Getting Worse? | ADHD Information

Hi Everyone,

My first post to the forum.  I'm a 35 year old male, and I've recently learned that my own peculiarities in life happen to correspond all too closely with what is known as ADD.  I was also diagnosed with Depression a few years ago.   Not to get off topic with my subject, but no matter how I prepare, I can't seem to remember to take my Strattera.  When I do, although I show the typical set of side effects males experience, Strattera does help.

The problem is my classic stumbles associated with ADD are getting worse very quickly.  I'm very concerned.  Is anyone else experiencing a continual progression of their ADD or ADHD symptoms? 

Hi Tyanite,

Welcome to the forum.

We were talking about this in our support group the other night. A few people were wondering if the symptoms got worse over time, but after listening to a few people explain what was going on in their lives, we came up with an interesting theory...

The first time ADD/ADHD becomes a problem in life is usually when we enter school. We take a perfectly carefree life and slap barriers and rules around it and all of a sudden, your ADD/ADHD "gets worse!"

School gets progressively tougher until we either give up or make it out... then we start on a career. All through school, we think we can't wait to get out of school so we can enjoy some freedom, but then we move to a job, living on our own (so maintaining a household), paying bills, etc. Our ADD/ADHD "gets worse!"

Still later, we're staring kids and a mortgage in the face, dealing with growing older, a career that's not going where we want it too, questioning if we're really happy... All the usual stuff we go through in our 30's and 40's... and guess what... our ADD/ADHD "gets worse!"

So I guess you could say that yes, over time, our ADD/ADHD gets worse. I know mine has, but when I look back, in each case I can't really tell if it's my ADD or my life that's gotten "worse." I also tend to go through cycles of highs and lows, and I know when I get into a funk, my ability to pay attention, get things done and generally overcome my ADD challenges goes out the window. I assume you go through the same thing, although I'm reading into your post that this is a longer term thing for you.

As for taking your meds, there are all kinds of systems you can use to remind you. I have a Pocket PC that I use to schedule my entire life. I use it to remind me to take my meds. Some people find that they lose them (I use mine as an MP3 player so I always have it with me) but I've seen some cool pillboxes with timers, alarms or that vibrate. I can't find them on a site right now but if you do a search for reminder pillbox on Google, you'll find lots.

Hope this helps.

I think   I became much more aware  of  how much ADD effected my life once I was diagnosed.   I understood  why i "had" to leqave work  in the afternoon all those times the last 20 yrs  when I blew out  because I just couldnt take the monontomy anymore and didnt have the disipline to stay. I wanted to leave EVERYDAY. I no longer feel that way on the ritalin. I understood why people asked me if we could stay on the subject we were talking about  a lot...etc..etc

I was diagnosed 3-4 months ago, and have been taking adderall since then. What I have felt is a kind of "smack in the face" how different I am with and without the meds. It's as though a veil has been lifted, and I don't get to pick what I see about myself (or my relationships with other people) underneath - I often find myself working out feelings of guilt and remorse for things in the past. And even in the present, when I catch myself finishing someone else's sentence, or I lose something, or I'm late (again!) - anything like that - and I almost catalogue it "ADHD Behavior!! Red Flag!!".

I am getting more comfortable with it all slowly, but it's been a very odd experience to be told "here's how your brain is" and as I read and learn, I work to accept that this is how I am and it's okay. Because ADHD often gets cast in such a negative light, I find I often have to work at not getting caught up in that...

I can tell you one thing for sure - my ADHD *definitely* gets worse before my period - you guys out there are lucky you don't have to deal with that! ;)