ADD/ADHD - thoughts?

(warning, a bit of a big post)

So here's the deal.. Me and my psychiatrist suspect that I might have ADD. The reason being that the symptoms all sound exactly like I've always behaved - unexplained depression/anger, lack of concentration, racing thoughts, among other symptoms.

It's always been like I can feel something wrong with me, and no matter what I do I can't snap out of the negative feelings. That doesn't make sense because if you're just depressed it's usually due to some outside problem, like a break-up/trauma/etc. For me, it just comes out of nowhere and catches up with me quickly, even if I try to outrun it by doing positive things.

Usually, to self-medicate, I would get addicted to just about anything that would give me a rush, like sweets or alcohol. In some periods even marijuana - the calming effect would relieve me sometimes. That's because the disorder constantly stresses you out with racing thoughts and dysfunctional problems in daily life, (like the lack of concentration) raising your anxiety constantly and therefore calling for relief very very often. It makes me for one very prone to burnouts.

What do you guys think about ADD or ADHD? I should tell though - for those that don't know - that ADHD is the hyperactive version, while mine is a more introverted version (all the hyperness stays inside and sorts of..implodes, unlike ADHD which is directed outwards).

It really seems to me as if lots of people are unknowingly living life with ADD or ADHD without knowing it. If so that's sad, 'cause it really gets in the way of many everyday-things like friendship or love.



But anyway, have you met anyone with ADD or ADHD? Do you recognize these symptoms in them? Or have you yourself been diagnosed perhaps?
I'd like to hear your experience or knowledge on this.

Thanks,

Will

I have ADHD.

Eat a balanced diet, carb up before sleep and load up on protein in the morning
get plenty of sleep
consume small amounts of caffeine or other stimulants throughout the day in a controlled manner. The average amount of caffeine consumed in America is around 280mg/day. I usually do between 100-400mg depending on the day and what I need to do. If I'm low on sleep I'll usually do MORE and take 10 minute cat naps during my breaks while at work and make sure that I get plenty of sleep the next night since caffeine does naturally drain your energy reserves.


Other ways to combat the effects
be as structured as possible I HAVE to make to do lists.
if you're in school, PRESTUDY. I can't pay attention in class to save my life so I'm forced to prelearn and then I absorb bits and pieces as I go. From there if I need additional help I go to office hours(usually the day before an exam)
I pulled off a 3.5 GPA in college as a Math/econ major with minors in Statistics and Accounting at a university known for being grade deflationary.

Actually, lately, a lot of people have been misdiagnosed with ADD when they may be Bipolar. You might want to see about that as well, it explains more of the depression and anger. For me, however, I've had ADHD my entire life, I was diagnosed, I suppose, with it when I was a bit younger than ten.

I used to take medication for it, started with Ritalin but that caused me to gain a bit of weight before I was even out of middle school; I was just above five feet tall and I weighed as much as I do now. I ended up switching to Concerta in 8th grade, it worked fairly well, but when I didn't take it I would cause problems for myself. Mostly because I didn't think before I did something.

I still have concentration problems, I don't take any medication for it anymore. I couldn't get into the Army if I had been taken it for a certain period of time and I stopped my last two years of high school. I sort of self medicate now. I smoke cigarettes fairly often; the nicotine works fairly well to keep me calm and help me concentrate.

It sucks, honestly, because even some of the medication comes with some -bad- side effects. Adderal, for instance, becomes extremely addicting as time goes on and the withdrawal affects are horrible. Ritalin has different effects on different people, I just know it slows my metabolism down (Something I can't afford due to my current job) So, it varies, but the disease isn't a fun thing to have.

I was diagnosed with ADD (no H) when i was around 11 years old. I was put on ritalin and it did help and i was on it for years. You could talk to your doctor about it and see whats up.

I didnt have a lot of crazy depression as much as just some overreaction to junk. Since ritalin is a amphetamine, (stimulant) when i took it, i calmed down and was able to focus more. Thats one huge clue to know if you really have AD(H)D is if stimulants (in smaller doses) actually work that way. Even caffeine.

My doctor told me that i may eventually grow out of it. Is that true? Yes and no. In my case, i kinda did to the point where my mind doesnt switch gears rapidly and i certainly dont need medication for it anymore. I havent for a good 12 years or so. (i still got ADD tendencies but yeah.) Some people....yeah it just doesnt go away. Some people deal with it all their lives but usually its not so bad that they need meds.

I used to take medication for it, started with Ritalin but that caused me to gain a bit of weight before I was even out of middle school;

Really? Ritalin curbed my appetite so much that i was skinny as a twig until i got off of it. Thats very strange....

