Tell your ADHD story | ADHD Information
Hi. My name is Karen, I am 45 and recently re-diagnosed with ADD. When I was a kid in the early 70s, I was on dexedrine for three years. To this day, I believe I should have stayed on it. I know I can't change anything from the past and I will try hard to come to terms with it.I read a lot of comments on this board and I actually had a two page article written and have decided against posting it. Too depressing and I don't want to depress anyone!
I have had problems in school, job jumping, two marriages, countless friendships (I think my longest friendship is about 16 years but there were times when we weren't speaking), I have never had a sustainable savings account, I have a deep relationship with rubber checks and have paid by the thousands in overdraft fees. I have been through the credit card circle of getting them, abusing them, cutting them up, paying them off - twice. I vow to never own another one ever! I have experienced many of the same things many of you all here have. It is a relief to know that I'm not alone and that even though I am ADD, I'm still a good, worthwhile person with many things to offer. I have always told myself that God gave me these struggles because He knew I could carry them. That has always, always gotten me through the tough times. I know I am special - in a good way. I have yet to discover all the good things that ADD can bring to my life. I'm just starting on this journey.
Thanks for reading.
ADHD has been a label i've had applied to myself for as long as I can remember, however it has never affected me so strongly as it has over the past few years (since I moved out on my own). I am new to this forum and I was so relieved to hear others expressing this intense need they have to talk to someone who will understand how they are feeling!
When i was young, I was completely in love with myself for the most part and although it made it difficult to fit in a times i always viewed my incredibly impulsive and creative nature as good qualities. I was the oldest daughter in a large, extremely religious family, and as such assumed from a very young age the role of "second mom" in the family. I learned to be organized when it comes to "mom" things (and border on OCD when it comes to things like neatness and cleanliness...kind of a germaphobe...) but when it comes to things like school, money, planning for the future or paying attention to something or someone "boring" i am a complete lost cause.
My mother was alerted to my condition when i was still in preschool but my parents did not want to put me on any medication. Instead my mom began homeschooling myself and the siblings that came after me in an attempt to handle the situation herself. I realize now this was NOT the way to go. I cheated my way through every subject i didn't care for and never really gave my ADHD a second thought since it was never treated like a big deal at home and i had an extremely sheltered childhood. now as an adult i find myself with a whole host of problems ranging from inattentiveness to extreme mood swings to suicidal thoughts. As I mentioned before these symptoms began to manifest themselves as I started my life on my own.
I seem to forget EVERYTHING. Even when it is something that I am genuinely interested in. Even when I try as hard as I can to remember something, all it seems to take is one other thought entering into my head, and what was previously so important is gone. For a long time I thought it was normal to have a multitude of thoughts going through my mind at all times. Even when someone is speaking directly to me, i still have two or three other trains of thought going fullsteam in my mind along with whatever bit of music is currently running around in there. Music seems to be the only thing that can truly hold my attention and although i find it comforting at times, hearing music in your head constantly does not help my concentration level AT ALL. I've done some research and found that I am not alone in this. Often i find myself just wishing i simply didn't have to answer to anyone or meet anyone elses expectations so that I could simply be alone with my own thoughts.
I feel like my situation is nearing a breaking point, especially when it comes to my relationship with my boyfriend. We have lived together for the past few years and it seems that all of our fights stem from me forgetting something important or my overall impulsive nature. Then when we argue and I get more upset I forget what has been said (even in that conversation!) and I find it nearly impossible to explain the thoughts and feelings stampeding through my mind, let along express them logically to him. My boyfriend (who luckily is an amazing man with a PSYCHOLOGY major) and I had discussed my behavior extensively, but it seemed that no matter how hard I tried to "pay attention" and slow down and "consider the consequences of my actions" it was something i could only force myself to do with great effort. The strain I felt to "be good" all the time had me feeling incredibly wound up inside and everytime my self-help method of coping failed, I felt like i had failed at life. When i first brought up that my mom had considered me to have mild ADHD when i was a kid we did some reading and i was shocked to discover that I do not meet one or two qualifications for ADHD but rather every one of them! At this point I am just scared and confused, not wanting to change myself, my personality that I love but wanting desperately to be a normal and responsible adult with a life I can be proud of. I am torn between losing my creative, happy go lucky ways and being able to retain knowledge and manage my own life. Which brings me here...
Listen, or not. Sorry for rambling it just feels good to write some of these feelings down.
Hi there Internaltornado,
I have been on Strattera since March (now September). It doesnt change my character unless I am extremely tired(zombie) ie two weeks of 4 hours sleep, if you get my meaning. What it does do is helps me to deal with all the sh*t and crap that happens around me because I forget everything and hyperfocus on something else than I am supposed to. You might ask what is the point but I am pleased with it because I dont want to become a zombie, I still get highs and lows which I have always been prone to but the meds just help me keep on at it instead of withdrawing understandabley into a depression. I am engaging much more, taking on more and learning to live with this ADD. My dosage is 60mg and I started on 25 which after only a week or two helped me to make eyecontact for the first time in my life with people whilst talking to them (not surprising with a rifle range of thoughts going on all the time even when someone is trying to get through to me) that is also better, alot better.The thing that shocks me is how the professionals just dont seem to know how to decide which meds are best for which patient, especially because we all have such different sorts of ADD.
Dear sink,
Thank you for the sympathetic response as well as the med advice. I'm beginning to come to terms with the fact that it's looking like meds are the best way to go for those like us. I think i really struggled at first accepting the idea of being medicated for the rest of my life just to function normally and had alot of feelings of frustration and depression, like i was broken in some way that bothers everyone around me but feels normal to me. Reading peoples experiences both positive and negative on this forum has really helped me feel less alone in all of this and has bolstered my courage enough that i think i will be trying to get some professional help for the first time in my life. I am kind of worried about what you said, my doc not knowing what to put me on and a possible bad or zombie response to them, but i'm trying to remain hopeful that i'll be able to find something that will work for me as Strattera has for you...some inner calm would be a nice change of pace from the rifle range
Hi , My name is Daniel Vianna, I am Brazilian and Canadian citizen, although I am in Canada for one month for my first time !
I have ADHD but my worst problem is not the memory or studying, As I could finish the bachelors degree with good grades, but choosing the career itself is the problem. My first interest when I was 12 was computer games, I though one Day I would be a game maker, but give up to that. When I was 15 I found music, and I started a band, I though I would be a musician and this happen until I was 18. I gave up and I go to the university which I studied social communications and advertising, I liked some academic subjects, like psychology, cinema and anthropology. but I really never liked advertising at all. I coudnt find any job I start to know about my adhd and took the medicine at the end of the course ( 6 months ago) . I think I dont like anything today, and I am afraid of loosing interest in the next thing. It is almost the same with food for ex. this month I like chocolate, and I can eat everyday , after one month I can't eat chocolate. And when I try to force I feel really bad, I want to suicide myself, I can't control
this feeling of boriness.
I am VERY worried with that, because nobody can live a good life without a long and planned career, and that means you must like (specially for adhd) what you do. MY question is, If I took the medicine ( I am on concerta 36mg) is there any way to avoid the lost of interest which is caused ou genetics earned behavior inside a career? I am very worried because I don't have money (from my father) to invest in more than one career, I am 24 years and this is my last chance
Sorry my english folks, I am still learning the english and didn't had the time to edit this message.
Thanks
danielribas39721.8575810185Dear Internaltornado,
Think of meds as glasses for the brain. If you were myopic you would were glasses. Meds help your brain function better just as glasses help your eyes function.
Cheers
My computer was broken for 6 months and I always had to go to an internet cafe to read the stuff on this forum. I have to say, now that I have got my computer back and can really enjoy and use this ADHD room I realise beyond all doubt how important it is to me. Sometimes it gets out of hand and I am on it at 3.30am but it is the next best thing to group therapy. I am on a list for a group but theree arent enough people. But I am very very glad that I have got this place to chill out without my ADD being a secret. Thank you all of you who contribute to this place with really sincere, sensible things, it makes a massive difference to the quality of life.Hi All,
I am new to the forum and wanted to know if there is a recommendation for step parenting a child with ADHD. He is 10 almost 11 and my son just turned 12. There is a constant rollercoaster on privelleges given to each child, structured discipline or lax discipline. Since my son does not have ADHD and is a round about average child. I am easily frustrated with the daily, by minute constant issues that comes with trying to help, teach and trying to stay on track with structured discipline that gears towards not only my step son with ADHD but also my own child and their individual characters. I am the discplinary one in the house hold where my husband is the extremly laid back parent.
We have two very different views on how to handle his son. I want constant and consistant structure. But I don't always have the support.
Ultimately it really effects my relationship with him and my step son and I see it now more than ever carrying over to my own son and our relationship since I am more irritable than ever.
Has anyone experienced anything similar and/or is there any advise you can give me? There are alot of stories and posts on here that are interesting but I haven't found anything yet on this topic. I have read where divorced parents are upset with the other new mom or dad in the picture on the other side.
My SS mother is not in the picture at all. She sees him once or twice a year (which I don't even agree with that).
Just frustrated and hope to find someone in a similiar situation or hopefully someone to lean on for great advise!
Thanks all!
