ADHD in adults

[zoom-zoom]

My other son was fine once he got to college and could study what he wanted to.

This was my experience, as well (I'm sure it didn't hurt that I was paying my own tuition, too...not easy to slack-off when investing that kind of dough). But I HAD to keep a day planner and get everything done well in advance. I still have to plan my workouts, as well, or else I don't get them in or I lose motivation.

It helped that I was so busy in college with work and school that I didn't have time to waste. I do best when I am under the gun.

[badger]

This is so me...I saw this recently. It made me laugh and shake my head at the same time.

I had a good laugh, that's brilliant! I have age-activated attention deficit for sure!!

[WindingRoad]

This is so me...I saw this recently. It made me laugh and shake my head at the same time.

Welcome to my world, crazy as it may be. I totally relate to this poor woman. Its odd because I used to always joke with my friends about I saw something shiny so I was distracted. Little did I know. LOL.

[Azurah]

I truly believe that I have undiagnosed ADHD. My 8yr old son has been diagnosed with ADHD, but he isn't at the point where he needs medication.

I am very disorganized, procrastinate, have a hard time finishing things I start, have difficulty concentrating, major memory problems, and I'm very easily distracted. I'm in college and have been getting straight A's. I am a major procrastinator, but deadlines help with the motivation! I have to study alone because in groups, it's impossible to focus.

I'm a dental assistant and I find that my memory/concentration issues really affect my job. I often make mistakes/leave things off of chart notes that I have to correct later. I notice that if I'm not the one doing something, it's harder to remember. It's hard to remember all the teeth/surfaces/procedures we did on a patient because I'm not the dentist...I'm just suctioning/rinsing or passing them things. I can't just rush and write up the chart, I need to sit and really concentrate to make sure I'm getting all the details.

Because of my issues, I find that I can't be as good at my job as I want to be, now matter how hard I try. I actually want to be a hygienist. It would work better for me because I'd be the one doing the procedures. If I'm more engaged in something, the better I can focus.

I don't need to be diagnosed because I can't take stimulants. I already take propranolol to calm me because I get anxious at work and get shaky hands.

Just the other day at work while we were finishing up a patient's fillings (ironically, it was a 10yr old with major ADHD), the dentist said she needed an xray of a particular area when we were done. When the filling was done, the dentist left to see another patient and I was disinfecting everything and replacing used instruments so the chair would be ready for the next patient. Meanwhile, my patient is asking me a billion questions at rapid fire about what was this, how did we do that, etc etc. I'm concentrating on answering his questions and I walk him out to his mom, completely forgetting to take the xray the dentist asks for. Of course, I remember as soon as the patient and his mom have left. Typical type of situation for me.

[Azurah]

Just watched that youtube video! That's so funny, yet so sad because I'm only 28, but that's how my brain works.

[Crankin]

Azurah, if you are having anxiety that causes physical symptoms, I would recommend you re-evaluate your medication... it's not usual to prescribe propranolol for anxiety. And the anxiety you feel needs to be addressed, not just by medication. I have several clients who take medication for ADHD and anxiety. You need to see a good psychopharmacologist or psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD. It's quite possible that your anxiety is part of the ADHD.

[zoom-zoom]

It's quite possible that your anxiety is part of the ADHD.

I'll echo this. My son gets anxious when he's not well-treated...it's very stressful and upsetting for him to not feel in control of himself. I have to wonder if your anxiety is result of feeling like you can't focus to do your work. That would cause anyone significant anxiety.

[limewave]

My dad has ADHD and my grandfather had it too. Unfortunately my dad was not diagnosed with it until sometime in the last 5-10 years. Struggling with his ADHD symptoms really took a toll on him--he never read us stories as kids (never finished reading a book period), struggled with various drug addictions, loss of friendships, etc. He ended up writing a booklet about ADHD. I've watched a great documentary ADD and Loving It about adult ADHD which has helped me understand my dad better.

I have always dealt with anxiety and depression, that la-la forgetfulness one of you mentioned, lack of focus, etc my whole life as well. I have not sought treatment for ADHD specifically, but working with a naturopath doctor has helped with many of those symptoms.

