Anyone else diagnosed with ADHD?

[Jaci_Roxx]

Any AD(H)D's out there? Diagnosed or not (yet) diagnosed?

I'm mostly ADD but I have periods of Hyperactivity, so at first they thought I was bipolar. I was also seriously depressed for 2 years. I'm 25 now and most doctors told me it was a childrens' problem and adults couldn't be diagnosed... well I went to a specialist and proved them wrong. 
I've had it since I was a kid, but they thought I was just quiet and shy. It changed when I was a teenager, I ended up being loud, hyperactive and all kinds of stuff.
I've been to about 6 different schools, high schools not included (at the moment I'm studying to become practical nurse), I've had more than 10 jobs in 5 years... I cannot concentrate on anything unless it's REALLY interesting, like music.
I don't take any adhd medication, only a small daily dose of benzodiatsepines that help me calm down a bit if I'm hyperactive or aggressive. 

Your turn. 

[Bandita]

My ex had it that I lived with for 3.5 years.  Absolutely true that it can carry into and be diagnosed in adulthood.  Sadly for him he was not medicated either but chose to medicate himself with alcohol and other drugs, eventually getting himself arrested and doing some serious time. 

[Axl4Prez2004]

^ yikes, that's some scary shit. 

[Bandita]

^ yikes, that's some scary shit.?

It really was at the time.  After 3.5 years I finally realized that I was just making myself crazy over it and I had to leave.  This was a long time ago though, 10 years or so since I left.  It's funny though because still after all this time about once a year he will contact me and tell me he appreciates how much I tried to help him.  He is still in no better shape than he was then.

BUT...

On the other hand I have another friend who has ADHD.  We became friends when we were about 15 or so.  He had a lot of issues with school and was on and off meds for a million years.  Now he actually is a teacher.  So it doesn't always turn out like my ex did. 

I don't think having it should be a stigma. 

[Axl4Prez2004]

I grew up being watched by a neighbor after school and in the summer seeing as how my mom was a single mom who had to work to scrape by.  My neighbor was a foster mom with a biological son who was my older bro's age and 2 other sons and 1 daughter all 3 of which had severe ADHD and learning difficulties.  To sum it up, there was never a dull moment.

I always felt like a narrator growing up being surrounded by craziness.  Did I mention the foster mom was getting beaten by an alcoholic cop husband?  I never knew this growing up.  I mean, I always saw the cases upon cases of Schmidt's beer, but I was too young to put 2 and 2 together, and I never saw the abuse so hence I never knew. 

People think Jerry Springer stuff isn't real.  Oh, it is.  Trust me.

Anyway, I felt like I had a healthy respect for the power of Ritalin.  Off their meds, these kids were...I can't even give it words. 

What's the cause?  For these kids I know for a fact they went through hell and back before they were even a year old.  I know the oldest of the adopted foster kids was almost beaten to death, fractured skull, etc. as an infant.  The Tom Cruises of the world who think no meds. are needed are just clueless.  Do I think meds are over-prescribed?  Yes.  But...those who need them, neeeeeed them.

Me personally, I'd probably be considered hyperactive.  The attention deficit thing never hit me...unless you count staring at chicks' bodies from 8th grade on!    Back in 1 st grade I remember being masking taped to my chair by my teacher because I kept getting up for one thing or another.  Nowadays that would probably make headlines along with a million $ lawsuit!
   The teacher called me Tigger.  A black horn-rimmed glasses wearin' Tigger. 

[Butch Français]

nope, but I can't concentrate either unless it's really interesting!...seriously, why bother if it's not?

[Jaci_Roxx]

The Tom Cruises of the world who think no meds. are needed are just clueless.? Do I think meds are over-prescribed?? Yes.? But...those who need them, neeeeeed them.

I think SOME meds are too easily prescribed, for example SSRI and other anti-depressants. Doctors seems to think depression goes away if you just eat enough drugs. Sometimes it does, sometimes it don't. IMO you need to find out what causes your depression (or your other symptoms) before you can get rid of it.
I was depressed because I couldn't get anything done and I felt like I wasn't good at anything. My home was a mess, school was a mess, I was a mess... and anti-depressants just made me sleep all day long or become REALLY aggressive. I tried about 8 different SSRI/SNRIs before I went on benzodiatsepines. 
Since I found out I have adhd things have been a lot better actually!  Now I realize WHY I am the way I am, and why I was depressed. My life is still a mess but at least I know why it is, and that I'm not a bad person because of it. 

Meds can be either really good or really bad for you I guess... 

[Bandita]

I tried about 8 different SSRI/SNRIs before I went on benzodiatsepines. 

You do understand that you aren't supposed to stay on those for long periods of time though?  You will get a tolerance and need higher dosages and then become addicted. 

This article has some info on it:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000401/2121.html

[Where is Hassan Nasrallah ?]

fake rich countries conditions.

cannot stand all these stuff.
"Your kid is dumb he doesnt have add, he is dumb."