Hi, my name is Kelly. I just found this forum and I am beyond excited about it. My daughter was recently diagnosed with ADHD, I'm pretty sure my step-daughter is ADHD (but it's not my place to have her tested) and also my husband has every sign of it and struggled through school and still struggles now with things in life. Anyway, as far as my daughter goes, her school is who helped me with finding out why she was struggling so much in school eventhough she's a very intelligent kid. When I saw her continuosly through Kindergarten, first grade, and now in second struggle with things that I knew she should have been excelling in I knew something was wrong. Now after having testing done at school and with a neuro-psychologist, I know why she is struggling so much. My daughter's biggest problems are her focus and her hyperactivity. She is distracted by just about everything and if you watch her sit in a chair trying to do something she is all over the chair. My step-daughter is the same way with the distractability and the hyperactivity but she also suffers from impulse problems (she does things before she thinks) and also behavior problems. I am at this point choosing not to medicate my daughter because I do not feel her problems with ADHD are severe enough to warrant the medication and my family physician doesn't really want to have to medicate her either. So now I'm left to wonder what to do to help my daughter to better in school with reading and math. She is in a reading program at school that she has been in since kindergarten which does help with her reading but she makes limited progress and regresses at times. She also now sees the special education teacher regularly. My husband and I are also trying to work with my step-daughter's school on helping with her behavior but we can only do so much because she lives primarily with her mother and well, that seems to be the source of a lot of her problems in school. Luckily the school sees that and understands we are doing all we can. She has improved, through now that the school has gotten her involved in a program there to help with her behior problems.Hi I am new to this blog, I have rediscovered my ADHD as an adult and am coming to terms with the fact that it has permeated all aspects of my life.
I was given ritalin as a kid when I failed to learn to read but was taken off when I was being put into classes for bright children. I guess they assumed it had done its job....so it was all down hill after that. I was constantly punished for not finishing jobs and not listening at both home and school. Between the ages of 12 and 14 I was put on 6 or 7 different medications, none of which worked, until I was given a psychological assessment and was formally diagnosed with ADHD and clinical depression at which point I decided fore go medication on account of all the pain and suffering it had caused me, until when I was 16 and was raped and put onto zoloft which seemed to manage the depression very well. I was on Zoloft for 6 years but decided to try coping skills instead and with the help of my husband I have been able to work with it.
However, my ADHD was never addressed or taken seriously in the home, I was just always treated like I would fail. It was 4 days ago when I was having a discussion with my husband about my growing inner and outer turmoil, social awkwardness and my mean or thoughtless comments that I thought to think off my ADHD....I mean, I have always known that I never fully grew out of it but...what exactly was it like in adults? I had always heard that ADHD manifests differently in adults, but I actually didn't have a clue. It seemed to strike a chord with my husband. Later on I looked it up on line and it was like a bomb going off...I mean it shook me to the core, it was actually a little traumatizing. I was reading about myself and I started crying...After all these years here is the source of my malcontent and restlessness.
So...of course I went straight out and bought one of those bitchin' AD/HD T-shirts, some positive ownership and all that. But I think I'm still shell shocked, over the past few days I am realizing just how pervasive it is in my life and how it runs my life...and after 6 years of marriage just how much of a toll this has taken on my husband, you'd never know though, he's so good and patient with me. I just can't figure out the right way to talk about it with him, he will only take the conversation so far before it goes bad (my fault usually) I'm so lost, I'm confused and I feel like I'm being swallowed alive by my ADHD. A couple of hours ago I think I had a panic attack in the shower...so I caved in and decided to write on the blog I have to get it out some where or I shall go mad
So thanks from bruised and battered feeling mars
Hey Daffodil, Welcome!! I live in a small rural town too, in a largely rural state (Maine) so I know the feeling you express!! The desire, no the need, to communicate with other adults with ADD is so strong, especially immediately following the Revelation! Like you, I found this forum to be a great place to learn and share the experience--especially when there's no alternative (like a support group). Four of us just started a support group, which as far as I can tell is the only one in this state!
Have you tried Wellbutrin? Is it possible that you could have some depression with all this? Wellbutrin and a good friend may help! Do you have a counsler that you have talk to in person? Sometimes it does help to just talk! Hello all and Mars especially, well done for finding us! My husband sounds like yours, what they put up with is amazing. What would the world be like if all those creative super ADHD people like us were treated properly from the start, I think the world would be a very different place.My problem at the moment also relates to you, krislmrgn, I have decided that perhaps it is possible to make my family atmosphere harmonious one, what do you all think , is it possible, both me(mum) and my son(11yrs) areADDers, me on meds and him not.
Do you hold out hope for this new project of mine, is it possible to live life peacefully with the frustration of speaking to someone who cant listen?
I suppose I am asking - is there anyone out there with a success story that can let me in on the secret?
Hi krislmrgn,
You really have your hands full. Is your husband ADHD too? Does he understand what ADHD is? Is your Step-son on meds?
It's difficult in an email to help you sort things out. I certainly agree that structure is important. Parenting is a skill which is learned. Perhaps you could find an interactive workshop near you.
I can suggest a program called Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP). If you could get your husband to go along it would be even better. or look on the Internet.
Good luck
Dear Daniel,While I am by no means an expert on the subject, I can certainly empathize with you in your current situation and with your feelings of restlessness and discontent and I feel like someone should answer you even if there is no real definitive answer to your question.
I think for someone with ADHD it is extremely difficult to keep your mind focused on any one thing for any great length of time, so consequently we have difficulty doing the same job everyday or even settling on one career choice to pursue, like you and I! Without knowing you it is impossible for me, or anyone else really to tell you what to choose as a career. There is no one job that suits ADDers best but I think the key may be to find a job that gives you plenty of flexibility and variety on a daily basis. Spend some time considering what holds your attention best and where your interests and passions lie and then try to find a career that allows you to do what you enjoy, but not the same thing every day. Perhaps you should also consider working at home so that you are free to take a break from the task at hand when you feel you are getting overwhelmed or "burnt out" on it.
Just some suggestions, good luck to you hun and I hope this helped...
Hello everyone, please read my message above !
Dear Daniel,
I think you have the wrong end of the stick. I think your first problem is ADHD; your problem choosing a career is a typical symptom of ADHD. The fact that you got a BA with good grades does not disprove ADHD. The school environment works for some people with ADHD because it provides structure and clearly defined goals. You are having a problem with your antsy ADHD brain setting your own goals and staying focused on them.
I think the first place to start is with the meds. You say you took medication a while a go, but you don't say how they worked. I guess they did not have the desired effect because your brain is still in overdrive. I suggest that you see a doctor with ADHD experience a different medication or a different dosage may help you find some clarity.
You could also work with an ADHD coach who has career development experience. He/she will help you understand how ADHD is affecting you and help you assess your competencies and interests to find something that works for you.
For the moment, I suggest, don't try to think of a career for life. Take a number of different jobs and tell yourself that you will only do it for a month or two and then move on to a different job. This should not be considered a career plan for life but it will give you life experience and improve your English ( which isn't bad- I've seen worse from Americans).
I am new to this forum also. but reading your post hit home with me. I joined to get insight on my son, since he has had ADD for 5+ yrs now. but I wondered about myself since I have memories of struggling in school to keep focused. SAME THING about wanting to say what I'm thinking right now cuz I'll forget, and jumping in the car to the store- no list, no coupons, whatever. wasted trips. Also forgetting about cooking and other tasks and starting new ones. seems not one task ever gets completely done. It seems overwhelming to look at housecleaning or another 'big' task, so sometimes I just don't do anything at all. I can relate to my son, I yell at him cuz he forgets his shoes, and I forget my keys.
This has really been incredible, reading everyone's stories. I am especially impressed by those individuals who dream and/or have given up the corporate rat race. I am 30, single and have a small interior design practice. I learned that I had ADD (the inattentive kind) just about 2 years ago. I think I am still in the grieving process. From a young age, I have dreamed of having a creative career. I received a BFA with mixed art mediums and went on to pursue another degree in interior design. I've been in business for a little under a year and am completely overwhelmed. Business keeps rolling in and every day is an exhausting and scary juggling act. I have been so focussed on turning my dream to be an interior designer into a reality that I have neglected dating.
I haven't had a boyfriend in 5 years as I have purposely shelved dating to concentrate on education and career. I don't even know how to begin to think of adding dating to the precarious balance of tasks my life now carries. I find myself looking wistfully at young mothers casually taking their kids for a walk in the stroller and dreaming for that simpler life. Some single friends of mine have done some online dating. I briefly joined a dating site and was so overwhelmed by all the options and all the people to keep track of (I can barely e-mail my friends, let alone potential romantic interests) that I did not renew my membership. It was a one week trial membership and was all that I could handle.
Now that I know I have ADD, I realize that my lack of dating over the years has much to do with my ADD. Even knowing this, I cannot fathom how I will add this to my life. It seems to me that at some point, I will have to choose between having my own business and actively dating. Ironically, something I loved about interior design, was the prospect of being a wife, mother and having my own business. Unless I find a medication that won't damage my health, this seems like a juggling act, I'll never be capable of. 
Kismos - It sounds to me that you are very successful....at being too hard on yourself. Enjoy your business. Life doesn't have to have mate and children to be fulfilling. It's obvious that your creativeness has taken you places. Roll with it. I'm 46 and haven't dated in over 3 years. Granted, I've done the married life (twice) and the kid thing (twice) and trust me, it's no bed of roses or "simple life". Perhaps you are destined to not have those things. I'm a firm believer that we are given only the things we can truly handle despite what we might think. You don't have to "have it all" in order for your life to have meaning. And while I'm not on medication for my ADHD, I believe that there are medications out there that can help with struggles that don't necessarily damage one's health. I suggest you get more information about medication and perhaps talk to your doctor about your concerns. if you want to learn from my past experiences I would say I found it difficult to work successfully and have family, if you want to manage both you will probably be best working out the meds first and then just take life as it comes, this way you wont have to forfit work for family which would just leave you a frustrated and angry mum (or dad).
