Any ADD adults out there?

[Diva of Dragons]

I am 41, totally ADD with a history of insomnia, depression and panic attacks! Sounds messy, I know, but I am also, totally med. free and almost completely symptom free!!! I know people discount this stuff, but with dietary changes, some meditation, deep breathing, 20-30 minutes of sun/day(balances melatonin and sertonin in the brain), and a little excercise, I've been doing really well for years now!

Diet changes include; no caffeine, no food colorings (a huge stimulant, esp. in kids), and very little sugar. Basically, the more natural the food, the better I do!.........Also, no soda or carbonation whatsoever!! Several studies have shown that the carbon dioxide actually reduces oxygen in the blood which can cause foggy thinking and anxiety!!...The oxygen factor is huge! It has been known for many years that people with anxiety, depression etc... tend to hold their breath and breathe very shallowly. Consciously taking deep breaths, really helps relax and focus you!!

I'm not perfect! LOL! I still occasionally have a "down" day or feel unmotivated. But it is always just a day! I am not 100% opposed to meds, at all! They literally saved my life 12 years ago in an acute situation. I just personally like to use them as a last resort.

Oh, and I am one the "have to reads"!

Good luck!!

 

[spacemountain]

I have ADD but have never taken meds for it either. I mostly just try to work around it, but it can be really annoying sometimes. I think taking the meds is all just personal preference. I agree with Diva of Dragons, I would take them as a last resort, if things got really bad. Also I have gotten through depression twice without any medication so I think I don't need any medicine for the ADD either. I'd say if it is at a point where it is constantly interfering with your day to day life, then I would try the meds.

 

[paigevz]

I do have sensory issues also..........can't stand for anyone to touch me, hug me whatever other than my kids and husband, can't deal with background noise at all.......I can't concentrate on conversations if there is background noise (funnily enough, the "buzz" of the classroom doesn't distract me).

I did not ever hear of ADD being on the autism spectrum. I tend to not think that's true (not saying you didn't read it, just that I don't believe the folks who wrote it).

Caffeine HELPS folks with ADD. In fact, one of the hallmarks that counselors look for (I've been told this by 3 of them), is people who drink lots of coffee, tea or sodas..........up to 6 times more than usual. They say these folks are actually attempting to self-medicate. I know my mother and I (she's not diagnosed, but is classic), crave caffeine.........even if we stop it entirely for weeks and are no longer dependent on it, we are drawn to it inexorably.

And I am also in the HAVE to read category. One reason I love the DIS. I am CONSTANTLY reading, and it does help curb my anxiety (another problem I have). Sometimes I even mute the TV so I don't have to mess with the noise and I can read the closed captioning.

 

[tinkerrn]

When I take my meds, I'm a much calmer & more organized person. My DH loves me even more in this state!

I also have ADD. I am noncompliant with my meds. My DH gets very irritated with me when I don't take them. When I do take them, I am very quiet. The problem I have with them, is they CHANGED me. I become this very flat person with no personality. EVERYONE...except my husband notices a change in me.

On another note, I an a nurse who works with adolescents who have ADD. I have seen their lives cvhange my taking these drugs. They become much more focused and confident. Alot of children/adolescents are also positive for depression. These meds also help their self esteem.

There are so many pros and cons for taking the meds. The best advise I can give you is to make sure you are seeing a specialist in their field....a psychiatrist. No offense to family practioners, but would you go see an ob/gyn for a heart problem??

 

[RC Fan]

Oh, and on the reading thing: I read somewhere that if you have ADD you either CAN'T read (not literally can't....you just hate it) or you HAVE to read - there is no in between. I'm in the have-to-read group: I read constantly - anything and everything and have found that it calms me and gives my mind something to focus on.

Wow, that is eerie. Yeah, I am over 20 according to the link earlier in the thread, but your statement really got me: I am happiest when totally absorbed in something (example: trip to Disney or Harry Potter). I need to focus on something; I always have an obsession or two I must totally research, in addition to every thing else that is going on.

 

[tinkerrn]

Forgot to add that there are options that are not in the stimulant drug category.
Strattera and Wellbutrin are also used for adult ADD. I personally have not used Strattera, but habe used Wellbutrin with great sucess. Wellbutrin is an anitdepressant that many docs also prescribe fort weight loss and to stop smoking. Caution is used with all antidepressant, make sure you see a PSYCHIATRIST to make sure its right for you. Those with seizure disorder should not be taking the drug, it lowers the seizuer threshold.

