Hi, I’m new (here and to ADD) | ADHD Information

I am so glad I found this place!

I have been treated for depression off and on for my entire adult life.   The causes are multiple, from childhood sexual abuse to multiple family deaths in the last few years.  It seemed to be getting worse and worse, until in the process, I was diagnosed with ADD (so THAT explains why I am such a trainwreck!)

It was such a relief to find that I wasn't a total loon or dork.  That losing things, not hearing people, disorganization, having hypersenstive senses, being anxious all the time, crappy handwriting with mispelled/backwards words had a cause.   Seriously, I have just about every symptom except for the figetting. 

I guess I am having the chicken and the egg conundrum (which came first?) and I have multiple behaviors and issues to deal with.   It ain't a pretty picture.  But I do know that ADD is a component. 

Currently I am on 300mg Wellbutrin and 20mg of Paxil.  Seems to be working, but I am still in the first 6 weeks.

Any advice etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

EB

 

EBurns,  I don't have any experience with the 2 drugs you mention but I wanted to welcome you to the board.  -Gettingagrip-

welcome !

umm..wellbutrin is great i'm taking 300mgs too and i can actually organize my thoughts and my house..

but paxil: made me fat and it 86ed my sex drive. yes this too would be a chicken and the egg conundrum no? my fatness made me less sexy..and my lack of sex drive made me not really care about my extra lbs..and so on. what a vicious cycle of fat no sex life. sorry, i'm not being all negative about it..that was just my experience. a lot of ppl do really well with paxil.

sumi

Welcome EBURNS! I agree with you sumiah. Before i was dx'ed with ADD, i  was on wellbutrin for depresion, and i did feel more organized, but because the doc couldn't give me samples & the price was to high, i had to stop.

I also tried paxil. Not only did i gain weight, but it mad me sick. Talk about ways to kill usually good sex! On a positive note, afriend from highschool who recently contacted me through classmates.com, is having wonderful results from those two. She said it took about 3 mos. to really notice a difference. Me, I'm on adderall with pretty good results.

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks for the welcome guys!

Yeah, I have noticed that the Paxil has contributed to killing the sex drive, but right now, it's a good thing.   The Wellbutrin does seem to help me focus, I can at least get the dishes washed before wandering off.

And yes, it is genetic in my family.  I believe my Dad had it (remembering his behaviors).  And my brother has had it since he was a boy.  I have always joked about he and I being alike, but I never really took it seriously until now.

As for the sensitivity-- I am teased because I only wear soft fabrics and skirts instead of jeans (they hurt!).  I am extremely picky about the thread count of my sheets (they HAVE to be soft!).  Changes in room temperature, air movement, noises, variations in lights etc drive me crazy.

As for most of my problems stemming from ADD---yeah, I can see where a lot of my difficulties come from having ADD.  I also know that I have other issues/events that are contributing to the depression and other self-destructive behaviors.   So, it is a tangle I am working through.

I don't wanna head into the land of TMI.   So, basically, I am dealing with two things at once, knowing that they both are contributing to the problems.

Thanks again guys,

EBurns

Hi and welcome: I'm new to this sight too.I found out my 13 yr. old son has ADHD. In the process of getting information for him and filling out all the questionares I saw myself and my husband with alot of the same symptoms. MY son was diagnosed about a month ago and was put on Concerta. Us as mom and dad haven't seen a doctor yet because of no insurance and no money. I don't mean to butt in or somewhat change the subject but what Open your eyes said sounds like a sensory stim. issue. Is this just another part of ADHD? I was especially wondering because my other son who is 15 has Down Syndrome and has behavior problems simalar to ADHD and Sensory Stim. issues. Now I'm wondering if he might have ADHD too. I hadn't read much that talks about sensory issues as a symptom of ADHD but didn't notice on this board alot of people with ADHD have sensory issues. Can anyone direct me to articles relating sensory issues to ADHD?

Thanks, Island Gypsy

ADD is a genetic not behavioral.  I think you will find that most of your problems originated from your ADD.  The "oversensitivity" is classic sign.  When I was a kid I would go insane if the seam on my sock was crooked, or if the tag on my pants was scratching my back, or if there was a few crumbs in my bed, or ticking clocks, or dripping fossetts, or cutting my fingernails, or cold weather, or bright lights.