My idea being that you make yourself open mentally for more than just your work with your meds and then when you feel prepared and interested to look around beyond your work and be open to a relationship it might just happen and then your work wont suffer as a consequence. Kismos- It sounds like your ADHD is a great asset for your business. Do you work alone? A partner who has a good head for details could help you with the nitty-gritty of the business and leave you more time to do what you are good at. Medication could be very helpful; it's worth a try. An ADHD coach who works with entrepreneurs could help you organize the business and leave you time to have a social life as well without giving up your dream. I have a child who is 10 years old and has been diagnosed with adhd mood diposition and tearets. I don't know what to do He has been hospitialized and on different meds. I've dealing with this for 4 years and, All I hear is put him back in the hospitial instead of helping. What can I do. I love my son and my family and I need help , can someone help please
TinaG, there has to be a doctor out there for you. Why does he need to be hospitalized? He may have bipolar, which is treatable. If he has tourettes, isn't there meds for that as well.
have you consulted a specialist for children with this? Where do you live????
[QUOTE=leokat]Ok, so I've been reading everyone's posts, and have done some checking online, and have come to the conclusion that I could be ADD. I want to ask all the ladies out there who are ADD if their symptoms are worse in accordance to their cycles. I have been treated for depression, but I have so many other problems - disorganized, memory problems, short fuse, etc. How do I go about addressing this with a dr? Do I tell them my dd is ADHD, so I think I may be, too?[/QUOTE]Get tested. You may be, you may not be or it could be more than one struggle going on at a time.
Don't conclude. It's a serious mistake.
I destroyed my own life because I worked in the field and thought I knew myself. We don't see ourselves clearly--I thought I was merely burned out and that my ADHD was roaring up due to age.
Turns out, I have ADHD [no surprise, it was diagnosed 20 years ago] but with PTSD which should have been treated ASAP. Now, my prognosis is *not* good because I drifted for so long it's become entrenched.
Obviously, you believe something is not right.
Get a thorough mental health assessment then decide which course of action is best for you.
Let us know how you make out. We'll be rooting for you.
TinaG, I assume you mean a mood disorder which in turn correlates with bipolar disorder? A child is normally hospitalized when they threaten suicide. If thats the case then its not a choice in terms of your son going back in the hospital. Perhps your son is not on the right combination of meds yet? What type of physician is treating your son and what is the doctors recommendation? More information would be helpful as there seems to be peices missing from this puzzle. Please fill us in so we can try to help.
Hi ,
Can someone please tell me life does get better than this. Long journey of depression and anxiety and panic attacks have brought the doctors to ADHD.
However at the oment there DOES not seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I really cant cope and dont want to be here....
HELP
Cath123 -Yes, life can get better after an ADHD diagnosis. You can either fight it or embrace it. I am learning to embrace it through acceptance. This is what I've got, it's not going to change without hard work and it may not change at all. But it's all okay. I have some good support here on these boards.
By talking more to your doctor, you may discover that you need medication. That's okay too. I have decided that I don't need meds at this time. There's lots of books on the subject of adults with ADHD. One author I recommend is Sari Solden.
It's good that you're reaching out. Noone needs to go through this alone and you, my dear, are not alone!
Karen
I also have a long line of depression, panic attacks which I never identified, just thought I was getting anxious again, lots of broken friendships, years of trying to make friendships happen that I perhaps should have just let go. Loads of jobs, an operation that has left me regretting it every day,...... It sounds like its not me cos I never wanted to see myself like that but its me, all that sh*t.
My son's behaviour lead me to get him diagnosed and when reading up on it it was like something creeping up inside me, a realisation.
Yes I am only 6 months down the line and I can tell you it is amazing, there is a book which helped a great deal, Driven to Distraction, look it up on Amazon, he says there the medication is like putting glasses on and it really is, it is such a shame that I have lived 45 years short sighted with no glasses, missed my two children as babies, just feeling overcome with demands and incapable, couldnt really enjoy them. But now, since I have my glasses it is shocking, really sad that we miss so much of life for so long but medical science is getting there for us.
We are bloody lucky we have a disorder, like a mental disability , but its not like we have two heads or no legs or cancer. It is something which the scientists are coming to terms with.
It might take a while to get the right medication but I found just reading about it uplifting, like .......I cant belieeeeeeve thiiiis........I am not a horrible crap person who shouts at her kids and forgets everything, moans , cries tooo often, spends a day in bed with her kids wondering what the hell is happening with depression, and here I am, its bloody amazing. It is worth waiting for in fact it is like a miracle because it is like going from night into day, and everybody else on the world without ADD has been in the daytime all the time, well at least I appreciate it more than they do!
I was diagnosed with adult ADHD about a year ago, I am 37, but have
known that there was something wrong for years. I have been on meds
(Concerta XL 36mg twice daily) for about 4 months. I am a bit worried
and not sure what the reason for this problem… they increased my
dosage and I felt brilliant, I was able to concentrate better, mind no
longer fuzzy, but I have been finding myself feeling very twitchy, mind
fuzzy and my concentration getting worse again. I was wondering if this
was due to not eating when taking my second dose at lunchtime, I don’t
feel hungry and therefore at times I don’t have something to eat. Could
this be causing my twitchiness or am I possibly over medicated???
Any ideas anyone?
My daughter was diagnosedas ADHD in K, when she was 5 yo. Like some of the others, I knew from birth she was different. I can still remember the nurses at the hospital commenting on how alert she was. At the times when most babies were sleeping, she was lying in the crib just looking around. In preschool, she would get in trouble b/c she would not settle down and be still during nap time. We went through many daycares before I found one that was better at accepting her for her. They finally said they didn't care if she wouldn't sleep as long as she didn't disturb the other children. In K, she would give in to impuses and do whatever came into her head. For example, she would decide she wanted to be a ballerina, and would get up and dance around in the room. During Math time, instead of using the teddy bear counters to work out the problem, she would play and have them talk to each other and make up stories.
She was put on Adderall XR, and was on it for several years. Infirst grade, she was tested for gifted and made it. At the time, her functioning in some areas was equal to a 13 yo. I am beginning to see that ADHD is more than just hyperactivity, it can be a sign of a highly gifted mind that is working so fast, the resr of the body speeds up to try and keep up. I'm exhausted just listening to the thoughts that go throug her head when she shares them with me. I think if my brain were in constant rapid-fire motion, I might need some meds myself!
Last year they moved her off the Adderall onto Vyvanse, saying they didn't want to up her dosage since she is so little (at 9 1/2, she is just now breaking 50 lbs). It worked great for the 1st year, now we're having trouble again. I'm currently waiting to be referred to a dr who specializes in disorders such as ADHD and helps to find the right meds. This is something I have been praying for, and hopefully my prayers will soon be answered.
I hope no one is offended by mentioning prayer, but sometimes it is what gets me through my day. On the flip side, I keep thinking of all the times I prayed, "Lord, give me patience", and instead of patience, I got trials to test my patience!
I'm new here and figured I'd introduce myself. If this isn't the place, my apologies.
I'm a 40yr old divorced male living in Fort Worth, Texas.
I was "unofficially" diagnosed back in '93 by a friend who is an MD. We tried several different doses of Ritalin and they had zero effect on me, good or bad. I might as well have been taking vitamins. She described this as "odd" and we walked away from it.
Discouraged, I have spent the last 15 years coping with ADD, finding little tricks to get around the mental noise and wondering why I was so weird without being 100% sure I actually had it.
Then one day at work someone asks me "So how long have you had ADHD?"... this in an environment where I never even whispered a word about it. My shock must have been on my face. She quickly clarified by saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. Both my son and my husband have it and you remind me so much of them."
So that led to a lengthy chat about the newer meds and her take on them based on her family experience, as well as what traits she saw that led her to this conclusion.
At that time, I had no medical insurance so medical treatment was not an option.
Fast forward to today, roughly 18 months after the conversation. In a new job and finally have decent health insurance and ready to *finally* fight this thing properly.
I'm not 100% sure my insurance will cover it, almost afriad to ask.
Can someone suggest my next move?
Anyone have a doctor or facility in the Dallas/Fort Worth area they reccomend?
Anyone know if United Healthcare Choice Plus covers it and to what extent?
Thanks in advance!
Hi,
I just got diagnosed with ADHD yesterday. Somehow managed to get through school making relatively good grades despite not having the ability to focus for prolonged periods of time, more than 3-10 minutes by my standards. So I finished a B.S. degree and got accepted to a graduate school where the required readings was giving me major trouble. I went to see a doctor who ran a battery of tests and concluded that I was indeed afflicted with ADHD. I'm actually 27, and go to see a psychiatrist in a few days where I will get prescribed medication; this was done through my universities health center.
Unfortunately my current first quarter in grad school seems to be in vain. Perhaps the student disability office will be able to provide accommodations to the classes this quarter where i've essentially given up due to the mandatory readings which I just don't have the concentration to do.
