Not a Clinic | ADHD Information

I think it's perfectly fine to learn about oneself and about
ADD without consulting a doctor, or before consulting a
doctor.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids help with ADD. They also
help with bipolar, depression, anxiety and migraine headaches. So -- why would someone have to figure out
which of these things they have before making a decision
to improve their diet to support their brain better?

Most doctors don't know much about nutrition and don't tend to mention
nutrition.

There's nothing wrong with figuring out how to live one's life without asking for
a doctor's advice unless one feels it's needed or appropriate.

I'm not interested in taking drugs for ADD. (This could possibly change at some future date, but that's the current
reality.) If I'm not interested in drugs, I really don't
see much point in consulting a doctor about mental health
stuff. I've talked to my doctor when I needed a prescription for
psychological services or something so my health insurance would cover it.

Classifying a person's condition as a "mental illness" or
"disorder" and further classifying it as "ADHD", "bipolar" or whatever is not
the only way to view reality. I find it more meaningful to
look at the characteristics of the individual.

Fidget a lot? Does the fidgetting cause a problem -- or do you suspect it's
a sign of a nutritional deficiency? If it's not a problem, ignore it (or enjoy it!!). If it's a problem,
then to me it makes sense to increase the nutrients in the
diet that tend to diminish fidgetting: taking more calcium and maybe omega-3 essential fatty acids for example. Or get more exercise, or do things to reduce emotional stress, such as Cognitive Therapy.

No need to see a doctor or classify ("diagnose") a person as having "anxiety disorder" or whatever
in order to be able to improve one's life in many ways.

If one does want to get drugs, I see nothing wrong with
educating oneself about the various drugs before seeing a doctor. Doctors are busy, so this makes the best use of the short
interview with the doctor. One should of course also listen to what
the doctor has to say. With a grain of salt though, since a lot of doctors get a lot of big free gifts from pharmaceutical salespeople.

Hi Rosina,

It is true that most doctors do not recieve much training in nutrition. And I agree that there is no reason to wait for a doctor's diagnosis before adopting a healthy lifestyle. Proper diet, exercise, adequate sleep, recreation, etc. will help almost anyone. And someone with a brain chemistry issue will almost always be better off if they engage in a lifestyle that promotes healthy brain function.

But an accurate diagnosis does make a lot of difference if one needs to be treated with medication. Many of us have lives that are in such devastation and turmoil that drugs are absolutely essential. Most of us are very far beyond just being "fidgety" and "learning to live with it".

Which brings me to my concern about some people posting on here trying to obtain a group diagnosis including a medication recommendation. I understand that medications are fairly easy to obtain outside normal channels (order online, etc.). Someone who self diagnoses and is wrong and as a result ends up taking a medication without being under a doctor's care can be in big trouble. Incorrect medications can cause many medical problems as well as emotional or psychological problems that have led to suicide.

If someone's ADD is mild enough that diet fixes it, that is great. But for those of us who are extremely debilitated by ADD and need medication, a doctor needs to be involved.

Why are you being so nasty? I am new to message boards entirely and have just started reading these postings this morning and the impression I got was that these people are becoming friends because they have a lot in common. It seems to me that people are venting & sharing their experiences and what they have been told.

I see you didn't hold back on giving your advise & telling about your situation.... Let others do the same!

Try not to be/sound so bitter!
Cheeky Deeky, thanks for the suggestions on books. Maybe hubby will look at those. He does not even want to come here to lookaround, but maybe he will look at a book if I get it and set it around. Thanks again!An ADD moment.... I posted my message about bitterness to the wrong message... Sorry..... Why are you being so nasty? I am new to message boards entirely and have just started reading these postings this morning and the impression I got was that these people are becoming friends because they have a lot in common. It seems to me that people are venting & sharing their experiences and what they have been told.

I see you didn't hold back on giving your advise & telling about your situation.... Let others do the same!

Try not to be/sound so bitter! You won't believe it!!!! I just saw on TV Tom Cruise talking to Parkinson saying that there was no real science behind ADD and ADHD!!! What a prick!!! he had dyslexia too, why is he so unfeeling and unhelpful to the cause? oh well, i just won't watch his movies no more. Damn it, I really liked rain man too!

