I have long suspected that I have Adult ADD or ADHD (and obviously, had these as a child), but I figured my life was fine and I didn't really need to do anything about this. I always just assumed it was just part of what made me who I am.
Anyway, the other day, in my graduate psychology class, someone presented on ADD/ADHD and I basically felt like they were describing me perfectly. It was unnerving and made me think that seeking help for this might actually improve the quality of my life a great deal.
For what its worth, I like to think that I am generally a functional person. I am a high school teacher and a graduate student. I feel very driven, but despite my best efforts ALWAYS feel unfocused, scattered and distracted.
I love to start projects but rarely complete them. I love the big picture but hate the "little things." Grad school has brought a lot of this to light as I face more deadlines than usual. Sometimes it feels like writing a paper for grad school is engaging in an epic battle of wills with myself. I also have dealt with anxiety issues for most of my life.
I know that some ladies on this board have had similar suspicions and sought professional advice. So, my question is- where do I start? Who is qualified to diagnose this? My family practitioner? A psychiatrist? For those of you have been diagnosed, were you prescribed medication? And most importantly, are things getting better? What changes have you noticed?
Any advice at all would be so helpful. Thanks, guys!
My internist referred me to a psychologist with prescription privileges. The psychologist met with me, had me complete a long questionnaire, had my husband complete a questionnaire about me, then sent me for 2-3 hours of memory-type tests. After all of that, I received an official diagnosis, and got medication (Vyvanse). This is something I've always had, but it wasn't diagnosed til last year. The medication makes a HUGE difference. It's incredible.
Post by stingsharkruns on May 18, 2012 13:15:19 GMT -5
Lately i've been thinking I might have some sort of ADD. On Tuesday I was SO ANTSY I could hardly stand it. I couldn't focus on anything for longer than a few minutes. At home, I'm ALL OVER THE PLACE. DH said something to me the other day.. Oh, he said, "You can't even unload the dishwasher with out stopping and doing something else."
I have it. I am on vyvanse, which is the only thing that worked for me. I am ADHD-inattentive type, so you might want to look that up too. I went to my dr who specializes in stuff like that, talked to her, did some tests, and off I went w/ a script. However, this dr sees my mom, who was diagnosed a long time ago (by my brother's doc, who has it too) so she (with my permission) talked to my mom about my childhood, and the dr was able to figure out that I was inattentive.
I've tried many, many, many meds. Vyvanse is the only thing that works, but it is hella expensive. Apparently, the inattentive type is hard to medicate. There is also another sub-heading of it, called SCT, which is also me. I am super special. With it, I also have a sensory disorder, and well as generalized anxiety w/ no triggers. I feel a million times better now that I am on the med that works. It is worth it to pay that much for it, because I can actually be productive.
Once I was diagnosed, it was such a relief to finally understand why I do the things I do, and why I have always been this way. Oh, also google psych central, and go to their add quiz. Copy your answers to the quiz, along with your score, and take that to your dr as a jumping off point.
This is something I've always had, but it wasn't diagnosed til last year. The medication makes a HUGE difference. It's incredible.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I guess my biggest question how do the meds make a difference? What differences do you notice?
I felt foggy headed all the time. I couldn't force myself to focus to save my life. It felt like my mind was constantly switching gears, like a TV flipping channels all the time. Incredibly frustrating. It also made me really exhausted. I have ADD, not ADHD.
With the medicine, I feel so alert. Which makes sense, since it's amphetamine. My mind is clear, not foggy, and I'm not constantly distracted. I'm also wide awake & peppy. It's fun!
My doctor said I don't have to take it everyday. I take it every work day, and usually don't on the weekends, unless I have something to do where I need a lot of focus.
I was recently diagnosed after Kore shared her journey. It's been eye opening to understand that there is a reason my mind works the way it done. Therapy and reading about ADD has helped a bit, but I think meds will really help. I'm in the process of weaning so that I can start that step.
Kore-do you have issues sleeping? I have been on ambien since day 1 because I just cannot fall asleep with any sort of these meds in my system. And the vyvanse lasts a solid 14hrs for me.
