despite our many years of holding off). This is going to take away from those that need it...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am going to watch this, but I feel apprehensive b/c my son has ADHD and really needs pills (despite our many years of holding off). This is going to take away from those that need it...

I think the main thing it's going to do is to make more parents try everything else first before they put their kids on drugs. I know that the best parents do this naturally, but sadly it isn't always the case. People think of these drugs as benign substances because soooo many kids are on them. Many people don't even try things like special diets (or at least never give them a proper chance because they cut corners) because, let's face it, they're hard. My kids are on a special diet too, and I know how stressful it is, but my alternative was also to medicate (although for something other than ADHD) and I'm glad we could address the issues with diet even though it certainly makes life a lot more stressful. Anyway, hopefully this documentary will make parents realize that the drugs aren't free - they do have an impact and that impact could be a very negative one. More awareness is always a good thing.