ADHD as an adult

[eippo1]

Anyone have experience dealing with this as an adult and not as a kid? I've always dealt with it through HS, college and grad school, but as I have been adding more and more to my responsibilities at work; things are getting way out of my control.

I am losing it and have decided that I'm throwing in the towel and seeking professional Psychiatry help. Anyone else have experience with this at a more advanced age - I'm almost 40?

[echelon_john]

Not uncommon at all. Definitely recommend talking to someone; your primary care physician could be a good place to start, and you may need to 'shop' around a bit to find a therapist whose modality and personality you connect with.

Lots to talk about before considering meds or other actions.

You might also be interested to read some of the books by Ned Hallowell; I don't buy into everything he says, but there's some good information there.

http://www.drhallowell.com

[Saint Vitus]

Something else to consider:

https://www.feingold.org/

I've heard anecdotal reports on the efficacy of following the diet, and I would say it's worth trying since one is not self medicating per se.

A good friend was diagnosed as a child and has been through all of the various regimens of treatment. She had been taking Concerta for a while though I don't know if she is still taking it or not, she's 52 btw and would probably suggest you seek professional help.

[Tandem Rider]

I have it, I manage it myself. I inherited it, so did my son. He also is figuring out how to manage it. I'm in my 50's, he's in High School.

Have you had a clinical diagnosis? If not, that is the first step, treatment for ADHD only work for ADHD, and there is no onesizefitsallwecancureanything solution.

[downtube]

You should talk with your Dr. there is nothing wrong with seeking medical attention, if you injured your knee you wouldn't think twice. Not sure what you do for a living, but if it is an office job what does your office look like? Piles of papers? pictures, nick-nacks? Take it from me, think about your space, remove everything possible from your office.No extra piles of papers or folders on your desk top. Redo your filing system and keep a day planner either in a book or in your computer. Schedule everything,and use your calendar. Before you leave at night make a list of things you want to accomplish tomorrow. Once you write them down you can get them out of your mind until the next day. I even keep a note pad next to my bed so If something pops into my head I can write it down and not worry that I won't remember. Part of all this organization is taking control of your schedule. Take a walk before work or at lunch. The fresh air and movement seems to reset my head. You will get this handled, you need to find what works for you. One last thing , get to work 30 minutes before anyone and double check your schedule for the day with no interruptions. You will be focused and working before anyone else arrives. A lot of stuff
chuck

[gasman]

It's not uncommon.
Find a good counselor and a good psychiatrist. You will probably have to check out several . Most are willing to do a meet and greet interview to see if you like them. I would skip seeing a general practitioner except to get a good referral.
Good luck to you.

[eippo1]

Thank you all for the replies. I have already talked to my primary and now have an appointment next week with a head doc. I used to see a therapist as a kid to deal with my head, but got past it in most functional ways as I got older.

As for my work, I am a healthcare architect and so deal with many irons in the fire and piles and piles of paperwork, checklists and drawings. I do my best to try to stay organized, but feel like I am losing my grasp on my work.


Sent from my PM23300 using Tapatalk

[Sheldon4209]

I am almost 64 and have probably had ADHD all of my life. My wife is a former special ed teacher and she says that I have it. As a student and teacher (retired) it was difficult for me to sit and concentrate but moving in the classroom and interacting with students was my strength. I have always found that exercise is helpful for me to sit and concentrate. If fact, my 32 year old daughter commented last night how I could not sit and watch the TV show. It has gotten better as I have gotten older. Good luck.

[Ahneida Ride]

Aren't ADHD people very creative ? They think outa the box.

[zennmotion]

I was diagnosed as a adult a decade ago at age 40, and wish I'd known much earlier. I'm in a good place now, I'd love a personal assistant to clean my house, pay the bills and organize my files but at this point I recognize that in addition to the frustrations, there are real benefits that I would never want to "fix" in my brain. PM me for specifics if you want more info, or if you just to contact another forgetful dude who rides a Hampsten (as prescribed as a cornerstone of my ADD management plan--and the meaning of my Paceline forum monicker). If my post is too long, skip to number 3 below.

1)Get a "real" diagnosis from an adult ADD specialist, not just the short questionnaire version from a book or psychologist/shrink, much can be learned from more data about YOU, possibly including physical tests. Not all ADD/ADHD manifests the same.

