Adult ADD -- HELP

[WordKeeper]

Amandaaa - the thread is old but Kedzer revived it yesterday with a related issue - so he/she gave it life anew. The issue, sadly, will not quickly die.

Sidhartha91 - you raise valid points about medicating a child so young. I did not do it without significant consideration. I have tried many, many things including herbal remedies, neurofeedback, some bizarre sound mechanism touted by Mr. Dr. Phil and on and on.

Without intervention my son's behavior significantly impairs his ability to function. There is no question that medication should be a last result and it has been and continues to be in our circumstances but there are definitely times when last resort has arrived.

I am curious about your exposure to brain disfunctions and/or mental illnesses in children and/or adults. As an adult who suffered through ADHD throughout my life, I would definitely have preferred to have had an option of medication. The downsides of the disorder were devastating to me.

When my son has interventions children will play with him and include him. When he does not he is isolated and left out. That is but one of the devastating sideeffects of a disorder like ADHD.

And by the way - my sons hyperactivity was noted (not diagnosed) when he was only a few months old. As a mother of a young child who is off the charts hyper I experienced being excluded and isolated from early toddler age on. My son was significantly more active than others his age. Other mothers didn't want to be around it. Such isolation and rejection takes a significant toll that people who have not experienced cannot even begin to imagine.

Medication in my son's case was never a matter of convenience. It has been survival.

[liamona]

You may want to read The Mood Cure by Julia Ross. Even though it's mainly about improving emotional health, there's quite a few pages devoted to ADD.

I also recommend the short video "Nutrition & Behavior" by Dr. Russell Blaylock:

Nutrition & Behavior (MD Russell Blaylock 2006) Video

He talks about how important nutrients like DHA, zinc, magnesium, selenium and the B vitamins are to brain function, and how toxins and additives like food dyes, pesticides & herbicides, vaccinations, MSG and aspartame negatively affect the brain.

He also recommended eliminating sugar, including fruit juice like the boxed kind, soy (73% of hyperactive children in one study were sensitive to it), cow's milk (I assume industrially-produced dairy), and chocolate.

It's only 48 minutes long, but it's packed with information.

ETA:

I found a blog post that summarizes the video pretty well:

Dr Russell Blaylock – Nutrition and Behavior « A Phil-for-an-ill Blog

[WordKeeper]

I'll definitely check it out. I am seeing some definite help with magnesium taurate. I am switching to magnesium glycinate tomorrow.

We definitely stay away from soy. Finally I have switched from processed cow's milk to raw. He takes a fish oil and magnesium maybe I could add zinc. Until very recently he could not take a pill. That meant all meds/supplements had to be powder or liquid. Until this spring the only way I could get magnesium in him was via epsom salt baths, now I mix magnesium powder in flavored kefir - a double plus. At home he eats organic fruits and vegetables and hormone and anti-biotic free meats. He loves candy and frozen drinks. I work hard to keep him from "red" food dyes but he gets a fair share of blues for sure.

I have tried to go gluten free twice - did not work. I may try it again in a few months.

[liamona]

Originally Posted by WordKeeper

Until this spring the only way I could get magnesium in him was via epsom salt baths, now I mix magnesium powder in flavored kefir - a double plus.

Nutrition researcher Anthony Colpo recommends the Japanese seawater extract nigari in his article on magnesium. I've been meaning to try to find it at Asian grocery stores.

Anthony Colpo - The Most Important Supplement You Will Ever Take?

He loves candy and frozen drinks. I work hard to keep him from "red" food dyes but he gets a fair share of blues for sure.

My kid too. I've found the recipes in Bruce Fife's book, Cooking with Coconut Flour, a godsend. Although a lot of the recipes call for sugar, there's so much fiber and fat in the pastries, they hardly make a dent on blood sugar levels (but YMMV).

As for drinks, I get flavored effervescent (sugarless) mineral water and add stevia. Sweetleaf makes some good flavored stevia extracts. These are good to add to yogurt or unflavored mineral water.

[ballhit2]

What do you expect from someone with Adult ADD?

The cure for ADD is Timeboxing and Acceptance. Accept that you won't master everything you are interested in, and timebox your way out of oblivion because it does work.

There, done. Now who wants to ride bikes with me instead of doing work?

