I am a 33 year old professional who was recently diagnosed with ADD, after suspecting it for years. I have read a few books, some of which felt like they were writing about my life. Although I have attained some success in life I am feeling incredibly stuck. I have all of the classic ADD symptoms. You name it and I seem to have it. How I made it through college and grad school I will never know, but I do know its a struggle. Like many with ADD, work, school, and life is easy to understand, but hard to complete. I tested at an IQ of 130 which means nothing because I can’t collect my thoughts long enough to do quality work. I can go on and on but I think you get the picture. I tried Strattera but didn’t like it at all. I am currently on Adderal but don’t like it either. It makes me feel so sped up that I can’t even think. I don’t think its suppose to do that is it? Any advice on medication? Coaching? Therapist? Anyone in the Portland Oregon area with any suggestions. Like a lot of ADDer’s I feel like I have this symphony inside that I can’t seem to get out. Arrrgghhh……….
Re: sounds like you need to have your meds reduced
Hi Will,
I can totally relate to you…as will all ADDers…
I’ve read that there are several sub types of ADD - some of which get worse when you take amphetamines…maybe you need to find out which sub type you are get some the appropriate medication. I found some literature on this website -www.amenclinic.com. Maybe somebody who knows more can shed some light on this?
Re: sounds like you need to have your meds reduced
Thanks for your responses. I tried Strattera and it made me feel out of control. I was on it for two months and it made me very emotional. I don’t normally have a temper and I seemed to have this enormous amount of anger well up in me with the slightest fault. I also felt very depressed on this med so I ended my usage. Adderall makes me feel like I can’t gather my thoughts. Its really bad. I think I will try a smaller does and see how that does.
Thanks for the link to Dr. Amen. It looks like an interesting place. I think the most important thing is to have others to talk to that understand. My wife of course couldn’t possibly understand how I feel. This causes quite a bit of friction. I swear I sound like a case study in one of the ADD books! Does this look familiar?
“Will, a 33 year old professional from the Northwest, came to visit me after countless attemps to organize his life………”
LoL, I guess you gotta laugh sometimes!
Re: sounds like you need to have your meds reduced
There’s an organization called CHADD which is on the list of resources on this site. It’s a national organization that has a website. It’s an excellent organization which can provide resources and which has local chapters, puts out a magazine and other written information, has expert chats, etc. I’ve attended CHADD meetings and found them professional, and very helpful. This is an organization that is concerned with issues effecting children, families, and adults.
I’ve heard about Dr. Amen’s work. I’m not sure if it’s controversial. I, personally, would feel more comfortable checking with CHADD. I had looked at a book by Dr. Amen and remember not feeling that comfortable with it, but I’m not sure why.
Re: sounds like you need to have your meds reduced
I have tried strattera and experienced nausea as a side effect. However I ate breakfast everymorning and also took zoloft in combination becuase depression is a side effect of strattera
Even with the medication however, I have been working with a school counselor to help me get organized. Previously, my room, life etc was a wreck. I have made list……one for the week of things I need to go (since I am in school) , then I have a list of all the things I need to organize. I also have a calender with things I need to do. the list off the calender goes into the list for the week. I highlight things as I do them. It is rather satisfying for me to mark things off the list. I also use my roomie and other friends to help keep me on track. An idea my therapist recommended was to keep a list of all the things positive that i have changed, Such as not yelling at someone impulsively, organizing something in my room etc. I have set up a reward system for myself. Welp, those are just a few of my suggestions as I am very new to all this. But since I have made those changes, Life has finally begun that upward shift. If you want to talk more just email.
ash
Re: sounds like you need to have your meds reduced
Will,
If one med doesn’t work, let your doctor know so you can try something else. After having the “cart before the horse” diagnoses of depression, OCD and anxiety for years, I was recently diagnosed in January with numerous sub-types of ADHD. My meds were changed to “just” Ritalin SR 10mg and Zoloft 100 mg per day, clonezepam for anxiety as needed, which all seem to be working for me ok. Zoloft helps with my hair trigger temper (“road rage”), Ritalin helps me concentrate. Last night at about 11:00, I realized that I hadn’t taken my second dose of Ritalin because my brain started its “stinkin’ thinkin’ ”, you know, the “I’ll never be able to ….” and “I can’t because ….”, even suicidal thoughts!
I took the dose of Ritalin, did some studying, then fell asleep in my chair about 2:00 a.m. until about 6:00 when the d%#@ cat jumped up on my chest to wake me so I’d let him out.
Dr. Amen’s site has an online ADD test of about 101 questions that you can take. He breaks ADHD into 6 sub-types based on what part of the brain is affected. He is trained in Brain SPECT Imaging, and bases his diagnosis on that (see his website for more information http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/default.asp ). Perhaps that’s why he’s so controversial. The brain is a little understood organ, but researchers are learning more all the time. The brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine are suspect in many cases of ADHD, as well as serotonin.
After you take the online ADD subtype test, you can read what he recommends for all 6 sub-types, such as what part of the brain and which brain chemicals are affected, meds he prescribes, diet and even herbs he recommends. (Herbs! another reason he may be controversial, not all Western trained doctors have gotten on board with alternative medicine).
He is responsible enough to tell you that his online tests should not be relied upon solely for a diagnosis of ADHD in anyone, but should be used to discuss with your doctor.
I called the Portland, OR CHADD office to find out about their adults w/ ADHD support group. Haven’t heard back yet.
Keep looking and trying. One of an ADDer’s greatest qualities is perseverance and attempting to gain control over our difficulties!
Liz
Re: sounds like you need to have your meds reduced
Thanks for all of the responses. I think I need to find a doc that specializes in ADD. My regular physician just doesn’t cut it. Seems more interested in getting the exam done in 30 seconds rather than listening to what I have to say.
I have been reading like crazy and trying to understand more about ADD. My job is a high energy job in sales, that puts me in the position of having to make many different decisions contantly as well as lots of planning and traveling. As you can guess, its a struggle at times. Sometimes my mind feels like its firing in all sorts of crazy directions except where it need to fire. Its hard to describe. Then, in the fleeting moments when everything seems to work well, I feel I can do anything. I need more of those times!
How much are you on? What about trying a minimal dosage like 5 mg. or 2.5 mg?. It shouldn’t make you feel sped up it should calm you down. However, you may be the type that needs to try something else than a stimulant too.