Adult ADD -- HELP

[Liveformx64]

I am asking for anyones' help who has experience with treating, suffering, and or expereincing Adult ADD.

I myself am very much set against using this as a crutch, or an excuse as to why I am incapable of doing this or that. But my research, experience, and overall feeling tells me there may be more to this than say, just being mentally lazy.

Throughout my youth, school came very easily to me. I rarely studied, and was always in the top 3% of my class. I went to the special conventions twice a year for the "gifted" kids of the state of Pa and all that jazz. I didn't understand why. I never studied, I couldn't study. My eyes may have been looking at a book but my mind was a 1000 miles away deep, and I mean deep in my own thoughts and imagination.

overall my education experience could be summed up as bored, unchallenged, and uninterested. Needless to say I didn't feel much desire to go to college. So jump to my current age 25. I work for a successful company making more than most of my piers who have put their time into grad school and all the extra Edu.

The long and short of it, I am fairly successful and effective as a business person. But the day to day stupid mistakes I make, combined with my 100% inability to finish anything I start has me wondering.

I consider myself an intelligent creative person who has the ability to tackle just about any problem thrown at me. I just leave trail of loose ends behind everything I do.

I have taken online ADD tests from the different prescriptions sites, and of course I qualified for all them with flying colors.

I guess my questions are these:

1. If you have adult ADD, or have the symptoms of what people call ADD. What do you do to with the frequent mistakes and unfinished products.

2. Has anyone taken a Ritalin or Ritalin type RX medication, and to what success or failure?

3. What are the real life potential downsides to taking the RX. Eg: "I can't function without taking my pills in the moring" type situation.

I am sorry for the book, on only my second post, but anyone that would lend any advice, I would truly be great full.

Live4

[Statikkk]

Liveformx64,

Interesting timing - I started a thread yesterday which almost exactly mirrors what you are saying below. I have been through everything you mentioned below. I've only recently begun really thinking about this, so I unfortunately have no knowledge of the medications or preventions.

I don't know if you read my other thread, but do you experience the problem of not being able to focus on movies / tv shows?

[Lola]

Read these posts -

the thread Statikkk is referring to:
http://www.stevepavlina.com/forums/h...sink-help.html

Another thread on the subject where I posted a laundry list of lifetime coping skills:
Aloofness! (and awful memory)

My answers to your questions:

1. If you have adult ADD, or have the symptoms of what people call ADD. What do you do to with the frequent mistakes and unfinished products.

I don't beat myself up about it. One of the other facets of ADD is the interest in doing many things at once. That alone means some things won't get done. If it is hampering some area of your life, however, put some coping skills in place - lists, alarms, reminders, etc - that will help you stay on task.

2. Has anyone taken a Ritalin or Ritalin type RX medication, and to what success or failure?

I take concerta but only *as needed*. My ability to focus on one thing at a time and follow through is like night and day when I take meds. That said, I don't take them all the time because there's something to be said for the creative/daydreamy side of me as well.

3. What are the real life potential downsides to taking the RX. Eg: "I can't function without taking my pills in the moring" type situation.

As I mentioned in Statikkk's thread, it may take some experimenting to find which med works best for you.

[Lola]

Originally Posted by Liveformx64

I myself am very much set against using this as a crutch, or an excuse as to why I am incapable of doing this or that.

Oh - I also wanted to say - using an ADD diagnosis as a crutch or excuse is not my experience at all.

Although I excelled in school and in my career, certain tasks were really, really hard for me. I had beaten myself up for years for being a stupid screw-up (in some regards). Being diagnosed with ADD felt like a huge relief. I was NOT stupid! My brain just processes a bit differently. Having that knowledge and knowing what I could do about it lifted an enormous weight from me. It helped me know how to best structure my life to succeed in spite of ADD and it helped me be easier on and more accepting of myself.

It's also beneficial to identify the pluses of having an ADD brain. We don't look at things quite the same way as everyone else. And that's a good thing, if you ask me.

