ADHD in adults

[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.