I have taken a friends adderall twice and it allowed me to study for 3-4 hours relatively easily. It was like I WANTED to study. I didn't really feel anything on it either which supposedly people with ADHD report. That is, they don't feel anything on stimulants while people w/o ADHD feel "euphoria".
I wouldn't have even gone to a doctor if I wouldn't had gone to grad school. No doubt I had ADHD, friends have mentioned that I seemed to have it but didn't really care; was getting relatively good grades in undergrad. I just want to be able to study and apply myself to what is required in school, don't think I can make it through grad school without medication.
So in conclusion I always had ADHD, somehow I managed to sham my way through school and college making good grades without having the ability to study like most people. Couldn't sham my way through grad school, couldnt focus, so I went to see a doctor, spent 0+ on a battery of tests and I have ADHD! I'm kinda happy, you know? It's like im getting help for a disability.
-Mike
student0739752.1932986111Ok, so I've been reading everyone's posts, and have done some checking online, and have come to the conclusion that I could be ADD. I want to ask all the ladies out there who are ADD if their symptoms are worse in accordance to their cycles. I have been treated for depression, but I have so many other problems - disorganized, memory problems, short fuse, etc. How do I go about addressing this with a dr? Do I tell them my dd is ADHD, so I think I may be, too?Hello everybody.
I'm a twenty-three year old college student, who has always had mental issues. I failed out of college a few years ago, and as a result my mother took me to see yet another psychiatrist. This resulted in a diagnosis for Bipolar II. Fortunatly, it's actually a fairly manageble disease, as long as I take my medications (mood stabilizers and anti-depresents), and keep in contact with my therapist. There are also a ton of little things I do to keep myself well, like try to get good nights of sleep and try to eat healthy, for starters.
Throughout my whole life, I have been highly disorganized, absent minded, and very clutzy. I always chalked up to my original diagnosis of depression, and then the later Bipolar diagnosis. However, even with modifying my life to accomodate the Bipolar disorder, I still had a lot of trouble doing even little things. With the help of my mother (who is a special education teacher and reconized the signs) I was able to realize that perhaps I had ADD as well. After speaking with my therapist, I decided to get tested, but alas insurance wouldn't cover it. Seeing as though I fit all of the signs, I had a long talk with my medication doctor, and she decided to put me a small dose of Strattera to see if it did anything.
Within two weeks, I noticed something. I read a book, which I love doing, and I only had to read a chapter once to absorb it. I was able to finish a task. After a few months of medication, my GPA soared from below 2.0 to a 3.0! I work in a busy retail store, and I found that I was less stressed out on the job, and able to cope better. Looking back, I wish I had had this diagosis as a child. But, I was very intelligent, I scored extremly high on reading tests, and despite the fact that I couldn't (and still can't) grasp even basic math skills I was in some honors classes, and was never classified while in public school. Being diagnosesed was probably one of the better things that has happened to me, because now I know how to go about my life, and I feel more confident in my ability to do things. I'm not saying I'm happy with having ADHD, because I'm definetly not, I'm just relieved to have a firm diagnosis of what it is wrong with my brain, and how to treat it.
Sorry otis! I am here for my son, and keep forgetting that many people here actually HAVE adhd. i'll try to K.I.S.S. from now on!!! :)
Hey Everyone I changed my email so I can't get my password so I registered with another name my old name is CMRsmom I thought I'd give you in update.
My oldest son is on Adderal
My youngest son is on Medate
My daughter is on Medate also.
I am new to this forum.
I have 2 kids - my oldest (DS) is almost 8 and my youngest (DD) is 6 1/2.
My oldest has SPD, ADHD-Inattentive, a processing speed LD, extremely gifted, and panic attacks. His diagnosos for ADHD just came 3 days ago and I am still a little overwhelmed by it.
I feel relief because he has struggled so badly, and his giftedness has really masked everything to the point that we were told by everyone that we were overanalyzing our DS and had to leave him be. But, at the same time I am really sad and overwhelmed at the moment because my brother has ADHD and dyslexia and I know how much of a struggle has always had.
Anyway, I am looking forward to reading back through the posts and seeing other stories and hopefully learning something.
It has been recommended that we give our DS a fast acting, short term med to help him concentrate for bursts of time in subjects like math or for tests. We were told that most kids like him have shown incredible benefits from this. Does anyone have experience with this?
Hello everyone.I'm a 40-yo man with ADHD-Inattentive, partnered with a 37yo woman also with ADHD. We have two lovely and fascinating children, both diagnosed with ADHD. Our daughter is 9 and our son is just around the corner from 7. Both are on meds (Ritalin and Adderall), and J and I have, at times taken Ritalin (me) and Adderall (her).
As with "andara" (previous poster), we have struggled to get our kids what they need in school because they are so bright and their giftedness often masks the difficulty they have getting through the day.
In the attempt to get a handle on our lives, and hopefully provide some help to others, we started blogging about our experiences as an AD/HD family. Feel free to drop by any time (link in signature). I look forward to meeting folks here and sharing.
Cheers,
Tim
http://fiercefamily.com/add/
I have add or adhd i was put on foclin i liked it alot i could read talk to people for long periods of time without geting bord i setteled down i could focus i read a 400 page book which i have never read that much before for some stupid reason i deside to up the dose and i get realy depressed i tryed to go back down but they put me on adderal then i couldent sleep but about an hour a night for 2 moths after that vyvance it was ok i sleept but i couldent focus aS WELL AND PEOPLE SAID I WAS ZOMBIE LIKE THEN STRATERA THE WORST OF THEM ALL FEELS LIKE SOMEONE JUST PUNCHED YOU SO YOUR MAD ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME AND DEPRESSED BECAUSE NO1 LIKES YOU. MAKES U FEEL HRRIBLE I WOULDENT GIVE TO ANY1 EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN SEE WHY IT MAKES PEOPLE SUICIDEL
ALL I WANT IS FOCALIN SO I CAN BE NORMAL JESUS
hi there mhmh, sounds as if things are really pear shaped at the mo for you, I am on strattera and it is super for me which doesnt prove that strattera is super it proves that medication for ADD is such a personal thing because of the nature of ADD being comorbid, ie, we adders have usually other problems as well like anxiety attacks or depression or everything (which is how it feels). Try to see the time you are in at the moment in terms of the big picture, my psychologist was super strong thank god and didnt let me have my own way and try out Ritalin, which I am now pleased about, get a good doctor who can perhaps talk to another doctor about your needs, I got the feeling that this helped my doctor. Just try to cancel everything for yourself at the moment even if you feel a fraud, you arent in the right state of mind to take on anything. Be kind to yourself as far as you can at the mo, ít wont stay this sh*t forever. would love to hear how you get on, I might be in your position one day and would be grateful if you could prepare me for it.Hi.. My name is Marcela. Im from Colombia, South America. Im 23 years old and well, I havent been diagnosed by especialist.. But i'd like to share something with you...
A couple years ago i was living in depression all the time, like if i didnt have a reason to be sad, then i would come up with it ...my relationship with my family was a mess, I came out during that year, got dumped.. heartbroken.. dropped out of school, got to 5th semester of psychology and then i just left.. So i was pretty messed up.. i would cut on and off all the time cause i didnt understand so many things running and running throught my head, and i would create this problems in my head that we'rent even there.. my thoughts were all so confusing, jumping from one thing to the next and to the next, and to the next... having my dad yelling at me to turn the tv or the computer off.. making plans with friends and then ditching them... making friends so fast and then just forgetting about them... hating myself all the time.. and then my first big incredible crush has the great idea of dumping me.. (seriously, great idea).. That thing hit me so hard, it devastated me to a point where i just wanted to stop hating my life... i wanted to stop suffering without a reason and get off my ass and get my life together. I knew it would be hard, my whole family stopped believing in me after soooo many times i promised to "change" and then let them down again.. they had no reason to believe me and i had all the reasons to try... so I did...and i couldnt.. I would forget something or say something unproper and fail again.. but then i would get up and try again... and again... and again... and again, and everytime i failed i beat my head down trying to find why... why i couldnt commit... was it a problem with responsability? need better discipline? is it selfesteem?... is it that i have issues with motivation??.. why wont things seem as easy and simple for me?? why can everybody else get up on time, go to work and actually do their job everyday like its so easy???... (you get the idea)
After a while of doing some sort of major introspection and forgiving.. i got my selfesteem up.. i feel a lot better and dont struggle with such deep depresions anymore.. my relationship with my family got better.. i felt great.. except for one thing: I had to make a choice about what to do with my life and eventhougth i knew what i liked, i was so terrified of failing again, i didnt want to make any moves.. id just be static... frozen... without moving forward or backwards.. there right there i couldnt make mistakes! let alone let down my family (again).
During this static/frozen period of time, i met someone who mentioned ADHD in a casual conversation.. i had heard about it before, but i dont know, in that moment it sort of rang in my head... "attention deficit?? interesting, ill look into that"... of course, i forgot to look into it--... untilllll next crisis came down... i had to make a desicion about my life and fast! time was clicking and i was there.. floating... i was doing real bad and i needed anything that would give me a hint about what was wrong with me and help me fix it!... so i went and looked into this ADHD thing...
First time I read the symptoms they were well "normal".. i did lose things often, and yeah, sometimes its tough to fall asleep, but i didnt feel hyper all the time and i didnt think being late was that big of a problem or anything so i dropped the paper and went on.... only to realize that again, I couldnt go on...