[Bodhi]

Several doctors have made a connection between ADD and allergies. Have you ever noticed any change in your ADD related to your diet or environment? Doris Rapp is probably the most noted doctor on allergies and ADD. She had a book called,"Is this your child" or something like that.

[infinitethoughts]

liveformx64

Think of it this way: If you lived in a small town far away from Big cities and pollution..........would you still have ADD?

Our brains don't like excessive chemicals.

[The David]

First of all, let me say that you seem to be doing extremely well for having ADD. Whether ADD/ADHD really exists as a disease, there is a definite difference between 'ADHD people' and 'non-ADHD people'. I realized this a bit too late and was very hard on myself for years. That being said...

Originally Posted by Liveformx64

1. If you have adult ADD, or have the symptoms of what people call ADD. What do you do to with the frequent mistakes and unfinished products.

I'm not sure if being in college qualifies me as 'adult', but let's say it does. I think the first step for me was to accept that I had this problem. For me, it was an inability to stay focused and a near-insatiable desire to move around. When I stopped resisting it and just let it do its thing, I noticed improvement. My mind would get distracted, and as soon as I became aware, I would gently bring it back. When the urge to get up and move around interrupted a project, I would gently tell myself 'not now'. I think 'gently' was the key word here. (Well, making a contract not to let ADHD stop me, then sealing it with my own blood wasn't exactly 'gentle').

Inevitably, the nagging urge will take over and I will royally screw things up. With mistakes: an apology, an attempt to not make the same mistake again, and the ability to forgive yourself is all I can suggest to you. With unfinished projects: try to get as much advice as you can, from people who understand your condition. ADHD people are generally not very good at observing themselves or their projects. Wrapping up a project requires a perspective you may not be able to see from.

I've never taken Ritalin, or any stimulants other than bupropion, so I won't contaminate you with my inexperience.

I hope this helps. It can be a nightmare sometimes.

[Liveformx64]

Firstly, I want to thank everyone for their input and experience on the matter.

Every single comment everyone left is truly a different side of me that agrees 100%. I really feel I can see almost all angles of this situation at this point in my life.

The only side I can't see this from is the wise man who has 8 hours a day to meditate on ideas and problems. Because I am in an office with the phone ringing off the hook for 8 hours a day!.. It leaves little time for introspection or pausing for thought.

----

Secondly, I truly believe that given a certain environment. Namely, a quiet peaceful creative environment (say the snowy mountains of Japan 150 years ago.) would be the ideal environment to harness ones thoughts. While on those snowy alps I could use cognition and discipline to change my neural patterns. However, being stuck in the day to day bedlam usually only allows a sort of default, instinct only, shoot from the hip thinking. (Think of the New York Stock Exchange less 2 notches.)

Basically, my daily work environment demands great attention to detail, and High periods of attention amidst mucho distraction. (The complete antithesis of changing patterns and thought habits for oneself.) Once I lose my concentration mistakes happen, the balls of the juggling act begin to get dropped. The work load multiplies with every mistake made, exponentially magnifying ones workload. The greater the anticipated workload, the greater the stress. The greater the stress, the more aggressive the reptile brain becomes, and devours the more my delicate newly formed neural paths of calm and steadfast that I have been trying so hard to create. Then after a week of relapse, we are back to square one.

----

February the 26th, I have an appointment with my local Doctor to check on a prescription of some sort for my untamed thoughts. That being said, I am going to follow through with the prescription, and keep a weekly update of how the medication affects my performance, and my life.

From what I read, Ritalin is an aspirin type drug that enters the body fast, and leaves just as quickly. This means long term side affects should be minimal, and results nearly instant.

---

My goal is to turn this thread into a sort of journal of my experience from the perspective of an objective, responsible, entrepreneurial adult.

Do those adjectives sum up the psycho-graphic of this site or what?

I look forward to any input, and questions you may have for me while I take this baby out for a test drive.

