Is a Label Defining Who You Are?

A few years ago, on a cold winter day, I wandered into TJ Maxx, seeking a quiet moment of escape. The aisles were warm and inviting, lined with little treasures waiting to be found. I found myself kneeling in front of a shelf filled with journals, running my fingers over their covers, waiting for one to call to me.

Nearby, laughter filled the air. Two women—one older, one younger—stood in the same aisle, talking and enjoying each other’s company. Their conversation was lighthearted, full of warmth, the kind that makes the world feel softer for a moment.

After some time, I chose a journal and stood up, ready to leave the aisle. As I did, the older woman turned to me with an apologetic smile.

"I hope we weren’t disturbing you," she said, almost hesitantly. "We can be a bit much. We both have ADHD."

She introduced the younger woman as her granddaughter. I smiled, telling her I had enjoyed their laughter, that their joy had been a lovely thing to witness. I looked at her granddaughter and told her how lucky she was to have her grandmother, how I had cherished mine and still missed her deeply.

The woman nodded, but I could sense something lingering beneath her words. I asked her why she thought they were disturbing me.

She sighed, explaining how she had always worked hard, pouring herself into everything expected of her. Yet, when that phase of life ended, when the structured demands faded and all that remained was her natural energy, people around her started telling her she was too much. They urged her to "see someone."

And so, she did. A psychiatrist diagnosed her with ADHD and prescribed medication—no tests for a depleted nervous system, no investigation into hormone imbalances, no deeper questions about her health. Just a Schedule II controlled substance (a highly addictive stimulant) handed over as the solution.

As we talked, I noticed a shift. Her granddaughter, who had been engaged in the conversation at first, slowly turned away, eyes fixated on her phone. A retreat. A subtle but clear discomfort. The conversation was no longer just about her grandmother—it was brushing up against something personal. A diagnosis, a label, an identity.

We continued talking about the nervous system, about magnesium, about alternatives to pharmaceuticals. The woman was open to the conversation, her curiosity alive beneath years of external definitions. Before we parted, we hugged, a moment of human connection that felt real and unburdened by labels.

As I walked away, she turned back to her granddaughter, their conversation picking up again. I wondered about that young woman’s silence—about the moment she checked out of the conversation. Was it discomfort? Resistance? The quiet fear of questioning something that had, perhaps, made sense of her life?

It’s funny how strangers meet, how stories are exchanged, how a moment of genuine care can unfold between people who will likely never see each other again. Maybe that’s what we truly need in this society—not more labels, not more diagnoses, not more prescribed fixes, but more spaces where we are seen, understood, and allowed to exist as we are.

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NOTE: The following information is to deepen the right to information and informed consent. NEVER stop taking these drugs without the assistance of a qualified healthcare practitioner. See note by psychiatrist, Dr. Peter Breggin M.D., in the Reference Section.

Schedule II drugs are considered to have:
✔ A high potential for abuse
✔ A risk of severe psychological or physical dependence
✔ Accepted medical uses with restrictions

Although Adderall and Ritalin are commonly prescribed for ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and narcolepsy, they are classified alongside drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone because of their potential for addiction and misuse.

Key Risks of Adderall & Ritalin

• Stimulant addiction: Can lead to dependency, particularly when misused.

• Overprescription: Often prescribed without full assessments of underlying health issues.

• Nervous system strain: Long-term use can deplete dopamine levels and impact brain function.

• Several other medications prescribed for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are classified as Schedule II controlled substances under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. This classification indicates that, while these drugs have accepted medical uses, they also possess a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

  Common Schedule II ADHD Medications:

  • Amphetamine-Based Medications:

    • Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine)

    • Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)

    • Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)

  • Methylphenidate-Based Medications:

    • Ritalin (methylphenidate)

    • Concerta (methylphenidate extended-release)

    • Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)