Medication does work. But make sure you research what you take. See about side effects that could occur, and if they do, ask to switch to another type of medication. Just make sure of what you're taking. You can't really 'grow' out of it, it does calm as you get older, yeah.. But since you said you've been drinking, I'm assuming you're either grown as much as possible, or close to it, and if it's still bad for you then seek some type of medication.

Still, I'd also take a test to see if there's a chance you're bipolar. I've never known actual depression for more than an hour or so and there's usually a reason for it. Just check it out, because the medicine for ADD/ADHD and the medication for Bi-polar syndrome can... Cause some issues if you're taking the wrong medication. You'll find yourself angry at -lot- more.

My brother has ADHD. The first time he was given medication he was so unlike himself, really sort of sedate. After some time, he got used to the effects and was much more like his normal self, although the medication did still have effect.

I was diagnosed with AD/HD when I was only six years old. And I have been medicated ever since! (I have officially taken every single variety/brand of medication prescribed for ADD, too! I deserve a reward from the pharmaceutical industry.)

I have never associated depression with ADD. Huh.

Like others have said, you should discuss meds with your psychiatrist. Research, too. Make sure your psychiatrist is starting you on low doses, too. I was on an insane dose of Welbutrin when I had my seizure (which, mind you, was the result of a combination of factors, not only the meds) in 2002, and that psychiatrist was pretty much to blame. And if you notice any negative side-effects, tell your psychiatrist ASAP. (For example, a good number of ADD meds gave me tics like hair-pulling and painful eye-squinting and -rolling.) You will find the right one. Eventually!

If you are not into meds---I know that I have become paranoid about taking something as common as ibuprofen in recent months---you should learn some techniques to help you focus. One such technique is something I learned about three weeks ago: it is a form of meditation in which you focus your attention on a dull object (like a rock) without thinking about anything, even the rock; you just focus on, well, the focusing. If you do it frequently, it is supposed to actually wire your brain to have a better attention span. Or something similar.

@nighthawkx: Wow. That's some surprising (to me) tips. Caffeine actually gets me all riled up and irritated so I dunno about that. Sounds almost dangerous.

Actually, I doubt I can take in your tips, 'cause I dunno if ADHD and ADD are that similar. From what I've gathered ADHD is the hyper-version. But, I'll still keep what you said in mind.


@Midnari: I actually have considered bipolar depression, but I don't believe it fits me. My mood doesn't really work like seasons, I mean sure the winter dark here in Sweden can be pretty gloomy but that's something different altogether isn't it? My mood doesn't change over long periods of time, it just changes whenever. That's how I've gathered bipolar depression to work -- your mood has "seasons" throughout a year.
No psychiatrist or anyone has ever suggested that I might have such a disorder. So that further increases my doubt.


@Rhaegar/Florina: I have kinda experienced that "calming" effect with Atarax, which supposedly contains a very small amount of amphetamine. Atarax is a light-weight medicine, if it can be called even that. It's mostly just for allergies or to calm down a bit and get some sleep.
As for caffeine, I have found through dark chocolate or cocoa drinks (90% cocoa + water and milk and sugar) that I can gain more focus and energy. I dunno about caffeine though, it CAN give me energy but usually it just irritates me.

@EzloSpirit: That's what I've gathered about ADD - that it gives you depressive symptoms and even asocial behaviour.
Although, I might also have a thyroid problem. The thyroid gland affects a lot including the mood - it produces hormones - and I've had problems with that before.
The problem is, supposedly there are some thyroid problems that can go completely unnoticed by many doctors. I've read that it's something not all doctors have adapted to and so the result could be that people - and me - are living life with an untreated thyroid problem. Which is pretty serious.

Also, there is of course the factor that some of the things that make me feel this way are completely legitimate - like not eating on time, lack of exercise, isolation, boredom, poor routines if any at all. Heck perhaps my way of thinking is just...too negative?
It's hard to say if I feel this way due to something undiagnosed or my enviroment. Or both! *shrug*

Thanks for the replies guys! I appreciate it.

I have ADD and its a pretty bad ass way to live. I think its cool, anyway..But its very hard to live a satisfying life. When I go to the gym for example..Everybody always tells me to start slow. My family tells me that all the time, too. But then I just get bored, and give up. I HAVE to push myself. I NEED a challenge. If I overexert myself, then let me! Otherwise, I just quickly get bored and lose interest.