{Changing habit is one of the hardest things one can do. Changing habits amidst uncontrollable variants on a daily basis, all the more difficult.}

[Statikkk]

So with this thread in mind and the issues liveformx64 and myself have expressed in this thread at the forefront of my mind, I knew I had a presentation Thursday [tomorrow morning] that would require sustained focus and effort. I've known this for several weeks.

It's 6PM the night before, I'm at my desk trying to complete my material for the presentation, and I cannot focus at all. I'll get 5, maybe 10 minutes of sustained work done, and as soon as I hit the tiniest roadblock I switch out to something else.

This is so frustrating. In the past I just secretly chalked it up to "I'm a procrastinator, I'm lazy, etc" but that's not good enough for me anymore.

WTF.

[Liveformx64]

Feb 26th Day one of the Experiment.

1:15 PM Tuesday, I sit down with Doc and I proceed to tell him the symptoms I mentioned in the previous posts, and so on. He asked me the usual questions one might expect from a doctor I guess. One thing he kept bringing back up was my relationship with my girlfriend, and if we got along ok etc..

I thought back through the last few months and as far I was concerned everything was going fine. He then asked me what my line of work was, and what I did for fun. I took a deep breath and listed my mile long list of jobs, and personal interests and hobbies I actively participate in. He asked me again, "are you sure everything is well with the girlfriend?"

Now, I finally saw what he was playing at, and as I thought back, the only fights I could ever remember having was about me not spending enough time with her.

So I told him about our last few arguments, and he said "I think your problem is that you are burning the wick at both ends. Most of your condition is brought on by an overload of trying to get everything done in a day."

I agreed, but insisted that I have the over whelming urge to get up and move any time I am trying to concentrate on a detailed report or sales order. "I simply cant control it". I insisted

After sitting silently for a bit, he reluctantly prescribed me a 25mg daily dose of Strattera. He also mentioned of the 2600 patients he carries I was 1 of 2 people he prescribes this to.

So I head out of the doctors feeling a bit guilty with second thoughts. Never-the-less, I had the samples in my hand and the prescription in my wallet. I took one as soon as I got to my car before heading back to work.

----

About an hour later I felt pretty much the same as I always do, just a little more drowsy than usual. I noticed I was yawning a lot, but I felt strangely calm amidst the usual daily firestorm.

Fast forward to 6:00 PM I was pouring through my Inbox. This is something I usually put off until the e-mails are irrelevant or out of date. I seemingly did this with ease, and a certain sense of satisfaction. Placebo affect? Maybe.

-----

Day two, Feb 17th:

I take 1 25mg of Strattera before I head to work with an apple and some orange juice. I get to work, feeling much pretty much the same as always, but the dull drowsiness is present, and I am yawning like narcoleptic in a mattress factory.

I sit down and get right to todays tasks instead of the usual song and dance of sifting through all of the boring e-mails I pick up a few lengthy orders and have them launched off to the warehouse before the clock hits 9:15.

By Noon I have my inbox completely empty. Something that hasn't happened in 2 years. By the end of the day I actually feel caught up, and have a slight sense of accomplishment for the days work.

So far, there is no doubt I am able to to keep focused more deeply, and for longer periods of time. This drug is actually doing exactly what I hoped that it would do.

An added bonus is that I haven't been this relaxed in I really cant say when. I would get so swarmed during the day, I would raise my level of intensity so much to cope with what I had to do, it would take me hours to wind down after work, and often lead to sleepless nights. It seems that maybe I had a little more hyper activity or anxiety than I originally thought.

This post is entirely too long, so I will say goodnight from here, and provide an update in a few days.

[blueberry]

Liveformx64,

I skimmed your thread in typical ADD fashion to gather what I think were the important points. I can't say if you have ADD or not, and the only way you can really know for sure is to objectively research, research, research... and discuss it with a doctor who is really qualified to make the diagnosis.

I just went through the whole journey of coming to terms with my Adult ADD these past few months and it's been fascinatingly liberating. I am a poster child in endless ways. I got lucky with finding a good family physician who took me seriously and he prescribed me Adderall, which is amphetamine salts. Ritalin is similar in nature but a different chemical. From what I've read, stimulants tend to be the most effective treatment.