2) Don't discount the idea of meds, they're not the total magic bullet, but without them, it's tough to make changes especially when developing new habits. And be patient with finding the right one(s) at the right doses, it will likely take time and patience to get to the right formula. Take notes along the way, you're your own lab rat and although notes on how the meds affect you may be tough to keep (ADD, duh!) they can be really useful for your provider to optimize. Again, a specialist (likely a psychiatrist who really understands the brain meds and can write scrips) is a good investment rather than depending on a general practitioner- pay the extra for a few months of treatment, it's worth it.

3) Get an ADD coach!! Coaching is different from therapy- s/he will bring you to an understanding of how the condition affects you and how to work with it. You will not "cure" yourself by force of will or personality, nor should you. My coach is the best investment I ever made, done by phone. Get a good one who's certified and experienced. I can provide a couple of names, reasonable costs. A coach can help you make immediate changes for someone who is "losing it" at work before things go from worse to worser (I've been there more than a couple of times, and so have you, probably)

4) Adult ADD is often accompanied/compounded by other issues such as depression, you may want a therapist for working through that in addition to coaching at least in the beginning while you are on the learning curve sorting things out. After diagnosis, the tendency is often to ascribe EVERY effing thing that you think is "wrong" with you to ADD.

4) Don't take advice from online forums too seriously- there's a lot of ignorance and half baked boolsh1t out there, particularly regarding whether it's "real" and medications. ADD has become much better understood in recent years, but there's still a lot of crap on the interwebs and a lot of opinionated idiots happy to "help". Find a good provider, pay for the advice, and take it. Do some reading, start with anything written by John or Nancy Ratey to begin to understand what you're dealing with.

[Duende]

I chose not to go with meds. For personal reasons stemming from years of self-medicating on illicit street drugs... I felt that Adderall was yet another cheap fix. Albeit, one sanctioned by big business and society, but still just a cop out for me personally. I mean no disrespect on other's opinions or experiences.

I highly suggest going to therapy. However finding a decent therapist is altogether another challenge. Which is only compounded and made worse by the ADHD.

Here's my prescription that I'll share with you. It works for me. So good luck.

Take 6000 mgs of Omega 3's every day. Get the ones with Vitamin D for proper absorption. (helps restore serotonin levels that are constantly being depleted by the hyperactivity of the brain)

Meditate after work, before going home.. or at any major transition point during the day for 10-15 minutes. This helps one be present in the moment.

Keep on a regular sleep schedule. Learn what activities you can and can not do before going to bed. IE no TV and no food before bed. Proper sleep means less stress, etc...etc.

Learn Chi Gong, Tai Chi, Yoga... some kind of body awareness internal art. Trust me it helps.

Anyways... Good luck. PM if you have any questions.

[unterhausen]

I had started the battery of tests it takes to be declared to be suffering from ADHD, but I couldn't concentrate on the task and never finished. So I've never been treated. But I suggest the OP seek out a psychiatrist for treatment, they will arrange testing. I'm as treatment and medication averse as the next guy, but this is one issue that responds very well to medication and diddlying around with home treatments is a good way to continue to have the problem. You can adjust the meds after treatment has started

[zennmotion]

I chose not to go with meds. For personal reasons stemming from years of self-medicating on illicit street drugs... I felt that Adderall was yet another cheap fix. Albeit, one sanctioned by big business and society, but still just a cop out for me personally. I mean no disrespect on other's opinions or experiences.

I highly suggest going to therapy. However finding a decent therapist is altogether another challenge. Which is only compounded and made worse by the ADHD.

Here's my prescription that I'll share with you. It works for me. So good luck.

Take 6000 mgs of Omega 3's every day. Get the ones with Vitamin D for proper absorption. (helps restore serotonin levels that are constantly being depleted by the hyperactivity of the brain)

Meditate after work, before going home.. or at any major transition point during the day for 10-15 minutes. This helps one be present in the moment.

Keep on a regular sleep schedule. Learn what activities you can and can not do before going to bed. IE no TV and no food before bed. Proper sleep means less stress, etc...etc.

Learn Chi Gong, Tai Chi, Yoga... some kind of body awareness internal art. Trust me it helps.

Anyways... Good luck. PM if you have any questions.