I say what I feel ksgcsg and that is how I felt. I didn't say people shouldn't share their feelings. You're new to the board so you obviously don't know which posts I'm talking about.

I never hold back and don't encourage others to do so.

Why are you so judgemental?

Cheekydeeky

I thought you didn't encourage others to hold back???? It seems like that is exactally what you were suggesting I do in your replypost to me!

Even though I didn't know which ones specifically you were talking about, I think your comments were exremely judgemental which is why I felt I should speak in their defense. I think your last response is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black....
ksgcsg38234.7109375honestly, Cheeky deeky, No hard feelings. I have been dealing with this for so long without anyone who could relate or even knowing what I was dealing with; I was so glad to see the comradery. It hurt to hear you say negative things about it. I agree, I don't know which ones you were talking about specifically... And yes, there are people who are misdiagnosed or are looking for meds or whatever.... I just didn't want to hear anything negative about these messages at the time.... I needed to hear that others are struggling like me even if it wasn't the exact same situations or symptoms... Not that I wanted others to struggle... Ya know? But to know that I am not alone in this battle. Sorry I came off so bitchy...

Peace?

Hi ksgcsg,

I think being somewhat new to the board and reading Cheeky's comments is probably like listening to some sound bites on TV taken out of context. If I had read it without having also read the many other posts she was referring to, I would most likely feel the same way.

We have had people come on and talk about their sexual escapades (with no mention or relation to ADD whatsoever). We have had people without ADD come on and complain about co-workers who are ADD. We have had many people come on thinking they have ADD and wanting people on the board to confirm it for them and tell them what drugs they should take. These same people often do not want to go to a doctor.

So as you know, a person's comments can be interpreted very differently without the same histpory and perspective.

But welcome to the board and we hope to see you here often. As long as you are talking about ADD and not the new muffler for your car. Only Kidding!

Yeh, I get that.... Once I read everyone elses replies to Cheeky I realized I didn't know what I was talking about... I did apologize... in a way

ksgcsg,

Believe me, I'm just as frusturated as you are. Probably even more so. While most misunderstandings about ADHD are innocent, they do nothing to help those who have it and sometimes unitentionally harm them.

Because this is a very open forum we've had people say the most wonderful, supportive and insightful things about ADHD. We've also had people say things that are very insensitive and very, very ignorant. I've even voiced how upset and hurt I was by these comments and pointed out politely the inaccuracies of their words and all they told me was that they are just "venting."

If this board was just meant for anyone to come and "vent" about absolutely anything it'd be called the "Venting" message board and not the ADHD board! Also, their definition of venting is incredibly cruel and judgemental and they do not seem to care that this is so and make no apologies for it.

I was diagnosed at 7 years old. Because of the misunderstandings about ADHD on behalf of the medical profession at the time , they told them I was going to be more difficult to manage as the years progressed and that without treatment, I'd be an impossible teenager. Well, I went without treatment all through adolescence and never got so much as a detention in high school.

I understand... it all makes sense now....

Hi WitsEnd.

Sorry it took so long to respond.

My favorite book on ADHD is Dr. Amen's "Healing ADD." "Driven to Distraction" is another good one. However most of my opinion is through my own personal "research." My personal experiences living with ADHD and having friends and family with it also.

Cheekydeeky

yup hilde - and tomorrow is a bright sunshiney day

I signed up for this board under the impression that this was a board of support for adults coping with the challenges of ADHD.

But many people post messages who know next to nothing about the disorder and want others on the board to make a diagnosis for them, for themselves or somebody else. I hope that decreases in the future.

A cheating, unavailable boyfriend, a violent child and an reckless wife- these are not attributes of ADHD. If you really wanted to get to the source of the problem you'd confront the person or consult a professional.

ADHD or not, people have choices in life. They choose how to cope with what life has given them. I was born (as was many others here) with the inability to sustain focus and concentration and the tendency to be hyperactive. I live with that everyday but how I choose to live my life and treat other people is still entirely up to me.That does not cause me to behave in ways that any of the above situations describe. I believe that has more to do with life experiences and character flaws.

