I really need some relief | ADHD Information
I am 32 and was diagnosed from my primary care physician that I have adhd, I knew something has always been wrong just didn't or still don't know what. I was on 10mg Lexapro for anxiety and 30mg of vyvanse for adhd. My hyperactivity was not going away so I started taking 50mg of vyvanse a day and 20mg of Lexapro. I had to up the Lexapro because I was confused whether it was my anxiety or hyperactivity that was getting worse after starting the higher dose of vyvanse. My brain will not shut off ever, there is always something going on in there and it is tiresome. I also follow patterns of peoples shirts especially if it is a button up with collar and follow patterns of peoples tail lights. I am obsessed with writing letters/words I see words everywhere when I'm driving or not driving and I spell them with my fingers (very discreetly though, nobody knows I do any of this) but I do these things daily. I watch the posts along the roadside and say the color of them in my head...they are all gray but they have different colored tops...so I will say gray, orange, yellow. Gray, orange, black, and I will go from one side of the road to the other as fast as I can so not to miss one, but if I do miss one it doesn't bother me. When I catch myself I can stop only to find myself doing it again. I also get songs stuck in my head and can't get them out for nothing. And I wiggle my feet non-stop. Is this the hyperactivity in adhd? I thought OCD for awhile but I don't have to do these things, it just seems like an overactive brain. Or am I totally insane? :) I am definately not living a fullfilling life I am so caught up in all of these things daily that take up so much of my time that I don't feel I am enjoying other things in my life that I should be enjoying. MEA4639367.5663425926 [QUOTE=MEA46]I am 32 and was diagnosed from my primary care physician that I have adhd, I knew something has always been wrong just didn't or still don't know what. I was on 10mg Lexapro for anxiety and 30mg of vyvanse for adhd. My hyperactivity was not going away so I started taking 50mg of vyvanse a day and 20mg of Lexapro. I had to up the Lexapro because I was confused whether it was my anxiety or hyperactivity that was getting worse after starting the higher dose of vyvanse. My brain will not shut off ever, there is always something going on in there and it is tiresome. I also follow patterns of peoples shirts especially if it is a button up with collar and follow patterns of peoples tail lights. I am obsessed with writing letters/words I see words everywhere when I'm driving or not driving and I spell them with my fingers (very discreetly though, nobody knows I do any of this) but I do these things daily. I watch the posts along the roadside and say the color of them in my head...they are all gray but they have different colored tops...so I will say gray, orange, yellow. Gray, orange, black, and I will go from one side of the road to the other as fast as I can so not to miss one, but if I do miss one it doesn't bother me. When I catch myself I can stop only to find myself doing it again. I also get songs stuck in my head and can't get them out for nothing. And I wiggle my feet non-stop. Is this the hyperactivity in adhd? I thought OCD for awhile but I don't have to do these things, it just seems like an overactive brain. Or am I totally insane? :) I am definately not living a fullfilling life I am so caught up in all of these things daily that take up so much of my time that I don't feel I am enjoying other things in my life that I should be enjoying.
[/QUOTE]You really need to talk about this with a qualified psychiatrist. I'd suggest you get a full-scale assessment covering learning disorders [adhd] as well as all major mental illnesses such as OCD or bi-polar. This way you can find out which are related to personal quirks, emotional coping mechanisms and which are related to a possible mental struggle.
There may be a number of different scenarios playing out here.
You don't need to suffer like this if there's a way to stop it. No, you aren't "totally insane" [after all, your letter made perfect sense!] but you ARE experiencing something that is decreasing your quality of life.
You deserve to know what's happening and how your life can be more fulfilling.
Why do you suggest psychiatrist vs psychologist? I just ask because I'm not sure of the difference. [QUOTE=MEA46]Why do you suggest psychiatrist vs psychologist? I just ask because I'm not sure of the difference.[/QUOTE]
Generally speaking:
A psychologist is a specialist in behavior.
A psychiatrist is a specialist in thinking.
In the case of your above statement Mea--you don't seem to have a struggle with what you are doing--but the thoughts that are spinning through your head.
My concern is that with that many psych meds you really need a psychiatrist on board because they often know a great deal about psych meds than the average family doctor.
Psychologists use behavioural based techniques to change behaviours-- such as behaviour modification to reduce violence or trauma reduction techniques to overcome fears and phobias. They cannot legally prescribe medications unless they are medical doctors as well.
Psychiatrists use either therapeutic forms such as talk therapy/analysis to assist the patient to reduce the mental anguish and emotional uproar they're experiencing. Or, they will prescribe medications to help the brain slow down, speed up or respond closer to the "norm". Or both.
With some struggles, it's best to use both. One to help you manage behaviour and one to help you with undoing past trauma and getting correct medications for your condition.
I'd really like you to get a full assessment for your own understanding as well as to be treated for whatever the underlying conditions are.
Hope that helps clarify
MetisRebel39369.3693634259