I respect your decision to decline meds, but please don't ( and I know you didn't mean to) characterize a decision to use the meds as a cop out. Adderall by itself is not a "fix" (and it's only one of many possible meds available now- my favorite comes in a slow release band aid patch that I can put on and take off at any time) I unnecessarily spun my wheels for more than a year after my diagnosis because I also considered them an unnecessary crutch, and determined to ignore Big Pharma's marketing. After I finally allowed myself to take the good Dr's advice my world changed dramatically for the better, allowing the coaching I was also paying for to "take". It might have happened eventually without the meds, but it would have taken much more time, and I'm not sure I could have stuck it out. I'm not a pharmacist, but what I've been advised by my expert providers and my own research is that ADD meds are not particularly addictive. In recent years I have been on and mostly off the meds as a choice, having developed strategies and habits that I could not have accomplished without the meds in the beginning. Again, I respect that meds are a personal decision especially with substance abuse history. But I don't like the cop out language- it implies that we "should" be able to just somehow snap out of it through force of will or therapy. ADD is not like that, there is an organic/physical condition behind it. I think it makes sense to try anything that might work, assuming minimal risk with the downsides. Because there is a significant certainty of compromised quality of life if the ADD isn't addressed, much riskier than the relatively low risk of the ADD meds side effects. YMMV, talk to an expert provider

PS +1 on the Omega 3's. I take 2 grams/day of fish oil. It seems to be enough, any more than that and I would have cats following me everywhere. They work for me as well, but just not a substitute for the meds when I need them

[joosttx]

Sometimes stress induces ADHD symptoms. Be sure that the extra responsibility is not causing ADHD symptoms.

[93legendti]

We had to go thru 3 psychiatrists before we found a good one for our daughter...wasted over a year and endured a lot...paid for the tests...had a psych who changed her diagnosis every 2 months...(ADHD > bi polar > depressed and then pathological something requiring hospitalization! Which I knew was hocum.) only to find the initial diagnosis was correct, but the dr. started her on the med with the most side effects instead of the one with the least.
Supposedly that is counter indicated by the PDR, but since he was busy writing a book and referred to his office as a Behavioral Center, he must have known what he was doing...:rolleyes: this was a child hood friend who came highly recommended... (He also had her on Zooloft and then told us to stop it cold turkey...THAT'S A NO NO.)

Our daughter always felt best on the ADHD meds, it was just a matter of getting her on the right one.

Once we got to another psych and she was put on Concerta at the lowest dose we saw marked improvement. 3 times during the initial appointment he stated "I am so disappointed in Dr. _____, he knows better." Imagine how we felt...

If your psych is writing a book and calls his office a Center, pass.

And yes, our daughter is incredibly creative.

Seriously, good luck. Listen to your instincts. The first doctor might not be the right one...

[Duende]

I respect your decision to decline meds, but please don't ( and I know you didn't mean to) characterize a decision to use the meds as a cop out. Adderall by itself is not a "fix" (and it's only one of many possible meds available now- my favorite comes in a slow release band aid patch that I can put on and take off at any time) I unnecessarily spun my wheels for more than a year after my diagnosis because I also considered them an unnecessary crutch, and determined to ignore Big Pharma's marketing. After I finally allowed myself to take the good Dr's advice my world changed dramatically for the better, allowing the coaching I was also paying for to "take". It might have happened eventually without the meds, but it would have taken much more time, and I'm not sure I could have stuck it out. I'm not a pharmacist, but what I've been advised by my expert providers and my own research is that ADD meds are not particularly addictive. In recent years I have been on and mostly off the meds as a choice, having developed strategies and habits that I could not have accomplished without the meds in the beginning. Again, I respect that meds are a personal decision especially with substance abuse history. But I don't like the cop out language- it implies that we "should" be able to just somehow snap out of it through force of will or therapy. ADD is not like that, there is an organic/physical condition behind it. I think it makes sense to try anything that might work, assuming minimal risk with the downsides. Because there is a significant certainty of compromised quality of life if the ADD isn't addressed, much riskier than the relatively low risk of the ADD meds side effects. YMMV, talk to an expert provider

PS +1 on the Omega 3's. I take 2 grams/day of fish oil. It seems to be enough, any more than that and I would have cats following me everywhere. They work for me as well, but just not a substitute for the meds when I need them

Only was speaking in regards to myself. Meant no judgement on you or anyone else.