[WordKeeper]

Hey Ballhit2 - now that you've solved that problem what can you do with bi-polar? Same thing?

[WordKeeper]

Liamona - I will check out those suggestions. He really loves stevia but doesn't know it. I can't wait to try coconut flour - was unaware of its existence.

[ballhit2]

Bi-polar disorder, hmm, that's tough. Probably a question of degree...how much does it hinder one's goals?

If not that much, I'd try to get rid of the diagnosis by reading literature which supports bipolar disorder not existing. And doing art/journaling during angsty times and accomplishing as much as possible in those mania spurts.

If it did indeed distort my life, I'd probably try medication and bodywork, simultaneously, and then cut one out (the meds) and see if the bodywork continued the results.

I would also try to find the smartest, most compassionate person/partner who was also bipolar - but controlled it well - and try a relationship with them.

[Liveformx64]

Interesting, and quite cool to see this thread come back from the grave.

I will use this coincidence an excuse to update everyone on my situation that I was in over a year ago.

Then: Feb 2008 - Now: June 2009

1 year and roughly four months later, Being able to read a post that I wrote and then completely forgot about afforded me the unique opportunity to read what I wrote from the state of mind I was in then. Something I haven't really done before.

So, long story short I tried the prescription medicine route and I tried the natural "cures". But, as in almost all western medicine I found out that I was addressing the problem symptomatically opposed to treating the root of the problem.

In my experience I found my ADD symptoms to be about 40% genetic, or picked up from genetic inherited(mother's side), and 60% environment/conditioning. While I found the causes to be varied, I only found 1 cure, and that is Will Power.

Of course nobody wants to work at anything, we all want to pop a pill and be better. But I will tell you, the harder the work all the sweeter the reward.

Once I was able to become cognizant to the thought systems that I had established throughout my childhood and then into adolescence I became of aware of many contributing factors.

1. too much to do each day
2. infinite distractions
3. a visceral reluctance to anything that required a high degree of concentration
4. a belief that I could not concentrate only reinforced my problem.

I had setup an environment where distraction and chaos were the norm. I really had to make a complete lifestyle change to make any lasting and noticeable improvements.

I couldn't just pop a pill, I couldn't just read an A.D.D. book, although I read many. I had to literally change every thought word and deed.

Finally, the ultimate leverage for me was nutrition. When I truly wanted to become healthy and vibrant and made eating decisions accordingly, much of my bad habits left with all of the chemicals I was ingesting daily. I drastically cut my meat intake, and drastically upped my whole fruits and vegetable intake. Nutrition was the supercharger to my engine of change that I already built for myself.


So my major keys to conquering adult ADD is as follows.

1. Become more balanced in your life (less stress, less running around)
2. Become aware of your distraction habits (e-mail, cell phone, co-workers)
3. Imagine yourself ADD free, calm, clear. Act as they would act become that you
4. Nutrition If it has chemicals in it, don't eat it period. WHOLE FOODS

As of June, 5 2009 I consider myself calm and balanced. I can sit down and do detailed work when needed, and I can control my urges to partake in distraction. Could you say I am a detailed oriented person that loves sodoku puzzles and calculus? Hell no! I still posses the crazy creative and intuitive side of me that I embrace and enjoy, but I am now much more effective in my day to day life.

Any sharing, reflections, or questions would be appreciated!

[Minds Eye]

Would love to hear from the original poster as well, or anyone else who can revive this thread.

[Liveformx64]

I am the O.P. and as you can see I posted in July with an update. Is there anything in particular you were curious about? Or any specific questions?

[kedzer]

Originally Posted by WordKeeper

Over the past couple of years I have read a good bit on a web site by George Eby (www.georgeeby.com). He is a strong advocate of magnesium - specifically magneseum taurate or magnesium glycinate. I have been using magnesium for some time for myself and my problems with ADD have significantly improved. I put my son on magnesium taurate 3 weeks ago and he is sleeping very well, and his hyper activity has calmed noticably. When he "hypes" up I give him an extra dose and the calmness (relative) is not far away.

Thank you! I'm going to look into this! (I've been hearing about magnesium lately, for things other than ADD...)

[ellie]

Originally Posted by Liveformx64

I am the O.P. and as you can see I posted in July with an update. Is there anything in particular you were curious about? Or any specific questions?

Good on you. I loved hearing your positive update.