Here's what really made me want to comment:
I get the feeling your doctor didn't really hear you out or take you seriously and that's why he prescribed Strattera instead of a potentially more effective and abusable stimulant. From what I hear, a lot of doctors are very modest in handing out stimulant prescriptions because of bad press and they expect a lot of people to be drug seeking.

I don't know if the doctor really gave you the rundown on all of strattera's side effects but they are a plenty and most people seem to experience them negatively. along with that, it takes weeks and weeks to start working and for many people, it's not effective at all. I just wanted to give you a heads up that when dealing with doctors and pills, you should always know what you're putting into your body.

This is an invaluable resource that helped me learn a lot: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Forums You should check out the medication forums to get in depth information and discussion on the different treatments available.

anyway, where was I? I take amphetamines every day to feel normal. They're small therapeutic doses compared to what a drug user would do so their impact on the body is significantly less but I still don't like the added physical strain I'm adding to my body by taking them. From where I was standing before and where I am standing now though, the small chip in my health is well worth the added clarity I've gained in organizing my life and feeling in control of myself again. I've been working with Eckart Tolle's "Power of Now" and "New Earth" for a while now and I've noticed that after I started taking my meds a couple weeks ago that my perception of what's going on inside of me is so much clearer. I can feel my emotions before I react to them whereas before my emotionally compass was spinning like I was in the bermuda triangle. I just couldn't focus on what was bothering me... I was all over the place! Anyway, unlike some people in the same medicated situation, I don't want to be taking these pills forever. I'm using the added clarity to create habits of organization in my life and to create a life of wellness.

in parting, I advise you to research well into the condition as well as all of the possible medicines and alternative treatments. stay informed! also, if your doctor won't take you seriously or cooperate with you and you feel like you legitimately have ADD then find another one. there are plenty of doctors in the sea.

[Liveformx64]

blueberry,

I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, and I will most certainly take it into consideration.

Per what you said, I too get the feeling that the doctor basically wanted me out of the office, and the bill to my insurance company in the mail.

I think he may have felt more secure prescribing the less volatile strattera because there is less likelihood of abuse.

He also mentioned that we were going to try Strattera for 30 days, and if I still felt the need for further treatment he was going to refer me to a psychiatrist. Although to his credit, I feel he did his job albeit the bare minimum.

As far as side affects go, just like you said the side effects of Strattera are noticeable. Have you experienced any with Adderall?

As far as Strattera taking weeks to kick in, that wasn't my experience. I was experiencing the affects, and more notably the side affects of Strattera the very same day that I had taken the medication. I do consider my self very drug sensitive. For instance I can not have any caffeine after 3 PM or I will have trouble sleeping the night after.

[Sara]

Hello guys this is my first post but after reading this thread I just had to respond. I also suffer from adult ADHD. I have had symptoms since childhood however my parents, being the hippies that they are, decided that medication was evil and did not give me anything not even any form of therapy. I truly believe had I had the medication as a child my life would be dramatically different. Because I couldn't concentrate in school I never went to college even though I had a desire to do so but felt it would be a waste of time because no matter how I tried I would never be all that I felt I could be. I do have the opposite problem than previous posts where as I tend to hyper-focus on T.V., computer,reading. Its as if I get lost in what I am doing and before you know it hours have passed and I have not been present.

Fast forward to age 29...my first experience with ritalin! OH MY GOD...it was as if the clouds parted the fog lifted and for the first time in my life I felt I was "capable' of reaching my full potential. I was a more present mother and wife. My house was actually clutter free ( a first for me). And I started my own business.

That feeling however did not last as I built a tolerence to the drug (even though the "experts" say that is not possible!). I have been on Adderall, Adderall XR, Focalin, Welbutrin...and some more I don't remember! I was constantly searching for that feeling again, that confidence in my abilities, and the clarity in my life.