Best

[djg]

Sent you a PM -- as others have suggested, if you are concerned about this, talk to your doctor. Where you go from there, each step of the way, for however many steps there might be, is up to you. But whatever the general issues of ADHD diagnosis and treatment, this is a real issue for many people, and many people are helped by one or another form of treatment.

[weiwentg]

It's always skills, then pills. I've had to change the way I work, take more breaks to walk, make sure to keep physical activity high, always check my numbers. In your case, you may have to organize more (which I find tedious and always put off, leading to less organization and more messiness). At your stage in life, you could delegate work to your minions.

Re pills, I chose to go with a low dose of Wellbutrin (generic = Bupropion). It's an antidepressant with a stimulant effect. ADHD treatment is an off-label use, but my psychiatrist believes it to be less addictive than amphetamines.

I am honestly not certain I need the meds. With or without them, most people are perfectly capable of success, if they make accommodations for their condition.

Also, it's worth it to think of ADHD as a spectrum. Some people will absolutely need to be on amphetamines or else their lives fall apart. Some (maybe most?) can cope with just skills and other adaptations (e.g. exercise). Some need just a bit of medication. Yes, it's probably overdiagnosed, but it's still very real, and you need to consider where you are on the spectrum.

[alessandro]

It's not uncommon.
Find a good counselor and a good psychiatrist. You will probably have to check out several . Most are willing to do a meet and greet interview to see if you like them. I would skip seeing a general practitioner except to get a good referral.
Good luck to you.

We had to go thru 3 psychiatrists before we found a good one for our daughter...{SNIP}

Seriously, good luck. Listen to your instincts. The first doctor might not be the right one...

My wife persuaded me to go for counseling at age 37, and the diagnosis was a great relief to me and her. Going to a psychiatrist is not throwing in the towel--there's no moral failing or weakness of character here. Your brain is just wired differently. As one therapist put it to me, "ADHD isn't a deficit of attention. It's a deficit of impulse control."

There's lots of good advice here about sleep and organization tools, some of which I need to revisit myself. For exercise, cycling has helped me enormously.

I quoted the two posts above to underscore that when seeking treatment, you should be prepared to invest some time in finding the right therapist for you. It's hard at first, but you have to evaluate whether it's a good fit. Is this person someone you'd be comfortable unburdening yourself to every week for a year or longer?

It may have changed since the year 2000, but the system is: I went to see a psychiatrist first, to get diagnosed, and then for medication management. Most psychiatrists, who are M.D.s, don't do talk therapy, but they will manage your medications. Then I got a referral to a psychologist, who are Ph.D.s, for regular counseling sessions (a counselor with a master's in social work would also be fine). The research shows that there are improvements with medication alone or talk therapy alone, but the combination is better.

I spent a couple of non-consecutive years in counseling with different therapists and no results before my wife urged me to ask someone about ADHD. Once I received a diagnosis things improved, but I still had to evaluate 2-3 different therapists before finding the right one. I was glad I did, and while it's a pain to go through that process, in the end it made all the difference.

Also, mental health is just like any other part of health care. When dealing with providers, their office staff, insurance companies, and your employer: You have to advocate for yourself.

[Ti Designs]

Get an ADD coach!!

I've found it nearly impossible to find anyone who can even grasp how I see the world, to say nothing of one person to help me handle dealing. I live knowing that my brain is defective. There's nothing I can do about it and I've wasted enough time and money looking for help. Living a life that would require me to do things I can't do would be a failure state, so I don't. When people ask me to do things I can't do, I try to explain my limitations. I make no apologies for what I can't do, if they still expect me to do things I can't do, the failure is their problem.

In the past few weeks I've had lots of people try explain how to get from point A to point B without getting lost - as they understand it. It's impossible for me to explain how that fails because it's hard for anyone to accept the limitations involved - myself included.

[zennmotion]

I've found it nearly impossible to find anyone who can even grasp how I see the world, to say nothing of one person to help me handle dealing. I live knowing that my brain is defective.