 

[Beth76]

Caffeine HELPS folks with ADD. In fact, one of the hallmarks that counselors look for (I've been told this by 3 of them), is people who drink lots of coffee, tea or sodas..........up to 6 times more than usual. They say these folks are actually attempting to self-medicate.

Hmmmm interesting. I've started drinking coffee. Seriously, I'm 30 and have never drank coffee. Have never *needed* a caffeine boost in the morning. (Of course for the past several years I haven't needed to get up early either).

But, in the past several weeks I've tried caffeine to give me a boost during the day. Like I said before, I've found myself getting very sluggish and not being able to function. This after a full-nights sleep. Maybe I should just keep with the caffeine for awhile and see how that changes things. I'm also going to try to take a vitamin everyday.

Somehow, I'm sure a trip to the psychiatrist would end up costing and arm and a leg. I'll try caffeine, vitamins and exercise. Oh no the Scientologists have gotten me!!!

 

[paigevz]

I hop out of bed in the morning, like my ADHD son. But, I don't feel like I can concentrate until I've had some caffeine. Not sleepy, just foggy.

My mother drags out of bed adn can't function until she has her coffee!

 

[KimR]

Somehow, I'm sure a trip to the psychiatrist would end up costing and arm and a leg. I'll try caffeine, vitamins and exercise. Oh no the Scientologists have gotten me!!!

My insurance paid for the psychiatrist; you might want to check to see if yours will.

And I drink caffeine as well (tea, not coffee), but what helped me even more than that was ephedra (before they took it off the market). That was my non-prescription ADD drug of choice.

 

[Beth76]

My insurance paid for the psychiatrist; you might want to check to see if yours will.

Probably not. They wouldn't pay (or at least didn't pay for all of) for my son to go to the urologist. We ended up paying $100 to see this doctor for about 2 minutes. No tests were perfomed, no instruments were used. $100! Sorry O/T.

 

[my4kids]

I am soooo severely ADD it is a wonder I ever get out the door. I don't take meds, I just married a man who is usually understanding and comes home and helps me finish getting the dinner on the table because I got so distracted throughout the process that I am exausted and can't think what to do next. "OK, ice in glass, put glass on table walk back to other side of kitchen, watch a story on the news, ok next glass, ice, water, table, oh - I didn't put the water in the first glass...what was that on TV?, sure I'll play a game of checkers honey. OK _ Everybody stop talking to Mommy!, I have to get dinner out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-right after I check every subscribed thread on the DIS- new ice in first and second glass since it is melted.................. this is my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used to get little "focus bursts" where I would get really focused and driven once in a while - like 2-3 times a week where I would pretty much make up for where I had fallen behind ...but those bursts are less and less frequent now...like once ever 3-4 months.

 

[Beth76]

OK _ Everybody stop talking to Mommy!, I have to get dinner out

I think I say this every night. Or yell it.

 

[KimR]

my4kids, I can totally relate. Dinner is the worst. I have problems with anything that involves multiple steps. For some reason, and I cannot even tell you why, it winds up taking me much longer than it would the average person and by the time I am finished I am so frustrated and frazzled no one wants to be around me. I've found that it helps to fix simple things that can be prepared in one pot, if possible. Also, I try to get my DDs to handle the little things, ice in glasses, set the table, salad, etc so I can concentrate fully on preparing the main dish.

DH is very understanding as well and he truly makes my life much easier. Or at least he is now that he has realized that I am the way I am because this is how my brain is wired and it's not just laziness. I am not lazy - at least not as lazy as I appear to be.

 

[KimR]

Probably not. They wouldn't pay (or at least didn't pay for all of) for my son to go to the urologist. We ended up paying $100 to see this doctor for about 2 minutes. No tests were perfomed, no instruments were used. $100! Sorry O/T.

That is absolutely ridiculous!!! Our insurance now is excellent but in the past, we've had experience with having claims denied for every reason imaginable. There for a while ever single claim we filed was denied and we had to fight to get it paid. Eventually they did pay but it was aggravating having to spend so much time trying to get what we were legitimately owed. OK...sorry for the OT but considering the topic of the thread, tangents might be understandable.