I just snapped... its funny, I never forgot about this ADHD thing-- it stood in the back of my head all the time.. and so i got online, hit google and went surfing.. I found this one paper by Edward M. Hallowell... print it, went home, rolled a joint (heh) and began reading... by page 3 i was embraced in tears... for the first time in my life it was like seeing a very well structured and organized map of my head.. like finding a very well accurate horoscope.. all the time in my head i was jumping "thats me!! thats me!!" ... overwhelming.... there, right there changed my life, sitting in my bed with those papers in hand i found myself... and it turns out its awesome!!!! since that very moment ive been major in love with ADHD.. I am virtually special and I wouldnt change anything about it, i wouldnt want to be normal, not for anything in the world!... (this was 6 months ago)
The next day i was right here enrolling to this job, getting myself back to school and reestructuring lost relationships and trusts... I now surf the web every afternoon before going home for new information and that has been my therapy, learning more and more. Its amazing the amount of information i have literally devoured this months... the problem is.. there arent any doctors/groups/psychologists here who specialize on ADHD.. so at my best of luck i found this psych, neurologist and he gave me a bunch of pills wich im scared of.. and plus i dont think he even got the idea, he just went on and on about how he "felt" my problem was depression and the ADHD never came accross the conversation.. so im not sure about those drugs... I also dont have anyone else to talk about this, you know, someone who understands... cause friends and family well they just might think "here she comes again with a new story"... and i dont want to get that reaction again...
So i felt like sharing... Im new at this, both the condition and the groups.. hope someone is bored enough to read the whole thing haha... and i wanted to ask, well is it absolutely necesary to take meds??? and, is it posible for me to suceed whitout getting any help besides reading and reading and learning more about it??... cause right now my best therapy for those "down" times is to go home and read about ADHD and that helps me remember its ok, im ok, its not my fault, i dont have to feel bad, etc etc...
So if you have any advice for someone who cant reach therapy, that would be awesome cause i have to struggle with this thing by myself...
Thanks.
Marcelle, from the other side of the world.
Welcome Marcelle, welcome, there's lots of other help available even if you can't find a doctor. There are some wonderful books (though the one's I'm familiar with are all in English, which doesn't slow you down but might a counselor or doctor you someday might share information with). Here are some other books you might try to check out: Hallowell/Ratey's "Delivered from Distraction" as well as books by Sari Solden and Nancy Ratey (don't remember the titles, but I'm sure if you google each of their names along with ADHD or ADD the books will pop up. N. Ratey's book is on "self coaching" for folks with ADHD, Solden's gives excellent coverage of some of the internalizing and emotional stuff that adults go through once they discover that they have ADHD. DuBarbarac, you say your new here but your words have a familiar ring. In any event, welcome. A depression disorder can look very much like ADHD. A neurologist is a specialist in neuro-biological disorders in which case ADHD falls into that category. I have no advice because you can't treat something effectively without the proper tools or help. A neurologist doesn't generally just hand out a bunch of pills and if they recommends medication they usually explain why the medication is needed and how it works in an attempt to alleviate fears. Books can be helpful in terms of educating yourself about ADHD and a depression disorder and how to manage some of the symptoms but without professional guidance, the task is very difficult. As always, we are here as a support system. Good luck :)
Hi, I am new. My name is Carolyn. I have been married to Tom for 22 years. He has ADD. I didn’t realize how badly he had it until recently. I had him go to a doctor a couple years ago and get on meds, but he didn’t stick to it. He has had 14 jobs in 2 years. Our marriage counselor told me that I should go back to school and finish my degree, because that would be the only way to save my marriage. We have four children, 20, 18, 15, 13. I have worked part-time, but did return to college when our oldest went to the university. I have one year left and I will be looking for a teaching position.
Now that I have read more about ADD, it is scaring the heck out of me. I have been my husband’s anchor. He fights me when he wants to do something that I don’t see as reasonable. He will bully me for what he wants. He has all the classic symptoms of ADD from Dr. Hallowell's list.
Since I have been in school full-time, and he wanted to prove that he could do the checkbook, he has been doing the bills and checkbook for about 18 months. I had to let everything fall apart. Well, it did.
He wanted to do the debtor’s anonymous thing, but that never panned out, he never followed through, then he decided we should file bankruptcy. We did. AND he kept me in the dark about how far behind we were on the mortgage. Then this spring, it turns out that we were six months behind on the mortgage, and were served foreclosure papers. My parents bailed us out. Then they also bought us a new van (totally their decision, I didn’t ask for it.)
Tom started a new job selling insurance. He had done a lot of insurance before, and did very well at times. A lot of ups and downs. He had wanted to do something different, and that is why he has had 14 jobs in the last two years. But he returned to insurance once we had to file bankruptcy and got so behind on the mortgage. Well, he just hasn’t worked very hard at it, and he hasn’t made any money in three weeks.
I just finished the semester and am planning to take back the bills and balancing of the checkbook, but he didn’t tell me that our electric was going to be shut off until two days before the deadline. I asked my mom for more help. This was just last weekend. Then he applies for some more commission jobs. I told him that I want him to work an 8-5 job that pays salary or hourly. Yet, he goes forward for these other jobs. He gets pumped up over one of them because they loved his audition. He has been in Community Theater since he was 10. He loves to act. This job required an audition because he will give presentations. HE gives them very well. (that is not the issue, it is that he needs to make consistent money). I tell him that I don’t want him to take this commission job, that he has to make an hourly or salary job. Regardless of what I say, he goes back for two days of training.
He talks to my mom and tries to convince her what a great opportunity it is and that he cannot walk away from it. I feel so alone. I have been reading about the non-ADD partner, and it scares me to think that I will just always have to be the adult, that I don’t have a partner that I can rely on, that he will always spin things to work his way. I am ready to call it quits. I am so tired.
My family will support me if I choose to separate, and I will be done with school in one year. I feel the worst about the kids. They want us to stay a family. I do love my husband, I do enjoy our time together, but I hate living in chaos. I am tired of being the one to do it all.
I have been reading through the posts, I am looking for hope. I haven’t found it yet.
Thanks for listening.
Carolyn
I just found this site and I am hoping that it can help answer some questions I have. My step daughter was diagnosed with ADHD about 2 years ago...and I have never been comfortable with the diagnosis. Although I do feel that may be a part of the problem, I feel in my heart that there is much more to it.
She definately shows signs of ADHD where she cannot seem to stay focused on the task at hand, whatever it may be. But, she has so many other things going on, that to me, seem very outside of the realm of ADHD. I am a teacher and I thought I knew enough about ADHD and the signs of it until lately. And by the way, my step daughter is not hyperactive at all...
She is 15 but acts, maturity wise about 8-10 and acc. to the situation, sometimes even younger. She has reached an age where she is not socially accepted...she has several things going against her right now: #1 she is a girl and girls at this age are just hateful, she is very small framed and shorter than most girls her age, she is very pretty but when girls her age spend any amount of time with her, they quickly realize she's not "cool" as they would put it which in return initiates the ugliness that girls this age can so easily dish out.
She is terribly messy, she lies all the time and about things that she shouldnt lie about, she says things all the time that make no sense at all (Ex: She recently asked me if the grass in our yard was real...?) She says things like: Isnt that funny...when there is nothing funny about the situation...at all. (Ex: looking at movies to rent, she picks up one of a child in a wheelchair and the summary was a sad one, she reads it and pointing to the child in the wheel chair, she says: "This looks like a funny movie")
A majority of her problem areas are common sense things...like: close the shower curtain when taking a shower, use soap to bathe yourself, push the unlock button in the car to unlock the outside of the car for me when I was locked out and she was sitting inside,...I could go on and on and on and on!
She hides food in the strangest of places...even though she is free to eat any time she feels the need, just as long as she eat in the kitchen...but I find full plates of food under her bed, in closets, in cabinets, in clothes drawers...no matter how many times we have gone over the NO FOOD IN YOUR ROOM rule BUT you can eat anything and everything in the kitchen.
She is academically at the bottom of her class and struggles all year long and not for lack of trying...if it werent for her mother staying on top of her after school to get her work done, she couldnt focus long enough to finish it...she has to do everything she can get her hands on as far as extra credit, tutorials AM and PM JUST to maintain a passing grade.
She tries so hard to fit in with girls her age but to no avail...she has more in common with my 2 & 5 year old children than she does with kids her age. I literally have to break up tug or war fights over toys that my little ones play with when she is here...she hords (sp?) things...does not want to share unless she is called out on it and then of course she will share...but if she thinks she can get away with it, she will hide a toy or food (i.e: candy) in order to not share... an EXTREMELY immature act for someone that is 15.
If I or someone else is telling a story about anything of interest to others...and it can be anything...she always comes back with "Oh, that same thing just happened to my friend so and so..." When its blatently obvious that could not be true.. She seems to be unable to process that after affects of lying and unable to know that people can tell she is lying.
A scary thing a few years back was when she nearly drowned while on vacation...she not once attempted to save herself...where as most people would panic and try and come up for air or flare your arms and legs in an attempt to save yourself...not once did she do this and when asked why...she just says ... "I dont know"
HELP...does this all sound like ADHD only to you?
I agree that even if she has ADHD, she has something else going on. Have you taken her to see a psychologist/psychiatrist? That would be my suggestion. The hording of food and inability to share (or even WANT to play with 'little' kids) indicates something out of order. Hope you get a clearer picture with some more advanced medical intervention.
Lorilou, welcome. Hoarding is pretty common. I'm not sure why, but it is. My daughter never really would hoard food, but other things when she was younger, "pet rocks", pretty scarves.....etc.
