New Psych | ADHD Information

Hi Kayak Gal,

Thanks for the encouragement! Amazing what's in an ADHDerhead, eh?

That flowed out of my mind, through my fingers, and onto the page. I did a little editing, maybe 2 verses needed balance, and a word or two changed. But when I start a poEm in my head, my mind keeps flowing until I 'feel' it's done. Sometimes I use a rhyming aid, but not today.

I rarely pre-write poEtry. The One I did was called the Ballad of Davidornado. You can read it on the Big poEm Thread.

Welcome to the forums, btw.

David'0

Davidornado,

Awesome!! I'm impressed! Did you come up with that off the top of your head or write it prior. Keep up the great poetry!

Kayak Gal

Country GIrl,

The lamictal has worked wonders for me and I haven't had the bad side effects that you are experiencing. I am on a really low dose of 100 mg. My doc was surprised such a low dose was helping so much. I'm one of those who responds to small doses.

As far as the "Soft Bipolar" go to Ask Jeeeves and type it in, You will find some info there and even a site with threads on the issue.

Kayak Gal

The Soft Bipolar Ladybug

Ladybug, ladybug,
What do you here?
Stuck in the middle,
All full of fear?

Better get out,
Or you'll think in your head,
I'm stuck in the middle,
Better off dead.

ADHDerhead ADHderhead,
What do you hear?
Stuck in the middle,
All full of fear?

Don't be afraid,
Look up to the sky,
He'll help you to know,
And find out why.

Made this way,
you are for a reason,
Although to mankind,
It do look like treason.

Bipolar or soft,
They'll call it all day,
But saves does the world,
When ADHDers do pray.

It's not just the visible,
or that which is seen,
to which ADHDers contribute,
There's Power to Glean.

With all our wild passions,
and rich multi-tasking,
God listens to us,
While in prayer we're asking.

So worry do not,
your ADHDerhead now,
Instead look around,
And ask the Lord how.

A TheopoEm
x Davidornadog

sorry to hear you had to switch docs, insurance swaps s**k BIG time when ya lose a Dr.in the deal. Maybe you were a bit anxious about the first visit? see ya

[QUOTE=Contrary]

Countrygirl,

I would have been watching the lady bug too but I would have blurted out "I have to save that ladybug!"

[/QUOTE]

I think I blurted "We have to get her out!" What made me assume a ladybug is female?

This is the list I found on Bipolar Disorder. I can see why the doc was questioning in that direction though – the symptoms overlap quite a bit. Must be difficult to distinguish between these ADHD & BP sometimes. And then there is that family history. My answers are in red. Anyone who knows BP, feel free to comment.

I'm not sure why this bothers me so much. If it turned out I really was BP, I would not be a different person from who I am right now. This just twists my head. I have ADHD dx from both my real doctor (the other psych) and the psycologist.

Separation Anxiety
Rages & Explosive Temper Tantrums (lasting up to several hours)
Marked Irritability (At times, who don't)
Oppositional Behavior
Frequent Mood Swings (OMG!)
Distractibility
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
Restlessness/Fidgetiness
Silliness, Goofiness, Giddiness
Racing Thoughts
Aggressive Behavior
Grandiosity
Carb Cravings (If this includes chocolate cravings)
Risk Taking Behaviors
Depressed Mood
Lethargy (When depressed)
Low Self-Esteem (Probably)
Difficulty Getting Up in the Morning
Social Anxiety
Over sensitivity to Emotional or Environmental Triggers

Countrygirl38731.6010069444

Hey everyone new to the group or board here, looking to learn about my ADHD so if my son or daughter is born in July as she gets older I can help them with it.

Countrygirl,

I would have been watching the lady bug too but I would have blurted out "I have to save that ladybug!"

Loved the poem. I'm glad to know it is the Ladybug that is bipolar and not me. [QUOTE=kayak gal]

Country GIrl,

As far as the "Soft Bipolar" go to Ask Jeeeves and type it in, You will find some info there and even a site with threads on the issue.

Kayak Gal

[/QUOTE]

KG - I looked it up on Ask Jeeves, like you suggested. So many of the symptoms cross over or overlap. I don't know. Makes my head spin. The check list about family history is almost identical to the ADHD one. I checked 25 out of 31. Seems pretty high anyway.. Think this is enough for today. I am tired. Think I won't think for a couple of days. Thanks for your info tho. I'll keep you posted. - CG

I too just went to see a shrink the other day.

She went over the bipolar checklist with me too, but checked "no" to everything.

All the questions begain with:

"Have you ever noticed that you weren't your usual self..." followed by symptoms like, "and you were being more hyper than normal", or "were recklessly slending more money than usual" etc..

I explained to the doctor that for all the symptoms, I DID have them but I could not relate to the "not being your usual self" part. This is me EVERYDAY.

[QUOTE=sonya_h]

I too just went to see a shrink the other day.

She went over the bipolar checklist with me too, but checked "no" to everything.

All the questions begain with:

"Have you ever noticed that you weren't your usual self..." followed by symptoms like, "and you were being more hyper than normal", or "were recklessly slending more money than usual" etc..

I explained to the doctor that for all the symptoms, I DID have them but I could not relate to the "not being your usual self" part. This is me EVERYDAY.

[/QUOTE]

LOL it's me everyday too. Thanks for sharing that.
reckless spending money - dang, I wish I'd stop that!
[QUOTE=Jackster]

Hey everyone new to the group or board here, looking to learn about my ADHD so if my son or daughter is born in July as she gets older I can help them with it.

