Adult ADD/ ADHD

[dev22]

May 18, 2012 16:22:36 GMT -5 StJess80 said:

psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm

Well then lol

Results of your
Attention Deficit Disorder Quiz

You scored a total of 84

It is highly likely that you are presently suffering from adult attention deficit disorder, according to your responses on this self-report questionnaire. You should not take this as a diagnosis of any sort, or a recommendation for treatment. However, it would be advisable and likely beneficial for you to seek further diagnosis from a trained mental health professional immediately.

[mrs.spunky]

I got a 99 on that test. Yikes! I have thought for a long while (8+ years) that I need to get tested. I also was a high scorer on tests through HS, and did really well academically (top 6% in my HS fwiw) but I was the opposite in college, barely squeaking by.

[StJess80]

Before being diagnosed, I got like 110 on that. I think the high end is 118. Even now, I am mid 80's.

[Laura Palmer]

I find this all v fascinating. I am convinced H has this (especially the "detached" someone mentioned). I only wish he found a medication that worked as well as some of yours.

[fluff]

May 18, 2012 14:04:59 GMT -5 Kore said:

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.

I *couldn't* apply myself.

Same here. I wish I would have been diagnosed while I was in school. Like you, I always scored high on the tests, but I couldn't concentrate on doing work. I think I would have actually stayed in college had I been diagnosed and treated back then.

[fluff]

May 18, 2012 14:43:52 GMT -5 L said:

May 18, 2012 14:02:32 GMT -5 fluff said:

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.

It actually gave him more self confidence. One of his major struggles is controlling impulses. He cannot sit still, he is always bouncing around, getting into people's faces, talking out of turn, etc. It was to the point where other kids were annoyed by him.

Now, he has friends, has been invited to birthday parties and is happier. It was so hard to decide to put him on medication. We tried everything else first, but when his teacher said he has no social skills whatsoever and wasn't able to make friends, we decided to give it a try.

[Deleted]

I think I have it as well, and I am having a hell of a time finding a doctor who will see me. I'm very frustrated and at this point, I'm going to go to one who specializes in adult ADD and doesn't take insurance.

[Deleted]

To the poster wondering about anxiety - I'd say it depends on the medication. I've never considered myself to have anxiety, but I was SUPER anxious when I was on Concerta, like I thought I was going to have a heart attack and would spend time googling my symptoms and even posted a couple of times. I think that it was all anxiety related (although I also think my blood pressure was affected) and I decided to stop Concerta because of it.

Now I'm on Vyvanse. I think Concerta worked better for my ADD, but Vyvanse works ok and I don't really notice any side effects at all from it. I'm not jittery, hyper, no trouble sleeping, no anxiety. I just feel pretty normal.

It is hard to say if it works or not. I'm too much of a skeptic/researcher I guess. I do think it does, but there are several other variables that could also contribute to the fact that I've been more focused since I started taking it (in particular, I got a new job that I like better so I'm more engaged in general and also busier so I have less time to be distracted). I do find that I am more easily able to stay on one task now that I'm medicated, but I still sometimes find myself jumping around from task to task (like the last couple of days). IDK if that means I need a higher dose or what.

I've spent my whole life not living up to my potential. I'm turning 30 in a few weeks so it was about time to do something about it.

[fluff]

May 18, 2012 18:42:47 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

I think I have it as well, and I am having a hell of a time finding a doctor who will see me. I'm very frustrated and at this point, I'm going to go to one who specializes in adult ADD and doesn't take insurance.

It is definitely worth it. I stopped taking my medication when we started TTC #3 and I didn't go back on it until LO was 6 months old and I stopped BFing. It took us over a year to get pregnant, so when you add that, plus 40 weeks of being pregnant and then 6 months, I was pretty miserable for a while.

Now that I am back on it, I feel so much better.

My only complaint is that I have to take the generic due to insurance and I really think it doesn't work as well as the name brand I was on before the generic came out.

[stingsharkruns]

I scored a 58 on that test, which is nothing compared to what some of you scored - so I feel kind of silly even worrying about this -

IF I wanted to tested, who should I see first..PCP (which I don't have) or go straight to a Psyciatrist?