I too believe I have ADD to some extent, makes sense as my dad has bipolar I wont go down the road of medication, I believe I can handle it without resorting to medication.

But I'm embracing it. If I do have it me stressing that I have it, isn't going to help. I too am trying to find ways to work with and basically take notice of my patterns throughout the day.

I can literally switch off on an activity after about 15-20 minutes. I noticed I need to jump from one thing to the next, but I'm ok with that, as long as I understand what is happening and how to be as productive as I can be in those 20 minutes, then that's ok. Someone also suggested a good book on here Refuse to Choose!: A Revolutionary ... - Google Books

Incidentally, I'm wondering if ADD sufferers or people that jump from one thing to another have more of an entrepreneurial kind of mind. I do and I think this suits me best. I know a lot of people with ADD find it hard to work in a normal work situation, so I wonder if being an entrepreneur would be more suited to this kind of personality/condition?

I also agree that diet has a lot to do with it. I'm taking b12 supplements now and they seem to help me concentrate better, as does a raw diet.

[FazK]

Personally i think ADD is a made up disease and drugs like Ritalin etc. are very bad for your health.

Are you sure you really have a problem. Most people have a hard time concentrating and finishing things.

Maybe you just need to learn to concentrate or to raise your level of discipline

[WordKeeper]

FazK - here is a link to one of 1000s of articles in reputable publications which explain that brain scans and neurological breakthroughs offer definitive evidence of ADHD and the positive effects of stimulant medication.

Brain Imaging Data of ADHD - Psychiatric Times

It is naive at best to suggest that you know better than mental health professionals about the existance of neurological disorders. Furthermore would you simply suggest that a diabetic merely change their diet and concentration and levels of discipline? The pancreatice, adrenal, thyroidic hormones all effect neurological responses. That you have not experienced ADHD does not make it a non-entity nor an illusion any more than your not experiencing any other disease makes them fictitious.

[Liveformx64]

Originally Posted by ellie

Good on you. I loved hearing your positive update.

I too believe I have ADD to some extent, makes sense as my dad has bipolar I wont go down the road of medication, I believe I can handle it without resorting to medication.

But I'm embracing it. If I do have it me stressing that I have it, isn't going to help. I too am trying to find ways to work with and basically take notice of my patterns throughout the day.

I can literally switch off on an activity after about 15-20 minutes. I noticed I need to jump from one thing to the next, but I'm ok with that, as long as I understand what is happening and how to be as productive as I can be in those 20 minutes, then that's ok. Someone also suggested a good book on here Refuse to Choose!: A Revolutionary ... - Google Books

Incidentally, I'm wondering if ADD sufferers or people that jump from one thing to another have more of an entrepreneurial kind of mind. I do and I think this suits me best. I know a lot of people with ADD find it hard to work in a normal work situation, so I wonder if being an entrepreneur would be more suited to this kind of personality/condition?

I also agree that diet has a lot to do with it. I'm taking b12 supplements now and they seem to help me concentrate better, as does a raw diet.

It sounds like you are well on your way to a balanced and drug free life.

Once I was able to gain control of the racing and jumping thoughts, I could then use my crazy brain as a tool for quick and creative thinking. I am thankful for my "ADD" because now that I have it under control it has helped me to become much more creative and think outside the box. I am always finding different or better ways to do a job, and really dislike routine.

Along with diet I have found the following helpful:

When I find myself trailing off, I will do the following: Pause, deep breath and a reassignment back to the task at hand.

Also If I get into a busy work day mode and get wound up going 100 miles an hour all day, I will take 5 minutes and do some meditative breathing, this really helps bring be back to a state of balance where I can effectively make decisions again.

The brain is so very plastic, and every new thought rewire the brain slightly. If you will, over time practice and train your thoughts you will literally re-wire your brain to be able to whatever it is that you desire.

The modern western medicine industry has taken away all personal responsibility for individual health and well being. But I tell you health and balance is your natural state, dis-ease and illness are simple a manifestations of imbalance in your life.

Take responsibility, set your mind to your task at hand, and create and envision your future daily. Soon you will be where you want to be.

[CatP]

Here's a list of Adult ADD books.

Amazon.com: Best Adult ADD ADHD Books

I heard an interview with the author of Driven to Distraction, and he seemed to be very knowledgable. He spoke of using ADD as a strength.