If you really wanted to understand ADHD and what it's like for people who have it, you'd get more informed and be willing to accept what it is and reject what it isn't. And I hope you do. With all the posts I've seen there's obviously a lot of misinformation that needs to be dissolved.

Cheekydeeky

Good points Cheeky.

Sometimes realtionship issues are related to ADD. But I also have read posts regarding boyfriend/girlfriend issues, "I think he likes me but won't call" etc.

I read some of these posts and still don't know who in the story supposedly has ADD let alone how it is relevant.

I also don't know how many times and have seen you and others have to respond to a post with "the first thing you need to do is see a doctor and get a diagnosis to make sure it is ADD". Many people seem ready for treatment without even knowing what the issues are. One very worrisome thing is that I see a lot of people who seem to be looking for prescription drug advice and they have not seen a doctor. I wonder if they are going out and trying to buy this stuff without a doctor's guidance?

Anyway, maybe we can all try to give very gentle guidance to people when they post in and are way off the topic of dealing with ADD.

I know that ADHD is hard to cope with, I am having trouble with it myself. And i like to think that you can forgive people for misunderstanding but sometimes its annoying, how they don't even want to understand. I hope that one day someone will help people understand that it is real, it is common and that they have to deal with it.

I'm very hyperactive tonight so it's been difficult to pin myself down and respond to your posts. I'm not reckless, just restless.

But Chaz, thanks and yes that's another thing that upsets me about this board. It seems certain people are on here to figure out how they can get their hands on an adderall prescription, as if no one's going to question that if they haven't been diagnosed! That's a schedule II narcotic with addictive properties that can have speed effects in normal people and everyone knows it.

hilde.harmed, I feel for you and I too hope one day this disorder comes "out of the closet" so to speak and there's not so much misinformation anymore. I told one professor I had it and now he thinks I'm "slow."

Yep we definitely have to make people see that ADHD is not a violent disorder. My mum told a friend and she said, 'But your so intelligent!!!' Which just proves that they think people with ADHD are menaces, not normal people. All i keep telling myself is, live and hope.

also a good qoute i heard was, Don't worry about the world coming to an end today, it's already tomorrow in Austrailia!

What I am finding frustrating about some posts lately is that ADHD (from what they are being told) is a violent, abusive disorder. Co-morbitities perhaps but not ADHD.

My son has ADHD and he is not violent at all nor does he display hateful behaviours, he has reason to be angry with the world but he isnt, he is a beautiful person with a few focussing, listening, attentive problems.

I learnt about ADHD through research, diagnosed myself (I dont want meds) and my GP agreed that I probably do have it, but she thinks I should be okay, can see traits of it in some other family members and yet none of us are homicidal maniacs or nasty people, But mind you we do have major communication issues which leads to quite a few misunderstandings.

My point is I agree that some posters are uninformed, and it does cheez me off that people percieve adhders this way, but I think maybe we can educate them. If we can get the word out there - maybe this is our starting gate!

We only meet a handful of ignorants - Most of the World Are!!!!!

[QUOTE=cheekydeeky]

I'm very hyperactive tonight so it's been difficult to pin myself down and respond to your posts. I'm not reckless, just restless.

[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your sympathy. I know what you mean. I told one teacher and he said that I'd made it up and that I was just lazy. Another teacher, who I was a fool to confide in (weak moment) said 'That's like dyslexia right? Do you have fits too?' To which I replied, 'No, epileptics have fits, and even then not all epileptics have fits like your imagining you DIV' Well I didn't call him a div but I wanted to, among other things.......

ADHD should never be used as a crutch, for example, breaking the law or not paying bills or not cleaning your room but it can explain why they sometimes can't remember what you just said or can't concentrate and sometimes it makes you moody and have a temper. The point is to recognise when its the person and when it's the ADHD. Even for the person with ADHD its hard to tell sometimes. I think sometimes you have to be overly positive as an ADHD person because you have so much stacked against you, but once you realise that it won't hinder you forever, you can get on with life :)

Good luck WitsEnd.