The closest I have come after 3 years of experimenting is my current combination of Vyvanse 100mg, Lamictal 100mg, and wellbutrin 300mg. I know that may sound extreme to some but the benefits of taking the meds far outweigh the chaos that is my life without them!

Sorry for the long post but I just wanted to share my experience. For those having medication issues...don't give up the right combo is out there for you!
I wish everyone well and hope that you can regain control of your lives as I have!

[kpugh]

Many years ago, a supervisor of mine basically "diagnosed" me as ADD, and encouraged me to get tested. To put my mind at rest about it, I did get tested, and found that I was not ADD. However, I was as close as I could get. The doctor said I was "prone to impulsive, inspired activity and shied away from rote, uninspired routine". Since then, I've always had a greater awareness of the challenges of true ADD or ADHD. I don't completely understand everything about it, but I think I'm certainly more compassionate and empathetic now, as I see some of those issues in myself.

A few years ago, while on a business trip in Texas, my taxi-cab driver and I started talking about his career. He said he was ADD, and that he struggled to find and create focus in his career. I awkwardly mentioned a book I had co-written, which had helped many people find focus in their lives. A few months later, he contacted me, saying he had been using the book successfully to be more focused in his career development.

The book is The Personal Vision Workbook, and you can check it out by the link below. It might be a helpful tool for you as well!

[frankfortpost]

Good stuff all.

I live this stuff everyday.

No adderall or concerta however, and I am thankful.

Whether ADD is good for me, or bad, well, I will find out when I'm dead.

[Amit_S]

Originally Posted by Liveformx64

1. If you have adult ADD, or have the symptoms of what people call ADD. What do you do to with the frequent mistakes and unfinished products.

2. Has anyone taken a Ritalin or Ritalin type RX medication, and to what success or failure?

Live4

I commit the "frequent mistakes and unfinished products" only when I'm not on medication. I take Addwize, a generic version of Ritalin available in India.

Originally Posted by Liveformx64

3. What are the real life potential downsides to taking the RX. Eg: "I can't function without taking my pills in the moring" type situation.

Live4

I'm one of those guys who cant function without meds.
Downsides:well...I dont know how to answer this. Cause when I was not on meds( i.e. undiagnosed as ADD) I was the same as I am today when I dont take meds.

Apart from meds, I also take fish oil supps and exercise. Exercise is a must for blowing off steam. Read Dr.Amens book 'Healing Add'. He describes the different types of ADD, something which is mostly ignored by other psychiatrists. I have what he calls Limbic ADD- that is ADD+Depression.

[4Mind4Life]

Live4,

I think you should check out my website and read a few articles. I provide some great tips for boosting your brain power and improving mental health.

If you need medication, it may be the best thing you can do for yourself. I personally would recommend trying some other things before medication.

How I virtually "eliminated" my ADD:

A strict daily regimen of: 1) Meditation (30 min.) 2) Aerobic Exercise 3) Taking fish oil (3 + grams daily)
4) Starting a blog 5) Doing brainwave entrainment (helped a ton) (I have more info about my experience on my site)

Here are some articles I recommend checking out:

Boost your brain with fish oil
Benefits of meditation
50 ways to boost your brain power

I really don't have ADD at all anymore, can clearly focus, and feel great. My method will not work for everyone, but if you can stay disciplined, it's worth giving a try.

Best wishes,

4mind4life

Originally Posted by Liveformx64

I am asking for anyones' help who has experience with treating, suffering, and or expereincing Adult ADD.

I myself am very much set against using this as a crutch, or an excuse as to why I am incapable of doing this or that. But my research, experience, and overall feeling tells me there may be more to this than say, just being mentally lazy.

Throughout my youth, school came very easily to me. I rarely studied, and was always in the top 3% of my class. I went to the special conventions twice a year for the "gifted" kids of the state of Pa and all that jazz. I didn't understand why. I never studied, I couldn't study. My eyes may have been looking at a book but my mind was a 1000 miles away deep, and I mean deep in my own thoughts and imagination.

overall my education experience could be summed up as bored, unchallenged, and uninterested. Needless to say I didn't feel much desire to go to college. So jump to my current age 25. I work for a successful company making more than most of my piers who have put their time into grad school and all the extra Edu.