I don't take mine every day either. Just week days. I still have times where I am distracted. The meds can only do so much. But, I feel like they kick my brain and say "Hey, you are not supposed to be staring off into space, do something!" where before, I wouldn't get that voice and would just sit and stare. The meds don't make you do anything, but they help you not actively avoid things, if that makes sense.
Kore-do you have issues sleeping? I have been on ambien since day 1 because I just cannot fall asleep with any sort of these meds in my system. And the vyvanse lasts a solid 14hrs for me.
Thankfully, no. I do occasionally have an evening where I feel like I can't "come down" from the meds, but it usually goes away. I've occasionally taken a low dose of Xanax in the evening to bring me down, but I just ran out of my very meager supply of 15 0.25mg pills per year I'm going to ask my psych to prescribe me more, since my internal medicine doc is reluctant to prescribe them. I'm clearly not abusing them, since it took me almost a year to go through that many.
I do think I'd benefit from a bump to 50mg, but I'm concerned it won't wear off early enough. I don't feel like 40 is cutting it quite as much as it used to.
Oh wait! Never mind! As I typed that, I got a text from CVS saying my doc approved 15 more pills. Yesss. lol. Xanax is my security blanket. I rarely need it, but I always have it just in case. Especially on Vyvanse, which makes me more anxious sometimes since it's an upper.
Thanks so much, everyone, for your honest answers. Especially your descriptions of how things have improved
I think this was the kick in the pants I needed to pursue help with this.nKore, your description of the "flipping channels" phenomenon was a major light bulb moment for me.
Kore-do you have issues sleeping? I have been on ambien since day 1 because I just cannot fall asleep with any sort of these meds in my system. And the vyvanse lasts a solid 14hrs for me.
Thankfully, no. I do occasionally have an evening where I feel like I can't "come down" from the meds, but it usually goes away. I've occasionally taken a low dose of Xanax in the evening to bring me down, but I just ran out of my very meager supply of 15 0.25mg pills per year I'm going to ask my psych to prescribe me more, since my internal medicine doc is reluctant to prescribe them. I'm clearly not abusing them, since it took me almost a year to go through that many.
I do think I'd benefit from a bump to 50mg, but I'm concerned it won't wear off early enough. I don't feel like 40 is cutting it quite as much as it used to.
I was diagnosed with ADD and was put on Adderall. It has helped me a great deal, but I do have trouble sleeping at night, so the doctor prescribed a small dose of Xanax.
DS is 8 and was diagnosed with ADHD and is on medication. He went from not getting good grades because he couldn't finish his work to getting straight A's.
Fluff: my biggest regret is not getting diagnosed earlier. I would've done so much better in school. I was always told that I was bright & scored in the upper 90th percentile on tests, but that I didn't apply myself.
That was me too. Always the kid that did well, but got the "well if she would just apply herself a little more...."
Kore-that's all you get?!? Holy balls. My dr writes my script for 1-2 a DAY, which means I get 60 .5mg a month. I don't take them that often, maybe 3-4 a week, but I could not even function with only 15 of them. Wowzers.
I break mine in half if I need to take them at work. If that doesn't work, I take the other half. I am super special and can plex out at the drop of a hat though!
Post by NomadicMama on May 18, 2012 14:32:29 GMT -5
I was diagnosed with ADHD after having suffered, for nearly a decade, with major depression. I take Vyvanse twice a day. Evidently, I metabolize the medication rather quickly, even the extended release version. A higher dose made me jittery, but a slightly lower dose, twice a day, does the trick!
Find a psychiatrist who specializes in Adult ADHD. It is worth it to go to the added step to be treated by someone properly trained to help folks like us.
Thankfully, no. I do occasionally have an evening where I feel like I can't "come down" from the meds, but it usually goes away. I've occasionally taken a low dose of Xanax in the evening to bring me down, but I just ran out of my very meager supply of 15 0.25mg pills per year I'm going to ask my psych to prescribe me more, since my internal medicine doc is reluctant to prescribe them. I'm clearly not abusing them, since it took me almost a year to go through that many.
