Hi I live in Brisbane, QLD, Australia and I was diagnosed with ADHD
shortly after my 15th birthday. Prior to my diagnosis (and for as
long as I could remeber) I was failing badly in school, despite have
and IQ of over 140. I never completed my work, I never sat by
myself at home to do anything, I was suspended from school a few
times and in trouble most of the time, I spent every day in
detention and I was very, very active.

But after my diagnosis things got worse not better. I saw 15
different doctors and tried just as many different medications. But
my behaviour got worse. I was held back a grade twice, I had to
have a full time teacher aide hired to watch me, I was suspended and
expelled from several schools, I was even black banned from one.

The problem was before my diagnosis I was already a teenager and if
you asked me to describe my personality I would say I was energetic,
active, sponatious and uninhibited. But then I was diagnosed and
affectively told that this wasn't my personality at all but symptoms
of a disorder in need of medication. I no longer knew who I was or
where I ended and my ADHD began. I would pick up ADHD books off the
shelves at stores and read them and they described me. Every aspect
of me was in there. So I was scared. I never stuck on any
medication long, I sabotaged every program that was designed to
help. Because If I got better I was scared I would loose myself.

I am now 23. I am on a disability pension and have been thrown out
of every job, relationship or educational institution I have ever
been to. I was hoping that there might be someone out there who
could offer some help.