I've found some good people who "get it", I'm glad I kept looking to find them. Many ADD coaches have AD/HD, coaching (of any kind) is actually a good profession that goes well with an ADD skillset. My brain is not defective, it's different in some ways that (some researchers say) that have to to with evolutionary biology. The other side of the coin are enhanced abilities such as big-picture thinking, creativity, humor, and hyperfocus. ADD is really hyperfocus- give me a problem that's interesting and it's hard to put down. That's a good thing sometimes (big picture planning at work) and a problem sometimes (wasted time stuck on the internet- this place is poison sometimes). Learning to use the hyperfocus "gift" is an amazing liberating thing. AD/HD management means learning to manage the transitions from what my brain is hyperfocused on (such as this damn thread) to what I'm supposed to be focused on (a work budget). The ADD brain seeks the shiny novelty and gets stuck there. But it can be managed, ADD is pretty common and lot of very "successful" people have it and use it to advantage.


There's nothing I can do about it and I've wasted enough time and money looking for help. Living a life that would require me to do things I can't do would be a failure state, so I don't. When people ask me to do things I can't do, I try to explain my limitations. I make no apologies for what I can't do, if they still expect me to do things I can't do, the failure is their problem.

Finding support to help manage ADD is not a waste of money in my experience. But you're right in that a good deal of my own success has been working to avoid the tasks that I know are going to be a challenge. Don't ask me to copy-edit reports, or do low level administrative tasks at work, can't do it effectively. I try to negotiate my professional office job description to minimize the things I suck at to 20% of my time, and 80% at the big-picture things that I excel at- it's made me a much happier and successful person at work. If you can't do that you're in the wrong job, and it's a matter of time before you're miserable and possibly out of a job.


In the past few weeks I've had lots of people try explain how to get from point A to point B without getting lost - as they understand it. It's impossible for me to explain how that fails because it's hard for anyone to accept the limitations involved - myself included.

I get lost easily too, thank God for Siri and Garmin!:help:

[shamsixnine]

Get thoroughly tested for LYME, by a LYME specialist. And when I mean tested, I mean tested by IGENX. You might save yourself a lot of heartache by doing this simple step first. You got nothing to lose, and lots to gain.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/763458

[TomNY]

My son was diagnosed w ADD at 7 or 8. After some modifications in diet and work habits, a trial of Focalin was prescribed. He is a mini - me in every detail. My father and I both had - have the same condition. I tried his prescription same day he took his first dose. Wow was my desk and office ever so productive? I organized everything that had been languishing on counter tops, file cabinets, samples, etc. When I got home we compared notes. Wow this stuff really works. His results faded over the weeks. His MD wouldn't prescribe to me at 50 years of age. Too many cardiac possibilities, and psychotic potential in adults, And I don't treat adults. I met w adult MD who told me about the same. "it's a common condition that people can have from a scale of 1 to 10. Do you drink alcohol? Because that will make matters worse. Alcohol is misread by the brain as Gaba a clutch neurotransmitter. You produce it very slowly, but your body can matabolize alcohol quicker. Brain sense adequate Gaba, but it's alcohol. When the next day comes around, you have reduced levels of Gaba, which adds to anxiety of ADD symptoms. Stop drinking alcohol and I'll see you in 30 days. Write down important things on a back of a business card nothing more. At end of week, take 1/2 hour or more to neat up the office. I do it and I don't have ADD. Try to prioritze, and embrace your creativity. Find help where you can". I found the advice to be very helpful. Also read "Heal your Brain, heal your Life" by Dr Amen. I use coffee and tea to stimulate my brain, since neither MD would provide meds. I write a note with a few lines, which I put on my night stand during business travel. Make sure you get sufficient rest. Be prepared for the next day. Be on time or early [ can tell you being late pisses people off!], Eat properly, Get exercize everyday.

Does naybody else move from task to task with things still in their hands from previous unfinished task?

[Ti Designs]

coaching (of any kind) is actually a good profession that goes well with an ADD skillset.

That comes with the understanding of the learning process and how different it can be for different people. Figuring that out is often a frustrating process because just about everyone with ADD has had someone try to teach them something in a normal sequential order, which really doesn't work. Becoming a good coach is really an adaptation that's forced on those with ADD.


My brain is not defective, it's different in some ways that (some researchers say) that have to to with evolutionary biology. The other side of the coin are enhanced abilities such as big-picture thinking, creativity, humor, and hyperfocus.

As often as I say the same thing, it's hard not to notice that my brain loses information. I'm not programmable, advertising dosen't sway me decisions like with most people, but it might be nice to have a working memory.