[NomadicMama]

May 18, 2012 15:31:04 GMT -5 Kore said:

May 18, 2012 14:50:42 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

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.

The thing with amphetamines and ADD/ADHD--if you have ADD/ADHD and take a medication like Ritalin, Adderall or Vyvanse, it has, what appears to be the opposite reaction. For me, it quiets the noise. It allows me to attend to my thoughts. Without meds, I am easily overwhelmed which leads to depression.

I have also, like Kore, found that if I drink too much caffiene (coffee) and/or eat too much crap, I feel jittery and out of sorts.

I was off my good ADD meds while TTC (nearly two years), and, obviously, while pregnant. I had planned on getting back on ASAP after delivering my son--but I ended up with pre-eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. My doctors (and I saw several, including two psychiatrists) would not allow me to go back on a stimulant medication for four months because of the blood pressure issues/concerns. It really sucked because I also developed crushing postpartum depression (with a bit of anxiety thrown in for kicks). I am so thankful to be back on my meds.

As for finding a psychiatrist who specializes in ADD/ADHD, google CHADD. They have resources available. In my experience, the really good psychiatrists don't deal with insurance. It is a PITA for them and they are able to get enough clients to pay OOP (though, some may submit claims on their own to their insurance company). I am fortunate that we are able to pay for my appointments. Though, once you've found what works, the expense goes down as you don't need to be seen as frequently. I was seeing my awesome doc every three months for med checks.

If anyone is in Northern Virginia, I have the name of a great doctor in Old Town Alexandria.

For those wondering about meds changing one's personality--I found that being properly medicated (finally) allowed me to be ME. It levels the playing field. I went from being on the verge of being fired at work (the lowest performer in my department), to being a rock star, one of the top three producers (out of about 20-ish people). I had trouble managing life--work, laundry, grocery shopping and housework were too much for me. In a matter of months, I had my life back. It was an amazing transformation. If you really think you may be ADD/ADHD, seek out help. It might make a huge difference in your quality of life.

[ijack]

May 19, 2012 5:50:12 GMT -5 NomadicMama said:

May 18, 2012 15:31:04 GMT -5 Kore said:

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.

The thing with amphetamines and ADD/ADHD--if you have ADD/ADHD and take a medication like Ritalin, Adderall or Vyvanse, it has, what appears to be the opposite reaction. For me, it quiets the noise. It allows me to attend to my thoughts. Without meds, I am easily overwhelmed which leads to depression.

I have also, like Kore, found that if I drink too much caffiene (coffee) and/or eat too much crap, I feel jittery and out of sorts.

I was off my good ADD meds while TTC (nearly two years), and, obviously, while pregnant. I had planned on getting back on ASAP after delivering my son--but I ended up with pre-eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. My doctors (and I saw several, including two psychiatrists) would not allow me to go back on a stimulant medication for four months because of the blood pressure issues/concerns. It really sucked because I also developed crushing postpartum depression (with a bit of anxiety thrown in for kicks). I am so thankful to be back on my meds.

As for finding a psychiatrist who specializes in ADD/ADHD, google CHADD. They have resources available. In my experience, the really good psychiatrists don't deal with insurance. It is a PITA for them and they are able to get enough clients to pay OOP (though, some may submit claims on their own to their insurance company). I am fortunate that we are able to pay for my appointments. Though, once you've found what works, the expense goes down as you don't need to be seen as frequently. I was seeing my awesome doc every three months for med checks.

If anyone is in Northern Virginia, I have the name of a great doctor in Old Town Alexandria.

For those wondering about meds changing one's personality--I found that being properly medicated (finally) allowed me to be ME. It levels the playing field. I went from being on the verge of being fired at work (the lowest performer in my department), to being a rock star, one of the top three producers (out of about 20-ish people). I had trouble managing life--work, laundry, grocery shopping and housework were too much for me. In a matter of months, I had my life back. It was an amazing transformation. If you really think you may be ADD/ADHD, seek out help. It might make a huge difference in your quality of life.

This is really what I am hoping. I'm trying not to put too many expectations on the meds, but I really really want to be able to function like a "normal" person and get things done. I want to be able to think without all the static.
Just for reference I scored a 107 on that quiz.

[Deleted]

I got a 90.