Has she been evaluated by a neuropsychologist? She really needs to be evaluated to tease out EXACTLY what is going on and how to help her. Some of the things she does sound like my daughter. She sometimes just says things, anything, especially "I don't know". I don't really think she's always lying, she just doesnt really always "get" what you're asking, nor does she even know why she does things. A good neuropsych evla will figure out what kind of learning disabilities she's got going on, if that is what is going on.
Thank you both for your replies. We do have an appointment for her to see a psychiatrist in a few weeks. She has already been evaluated by a reg. pediatrician as well as a psychologist. I actually mentioned a neurologist to her mom who in return mentioned it to her pediatrician who said no, we didnt need to see a neurologist just yet. I disagree...I feel like if this doctor could spend one full day with her, they would realize the severity and why we feel so desperate to get some answers.what she needs is a neuropsychologist, not a neurologist. The neuropsychologist will do a lot of different testing over several hours. The can do IQ testing, academic testing, emotional evaluation and then you will know exactly what is going on, where she is academically, what her IQ is and if she has any learning disabilities. They will also make recommendations based on those evaluations for both home and school.
The psychiatrist is great, she will need him/her also, espeically if she truly has ADHD and will go on medication.
I guess I left a lot out...sorry. She has been diagnosed with ADHD as well as LD. She is on meds now...DAYTRONA I beleive. (2 patches a day) but honestly I do not see a difference when she is on them. Her mother on the other hand says you can tell a diff. ??? But, she also lives with her mother where as she spends every other weekend with us, and most holidays and extended time in summer months...so, I am with her enough to know. I cannot tell you which tests have already been performed but there have been several, IQ being one of them in which she rated in the low 80's. (And b/c I am a teacher I know that anything below a 70 is considered Ment. Retarded) SO, low 80's is scary to me...She has been 504's in school and therefore is receiving the typical modifications in school...but still, I just know there is something much more going on...you need to know exactly what her LD is, specifically. One of my daughters LD's is a nonverbal learning disorder and it really impacts her across the board. An IQ of under 70 in itself doesnt make you "mantally retarded", without a diagnosis, lke Fragile X or Downs, ow significant dleays compared to peers across all aspects. Low 80's is low average. Part of IQ testing is hard has attenetional factors REALLY impact it. She needs mopre than a 504 though. She needs an IEP with a LOT of classroom support and modified program, I would guess. My daughter had a one to one adie for 4 years and completley modified curriculum. We are now moving her to a school that functions as complete SPED program within a regular public high school setting. It's a tough road, but knowledge is key. You all need to know her exact disabilites and how to accomodate them. 15 is getting up there so a suggestion is to look at the school programs available. we moved my daughter because we wanted life skills and socail skills and a vocational component added to her academics. We had to work at it, but ended up getting it apporoed this year and the district is paying. She is only 13 and they have to eduacte until 22 if they do not graduate before that. We now have 8 years to help her have a solid work ethic and hopefully graduate with passing state testing, but if she doesn't, she will have that work experience to help her..............Thanks Diane. I read the link you gave me and compared the NLD and Aspergers symptoms...I can see both in her but especially the Aspergers which is something I have wondered about for several years. I forwarded the link to her mother to review as well.
As far as the 70 or below being MR...sorry about that...that is just what our diag at school told me...apparently I was misinformed. So, with that in my head and her IQ being so close to that...you can imagine what I was thinking.
Diane V, thanks for the clarification on the IQ issue. That is critical information and it is vital that parents have accurate information. Its extremely important for parents to be armed with accurate information when they deal with the school system because if the school gets it wrong, the child may not get the services needed, continue to spiral downward and get a label of mentally retarded as well when in fact the child isn't. The parent is the child's best advocate and needs to be proactive with regard to getting the right diagnosis and the right services for the child because misinformation and mislabeling can destroy the chance of the child moving on to have quality of life and meeting their full potential in all areas of life.
Its also important that the child be assessed by a trained professional with the right credentials and expertise because a trained professional (Child Psychiatrist, Neuro/Psych) know the distinctions in terms of disorders so they are qualified to make a differential diagnosis. A non professional will always state that the child must have "this or "that" because they are basing their unprofessional opinions on similarities in disorders, not distinctions that only specialist would recognize. Ok, I'm done ranting lol Thanks again Diane
ABSOLUTELY.
And the flip side, if the school calls them lazy or pushes them along with no guidance for the parents, the kids who are "cognitively challenged" may be eligible for more than they get, or need some help for transitions to adult services once the child reaches 22. Most straight up ADHD kids don't have these issues, obviously, BUT kids with significant LD's that are not mentally retarded kind of get caught up in limbo and you need knowledge and support. Again, the neuropsychologist is such a valuable tool. OK, I'm done 
, sorry, we are just on this path right now and I have been sorting all this out for my daughter. My biggest pet peeve is that tehre is no way for families to get information....ACCURATE infomration. I was told by the principal of special ed school the wrong information regarding IQ and eligibility for services which is how I found out what was right. I'm not sure if this is state regulated though, I am quoting from the Massachusetts dept of mental health. If I could afford to not work, that would be what I would do, is find a way to organize ALL this data and have it accessible to families somewhere central..................
[QUOTE=Lorilou]
As far as the 70 or below being MR...sorry about that...that is just what our diag at school told me...apparently I was misinformed. So, with that in my head and her IQ being so close to that...you can imagine what I was thinking.
[/QUOTE]
It is under 70, you weren't misinformed, there's just more to it. Here's the quote from the CT DMR site. It's just NOT just having an intellectual intelligence tgest score of below 70.
Mental retardation means a significant subaverage general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period._ General intellectual functioning means the results of a general intelligence test (IQ test).
_ Significantly subaverage means an IQ of more than two standard deviations below the mean for the test, or 70.
_ Adaptive behavior means the effectiveness or degree with which an individual meets the standards of personal independence and social responsibility expected for the individual's age and cultural group.
_ Developmental period means the time between birth and turning 18.
Diane V39624.5705092593Im glad I found this site...message board that is...you all have really been very helpful and I have been passing all of this info on to her mother as well.Thanks so much. I am looking forward to what the Psychiatrist says after her full eval this next go around. Curious to see if they come up with something different or the same.Since this thread is into IQ scores and neuropshch tests, here's a question.... I have a "statistically significant" spread between my VIQ (verbal test scores) and PIQ (performance)....21 points I think. So no one has given me any serious interpretation of how such a diff could affect my thinking/functioning. I've heard one person say it (the high diff) was "classic ADHD--but the literature I've seen doesn't seem to say that so emphatically and as a stand alone diagnosis. Another said it could indicate LD, and another said it could mean strong visual thinking preferance. Any opinions or directions to head me off towards in the published literature??
Hi John non verbal learning disorder and Aspergers very comoon to have big PIQ, VIQ discrepancies. You dont say which is higher. Here's a quote form the NLD site regarding NLD an IQ.
One of the most readily obvious identifying features of NVLD is a significantly higher verbal IQ score than Performance IQ score on formal measures of intelligence (Johnson, 1987; Weintraub & Mesulam, 1983). This finding is a direct result of the expected discrepancy between verbal, language-based cognitive abilities and nonverbal, visual-spatial cognitive abilities in these children. In general, the greater the magnitude of this discrepancy, the more likely the accuracy of the diagnosis. Of course, Verbal-Performance IQ score discrepancies alone are never diagnostic in the absence of other supporting evidence. Because neither Verbal IQ scores nor Performance IQ scores are "pure" measures of ability, discrepancies between the Verbal Comprehension Index and the Perceptual Organizational Index are frequently better and more stable measures (Kaufman, 1979). A discrepancy of as few as 10 points may be supportive if there is substantial evidence of the disorder in other domains. More typically, a VIQ-PIQ discrepancy of 15 points or more is expected. It is not unusual to find differences of 40 points or more between Verbal and Performance IQ scores in more severely affected individuals (Johnson, 1987).
Well I don't have a great story. I'm newly 30. Diagnosed and medicated for 2 years. Discovered I was ADD while having my son evaluated by everyone but God himself. I divorced shortly after diagnosis...ex-husband is a very depressed introvert who said that me and my son were "crazy"! In addition I have a 7 year old daughter, who is thankfully "normal". She is my rock and also a foundation for my son....she symbolizes what we wish we were. I guess being diagnosed for me was a blessing and a tragedy. Before being officially ADD I thought normal was a possibility if I just tried harder to be organized, consistent, and didn't procrastinate until the last possible moment. Every major life decision before medication was made on impulse....kid, marriage, moving, changing jobs, going to college, buying horses, trading in cars, etc. The emotional rollercoaster was and sometimes still is very brutal. The cruelist part of the whole situation is that i know first hand what life has in store for my son. He is by far one of the most intelligent people I have ever met....but he can't remember to bathe, brush his teeth, turn in homework, turn off lights, feed his dog (of 6 years), and has such a complete disregard for the foul emotional tyrades that flow from his pre-teen mouth....
So after all of that daily chaos....I have enrolled myself back in school...working on a different degree (have one useless one!!!) and I'm fearfully trying to accomplish something to make me proud of the person staring back at me in the mirror every morning!
I'm always open to advice/comments and if I offend anyone in my rants, I apologize in advance! Well it's 2 am and I'm finally ready to sleep! Have a great evening!!