[lovethesport]

Some of the most talented people I know have ADD ,including my father, my three sons and myself. Childhood can be rough enough even without having ADD. Supposedly it is linked to the "hunter/gatherers of our caveman ancestors trying to stay alive and not be eaten by predators,
Some of the best fighter pilots of WWII had ADD which my father was one.
We started cycling in 1990 on many levels which has been the best drug to date to aid in handling the problem... it certainly is not the cure all but is a conscious positive step in stemming the negative affects of ADD.

[zennmotion]

That comes with the understanding of the learning process and how different it can be for different people. Figuring that out is often a frustrating process because just about everyone with ADD has had someone try to teach them something in a normal sequential order, which really doesn't work. Becoming a good coach is really an adaptation that's forced on those with ADD.

Coaching is not teaching, for me it provides support and encouragement from an objective source, and ideas to try- some take and some don't, and it provides neutral feedback and accountability. There is no sequential order to figuring this stuff out. Negativity is a learned response to repeated failure and becomes a comfort zone of sorts, a coach can help break the cycle, most of us can't do this in our own heads without external feedback.


As often as I say the same thing, it's hard not to notice that my brain loses information. I'm not programmable, advertising dosen't sway me decisions like with most people, but it might be nice to have a working memory.

Much of what I "forget" was never entered into my brain in the first place. When I'm hyperfocused I am perfectly capable of carrying on a conversation and even answering questions without any of it registering, drives my wife crazy sometimes. On the other hand, I can give you detailed measurements and component specs on every bicycle I've owned since the late 70s- sound familiar? Memory is fine, but focus transitions (from what I want to be engaged in to what I need to engage in) are the crux of the issue- for me anyway. Hope you haven't given up, lots has happened in the field in the past 5 years or so.

[texbike]

Get thoroughly tested for LYME, by a LYME specialist. And when I mean tested, I mean tested by IGENX. You might save yourself a lot of heartache by doing this simple step first. You got nothing to lose, and lots to gain.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/763458

Can you elaborate on the connection between LYME and ADHD? It sounds like you're implying that Lyme creates symptoms that can be mis-diagnosed as ADHD.

Thanks!

Texbike

[zennmotion]

Can you elaborate on the connection between LYME and ADHD? It sounds like you're implying that Lyme creates symptoms that can be mis-diagnosed as ADHD.

Thanks!

Texbike

Yes, that's true, as well as exposure to lead and some other medical problems. A complete diagnosis includes blood work to rule out other issues, AD/HD is usually what's left when everything else is ruled out first. There are also some physical tests such as balance tests that a specialist can try for supporting evidence. For example, I am unable to balance on one foot without the other moving; most people can do this and the executive function parts of the brain that are under-developed are also close to the balance center- correlation but not causal, and not fully understood.

[TomNY]

Yes, that's true, as well as exposure to lead and some other medical problems. A complete diagnosis includes blood work to rule out other issues, AD/HD is usually what's left when everything else is ruled out first. There are also some physical tests such as balance tests that a specialist can try for supporting evidence. For example, I am unable to balance on one foot without the other moving; most people can do this and the executive function parts of the brain that are under-developed are also close to the balance center- correlation but not causal, and not fully understood.

I read - heard that there is a link ADD and middle ear disturbance with positive results noticed with taking Dramamine. I tried it bu tit only made me sleepy. My son and I have very good balance, but ADD. The GF has motion problems and takes similar stuff for anything that moves including cycling. Her attention to detail and demeanor is remarkable, so there maybe a link but I think it not hard and true. BTW I see in Yoga big variance in balance, ROM, left vs right for most people. Cheers,

[UberBike]

For work habits.

If you are in the type of work that allows you to step away from a task for a short time, these tips have helped me.

Make lots of notes.
As things start get clouded and you feel you may need a break from the current task, take notes so you know were you need to double check your work.

Set alarms.
When your alarm rings, check your notes. Hopefully you have not gotten too far from the 1st task to go back and review and complete.

Set limits.
Dont start so many tasks that you do not complete the 1st task.