I'm the type of person who learned to run before I could walk, because I was hyper. My school kept trying to put me on pills for my ADD, because I wasn't paying attention. Sure, it could be my fault because I have ADD..Or it could be because the school didn't challenge me. It was a public school. They didn't care about individuals.

So I went to a charter school, and the problem was mostly solved. They challenged me, and I got honor roll. Its the same thing with work. I've been trying to get a job in a stocking position. Its a job that requires you to constantly move around and lift heavy objects. For me, what other people see as "work", I see as "fun". I'm not going to settle for a cashier job.

But it HAS proven to be a bit of a problem in my life. I used to take karate and gymnastics when I was little. I failed both. But it wasn't because of my performance. I was the most flexible kid in gymnastics. I was very athletic. But I just didn't follow instructions. I wanted to do my own thing, and jump. Most of the class was spent talking, and listening to the teacher.

And as for karate..Well, it was the same thing.

It's not a bad thing to be like this. But it DOES make life more challenging. I have to constantly find ways to keep myself thrilled and occupied. For me, life gets easily boring. Very easily..It gets so boring to the point where I just drift off into space and daydream all the time.

That's also why I play video games a lot. I'm not trying to sound like a steroid junkie or a druggie. This is just naturally how I am.

And things like this are the reason why I've been working to get a motorcycle license. It'll help my ADD.

Of course, you shouldn't judge people just by what the doctors say they have. When I die, I don't want people to remember me as "That kid with extreme ADD"..Its not a lifestyle. And its not an illness. Its just a part of who I am.

And that's what those teachers did. They made it LOOK like an illness. They tried telling my parents that I was retarded, and I wouldn't be able to make it through life without medication. That was back in elementary school.

I graduated highschool 3 months ago. Obviously they were wrong.

Life is too easy for me..I always need a challenge. If I don't get challenged, then I just get bored. And its a long shot, but I think maybe that contributed to my depression. Part of it, at least.

Living with ADD is a challenge. I easily succumb to depression and mood swings..(Its a part of something else). But I'm not going to put myself on medication. It's who I am. I think we should all be happy with ourselves..And take advantage of our insecurities.

Ever since I got out of elementary school, I started homeschooling myself in my spare time. I still do that, to this day. Its fun for me. Just like online college will be fun for me, because I'll do it at my own pace. I'll get to choose my own challenges.

They said I did bad in school because of my ADD. They couldn't be more wrong. Look at all the scholarships and student loans I have, that are paying for college. My family doesn't have to pay a dime.

Learning to live with it has made my life more enjoyable. Some people have it minor, while some have it severe. I was one of the ones who had it severe. And even though I WAS diagnosed with ADD, there have been a lot of doctors who think I have ADHD too.

Whatever you do, don't let anybody make you think that its something to be ashamed of. Its not a deformity, and its not an illness. I won't discourage you from taking medication, but just know that its a lifestyle that you CAN adapt to. Its something you can learn to live with.

They tried forcing me to take medication. They forced my parents. They were going to expel me. It sounds drastic, but its truer then true. Eventually they gave in, and gave me the medication. I don't know what happened, but they were forced to take me off it. The medication made me violent, and angry. I had mood swings.

They came to a compromise. In the end, the teachers put me in different classes for "gifted" children. Not special education. Nothing close to that. They were classes that were exclusive to people who had honor roll.

So its not a bad thing to live with..Not at all.

Actually, my best friend has ADHD. I met him in first grade and he was like reeeeaaaallly hyper. Over the years he's learnt to calm himself downwithout having to use any type of medication such as Ridelyn. (However in 5th grade, I did know a child who had to take a Ridelyn pill every lunch hour which seemed to make him very drowsy.) He's much more chill now than I ever remember him, he said going to karate has really helped him to focus and such.
However, he still has a very hard time concentrating. Like during Math class, he has this thing he does with his calculator whenever he's bored, he pretty much just adds 1+1 over and over again to see how high he'll get until he's caught not paying attention or class is over ir something.

I know a few people who have developed a dependency on adderall, or medication similar. It definitely helps, but like all amphetamines it takes a toll on your body. Don't mix it with other drugs, and be careful if you start taking it.

Unfortunately that comes with most meds. However if a person needs it, I say give it a careful try. I believe having a difficult time concentrating on things does kinda bring down one's general quality of life. Whether it is caused by such a thing as ADD in my case, I am not sure.