I am married to a man with adhd and the step mother of 2 boys with adhd. I have been with this man for 5 years and have read up on the subject so I would know what I am dealing with an dhow to deal with it. Thank you for your point of view - this is what I had gotten from all the research I did but my husband has always used the adhd thing as a crutch for his kids in disciplinary situations (you can't punish him - it's not his fault, etc) and now that he has been diagnosed he uses it for himself as well. Anyway the reason for my reply was not to vent or tell about me but to ask you - did you come to these opinions through counseling or is there a book you read or something that I could recommend to my husband? Thanks for your help!

I made the mistake of telling my boss's boss (and my boss too). My boss is totally cool about it. But his boss (whose son, btw, is also ADHD) and he's holding it against me! He told my boss that he better micro manage me and now questions how I do things, etc. Which proves you absolutely cannot trust people - even if you think you can. I though for sure he would understand and be cool about it given his son's ADHD. Live and learn.

But my boss is really cool and just ignores his boss's advice about me.

I really, really appreciate everyone's insight on my original post. I'm also glad to see there are people on here just as frusturated as I am. Let's try to raise awareness about this disorder as much as we can and dispel the myths. Let's get involved so there's not another generation of people suffering without hope.

One more thing....

DadwithADD's post really stuck in my mind. He was upset that people on this board were asking posters to give them a diagnosis. He was also even more agitated that people had told other posters that they didn't have ADD and that they were bi-polar. We haven't heard from him since.

I wanted to touch base on that. First of all, I definitely think it is not in anyone's best interest to diagnose themselves, which was part of my original point. I also think it's one thing to be plagued with symptoms you don't understand, it's quite another to assume you have a certain disease or disorder and expect complete strangers on a message board to confirm this belief.

Also, in recent years it has been revealed that symptoms that were at one time, not too long ago, believed to be ADHD are actually bi-polar disorder. Many people are still getting the wrong treatment and have been unsuccessful in getting help because of this. I thnk these folks are sometimes easily recognized. This does not mean anyone should tell them they're bi-polar but it would be more important and wise to suggest they tell their doctor that their treatment isn't working. If their doctor refuses to do anything, seek another opinion.

As for Adderall, it is very often abused by non-ADHDers and DOES have a street value, for those who didn't understand why someone would want Adderall without a prescription. Let's get our heads out of the sand about that one.

The moral of the story is... See a doctor! It may not be something you're happy with but it's the safest, most reliable way to get treatment.

Why would anyone want to be on adderall who didn't need it? I was ashamed to take my prescription to the pharmacist and hear "oh, that's for your boy"? No moron it's for me, although I didn't say that.

Alot of people have ADD due to an abnormal brain chemistry... and alot times it's from being pre-mature at birth (like way pre-mature I weighed 4 lbs in 1970) so naturally they don't just have ADD but other stuff too (GAD, other chemistry issues, etc.) so it seems natural for newcomers to label it all as ADD without knowing the truth.

Ah I'm rambling.

HarleyMan, The confusion between the acronyms ADD and ADHD is basically caused by the medical profession. They first used ADD then they used both ADD and ADHD now they use only ADHD as an umbrella term for the whole spectrum. -Gettingagrip-

[QUOTE=gettingagrip]HarleyMan, The confusion between the acronyms ADD and ADHD is basically caused by the medical profession. They first used ADD then they used both ADD and ADHD now they use only ADHD as an umbrella term for the whole spectrum. -Gettingagrip-[/QUOTE]

I tend to agree that some medical professionals use the two interchangeably however, I was tested for both separately. The tests were similar in the sense of relationships, and emotional status however, they varied quite largely in regards to impulsiveness and physical nervous type behaviors.

They are definitley separate issues though.

I've read this post top to bottom. Well, except the REALLY long one, no offence, I just couldn't hold my mind to it today. (It's me not you)

I've been a rather quiet member here for the most part since my diagnosis last spring and I have seen what Cheeky is talking about. Having somewhat of a medical background (Paramedicine, not M.D.) it bothers me when people offer a diagnosis after just reading about someone. If that was possible your MD could sit at their desk all day long and we could email them our complaints. I remember one that said something like "You're not ADD your Bi-Polar." What a thing to tell someone!!!! Even if you're luckey enough to be right, it's not your place.