[malcolm]

I'm a physician and trust me that means very little especially in this case. The best advice you've gotten is to see a specialist and preferably one maybe even two if they can be rounded up. I would be careful about medication only doctors in the setting of ADHD, anxiety/depression. I'm not a psychiatrist or really even a primary care doctor but many years of experience and observation tells me that most primary care/family docs treating these maladies are way quick with the prescription pad and offer little else. There is always a behavioral component that can be either changed or learned that helps, sometimes alone often times in conjunction with medication.

The only advice I will offer is find a physician you trust that you feel listens to you and then be patient. The management of most chronic illness is truly an art and it may well require some tinkering and probably many ups and downs before you find your norm.

Best of luck

[shamsixnine]

I am definitely implying. LYME is an epidemic, and a controversial one at that. I have seen time and time again, people misdiagnosed because they overlook lyme, and have not been properly tested by a lyme literate doc. Lyme symptoms are much more than joint pains, and lyme is complicated to treat. Very often there iare co-infections. And in kids it can get really complicated, especially if it is not treated correctly and continues into adulthood. ADHD like symptoms can definitely be caused by lyme. Not saying the OP has lyme, but it would be a very wise first step for going on any psych meds.

Any psych worth his salt would first ask if his patient was properly and thoroughly tested for lyme. BTW Connecticut has some of the best docs. People from all over the US travel to CT for lyme treatment.

Most of us here play a lot in the outdoors. Check out Lymedisease.org If you have any of the symptoms, do yourselves a favor and get tested by a lyme literate dr.

http://www.lymedisease.org


Can you elaborate on the connection between LYME and ADHD? It sounds like you're implying that Lyme creates symptoms that can be mis-diagnosed as ADHD.

Thanks!

Texbike

[GeorgeTSquirrel]

Lots of great advice in this thread. ADHD is a learning curve, for sure.

I was diagnosed in my thirties after a history of struggling through college level courses. It almost killed me getting through the Navy's nuclear program with ADHD. It wasn't until I moved back into the civilian world (and returned to college) that I was diagnosed. The signs were there my entire life, but no one knew what to look for.

Adult ADHD just tends to be "high functioning" meaning that you are intelligent and have found work arounds as a child, which is why no one ever noticed that something was "wrong." Or, it could be as others have suggested... sleep disorders, stress, depression, food sensitivities, and many other things can masquerade as ADHD. The only way to diagnose ADHD, really, is to eliminate all the other potential causes of your distractibility/lack-of-focus/impatience/hyperactivity/emotional-dysregulation/fidgeting/etc. (however it presents in your case).

Taking medications is a whole different ball game, there are lots of different classes and different people have different reactions. Some respond better to one type over another. For some people, just learning mindfulness/meditation is enough.

If you have a good doc, they'll be sure to weed out other potential causes such as a sleep disorder. I'd definitely get a sleep study if there is any possibility that this is a contributing factor. Be prepared to see a few different therapists and/or p-docs before you find one that you click with. I agree with the post above, get checked for Lyme as well, try to rule out as much as you can. A good doctor will help you eliminate other potential causes, a bad doctor will just throw meds at you to shut you up.

There are web forums that can help, but as with any forum, take what you read on them with a grain of salt. I used to be a moderator at addforums but I stepped down for personal reasons. Feel free to inbox me if you ever want to bs about the disorder.

[sworcester]

I read in here several of you take a lot of Omega 3s. I see pills that have 1000MG fish oil and some Omega 3s (maybe 600MG) but nothing with that mush Omega 3.
What products are you using?

[93legendti]

I think Flax Seed Oil capsules have Omega 3's in them...

[TomNY]

I take flax seed oil


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[eippo1]

I take fish oil that has a fair amount of Omega 3 in them. I also have some Omega 3 pills that I've had forever, but have never taken. Might as well start now.

Thanks for all the advice from everyone. I have found a doc that I "click" with and have had one appointment with her. I have a follow up appointment tomorrow to discuss goals and treatment.

[93legendti]

I take fish oil that has a fair amount of Omega 3 in them. I also have some Omega 3 pills that I've had forever, but have never taken. Might as well start now.

Thanks for all the advice from everyone. I have found a doc that I "click" with and have had one appointment with her. I have a follow up appointment tomorrow to discuss goals and treatment.

Good luck. With our daughter I thought the first rx would be our salvation. Patience is still the key. If she prescribes meds, the first Rx could be the one, or it could take a few different Rx's to find the right one.