Hello everyone:)
I am new to this board (yay!!) and to the whole ADHD thing:) It sure has been an experience so far. My Son is 6 years old. He was diaganosed when he was 5 in kindergarten. He started his 1st year of all day school (it was also his teachers 1st year of all day school!!) In pre-k he didn't show any signs of having ADHD. he had a really good year and his teacher said he was good and did well. Then came the big K. he only got to go all day for the first 3-4 weeks. He just couldn't stay on task and would yell at his teacher. I wanted to change teachers thinking just wasn't intimidating enough for him. After just a couple weeks they started talking about having him tested. They brought in a psychologist and had her evaluate him in class. his counselor also evaluated him. then his teacher and my husband and I had to do the exact same evaluation, hers for school and ours for home. after the psychologist put it all together she said he is ADHD innatentive. He's not really hyper just can't stay on task.
We got an opinion from his Dr. It was entirely up to us weather he got meds or not. We chose the meds for him. Finally the last 6-7 weeks of school he got to go back to school all day and did pretty good with the group.
This year he is in the 1st grade and is still a work in progress. His teacher this year is sooooo much better. She really cares what is going on with him and is soooo willing to help him adapt. He is taking Strattera and seems to be doing ok on it. we see some aggression but it is usually triggered by him not getting his way. His teacher said he is an extremely bright boy. She said when he's bored he gets out his reference book and reads it for fun! She also said he is a perfectionist. (spelling?) It has to be done and done just so or it's just not right. BUT he hates to write. Just simple things like his name he just slpos thru. Like I said he is a work in progress:) We have very high hopes for our lil man:) If we can just get the anger under controland get him to understand there are concuinces for his actions we will be doing ok:) THose things have been our biggest hard times.
I was diagnosed with adhd at the end of last year and just now gotten around to trying out medications for it.
It's a change HUGE change i never really noticed any difference until yesterday. yesterday i was complaining to my mother that the antidepressant i was taking seemed to nullify the effects (I'm planning to quit with those just need to speak to the doctor) turns out what i was complain about was not that they where nullifying the effects i had just forgotten to take them.
so anyone wondering if their medications working or not try not taking it for a day and see what happens.
also i must say actually be able to do something at once and not needing to bounce around or getting pulled back to a unnecessary activity since its once starting point is wonderfully.
edit:(built in word check in my browser. The best addition i have ever found)Felgard39599.2862731482
Snapshot
First, anti depressants, I tried them all this medication slowed me down ( I was stoned).
I hated this! My emotions became numb
Finally I had enough. This medication was wrong for adhd.I coasted through
**Addrellxp came into my world!!! it is like someone open my brain and put their hands in to sort stuff into files. I could be clear, confidence came, and my personality returned. You feel so much better. I am very happy!!
The medication in combination with this program changed my world forever!
This is my program and I need all of this to be well.
You have nothing to lose, it cannot be any worst than what is
-ADHD diet,Vitamins, wow, it changed my life!! The changes started to happen in one week!fruit/veg/ ,fish and chicken,nuts . yogurts, I love bread but it hates me.because the yeast,gulten affects me negative, no red meat!no red dyes,no bread chemicals,no process foods,etc
*As you take the food out watch how you change. Learn to Read labels
Other adhd people I know can eat bread without problems,not me.Highly sensitive .
-Then I joined a gym to work out , this helped me settle myself. Its a must, because I changed!
-I read everything on adhd , how normal people think, respond . This helps me ,doesnt cure, but helps. Watching videos on behaviours, strategries, how to, what to do ,
I now manage myself every day.
-also,
*my speech is clear,thoughts are becoming more organized
WOW! I could not believe what was happening. It was as though I had thrown a switch on it was so quick.
Dear Adult.Chaos,
I discovered through the help from my wife, that I have ADD. A visit to the Doc revealed my problem January 2007. I have tried Strattera with no luck, Adderall XR 50mg with all the "coming down" side-effects and now have tried Vyvanse with the same feelings of agitation, depression, jitters, shakiness, the mood changes and short temperness.
I am 37 years old. I wish I had this information to my problem in the third grade when I would stay up for hours trying to learn my multiplication problems and such. I feel like so much time has been wasted. I have changed careers more times than I care to print. Impulse buying with credit cards. Thrill-seeking to the point of wanting to shoplift. (I haven't)
I feel like I cannot finish anything that I start. I have been enrolled in 5 colleges, though I did receive a degree out of high school. I just don't like the person that I am, but for the first time in my life I realize that it is not my fault. I have observed my mothers behavior since I have been diagnosed and now realize who I got it from. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.
My whole life I have wanted to learn a foreign language and to play an instrument, but knew from much trial and error that there was no point in the effort. I feel like all I do is set myself up for failure. I am married to the best woman in the world. I have two kids with one on the way, and I feel as though I cannot provide for them due to my desire to change jobs. We're fine, but a change in career is nagging at me. I have never walked into a job and said; "Yep, I just know I'm gonna spend the next 20 years here." I'm going crazy after just three years.
I appreciate the ear to my venting. I have read enough of these passages to now realize that I need to get with my doctor to fine-tune my dosages. I'm just frustrated. So much of my problems have been repeated by so many other people in these pages. I feel both sad and relieved that Im not the only one.
Thank you,
Scott
Hi guys
Did any one experience worst side effects with ADD meds.
For adults.....if you are on Addral or Vyvance please get your kidney function tested. They have really bad side effects on Kidneys.
Please let me know if any one had elevated creatinine
Thanks
SCOTTYB - I can totally relate to your experiences with the meds. I have in the last 6 mos have started using Omega 3's and Cod Liver Oil and have seen an improvement in my ability to focus. A side bnefit is my cholesterol levels have dropped by 30 points. It might be a good idea to talk to your Dr about this. Mine said that recent research has shown that children taking Cod Liver Oil have a marked improvement in their ADD/ADHD symptoms. It's just going to take some time for the effects to become recognizable.
Good Luck!
Val
Sideeffects,
I was only on Vyvanse for about 3 mos before increased anxiety levels made me give it up. During that time I had Bloodwork and urinalysis done and found that i had an elevated Creatine level. My Endocrinologist didn't even remark on it, but when I showed my test results to my Psych she was concerned. By that time I had decided to give it up so I'm just waiting to re-test for any changes.
I appreciate knowing that someone else has had this experience so that I possibly know the cause.
Thanks ,
Val
My son is a kidney transplant patient and has been on ADHD meds for years. he is now 21 and had the transplant at age 2. The meds have never affected his transplanted kidney nor have they elevated his creatnine. My son has been on Adderal for 3 years and prior to that, Ritilan. Just my personal experience and given that fact that my son had a kidney transplant, if stimulant meds damaged the kidneys in any way they would have been stopped immediately.My experience with Ritalin was mixed. It increased my focus for the duration of the med but the rebound effect was more than I could handle. Sometimes stimulant meds cause anxiety so you should watch for it. It's a good idea to keep a journal of your experiences while trying the meds. This way you'll have a record to show your Dr. Sometimes with ADD/ADHD we forget the details from day-to-day.
Good Luck!
Ah, so the story of my ADHD life?It's a bag of mixed nuts.
My family lived out in the county on a farm. My father and mother worked but still we lived near, and at times at, poverty level. My father was, and is, an alcoholic while my mother was one too but gave it up to raise her three children. The main destruction in our household was my Dad's alcoholism. Because he drank and frequently got fired from his job, it caused stress financially and mentally with my mother.
Early on it was clear my hyperactivity was causing problems within the classroom and extended home. I was clearly 'disturbed', as diagnosed, due to my social surroundings. I could not sit in a chair long enough to understand what the teacher was saying. However, when I did take interest in a project or lesson, I conquered it like no other. My reading skills were assessed rather high even at a young age. I remember reading Lord of the Rings in the third grade. Whenever they ran standard I.Q. tests, it always came back the same result: undetermined. I was too busy in my own world to help out those around me. So, this resulted in my first experience in drugging.
Or, should I say taking medication? Well, it was not a choice. At the fourth grade I was taking several medications to ease my "anxiety" or 'hyper-activity'. ADHD was still an unclear concept during those years.
When we moved out from the farmhouse into the rural city, I was put into Special Education classes at the public school. This was a real treat I tell you. The people in the class were more disturbed than I, and the teacher as well. I was isolated from being a social kid like all other kids. When I entered high school, I was taken out of the special status and implemented into regular classes.
My grades were poor due to several factors:
1. My parents did not care or were too busy to care
2. I was bored in class
3. I needed to be pushed more
4. I felt like an outcast, socially and educationally
Because of my special education classes, I was behind educationally when I reached high school. There were a lot of basics I did not have the grasp of when arriving. So, I was to learn them. My reading skills were still high and in my first year they did not have a class to put me in as I was past AP. So the last few years I found myself in the library doing any report I wanted on books I chose. I reported in to a teacher with those reports.
The other areas I also were successful in was sports. I was a great athlete, and still am. I took one year of wrestling to only quit for Track & Field/Cross Country. In my only year, senior, I was able to run 5K runs under 17:30 on Cross Country fields. My half mile run in Track & Field almost gave me the reach to get to states with a 1:57. This success gave me the push to start running when I reached college. My hope was to improve and get a scholarship. After all, I had only run one year and surely I could improve so much more...
Then disaster struck. Or, should I say a great event occurred.