I joined this group for 2 very specific reasons:

1) to learn more about Adult ADD

2) to be able to share with people that understand the fog I walked through before meds (and when I mess up my meds.)

I was about to drop off the group, but knowing the direction it was heading is not where some of you want it to go.... I'll hang around a while longer. Maybe we can turn the tide.

This is a rather long post and I apologize in advance. I believe I understand what the intent of this thread is for and I wish to contribute my thoughts as well.

I notice that some are using ADD and ADHD interchangebly. This is simply a misunderstanding as to what both really are. I know I am not an expert and I know that I would never recommend a particular brand of drug over another as well. I know what has worked for me in the past and what is currently working for me. I understand MY side effects but no one else may have the same effects as me.

Here are some definitions below:

ADD (ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER)�a common neurological condition characterized by learning difficulties and poor attention.

ADHD (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)�similar to ADD; individuals with ADHD additionally suffer with poor impulse control and hyperactive behavior.

There is quite a big difference between the two right off the top.

One particular method of treating ADHD is to use "methylphenidate." The definition is listed below.
methylphenidate, Ritalin -- (central nervous system stimulant (trade name Ritalin) used in the treatment of narcolepsy in adults and attention deficit disorder in children)

Common symptoms for ADHD may include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Does that mean that everyone with these symptoms needs a prescribed drug? Absolutely not! Some people may simply have these symptoms due to other reasons. (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm)

Since we are using disclaimers everywhere else maybe we should define "hyperactivity" as well.
"Hyperactive teenagers or adults may feel internally restless. They often report needing to stay busy and may try to do several things at once." (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm)

Impusivity may "seem unable to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act. They will often blurt out inappropriate comments, display their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for the later consequences of their conduct. Their impulsivity may make it hard for them to wait for things they want or to take their turn in games." (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm)

Inattention "If they are doing something they really enjoy, they have no trouble paying attention. But focusing deliberate, conscious attention to organizing and completing a task or learning something new is difficult." (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm)

There is a nice section entitled "Is It Really ADHD?" within the url of http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm and may help some individuals reading this post decide if they need to seek help from A PROFESSIONAL PHYSICIAN.

This is one of my all time favorite sections in determining exactly "what" makes someone ADHD or not in reference to the brain and nervous system functions. I will only cut and paste a brief snippet, but I believe that it is a nice read if you get the chance.

"Some knowledge of the structure of the brain is helpful in understanding the research scientists are doing in searching for a physical basis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. One part of the brain that scientists have focused on in their search is the frontal lobes of the cerebrum. The frontal lobes allow us to solve problems, plan ahead, understand the behavior of others, and restrain our impulses. The two frontal lobes, the right and the left, communicate with each other through the corpus callosum, (nerve fibers that connect the right and left frontal lobes).

The basal ganglia are the interconnected gray masses deep in the cerebral hemisphere that serve as the connection between the cerebrum and the cerebellum and, with the cerebellum, are responsible for motor coordination. The cerebellum is divided into three parts. The middle part is called the vermis." (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm)

I hope this helps promote the intended theme for this topic, because many of us here are not professional medical persons nor claim to be. ADHD is a very complicated issue because ADD or ADHD in itself may only be a "symptom" of other more serious disorders.

This post was created by a 32 year old man who has ADHD, who would not have been able to come up with a post like this a year ago. I can now concentrate, focus, and literally "think" about what I want to say before I simply "blurt" out some response. My emotions are now becoming more manageable as well as my thought processes. I would not have been able to do any of this without seeking help from the medical professionals who want to help me.

Please people, always seek professional help, and never self diagnose or self medicate. I become rather irritated with individuals that state "herbal remedies are the only way to go," or another one of my personal favorites is "I have ADHD but have not been to a doctor's office to be diagnosed yet." These may be symptoms but only symptoms of another more complex medical condition.

LOL, but who the hell am I telling people who "may" be ADHD or ADD that they should not be so impulsive!!!! hahahahahahaha

Hear hear Rosina!

I am new to the board. I came here because I face the same challenges that you all do, because I exhibit most of the behaviors that are typically associated with ADD. I am here seeking information and support on how to deal with these behaviors. Here I have found people who are the same as me, I had thought I was odd Whether I have been officially "diagnosed" is irrelevant.