Thx for the post

Let me tell you all a story about what I was like on Adderal. I was paying attention, sure..But I was very depressed. I went to the nurses office and told her I was depressed, and I just couldn't smile. So then they decided to change my daily dosage..BIG mistake. Remember when I said it made me violent, and angry? I had to stay in from recess for a month, because I was bullying other kids..Well, not just bullying..We all make mistakes..so..Uh..xD

I beat people up. For no reason, I went on a rampage and just beat the ♥♥♥♥ out of people. There have been a lot of times when I've almost been expelled, but this was pretty close. I have anger problems, but they're not that bad. It was something about the Adderal that made me violent.

Also, I think I OD'd on it one time, accidentally..But I can't remember the details..

Anyway, the school administration was screwed either way. Either they up my dosage, I become an angry sociopath, lower my dosage, and make me the most miserable kid in the universe, or they just take me off. And they took me off it.

I've heard about other kids throwing tantrums from it. I was a class clown..I always got in trouble all the time, but it didn't necessarily harm anybody. Everybody liked me..
But then I took that stupid pill...And it changed me...THAT much?

Just be careful when it comes to meds. Our body's are unique, and just because it may work for someone doesn't mean it'll necessarily work for you.

So don't make it a commitment. Just talk to your doctor, and ask to try it out. And don't you dare let ANYBODY force you into it. That's what the school administration did to me.

Hahaha..Also, they tried it again eventually..And it just made me more hyper, somehow.

@OP Racing thoughts is also a big thing with anxiety, remember.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you're letting the anxiety get the better of you. What I mean by that is still searching to find out what's wrong with you.


As for me, well, I have no idea if I have ADD or not. When people talk to me, my mind can start to wander after a couple of seconds. I used to love reading books and read and read and read and read. I was exemplary at school for all the reading I did. Then after I graduated high school, I started having problems concentrating on what I was reading. I had to start the sentence over and over and would oftentimes forget what just happened in the paragraph that I read, so I'd read that over. And this was because I couldn't concentrate on what I was reading and my thoughts would drift elsewhere. I still get really bummed out about it from time to time because I used to pride myself in my ability to read well.

But I don't think it's ADD.

For one, it's mostly when I'm reading novels. I can read long posts on ZU and stuff just fine.

And second, I'm rarely hyper. I'm a very mellow person despite my high blood pressure and anxiety.


However...I did have trouble paying attention in school when the teachers were up front lecturing. I was always off in my fantasies. And if there was something difficult that I couldn't understand (like in math), my brain would just shut off and wander somewhere else.

I don't think anythings wrong with me anymore, though.. Hey uh..Buddy, I don't want to tune you out or anything but uh..That's for some other posts I've made..Its kind of unrelated to ADD.

I liked having ADD. My parents were fine with it, too. The only people who had their panties up in a bunch were the school administrators. That was just a bad school, in general. My family had a lot of run ins with it..And they wanted to take me out. But that's behind me now..And I graduated.

I'm pretty proud of myself..Once I go out of that school, I was given a unique education, like I said before. And that new school did wonders for me. It was exactly the kind of education I needed.

Originally Posted by Shadow

I don't think anythings wrong with me anymore, though.. Hey uh..Buddy, I don't want to tune you out or anything but uh..That's for some other posts I've made..Its kind of unrelated to ADD.

If I don't directly quote you, assume that I was referring to the opening post.

Oh, I get it. Nah, I'm not trying to find things wrong with me. I really do have some minor anger problems. It just runs in the family. And those mood swings I mentioned in the post is because I'm bipolar. That's it, really..Both problems actually run in the family.. I'm actually lucky compared to some people in my family. Everything I have is very minor..The "bipolar" was just touched upon because I exhibited some early symptoms when I was little..But nothing big.

The only big problem I have is ADD..That's the one that freaked everybody out.

But I'm not concerned about any of it. None of its stopping me from enjoying life xD

ADD isn't a problem. Only society thinks it is.

I know..That's what I meant. This school went to extreme efforts to convince my family that it was a problem. But you wanna know something really weird? I was a kid who got honor roll...3 years in a row. How stupid can you get? They sent me to a school psychologist just because I had ADD!
Its like I said..That was a really bad school.

Despite my good grades, they took me out of normal classes and put me in sessions with these teacher aids, to make sure that I was paying attention and focusing on my work.

They seemed to stop at nothing to try to convince both me and my parents that I was a freak for having ADD. There were other kids who had ADD in my school, but they were on medication.

I don't want to get into my school history on this forum, but they did a lot of weird things..Whats more is that they did all these things without authorization from the sate itself.

Now don't tell me I'm exaggerating, but my family had every right to sue the school. But instead of suing, they just took me out of the district. They figured it was easier.

Yeah, suing is a hassle.