Life is good...

[MSGSTL]

Hello!

Excited to be here! I have had ADD/ADHD all my life. Only relatively recently have I started on medication. I hope to be a welcomed part of this forum. Feel free to call upon me anytime!

[Tanyadhd]

Hey there. I have struggled all my life with this adhd. But I was diagnosed 4 days ago. I'm quite emotional about it. Also on meds now for 4 days. I hope they will help me. I am desperate to learn how to cope.

[MSGSTL in reply to Tanyadhd]

Hi Tanyadhd!

First, may I ask you what medication you are on? Second, can you give me an rough estimate of your age? When I was first diagnosed in 2009, I was given immediate-release Adderall at 10mg twice daily. This had a euphoric affect at first. I must have called everyone in my smartphone's memory looking to talk to someone (Anyone actually!). After three days I was not as overzealous to connect. I would take my first 10mg dose when I got up, then the next dose at 2 pm. Honestly, the Adderall immediate-release started making me agitated or I guess you could say "short-tempered" I stopped taking the immediate release Adderall and went on Strattera. This is a "non-stimulant" medication for ADHD/ADD. I was on Strattera for nine months. I helped with "focus" but did little for my "gumption" that being a term used for motivation. So, I went on Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and worked quite well for four years. Eventually, the Ritalin affects started to wain. I spoke to my psychiatrist who put me on 20mg Adderall XR, which is a time-released version of Adderall. It has none of the agitating affects the regular Adderall has. I was "bumped-up" to 30mg, twice daily. Some days I don't even take the second dose-my focus and motivation are just fine without it. I have had ADHD since I was a young child. I found reading difficult and terribly tedious. I read slowly and often found myself re-reading what I just finished due to a lack of comprehension. I was diagnosed quite by accident when my primary physician suggested my inattention might be indicative of ADHD. I was 34 y/o at the time. Adults typically "lose" the hyperactivity they once exhibited as a child. Thus, they are diagnosed with ADD instead of ADHD. I know how conflicting a diagnosis of ADD can be. On one hand, you're happy to be able to put a "name" on your difficulties. On the other hand, who wants to be on psychostimulants all their life? It can present itself as a "Catch-22", damned if you do, damned if you don't. Here's is my suggestion: 1) DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF! ADHD/ADD is widely accepted as a deficit in the "executive center" of the brain. This part of your brain is also known as the pre-frontal cortex. Fancy word for the part of the brain just behind your forehead. The executive center is responsible for planning and thinking, it also "watches, guides, directs, and focuses your behavior. Psychostimulants like Ritalin and Adderall, "excites" the executive center, thus increasing activity in that area. Ritalin, Adderall, etc. can help areas of behavior you might have "deficits" in such as focus, attention, as well as motivation. I want to reiterate: DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF! ADHD/ADD is a product of an under-stimulated part of your brain. It does not come from nor is it caused by what you eat, how you sleep, what you do with your free time or by who you associate with. It is commonly thought that ADHD/ADD represents a chemical imbalance that affects the pre-frontal cortex. A second point I wish to make is that some of the most brilliant and talented people ever to walk this Earth are/were inflicted with ADHD/ADD. Albert Einstein has long been considered ADD. His teacher in school grew tired of his lack of attention in class by saying,"You will never amount to anything" Imagine if he took her seriously? He quite possibly have been a "Patent Clerk" all his life! Point here is ADHD/ADD is quite treatable with the right medications and/or a proper therapeutic modality (CBT, for example) If you don't like the stimulants often used in treating ADHD/ADD, try something like Strattera. If stimulants work best for you, but don't want to feel like your married to them, do what I do-take a weekend "off" from your medication. Most importantly, Tanya, is knowing that this is NOT a terminal illness, nor is it a flaw in your self, your personality, or your looks or behavior. It is simply the very unique way your brain is "wired". Hey, I not only have ADD, but I am AUTISTIC TOO! Isn't neurodiversity great! Feel free to call on me anytime. Remember: Self love is essential for you to fully, truly love another. May your cup "runneth" over so the "extra" love may spill to meet those around you. I hope this finds you well.

Bob

[MSGSTL]

Hi Mistyyblue!

I wish I could say I'm a "rookie" at this whole ADHD/ADD thing, but, I am afraid I am a "seasoned" professional. I was diagnosed quite fortuitously by my PCP in 2009. However, I have had ADHD since I was but a child. The diagnosis began a "hyper- focused" journey into all things psychologically/emotionally abnormal. In fact, the only things I refer to as "normal" are my weight, my height, and my blood pressure. Hey, 3 out of 1,000 ain't bad. Normalcy is WAY over-rated anyway. Diversity keeps you on your toes...

Thanks for "Chiming in"

May this find you well.

Bob

[MSGSTL]

No worries...

Life is good!