I do think I'd benefit from a bump to 50mg, but I'm concerned it won't wear off early enough. I don't feel like 40 is cutting it quite as much as it used to.
I was diagnosed with ADD and was put on Adderall. It has helped me a great deal, but I do have trouble sleeping at night, so the doctor prescribed a small dose of Xanax.
DS is 8 and was diagnosed with ADHD and is on medication. He went from not getting good grades because he couldn't finish his work to getting straight A's.
Fluff....has it changed your DS's personality at all? I have the ADHD paperwork for DD1 & have for 8 months. 4 people have told me she very likely has it (2 teachers, the Speech Therpist & her tutor (Dyslexia) yet she does fine in school (not outstanding but good)--BUT she is distracting to the other kids--she can be all over the place (mentally & physically) & still get her work done, but the other kids can't when distracted by her. At least that is what her teacher (1st grade) has told me. I am conflicted if I should pursue testing/med or not on her. She's 7.5 FWIW.
Find a psychiatrist who specializes in Adult ADHD. It is worth it to go to the added step to be treated by someone properly trained to help folks like us.
Do you have any recommendations on how to find someone like this?
I would say, if you have any question as to whether you could be ADD/ADHD, go and talk with a professional.
My coworkers' daughter was diagnosed last year. Once of her daughter's symptoms was constant writing on her hands to try and keep track of things. This is something my DH had done for decades - to the point that he had nearly permanent ink stains on his hands following his deployment (from writing down all kinds of information/etc and sweating it off while out in sector). DH also had a number of other potential symptoms. I mentioned this to him and he agreed to be evaluated. Turns out he had all of the classic symptoms - high intellect, inability to focus, distraction precluding him reaching his potential, easily aggitated. Turns out people with ADD/ADHD are particulalry good in high stress scenarios like the military/police work/performing - because in high stress situations there neurotransmitter levels actually become "normal" (when they are typically low) therefore resulting in pretty keen focus unders stress.
Adderall was the best thing that could have happened to DH, after he accepted the stigma and worked through the "regret" of not "living up to his potential" prior to age 37. He has no side effects and no trouble sleeping.
It has been so hard for me to find a professional to talk to about this. I initially saw a therapist but didn't love the idea of her telling my PCP what to prescribe me and she has ADD too and honestly it was kind of distracting talking to her. I called many psychiatrists and they either didn't take my insurance or weren't taking new patients and I didn't really want to have to shell out $600 for the initial visit. I finally found one, but he's kind of weird and his office is dirty and far away. But I'm not sure if any of it matters. Does anyone see a life coach? I have the name of one to help me get organized and I'm wondering how helpful she'll be.
What does it feel like to be on the amphetamine? Since I am so high anxiety naturally, I imagine I would feel totally jacked up. I really hate feeling jittery.
(Good thing I don't have ADD lol)
It's awesome! I'm happy & more outgoing & energetic. Between this & the lexapro, nothing gets me down. lol.
Sometimes, like if I drink too much coffee or eat poorly, I feel jittery.
Those of you that have ADD and Anxiety, has being on meds for ADD made your anxiety worse? I have LONG suspected I have ADD (really badly so), but I am scared to death that medicating for it will make my anxiety worse. I am finally in a plae where my anxiety does not rule my life, and I would hate to take a step back. At the same time, I think that I would be so much better at my job if I could get this under control.
I also always got the "She is so smart, she just doesn't apply herself" line. I actually did great in elementary school, but right about 8th grade it is like something clicked, and my ability to focus just flew out the window. I always knid of ignored the ADD stuff because I am a relatively low-key person. I am not "hyper" at all....but I am always moving something (if that makes sense).
What does it feel like to be on the amphetamine? Since I am so high anxiety naturally, I imagine I would feel totally jacked up. I really hate feeling jittery.
(Good thing I don't have ADD lol)
It's awesome! I'm happy & more outgoing & energetic. Between this & the lexapro, nothing gets me down. lol.
Sometimes, like if I drink too much coffee or eat poorly, I feel jittery.