The long and short of it, I am fairly successful and effective as a business person. But the day to day stupid mistakes I make, combined with my 100% inability to finish anything I start has me wondering.

I consider myself an intelligent creative person who has the ability to tackle just about any problem thrown at me. I just leave trail of loose ends behind everything I do.

I have taken online ADD tests from the different prescriptions sites, and of course I qualified for all them with flying colors.

I guess my questions are these:

1. If you have adult ADD, or have the symptoms of what people call ADD. What do you do to with the frequent mistakes and unfinished products.

2. Has anyone taken a Ritalin or Ritalin type RX medication, and to what success or failure?

3. What are the real life potential downsides to taking the RX. Eg: "I can't function without taking my pills in the moring" type situation.

I am sorry for the book, on only my second post, but anyone that would lend any advice, I would truly be great full.

Live4

[thirial]

i'm ADHD but i see it as a blessing in disguise, i excel in many different fields as long as im interested in them, a jack of all spades so to speak, however if im not interested in something i'm pretty much a moron

fortunately my dad is also ADD so i wasn't put on any meds. i failed at school, didnt have the attention span for the rigid curriculums. i have slowly but surely been able to get my ADHD under control in recent years mainly because ive set goals with deadlines (although they are always a bit late hah) and there for things that i love doing.

i have found that i need to have quite a few projects going at the same time though, what i find frustrating is that when i really need to get one of these projects done i can only focus on one of the other projects, eg. if i should be writing an article i have writers block and the sudden urge to work on a website

while this is frustrating i find that as long as im working towards each of my goals a little bit at a time they will eventually get done. finishing things is definitely a problem of mine that i have to get under control

[gnitratser]

Generally how to improve control of attention:
Just 10 minutes of total relaxation / total release of pressure 3-4 times a day helps me a lot!
First relax your body part-by-part, & all the time know that in a few minutes you will be totally relaxed if you keep your attention.
Only this is a good exercise of attention, but remaining calm is what gives the great results.

& sometimes take longer sessions to know what relaxation really means!

I wonder if people with this extremely selective sub-conscious attention whould benefit a lot from deep, complete & powerful diaphragm breathing for 2-5 minutes 2-3 times a day...
As it gives energy-boost.
When I'm tired I loose control over my sub-conscious to a high extent too.

Also to clearly set goals is important to get a detached attention (something someone with ADD may never have experienced -- such a great feeling of being in control of your whole mind).
Always only keep 1 goal in your mind!
That is what meditation is all about (keeping a single object in mind).

& you only need to get a good taste of what a detached attention & a calm mind is, in order to produce it all the time.

Just take a week of intesely practise these methods.

I whould like to make a scientific study of these methods, anyone want to help?

[Liveformx64]

I just cant say enough about the ideas and experiences that have been brought up in this thread. It really is great and invaluable.

I have been taking strattera now for since the 26th, and my results to date are as follows.

The doc gave me an initial dose of 25 mg to start out the first 7 days with, and then jump to 40 mg after that.

Like I stated in the previous posts the 25mg was working quite effectively despite the side affects. Finally, the day came to jump to the 40mg. I took the pill with breakfast like I usually do. When I got to work I found my focus was rather cloudy and I felt quite anxious. Something I hadn't felt in about a week, since I started popping the pills. That starting day of the 40mg I felt like I was back to my pre-medicated state.

The only thing I can conclude is that strattera is a stimulant, when given in the correct doses can have the mysterious calming affect the ritalin type drugs provide. However, when given in too large of a dose will have the same affects of the more basic stimulants like caffeine? That is just my gut feeling. Does this make sense to anyone?

I am going to post a classic Pavlina 30 day report next week. So stay tuned.

[blueberry]

Strattera isn't a stimulant fyi. It's closer to the family of antidepressants than it is to CNS stimulants.