[/QUOTE]

Welcome Jackster & Congratulations. This is a good place to learn. Sure you'll find what you need here.

[QUOTE=GlenW]

You know CG - I've thought that there should be a not-for-profit organization that could help financially when people with ADHD need help be it meds or therapy. I feel so bad that you can't get the premium help that you deserve. You're such a nice person. Thanks GW

Would we be able to support a group that supports us? Maybe a membership fee and donations. I always thought that if I was to help my ADHD community that would be a good start. Good idea!

I hope your new therapist works for you. I know why the bipolar thing keeps getting brought up btw. It's far more harmful to your life than your ADHD. That makes sence, so they have to make sure. It's my compulsive/impulsive shopping sprees I think that always make them ask. But, my meds have really helped that. It can be a freight train going through your life and can destroy you if unchecked. I can see the bipolar "fight or flight" reflex in your words and I feel bad you have to go through that. When confronted with bad memories or thoughts it's often the bipolar way to either run or "phase out" - actually going to a "happy place". Ex did it and I hear about it more and more. Not sure I understand. You think putting my focus on that ladybug was an escape? Anxiety thing? Was that phasing out?

If you ever need a sympathetic ear you know where I am sweetie :) Thank you again 'migo

[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=kayak gal]

Country Girl,

It is possible you don't have a bipolar issue, my psychologist says I have "soft bipolar" and my psychiatrist doesn't really believe I am bipolar yet he put me on a mood stabalizer called Lamictal, unfortunately it is really expensive. It has worked wonders for me allong with the Strattera. My productivity has come up so far its amazing.

Kayak Gal

[/QUOTE]

I have never heard of "soft bipolar". I'll look into it.
Kayak Gal:

How does Lamictal works for you?

For me I'm not sure if it was any good but I didn't get depressed during takeing them. But every morning around 3.30-4am I was awake and sooooo restless I simply couldn't go back to sleep. And the whole day I was enormously restless. I couldn't stand that so when I only was on 350mg/day (recomended dose 400mg/day) I said stop. I was running throu my life and I didn't like it.

/Kaks

Country Girl,

Kayak Gal

Would we be able to support a group that supports us? Maybe a membership fee and donations. I always thought that if I was to help my ADHD community that would be a good start.

I hope your new therapist works for you. I know why the bipolar thing keeps getting brought up btw. It's far more harmful to your life than your ADHD. It can be a freight train going through your life and can destroy you if unchecked. I can see the bipolar "fight or flight" reflex in your words and I feel bad you have to go through that. When confronted with bad memories or thoughts it's often the bipolar way to either run or "phase out" - actually going to a "happy place". Ex did it and I hear about it more and more.

If you ever need a sympathetic ear you know where I am sweetie :)

[QUOTE=Countrygirl] It can be a freight train going through your life and can destroy you if unchecked. I can see the bipolar "fight or flight" reflex in your words and I feel bad you have to go through that. When confronted with bad memories or thoughts it's often the bipolar way to either run or "phase out" - actually going to a "happy place". Ex did it and I hear about it more and more. Not sure I understand. You think putting my focus on that ladybug was an escape? Anxiety thing? Was that phasing out?
[/QUOTE]

I'd say it was phasing out. I know my exgf told me that when her few therapy sessions after I split from her if he asked her uncomfortable things she'd just sort of vegetate - even she isn't sure where she went. And when it got REALLY scary for her all of a sudden she'd remember an appointment somewhere else. She never went back after a bad one for her. Her loss.

You went into focus on something that wasn't asking questions. Makes sense - bipolar has strong denial and ADHD has hyperfocus so you might have just teamed up your problems to make sure you didn't get much out of it. It may take a lot of effort and time but I know you can do it!!

[QUOTE=GlenW]

[/QUOTE]

I'm very familiar with "vegging out" I call it "zoning" - her loss, hummm - This sounds to me like maybe I should give this new guy a chance. What the heck am I afraid of anyway? Teaming up my problems sounds a little scary to me. I will really try to stay better focused when I go back. Truthfully, I was embarrassed of the way I behaved. I knew I was a little out of it. So, at least I'm not in denial about that. Thanks, GW

great attitude cg! The trick to overcoming ADHD is to confront and defeat your anxiety! So you will be making a big stride out of ADHD controlling you and towards you controlling ADHD! I did it and I was a basket case. So believe me you and all with ADHD can do it!

I know you can do it - I have faith in you!

My insurance doesn't cover my psych anymore HATE that! Today I went to my new psych, feel like I'm starting over in a way. Got my script for my meds, but, why do we have to go over this bipolar issue everytime I go? Is that typical for everyone or just for me?

I was so distracted by a ladybug that had gotten trapped between his desk and the wall that I could hardly concentrate on what he was saying. At one point I grabbed a pen and tried to help it escape, but, it was stuck fast. He had to redirect me several times because I way hyperfocusing on that ladybug. I'm not even sure what I told him, because I wasn't even paying attention. I know I said I had improved a lot, so what a great first impression, I couldn't even stay in the chair. That ladybug is probably already dead. I couldn't get it out. I don't think they live long. How sad to get stuck like that. Dang!

He wants to see me back in a couple of weeks. By that time he will have my "real" doctor's files on me and maybe realize I'm not a nut case. I'm not sure I like him. Maybe I should tell him that was perfectly normal behavior on my planet.