To me, it just feels normal. I don't feel jittery or high or euphoric at all. DH has swiped some of my pills, and he ends up higher than a kite, and can't sleep for days. Even though I need sleep meds, I am tired a lot. I can sleep my ass off once I fall asleep, but I need help getting there!
But seriously, I just feel normal and like I can actually accomplish tasks and think about something for more than 10 seconds before forgetting and moving on.
Those of you that have ADD and Anxiety, has being on meds for ADD made your anxiety worse? I have LONG suspected I have ADD (really badly so), but I am scared to death that medicating for it will make my anxiety worse. I am finally in a plae where my anxiety does not rule my life, and I would hate to take a step back. At the same time, I think that I would be so much better at my job if I could get this under control.
I also always got the "She is so smart, she just doesn't apply herself" line. I actually did great in elementary school, but right about 8th grade it is like something clicked, and my ability to focus just flew out the window. I always knid of ignored the ADD stuff because I am a relatively low-key person. I am not "hyper" at all....but I am always moving something (if that makes sense).
I started treatment for my anxiety before I started treatment for ADD. I'd probably be a basket case if I hadn't been on Lexapro before starting Vyvanse.
My doctor said that ADD is far more common for girls than ADHD. It's often not diagnosed because we don't have they hyperactive characteristic. We're more quiet & "daydreaming" than bouncing off the walls.
Those of you that have ADD and Anxiety, has being on meds for ADD made your anxiety worse? I have LONG suspected I have ADD (really badly so), but I am scared to death that medicating for it will make my anxiety worse. I am finally in a plae where my anxiety does not rule my life, and I would hate to take a step back. At the same time, I think that I would be so much better at my job if I could get this under control.
I also always got the "She is so smart, she just doesn't apply herself" line. I actually did great in elementary school, but right about 8th grade it is like something clicked, and my ability to focus just flew out the window. I always knid of ignored the ADD stuff because I am a relatively low-key person. I am not "hyper" at all....but I am always moving something (if that makes sense).
Yes and no. I think the problem was that I just dealt with it, like I did the adhd and didn't realize why I felt that way. It's never been something where I could say "THIS makes me anxious" it has always been a constant feeling of anticipation in my chest. I think once I was diagnosed adhd, I started becoming more aware of my other emotions. I did talk to my dr about it, because I thought it was just an adhd feeling, but it didn't go away w/ my adhd meds. That's when she diagnosed me w/ anxiety, and why I have xanex and zoloft for it.
Those of you that have ADD and Anxiety, has being on meds for ADD made your anxiety worse? I have LONG suspected I have ADD (really badly so), but I am scared to death that medicating for it will make my anxiety worse. I am finally in a plae where my anxiety does not rule my life, and I would hate to take a step back. At the same time, I think that I would be so much better at my job if I could get this under control.
I also always got the "She is so smart, she just doesn't apply herself" line. I actually did great in elementary school, but right about 8th grade it is like something clicked, and my ability to focus just flew out the window. I always knid of ignored the ADD stuff because I am a relatively low-key person. I am not "hyper" at all....but I am always moving something (if that makes sense).
I started treatment for my anxiety before I started treatment for ADD. I'd probably be a basket case if I hadn't been on Lexapro before starting Vyvanse.
My doctor said that ADD is far more common for girls than ADHD. It's often not diagnosed because we don't have they hyperactive characteristic. We're more quiet & "daydreaming" than bouncing off the walls.
Yeah - I zone out a TON. My parents even called it going to "Devon Land" lol
I am on Zoloft currently, and I am in the middle of upping my dosage. (currently on 75mg, headed up to 100mg). I wonder when I am comfortable on my new dose if I should try to get a diagnosis. I wil probably not medicate yet, since I have been TTC for forever, but even having a diagnosis will be a huge step.
Good luck! I definitely recommend seeking a diagnosis, even if you don't want to jump to meds yet. It can be really hard to find a doctor that specializes in adult ADD/ADHD, and when you do, it can take months to get in. I really lucked out when my internist referred me to a fantastic psychologist. But because he's so good, I have to make appointments 4+ months in advance.