Obviously there are times when one would need to see a doctor: if the person has decided to try meds, if a diagnosis is required to obtain other help or considerations from school or work, or if one does not have the ability or resources to do their own research. There are also valid reasons why someone would choose not to see a doctor: lack of insurance, lack of local doctors with knowledge of ADD/ADHD, lack of support by family members, or those who have a more holistic view of health and the resources to do their own research. Personally, I know I need a checkup every couple of years, but I just can't seem to make an appointment with a doctor no matter how hard I try!

I would never advocate taking meds without a doctor's support, but I'm sure there are people here looking for information on meds just in order to understand their options. Why do some people keep insisting on diagnoses and professional help? It certainly has a place, but please understand that there people who choose a different route, for many different reasons.

I hope this board welcomes those seeking information for all reasons, at least they are seeking information!

boggled

DADwithADD, I agree completely with you. We are not professionals and cannot diagnose anything. We may be able to tell someone that they should see a professional but I think anyone posting here with that question already knows the answer. As to telling people what meds to use that is absurd. I don't even know yet what works for me. The only information I am willing to share is my sons and my own experiences with different medications. That does not mean in any way that someone else will have the same experiences.

HarleyMan, I was in no way saying you were incorrect. I just wanted to make the point that the term ADHD is, at least in the reading I have done, now used as a blanket term for all forms of this disorder. I agree that there are different sub types and each one needs a different treatment approach.

-Gettingagrip-

[QUOTE=gettingagrip]

-Gettingagrip-

[/QUOTE]

I completely understand what you were getting at. I apologize if my post was misunderstood. I should probably explain a little more what the intended point of my post was. First let me give a little background about myself, and then it will probably be more obvious as to why I posted in the fashion that I did.

I am a 32 year old software developer with a wife and three children. I decided to seek help after my last performance review at work. My career was in serious trouble. My life was in a state of flux as well. I decided to use up all of my vacation time which was about 4 full weeks, and made the decision to use that time to seek help.

I went in for testing and... Well... I wanted to throw the computer through the freaking wall, I was cursing at the computer, etc. however, I still completed both tests. After I completed the tests the doctor came back in an reviewed the results in complete silence. He stated that "There must be something wrong with the test," and he would need to observe me while I took it again.

I was a little frustrated at that point... So I calmed myself to the best of my abilities and decided to take it again. About half-way through the tests the doctor told me that was enough, and the results were more than likely accurate.

Last week the doctor had me take both tests again, and it didn't even phase me in the least bit. It was then that the doctor shared my results from the tests in the beginning and the present.

My original score was exactly double that for the "Severely ADHD" category. The score for being "Severely ADHD" was anything about 32. My original score was 64! My last score was 7 which equates to "Minor symptoms" which when explained may equate to not ADHD but has some tendencies. For me that was absolutely tremendous!!!! That was some of the best news I had ever had in my life!

The doctor was absolutely amazed in regards to my history, and how I was able to function before being treated. He explained to me that he has never seen anyone as severely affected as what I was or currently is. He works with me constantly now to help me progress.

There was a previous post that mentioned the "fog of confusion." After my first dose of Methylphenidate I was able to sit down and read for about 2 hours! I had never done that my entire life! That was only a 5mg pill too! It wore off after the two hours but, I was more calmed. One thing has lead to another and I am on approximately 38 mg of Concerta a day now.

My life has done a complete 180 degree turn. I don't get frustrated like I used to, angry, hyperactive, impulsive (which RULED my life previously), argumentative, or depressed. I enjoy talking to people, lines in the grocery store don't even phase me now, traffic jams are simply a minor inconvenience that allows me time to THINK now!!!! I cannot say enough about how much I needed a change, or how hard it is even to get to this point.

I have had to relearn almost everything from scratch, how to relate to my family and friends, how to read, write, and even think about analyzing what to do next. Since the treatments began I have been promoted to a project management position and my job is absolutely fantastic. I have even began my own business that may turn into a career change for me!

Concerta and professional help are two of my best friends now. That is why I posted in the manner I did. I hope that clears things up a little.