Strattera - ADHD Forums - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Support and Information Resources Community This forum is all about Strattera. It can be very helpful to read the consensus of other people's experience.

As for side effects, I've definitately had them. I'm in too much of a hurry to go into details but some of the side effects are quite annoying. The way to determine tha equation though is to be sure that the side effects of a treatment are insignificant compared to the positive results you get along with them. It truly is worth it. I'll probably come back and write more later..

[WanderingOak]

Personally, I think ADD, either in children or adults, is overdiagnosed, and that in most cases, drugs are not the way to deal with the problem. There is a lot of money in treating everything with pharmaceuticals, so of course that path is going to be promoted by those who stand to profit. Of course the people trying to sell you the meds are going to try and convince you that you have the disease that they are promoting the cure for.

With children, I think it is a combination of the rigid structure of schools, and the propensity of overworked teachers to deal with 'problem students' by doping them to the gills. I'm not saying that it is the fault of the teachers, but rather the institutional environment that our schools have become.

With adults, I think one problem is that modern 'plugged in' office environment is so overwhelming with email, television, blogs, cyberforums, cellphones, cubicle-farms, blackberries, sales projections, meetings, meet-me numbers, voicemail, deadlines, powerpoint presentations, etc., that many people have sensory overload and can't focus. The fact that there is probably a Starbucks in the office lobby doesn't help. I have found it very difficult to focus in such environments.

I do not believe that the human brain was designed for multitasking, and think ADD is just a symptom of this problem. For example, I seriously doubt if ADD is very prevalent among the 'plain folk' such as the Amish. Admittedly, becoming a total Luddite and giving up on technology and 'modern life' altogether is probably not a solution for everybody, any more than retreating to the 'snow-capped peaks' of Feudal Japan is. Both probably will quiet down the 'mad chattering ferret' in your brain that keeps you from focusing, but both are also rather extreme. I have had ADD-type symptoms from time-to-time, and have discovered that they are lessened when I don't try to multitask and am in a distraction-free environment. Of course, not everybody has a choice about the environment that they work in, so if you have to work in a modern office, then perhaps meditation or martial arts training will help your focus.

[infinitethoughts]

See this post. You'll get your answers there.

I'm supposed to create an ADHD diet?

[straylight]

but i would think that diet would be an important thing to look into, because if your body gets the nutrition it needs then it can better eliminate the toxins that we are exposed to. Also trying to reduce exposure to toxins such as fluoride, aspartame, MSG, mercury..etc will help

i took the ADD test with a specialist who asked me all kinds of questions and never asked me anything about my nutrition.. so i dont really believe that taking meds is the answer..

[kedzer]

Originally Posted by WanderingOak

Personally, I think ADD, either in children or adults, is overdiagnosed, and that in most cases, drugs are not the way to deal with the problem.

This is such a common statement, usually followed up by something about what a shame it is that in today's society we're "always looking for a quick fix." And it's usually made by someone who has either never truly suffered from the symptoms of ADD or has never tried medication for it. (I apologize for this infantile generalization of mine, WanderingOak, I'm just feeling ruffled!)

As someone who's faithfully undertaken the 'cures' of meditation, diet, and exercise for several years, let me just say that medication is the only thing that made me feel "normal." Immediately. It wiped away the intense desire to do anything other than the task at hand, to question the meaning & value of every single thing I had to do (and ultimately, the meaning of life itself), to flit from sensory input to sensory input.... and replaced that with the magical ability to focus, work hard, and enjoy my work for at least a good eight hours a day if not more (whereas before, an hour of real, solid work was an accomplishment).

Unfortunately, as I stated in an earlier post, the med I was using (combined with an anxiety-producing incident), put me into a 3-day panic attack, so I stopped. As much as I dread another such episode, right now I'm thinking it's worth it to be productive once again, so I may be jumping back in, maybe trying a lower dose....

[WordKeeper]

KedZer - let me give you something to think about. I was diagnosed with ADD in my mid 40s. I have an 8 year old son who was diagnosed early on and who began medication at age 4.