And very recently I've been wondering if my DD has ADHD. We've had extreme behavior issues with her. One counselor suggested that she has "Oppositional Defiant Disorder." She also has anxiety. I have to prepare her thoroughly for any new situation. And if something doesn't go exactly as she has imagined it, she completely shuts down.

She is very bright, very smart, but lacks focus. It's going to be an interesting ride with this child.

[Azurah]

Crankin and zoom-zoom, you are both probably right that my anxiety has to do with my problems focusing at work. I'm almost 100% sure of it. I have seen a psychologist and tried several medications, but none of them helped my shaky hands. I have been on various SNRI's and SSRI's, but they made my brain more foggy and had undesirable side effects. My heart seems to be super sensitive to the norepinephrine inhibiting effect of SNRI's and my resting pulse would often be in the 100's.

I did bring up ADHD with my psych and she felt that it was possible, but even if I did have it, she told me she would never be comfortable prescribing a stimulant with the way my heart rate reacted to snri's.

Perhaps I will see another psych in the future for a second opinion, but I'm not ready for that yet. Other than getting meds, I see no need to be officially diagnosed. It wouldn't change the fact that I have these issues.

[Crankin]

There are several, well established alternative treatments for anxiety, that might also help with the focusing.
Mindfulness Stress Reduction (8-12 week class)
progressive muscle relaxation
yoga therapy
controlled breathing/meditation

Who is prescribing your meds? I understand the side effects with the SSRNIs, etc, but a psychopharmacologist is someone who specializes only in prescribing medications. They are usually psychiatrists with specialized training. There are new ADHD meds that are not stimulants.
You might also want to consider a neuropsych. evaluation.

[Azurah]

It was a psychologist who prescribed the ssri and snri's and I went for weekly therapy sessions for a little over a year. I no longer see the psychologist. It was my physician that prescribed the propranolol and the psych agreed that it was good idea for my shaky hands.

Good to know that there are non-stimulant meds for ADHD treatment. I may look into finding a neuropsych.

[WindingRoad]

"And very recently I've been wondering if my DD has ADHD. We've had extreme behavior issues with her. One counselor suggested that she has "Oppositional Defiant Disorder." She also has anxiety. I have to prepare her thoroughly for any new situation. And if something doesn't go exactly as she has imagined it, she completely shuts down.

She is very bright, very smart, but lacks focus. It's going to be an interesting ride with this child.[/QUOTE]

This sounds quite familiar to some of the things I experienced when I was younger. I was known to be quite defiant in many respects. I hope you can figure out what her issue is.

So I finally got to a psychologist who officially diagnosed me with adult ADHD today. He seems to think I will see a very dramatic difference after going on medication. He said he wants to have another session before he jumps to medication though. I am actually excited to see how it works for me, it would be so great to be able to not be completely spastic when I need to sit and study for hours. For that matter, I'd just like to be able to pay attention during class without being distracted by every little noise.

[zoom-zoom]

WR, I'm really glad that you have a diagnosis...it's that whole "knowledge is half the battle" thing. Now you have a starting point, which is excellent. Please continue to keep us posted on things.

[Crankin]

Azurah, psychologists cannot prescribe medication in any state in the US. You must have been seeing a psychiatrist, or your therapist was working with a doctor who prescribed for him/her.
You need to find a different therapist. One who really knows his/her stuff, both about ADHD and anxiety. Therapy for a year, with no abatement of severe anxiety symptoms isn't right. This is interfering with your work.

[WindingRoad]

So I keep reading about some of the typical issues involved with ADHD. I continue to run across articles saying CYCLING is a sport highly recommended to help alleviate the symptoms. Some even say it fills that Impulsivity void we have. I just can't believe how much things are starting to make sense now. From the explosive anger moments to reading 5 books at a time, good lord I wish I had know this about 15 years ago. I'm not complaining though.

I do realize I'm going to have to rid myself of a lot of my preconceived notions about my rocky elementary and high school years. It was a horrible experience really; I was so frustrated with everything that I literally made bubble pictures on my SAT back in high school There is a point when you just can't fight it anymore and you just give in the to "bad student" label. All I can say is by all means if you suspect your kids of having ADHD, please have them evaluated and don't put them through the emotional roller coaster I had to go through. I think its worse for girls too, bc we already have issues with image and self esteem. Throwing a learning issue into the mix really screws with your confidence.