New to this | ADHD Information

I went to my family doc with a big long printout evaluation off the internet, then I gave her my symptoms. She gave me five evaluations with like 300 questions (I was like HELLO I THINK I AM ADD AND YOU WANT ME TO ANSWER HOW MANY QUESTIONS!) but they covered everything, depression, bipolar, anxiety and ADHD to take home fill out, drop off then go back. My parents and husband filled one out too. Of course my husband didn't fill his out truthfully, he was worried I would find out and be mad! It didn't cost me anything except copay (as long as you have insurance I guess) then went back and she had the diagnoses, Adult ADD. I am not hyper. much! I was relieved, I really didn't care who knows, no embarrassment, HAPPY. I just wish I had found out much much younger. I was more embarrassed how I used to act before. Life is soooo much better since I have started treatment and found this WONDERFUL support system here on these boards.

Good Luck, if you ever need anything, we are ALL here for you!

I always thought that I was just a lazy, mixed, procrastinating and goofy person. I had a few people(my wife), one was a co-worker, so I took a couple tests on-line and was rated as having ADHD. At first I thought that anyone would come out with the same score and all they were trying to do was make money off me. I was not very familiar with AD/HD and thought it was just a kid thing. Well, after reading quite a bit about it I relized that I fit most of the symptoms, plus most people say I'm a bit of a weirdo and I think its because of the AD/HD I do have a different thought process.

Well, I kinda ignored it for awhile , until my wife and I were going to a therapist and after a few sessions she asked if I had ever benn dx'd with AD/HD she gave me a test and I brought her some of the things from on-line and it was confirmed. I do have the hyperactive part-I'm always bouncing off the walls, shaking my legs, tapping me fingers, etc.

Well, so far everyone(the Therapist and the psychologist I had to see) have been very helpful. I started Strattera about 15 days ago and after 7 days at 18mg and 7 days at 40mg-we are now trying 60mg for a month. I think so far the most helpful thing has been the site. It's a relief to here others talking about all the same things I have always thought were just me and my weirdness.

Wow, this really helps. I must admit, when I stumbled into this message board last night, I couldn't get myself to turn off the computer and go to bed. I couldn't stop reading. I was laughing at the quirks, crying about the sturggles and had a sense of relief knowing that there is help. For once things make sense. It's amazing how many things we have in common with one another.

I went to a Psch Dr.on reccomendations from my cardiologist after a successful stress test.. the panic attack chest pains needed to be contrtolled. THe Adhd came out once I started talking to the DR. My Mom had aknowledged it a few yrs ago after seeing a talk show. The school had twice tried to label me slow and put me in special ed( my cum in college is 3.5 and I really dont work at it) I vibrated whenever seated till I started meds. At the end of anHr he said I had ADHD/Panic disorder. He asked me questions about bipolar symptoms for 4 or 5 visits and gave me xanax xr.5mg after the first session and that helped with the panic but I hate taking something that is so addictive because of past problems and even though it was a low doese it felt sedating He started me on ritalin 2 weeks later and I made major diet changes, I am on ritalin 10 mg 3 times a day and take one regular .5 xanax in the evening. I can live with a good amount of anxiety but bolting awake at 3am terrified of nothing feeling like I have had 20 cups of coffee and crushing chest pains was not ok.

As much as people talk about ritalin's dangers I really am not scared of taking it at all. THe benefits have been enormous. It's a medicine that really works for me. As a kid I abused cocaine...I just dont see the similarilities others claim are there. I have no desire to "take" more ritalin. I skip doses a lot on weekends when i dont have any responsibilities. The ritalin helps a lot with the ADHD but is a mixed bag for anxiety. Being focused and not having that "oh sh*te what am I forgetting to do" feeling helps, the medication itself doesnt make me anxious but, makes relaxing a little harder..if that makes sense. If anythign, I think I would be less prone to obcessive, stimulating compulsive behavior on medication because the "need" for it just isnt there. I am not so bored at work I cant wait to leave now and it's helped me with the other compulsive behaviors that I have struggled with like spending money impulsively rather than paying my bills...hell, for me it's great to have the disipline to sit down and pay the bills before the late notices come...I still don't really "like" doing it but before it was soemthign I put off as long as humanly possible...now, I have a medicine that has helped me make up for some deficits in my thinking that made disipline in some areas of my life seemingly( from my perspective) impossible

I can relate CharisAbby. I've always had the same mentality that you can't have ADD without being a hyper person. I don't concider myself hyper still but now I realize that bouncing my leg while sitting still, having trouble sitting through meetings wanting to jump out of my skin, all are related to ADD.Hey,

I can relate, I've been down the same road of ADD inattentive as an adult.

I looked in the yellow pages under psychs, and called one specializing in adult ADD. At first I was told the testing would be at least 00. But after seeing the doctor, it turned out to only be 0 since I didn't need all the tests. I'm not sure how much my insurance will cover, never found that out yet.

I went in for ADD inattentive + social anxiety disorder, so perhaps this varies if you're only going in for ADD. After talking with the doctor about my life and why I feel I have ADD and the problems it was causing, I went to testing.

The first test was repeating names from a list someone read to me verbally. The trick was to arrange them categorically in your mind.

The second was a reaction speed test on the computer, where you hit a key as soon as you see a letter appear, except if that letter is X.

The third test was a general multiple choice personality test.

Still am awaiting results.

Hope this helps.
Gather as much information as you can. Make a list of your symptoms. Most importantly, try to remember as much childhood history as possible. Look at your old grade school report cards, if you can, and try to think of anything about your childhood behaviour that seems odd or abnormal to you (for example, I would never sit still in my desk at school - I was always standing or walking in circles around it).

My family doctor asked me a million and one questions, and then reffered me to a psychiatrist (I see him on March 17th). I'm not too sure what to expect from the psychiatrist.... maybe soemone else can help there.

Good luck and welcome to the board!

I always wondered if I had ADD, but never really looked into it. I always thought you had to be hyperactive until a couple of days ago I started doing research and found that there were 3 types. I definitely fall into the inattentiveness category. I had mixed emotions. Partly saddened and partly relief. I'm embarassed but I know the only way to get help is to see a doctor about it.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect. I'm a bit anxious about it.

Thanks!

[QUOTE=CharisAbby]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect. I'm a bit anxious about it.

Thanks!

I don't know what to tell you as far as what to expect, but I HAVE to say that I feel EXACTLY the way you do. I'm not that hyper, but scored into the innatentive type. I am also embarassed about it, kinda depressed but yet relieved! Maybe you should see your doctor, I did and he put me on meds. BTW, it was my last option cause I have very good eating and exercise habits and take fish oil and vitamins so, I dunno!

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