Initially I had good results on Adderal but then I had a terrible experience which I later learned is not uncommon - I was taking Adderal and an anti-depressant and the combination sent me into a manic state. It was a disaster with devastating consequences.

My son has been on aa couple of different medications - most recently Vyvanse. But with Vyvanse the sideeffects were severe - insomnia and tantrums.

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.

Only time will truly tell but the difference is unbelieveable - definitely worth a try. The vyvanse was $5 per pill, the magnesium less than $.10 per tablet for 2 to 4 tablets per day - that is under 1/10th the cost and NO side effects.

[sk8joyful]

Originally Posted by thirial

i'm ADHD but i see it as a blessing in disguise, i have slowly but surely been able to get my ADHD under control, mainly because ive set goals with deadlines (although they are always a bit late hah) and there for things i love doing. i excel in many different fields as long as im interested in them, a jack of all spades so to speak.

excellent observation! Did you notice your already learned strategies of ably tackling multiple projects, and thus gain a wide variety of useful skills. Good going!

Originally Posted by thirial

fortunately my dad is also ADD so i wasn't put on any meds.

yup, you imprinted your dad's strategies, and fortunately were not 'drugged' for so doing.

Originally Posted by thirial

Finishing things is definitely a problem of mine that i have to get under control

a master NLP-practitioner with the requisite skills should be able to help you work out these strategies, as well.

All the best to you!

[Sidhartha91]

Seriously. Don't ever put any sort of substance in your mouth and swallow till you know every nook and cranny about the certain chemical.

Sometimes I can't believe how doctors just hand out drugs like candy without sufficient information (For the patient and also ON the patient - 20 min appointment and all of a sudden you have a prescription for a new psychoactive substance. Hmm sounds like some shady characters I know..)

Of course not all doctors are like this, and some genuinely want to help and understand their patients.

I'm just saying this because I know a lot of people who just take whatever their doctors recommends without understand the repercussions at all. Luckily Stattera isn't that much of a risk - and seems to not be very effective in treating ADHD in most people.

Be careful with any meds you get. If you go see the pysch and he decides to prescribe something like Ritalin (Methylphenidate) or Adderall (Amphetamine Salts), RESEARCH. These drugs are not good for you at all, but harm can be minimized by taking certain supplements and dosing correctly.

although on the other hand, I can't express how much these meds make my condition better. Amphetamine especially, instantly lifts any sort of fog and fills it with enthusiasm, motivation and energy. Mmm dopamine.

As good as it can be, it is also very dangerous. It has a high abuse potential, and is very closely related to Methamphetamine (ICE KILLER DRUG OMG). Ritalin is also distantly related to cocaine. It is a temporary fix (HIGH) that does not really solve the issue.

It amazes me how often amphetamines are given to children because they cant sit down or concentrate properly. So much time and effort is spent advertising the dangers of stimulants (Mainly Meth), yet you can easily go to the doctor and get some speed for helping you study or work.

Either way, good luck. I recommend trying to find a natural way to deal with these issues, which might take a little longer but will be MUCH more rewarding in the long time and less damaging

I am speaking from lots of experience with 'medications' and the problems that have arisen from use (And problems I am still experiencing).

Edit- WordKeeper.

You say your son was diagnosed with ADHD at age FOUR? Can you elaborate a little? What were the symptoms and why did the doctor come to this conclusion for your son at such a young age?

I don't mean to pry into your or your sons life, but you say he started medication at age four also? What medication has he tried?

I don't think anyone under the age of 18 should be using these drugs. Vyvanse is still an amphetamine, and it can hamper development of certain areas of the brain. It is playing with fire (or Dopamine receptors?). I especially think NO ONE between the age of four and eight should be on this medication. I think it is ludricious.! That is such a young age and the brain hasn't even started to begin to fully develop.

Please be careful.

[Amandaaa]

(Where is the original poster?

I almost posted a long reply, until I noticed how old this thread is...)

[Sidhartha91]

Aw godamnit, not again