My girlfriend, sister and I were struck by a hit-and-run idiot. My leg was shattered in several places. My sister dislocated her shoulder and other injuries. My girlfriend came out with only minor scratches. This ended my running future. My leg has, will not, be what it was once was.
This was my turning point in life. I realized, after a year in bed and rehab, that I didn't want to turn out like my father and mother. That, if I stayed on course, I would be in financial trouble. Education was the key to getting out of my social status. So, I entered college at the age of 19.
Because of my high school scores, I had to go to a Gateway Technical college to take basics courses. After a year I was able to transfer those credits and get my way into my local University.
It took me several years before I graduated. From there I met my wife, married, moved into a home and started grad school. During this time I decided to work on myself. I went to several experts and was diagnosed with ADHD. Before this diagnosis, I never knew why I felt so different, or reacted the way I did. I've been trying several medications. Zoloft is my current medication and seems to be working wonders.
I am almost done with my graduate work....who knows what the future will hold.
Check out my blog/journal.
Regards,
Houts
houts39651.4948958333
Hello
i posted my story and thought i had success with my medication......
Since the last posting all hell as broke loose .... My medication Adderallxp became a horrifc adventure...
I became worst .. I had allsorts of tics, eyes dry ,felt like rocks in my eyes.... I felt as if i was racing and ooutof control..
My head felt like it was going to explode...... The doctor wouldnt give me anything else to help me function and I became fearful for I havent been off of medicaiton for 7 years.... I almost cried for it scared me.... the doctor said she wanted to see me after the medication was out of my system.... What a suprised!!
I stopped taking the drug by myself and took head aches pills as i needed them for the pressure coming off of the addrellxp...
Know what? I felt better off the drugs..... everyday a side affect lessoned....
today I have no side affects and my brain feels good....
Yes, my diet has worked for me and I cannot go a day without going to the gym.... the gym relieves pressure and helps me to unwine,it helps me cope and I am relaxed after my energy burns off.... My excerise is intense...
My food choices have changed my life as well as behaviour strategries..... I am not cured and never will be.....
I use my positive outlook and now I am focusing with all my life to be where my strengths are. I am not fighting it any more......
I cannot, so therefore I am using my strengths and my creativity to shine and be successful...Because we are so creative and it comes so natural to us... In the creative environement and anything that is active we appear nromal to others...
So this is where I try to be..... It didnt come all at once because i was so busy trying to be like everyone else-- this was an impossible task for me and its not going to happen.
So now I embrace me and use skills for becoming a better person..its a working process each day.
I try to remove myself from my weakness---meaning i limit it.
I know how long I can remian still with managment in groups settings etc and then I remove myself.... other wise you become known as different....labeled....
So I donot want this negative label because theres no where to go, I perfer looking up and having goals... one step at a time. it takes a lot of work but I am acheiving ,though I have my days....but the key thing is It is working now.....
Yes, I do have to see a doctor about adhd and if i need anything for symptoms....but most are handled by gong to the gym...
So we will see what the doctor says.
oh, I have nothing but negative replies when people find out about adhd--so never tell, people put limits on you make you less than-when in fact it is the opposite..
Hi Indie 101 and all you other adders, sounds exactly like me, dont understand why they have gone for ritalin for you and not an anti deppressive thing, I am on Strattera which has lots of negative press but I couldnt get it together to remember to take anything twice or three times a day, I am actually pleased with my meds, thought today funiily enough, perhaps would be super concentrated on ritalin but I am getting alot more out of life since I ve been on ritalin , feel as if life has just started, its great.[QUOTE=Indie101]Hello Everyone,
I am a 25 year old female who is currently on a trial dosage of Ritalin. I went to see a doctor about depression for up to 1.5 years and could not figure out what was wrong with me.
three weeks ago I went to see a psychiatrist and she asked me to answer several questions from two questionaires..she asked me all about myself and how I felt. When we were finnished she told me she beleived that I had Adult ADHD however she was keeping bipolar in the back of her mind.
I was irritable all the time, I had no concentration (I have no idea how I am almost finnished my degree) Also, I have so much trouble studying because my mind seems to go elsewhere. I have very high anxiety and tend to be tired all the time.
So this leave me with my meds...she started off with 10 mg...a very low dosage of ritalin..(which she said was used for 3 year olds) and then proceeded to give me 20 mg...however, I am still not feeling any better. The only thing I feel is the lack of food i've had for the past three weeks and how awful my stomach feels.
Has anyone been on this medication and is there anything you can tell me?
Thanks!
[/QUOTE] Hi Indie
I am just wondering why your psychiatrist put you on Ritalin for adult ADD, She should have tried ADDRAL
If you are not feeling good with this meds ask her to change your meds.
Yes ADD makes the picture complex since you can't sustain concentration which leads repeated failures and frustrations and eventually leads to depression which may be associated with anxiety.
I think addral is or vyvance is the best bet for you.
Ask youe doc.
Email me if you have more questions.
my email ....mailyourstuff@gmail.com
Good luck
ven
I am going to have to go along I think Vyvanse is a great med with little side effect.About six months ago, I realized if I didn't do something to change mylife then I likely would lose my job. I felt I was slowly losing my mind. I
forgot everything. The keys. My purse. My papers. My appointments. I
found that I spent a great deal of my time looking for things and trying to
organize them, and one day I looked around and said to myself, "I try
hard every day!"; but I couldn't get anything accomplished without first
getting so stressed, that I literally began having anxiety attacks."
I am a thirty-eight year old Mom of three boys, all who function well in
school, as did my husband and I. I am a high school teacher; I write
songs; I sing; and I'm a secretary for my husband's business. Incredibly, I
have been teaching for seventeen years in the same school. I am the
person everybody depends on for everything. I started a school
newspaper about twelve years ago and it's still going strong; I've been
senior class sponsor every year that I've taught. I'm incredibly creative,
and miserably, unorganized.
My own children call me "Mrs. Frizzle" from the Magic School Bus Series.
To the outside world, I am a bit eccentric, but since I have appeared to
function so well- nobody knew how I felt inside. I was walking a
tightrope and was on the verge of falling off. I was diagnosed with
Fibromyalgia about 5 years ago, and so I put a lot of the symptoms I was
having in that category. Then I began doing some research and found
out that people with fibromyalgia are very likely to also have some other
disorder that has complicated the symptoms. In short, I went to a
psychiatrist and I got help.
I take Adderall 20 mg two times a day and sometimes a half at night. I
don't know if anyone else has this to happen, but I can actually sleep
better if I take 5 mg. of adderall- that seems kind of weird since it is a
stimulant. I wonder if anyone else has had that experience?? Anyway, I
have gotten so much better. I've been off for the summer and have read
many articles and books about ADD. There is a book called "You mean
I'm not lazy, stupid, or crazy." This is a must read for anyone diagnosed.
I'm working towards being better every day. Medicine is just a start. I
agree with the lady who said that sometimes family members don't
understand. I agree. My husband tries to be understanding, but
sometimes he comes home from work, and wants to know if I did this,
and this, and this, and this..... So many arguments have erupted because
he pointed out what I didn't do, rather than what I did do. I have slowly
introduced him to my world by reading a few passages from the books
and articles; I think now he sees, however, he still gets frustrated at times.
It's wonderful to know that I'm not alone. I feel very scared to start back
to work because teaching involves so much paper work, and I have so
much work at home, also. I have someone coming to my house once a
week to clean and my Mom is going to help me with some of the
paperwork. I feel for the first time in my life that I have a plan. I've
always had a lot to do, but know it seems instead of everything being
scattered in my brain, it now is in columns. It makes sense. I do know
that it is an every day struggle. There is no magic cure. But... there is
hope. Some days I see myself going backwards, even on the meds, but
then I'll snap back. I've learned to accept the fact that I'm different in the
way that I think and act, and that difference makes me who I am. I don't
want anything to change that. However, if I am better organized and less
anxious, then I function better and take care of the people I love without
as much stress.
So, as I start back to school keep me in your prayers. This is my first
post. I just get so lonely because I live in a small rural town where
everybody knows everybody; but nobody really knows me. Here, on this
forum, I can say it and realize that there are other people out there who
have many of the same obstacles and they aren't afraid to share-- I'm
getting better...I've told a few people that I have ADD, and you know
what? It really feels good. Some people accept it; others don't; but I
don't have but one shot to live the life I want, so I want to give it my best;
and if that means a few extra stares and whispers, so what?
__________________
Hello Everyone,
I am a 25 year old female who is currently on a trial dosage of Ritalin. I went to see a doctor about depression for up to 1.5 years and could not figure out what was wrong with me.
three weeks ago I went to see a psychiatrist and she asked me to answer several questions from two questionaires..she asked me all about myself and how I felt. When we were finnished she told me she beleived that I had Adult ADHD however she was keeping bipolar in the back of her mind.
I was irritable all the time, I had no concentration (I have no idea how I am almost finnished my degree) Also, I have so much trouble studying because my mind seems to go elsewhere. I have very high anxiety and tend to be tired all the time.
So this leave me with my meds...she started off with 10 mg...a very low dosage of ritalin..(which she said was used for 3 year olds) and then proceeded to give me 20 mg...however, I am still not feeling any better. The only thing I feel is the lack of food i've had for the past three weeks and how awful my stomach feels.
Has anyone been on this medication and is there anything you can tell me?
Thanks!
Indie10139647.7680671296I used to take Ritalin. Now I'm breastfeeding so I don't. Haven't taken the meds in years, and forgot that I really do need them.