Three Questions | ADHD Information
1. I have ADHD. And circumstances stress me out. Like getting fired. It's not the ADHD that stresses me out. It stresses others out. They expect me to do things their way, which I can do better my way. Which is kinda the answer to your #3. So, I wouldn't say it's the ADHD stressing you out per se, it could be your circumstances. Also, ADHD is often associated w/other comorbid disorders, in my case, depression. In others, anxiety. Or OCD. So, it could be the other things. Now you are on some head meds that aren't ADHD meds. Has your dr. said you have ADHD?
2. As far as I know, ADHD meds do not change the personality of the patient. What changes is one's ability to focus, and stay on task, follow through, that sort of thing. These behaviors may be misinterpreted as a change in personality, but they're not. I've been on ADHDer meds for over 10 years now, and I'm still me. Hyper, creative, troubled, but always hopefull.
3. Yes. The gaps in thinking often lead to creativity and other expressions of giftedness. My eX said it was grandiose thinking, but my actions kept proving her wrong. I did make millions, but I lost them, too. Big picture thinking, problem solving, artistic, multi-tasking, etc. are some of the benefits of an ADHDer mind. Some people in history were ADHD. We're either famous, or infamous.
BTW, don't worry about trying to type like you think you should, type like you think. Let it come out all over the place. Why?
1. We'll understand. This should be a safe place.
2. Your Anonymous, anyway!
Welcome to the boards!
#1)
I have really, really bad anxiety/stress. I can only describe it as feeling as if I need to break out of my skin, and the feelings are mostly in my head (a little in my leg/back/neck muscles too).
I took Ativan and Klonopin recently perscribed by my dr. He told me to take 1 ativan 2 times per day (.5mg) and it did not help at all. I tried taking 2, 3 even 5 of these pills at a time (after reading up on them) I know this is not a good thing to do, anyway...
I took the Klonopin, same thing - no relief from it, so I took several at once again with no relief.
The only thing that gives me true relief is smoking pot. When I smoke I feel relaxed and although I cannot be super productive, I have the ability to intensly focus on what I am doing and I am even motivated to do things like clean up, spend time with my wife etc.
Is it possible that this intense anxiety/stress is caused by ADD? I don't want to be misdiagnosed AGAIN if I can help it.
#2)
My Dr. said that some of the ADD meds can change the personality of the patient. That it can change who you are and take something special away from yourself. Is there any truth to this?
#3)
Often I hear of people speaking of ADDers being gifted. Why is that, and in what way? I was always super smart in Math, almost like a second (first) language to me. Is this something like what they mean?
Gah my head hurts, so much that it is hard to type out my thoughts in a way that reads and makes sense. When I proof read my posts, it sounds like a 5th grader, not someone with 2 bachelors degrees
I may be rehashing what Davidornado said but here goes.
1)When I don't take my meds I feel like I am in a fog. I see everything that needs to be done and see that I am not performing to my potential. Then after I take my meds my mind comes into focus then its like the fog lifts, my mind doesn't have to work as hard just to concentrate.
Imagine Driving a car in a deep fog. You have to stay alert, you can't really stop (Or you won't reach your destination), and it wears you out. Then you take a pill and the fog clears and you have good visibility, no traffic and less stress. Its not a magic pill but it makes your effort more effective.
It seems to help with lower brain functions (Concentration,Motivation,etc...)so you can use your concious brain functions on productive tasks.
So, yes with me It helps anxiety and stress.
2) I personally can't stress how much I agree with Davidornado on this one. I have yet to meet a person with ADHD that was PROPERLY treated that lost their defining character traits. Personally the traits I loose while on my meds are procrastination, frustration, and anxiety. Everybody will have different results with treatment but I am tired of hearing that treating ADHD makes you loose your uniqueness. I think SOME doctors say that to cover their ass.
Anybody here think they loose their uniqueness by taking meds?
3) I tend to look at ADHD as being different, not disabled. ADHD people were the original "Out of the box thinkers." I feel that only 80% of me fits into our rigid society, But the other 20% is what lets you look at things from a perpective that non ADHD people can never acheive.
Its like having a slight autism. You can't quite do, or have trouble doing what "normal" people do, but in certian areas you far surpass "normal" people. Also I have never met anyone with ADHD thats had their IQ tested and scored average or below.
P.S. If you correctly use grammer to much it makes us look bad.