I am you, you are me, we are all together | ADHD Information

The more research I have done on ADD for my son, the more I think I have it. I'm reading your posts here thinking "yep, thats me, I do that too" I can never make a decision, when I do, I almost always wish I had gone with the other. All my life (I'm 45) I thought this was just me - unorganised, I never did my homework...unless I liked the subject...I love art, love to paint and create. I told my husband about my discovery...not a self starter, can't finish what I start, sometimes have to re-read paragraphs cause I was thinking of something else etc....he added "and Clutter?' My desk and the floor around it has piles of paper. I HATE going though and organising papers, so I always say I'll do it later, then I have an all day job.

My son is on adderall (generic) I'm so tempted to try it but afraid to. I have high blood pressure and take Wellbutrin XL already....it really helped my focus at first.

I have an appt in a few weeks for a med check. I'm going to ask about what I need to do to see if I have it. What is the process like for adults?

[QUOTE=Belle]The more research I have done on ADD for

I have an appt in a few weeks for a med check. I'm going to ask about what I need to do to see if I have it. What is the process like for adults?[/QUOTE]

All I had to do was talk with my general doc, then spend an hour and a half with a therapist. I knew I had it going in if that is completely possible, from reading books, and reading online. Depending on who you see, the process could be even easier, or far more complicated - I've seen wide variations.

People will also question how you are diagnosed no matter how it is done and some will condemn it. I value self diagnosis quite a bit but we can also convince oueselves of a lot that ain't so sometimes.

I was diagnosed only after going to have my oldest son diagnosed. The psychiatrist I went to go see for my son gave me titles of three books to read, because I couldn't help my son unless I knew what I was talking about. So I read them and went back in two weeks, when he asked me what I thought, I replied,"I think some of it is me. Not the hyper part, but the quieter type." I was diagnosed that appt.

However for years I was told that I was just lazy and that I just didn't apply myself to things. I was treated for depression and even accused of being abusive to my son and that's why he acted out like he did (he has ADHD). Yet I knew there was still something wrong or different about me that no one seemed to notice--at least not until the doctor above. I tell you all of this because no one, absolutely no one knows you like you do. Keep trying until you find a doctor that will listen to you.

Don't worry, I'm not going to try his meds- I'm too chicken. Too many allergies and high blood pressure.

Belle, I am happy my story has helped you learn to be an advocate for yourself, it was my whole point in telling that story. I did shorten it--a lot. I did get diagnosed that appt., but like I said that doctor had me read three books, he did ask a lot of questions and I had those books to refer back to. So I did have something concrete to go off of. I did make notes for myself, only because that was one of my coping mechanisms to help myself not forget things. I try to do it for all my doc appts.

I do have to say that I am 100% onboard w/sachetm on not trying your son's medications--or anyone's for that matter. My son wasn't diagnosed for 2-3 appts after I was and wasn't medicated until a month after his diagnosis. I was used as the "guinea pig" since I was older and a blood relative (he was considered young for a diagnosis) and my doc wanted to make sure I reacted well to mediation since that would mean there was a better chance my son would have a negative reaction. But that was all under a doctor's supervision.

I agree with what everyone else has said but also adise you not to try your son't medication. We lay people aren't trained sufficiently to understand drug interactions, impact of other conditions or history we have, etc. like a "good" doctor is. Obviously, many aren't so good but we still have to use the way they are trained and supposed to behave as a rule of thumb.

When you go back to see your son't doctor, you may want to take a list of what you've learned about AD(H)D and how it does and doesn't apply to you so he/she has something concrete to look at. I find that often helps with doctors. Let's face it, they're awfully busy (made more so by the pressures of insurance companies to keep patient appts. short). Besides, documentation creates an audit trail should you ever need one. And they know it. Help them be the best they were trained to be by giving them something in writing! (Now I've got to take my own advice!

[QUOTE=The Resistance!] I value self diagnosis quite a bit but we can also convince oueselves of a lot that ain't so sometimes.
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This is true, but I think we're also very good at convincing ourselves that we don't have something and just believe we are flaky, forgetful, can't make our minds up, have low self esteem, think we are the only one, etc...which is what I've done most of my life.

I'm relieved to be reading all this info. on adult ADD, and have hope if I could get some help, I think my life would change for the better. I've always envied my AOC (anal obsessive compulsive) friend and her drive to start things and get things done, be a mover and a shaker while I sit Miss Indecisive.

DVirgo, thank you , I've always been an advocate for my son, nobody can stop me (especially when my AOC friend helps me) when he's not getting the services he needs...now, I will advocate for myself.

[QUOTE=dvirgo421]

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I was curious dvirgo at what the name of those books the dr had you read were..

I just started on add meds myself at 43..the first round was concerta...didnt really like it too much dose was too high and the extended release stay in my system to much..he switch me to ritalin xl.. and I like it better plus he put me on 10 mgs which is a low dose but I'm very sensitve to meds...

I dont feel jittery or over talkative like before.. I feel focuse but not altered..

so I hope this works..I just want to read some more on add.. my son has adhd and has since birth...We started medicating him a couple of years ago at age 8

anyway this is probably more than you wanted to know

I glad to have a place to talk about this...