Becker's first appeared in my life when I was around six. I had no idea what it was; I knew I was different. There were subtle signs, like difficulties running, lack of energy, and frequent falls, which were early indicators that something wasn't quite right. My body tried to compensate for the weakness in my core muscles, causing me to develop a definite sway in my lower back and pelvic area.

Looking back on these early years, I realize they were a whirlwind of confusion and misdiagnosis. I had a history of doing very poorly in school and had repeated first grade. I had trouble paying attention, was very impulsive, restless, hyperactive, and had a poor attention span and concentration.

Around the 3rd grade, the school suggested I might have ADHD. Naturally, we took their advice and went to see my doctor. A misdiagnosis of ADHD can lead to unnecessary treatments and their associated side effects.

First Round

• Adderall, an amphetamine, is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Side effects include signs of psychosis and muscle twitches (tics), among others*.
• Concerta; also used to treat hyperactivity and impulse control. Although rare, this also has a side effect of uncontrollable outbursts or tics (uncontrolled and repeated body movements) *.

The following year, I went to a different doctor, a psychiatrist, with the chief complaint of constantly moving and having severe tics of facial muscles, eye muscles, and body parts. I was continually grimacing my face and moving my body.

This doctor was aware of my prior diagnosis and medication. He recommended inpatient hospitalization because of eye twitching and involuntary movements. The doctor stated that I would receive a physical exam, a neurological exam, and a psychological exam at the hospital if necessary. I spent the entire time in a ward with a lot of other kids, some with severe emotional issues. They performed the exams, and the result was that I was diagnosed with ADHD / Tourettes. The doctor said he could treat me faster in a hospital setting, so I stayed in the hospital, and we went to:

Round Two

• Clonidine, while helpful for some, can cause side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, and irritability. *
• Seroquel, an antipsychotic used to treat certain mental/mood disorders. Some side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and inability to sit still. *
• Zoloft, an antidepressant, is commonly prescribed to treat a variety of mental health conditions. Common side effects include drowsiness and dry mouth, among others. *

I spent a few more weeks in the hospital setting, and by this time, I was feeling pretty much like a walking zombie.

I had a follow-up exam about a month after being released from the hospital. They decided I was doing much better, and my tics were less frequent. I was also doing better in school. What they didn’t know was that I learned how to hide the medication and dispose of it when no one was looking. That is, except at school, where the nurse checked my mouth to be sure I swallowed the pill. I eventually learned to get around that one, too. I was tired of being sleepy and just wanted to be a kid. I did not want to continue taking the medication I was prescribed because of the way it made me feel.

It is ironic that the medication I was prescribed not only did nothing to help what was going on, but in some instances, it was detrimental to my condition.

As a typical teenager, I wanted to participate in sports. Thinking I needed to exercise more to keep up with the other kids, I joined athletics, playing basketball and football when I was 13. My performance was not very good, but I tried.

One of my coaches encouraged me to train on the track with the other kids; I didn’t have to participate in the competition, but he thought being part of the training could help. One day, we were sprinting the 400-yard dash. I was hurting, and my pace was slower than the other kids. They slowed down and matched my pace, encouraging me to keep going. Doing just one lap was very difficult, and I didn’t think I could finish until they encouraged me.

In the weight room, we were supposed to increase the weight we bench pressed each month by 5 pounds. Everyone was improving except me; I struggled at 55 pounds on the bench press. The more I participated, the more I realized something was wrong. My limp was becoming more noticeable, and I could not keep up with the other kids, regardless of how hard I tried.

This journey taught me an invaluable lesson: seeking a second opinion is crucial. Misdiagnosis can lead you down paths that complicate your life further rather than simplify it. Always trust your instincts and advocate for yourself; sometimes, you can be your best ally in navigating the complexities of mental health!

* drugs.com