[Bandita]

fake rich countries conditions.

cannot stand all these stuff.
"Your kid is dumb he doesnt have add, he is dumb."

What is your problem???  Anyone who has a clue about ADD knows that it has NOTHING to do with intellect level. 

I am NOT saying that some conditions are not over-diagnosed but who are you to say what is real and what isn't a real condition?  Or to call people stupid for claiming to have it?

[jarmo]

fake rich countries conditions.

cannot stand all these stuff.
"Your kid is dumb he doesnt have add, he is dumb."

What is your problem???  Anyone who has a clue about ADD knows that it has NOTHING to do with intellect level. 

I am NOT saying that some conditions are not over-diagnosed but who are you to say what is real and what isn't a real condition?  Or to call people stupid for claiming to have it?

He's French.

Unfortunately there's no cure for that condition. 




/jarmo

[tbizzle]

I was diagnosed with it when I was like ten. So was my brother.  I was one meds for a few years, but I don't think it made much of difference, I was just a bad kid.

[Jaci_Roxx]

I tried about 8 different SSRI/SNRIs before I went on benzodiatsepines.?

You do understand that you aren't supposed to stay on those for long periods of time though?? You will get a tolerance and need higher dosages and then become addicted.?

This article has some info on it:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000401/2121.html

Yeah, but mine have a long half-life, meaning that the effect lasts all day long, so you don't get the "ups and downs" that you'd get with for example diazepam... They're chlordiazepoxide (Librium/Risolid...), 10 mg's a day. I've taken the same dose for about a year and they still work fine for me. Doctors have warned me about them, but at the same time they also say that if they make me feel better I should keep taking them (because I was in a really bad shape for a long time because of the depression).

*edit*

By the way, I experienced the weirdest kind of withdrawal symptoms when I stopped using SSRI's! The so-called brain shivers, fever etc... They were horrible, so I know what might happen if I started taking more benzos or went "cold turkey". 

[Bandita]

I tried about 8 different SSRI/SNRIs before I went on benzodiatsepines.?

You do understand that you aren't supposed to stay on those for long periods of time though?? You will get a tolerance and need higher dosages and then become addicted.?

This article has some info on it:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000401/2121.html

Yeah, but mine have a long half-life, meaning that the effect lasts all day long, so you don't get the "ups and downs" that you'd get with for example diazepam... They're chlordiazepoxide (Librium/Risolid...), 10 mg's a day. I've taken the same dose for about a year and they still work fine for me. Doctors have warned me about them, but at the same time they also say that if they make me feel better I should keep taking them (because I was in a really bad shape for a long time because of the depression).

*edit*

By the way, I experienced the weirdest kind of withdrawal symptoms when I stopped using SSRI's! The so-called brain shivers, fever etc... They were horrible, so I know what might happen if I started taking more benzos or went "cold turkey".?

You should never go cold turkey off any medications like that, the withdrawls are much the same as if you were hooked on illegal narcotics. 

Glad they are helping you though.

[Axl4Prez2004]

fake rich countries conditions.

cannot stand all these stuff.
"Your kid is dumb he doesnt have add, he is dumb."

Surely you jest.  ^  way over-diagnosed, yes...fake condition, umm, no.

Aren't SSRIs selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors?  I thought those were for depression.  What I do know about them is that exactly like Bandita explained, your body will develop a tolerance to the drugs.  They are not a permanent solution for depressed people.  It's similar to the effects of steroids on males.  These "ultimate men" develop shrunken testicles and grow breasts once the steroid regimens stop...among other problems.  Long-term usage of ritalin, I'm not  sure.  If I'm not mistaken, it's an amphetamine (an upper) that in adhd kids, actually calms them down.   

[Bandita]

From what I am reading the drug you are taking is really only approved for very short term treatment of an acute condition.  It also has a high tolerance rate and dependency level.  Generally it's used for insomnia or to help alcoholics get through withdrawls. 

[babydolls]

A guy at my husband's work recently told him that he was diagnosed with it as a child.  He was presecribed medication (i think it was ritalin) from age 9 to 18 i think - and then was told that after you've taken medication for that long, you've built up a natural immunity to it - so pointless to take anymore.  I think this guy copes fairly well - but he has hardly told anyone at work.  My husband was actually trying to find out more about it the other day, so he could understand the behaviour better.

oh and as for the "fake rich countries conditions" comment - that was uncalled for.  A personal lack of knowledge or understanding about a disease or condition should not render it non-existent.

[Jaci_Roxx]

From what I am reading the drug you are taking is really only approved for very short term treatment of an acute condition.? It also has a high tolerance rate and dependency level.? Generally it's used for insomnia or to help alcoholics get through withdrawls.?

I'm not going to use them for the rest of my life, but right now I need something to help me complete my studies etc. I've gone to several doctors and they've told me it's safe to use them for now. I have to renew my prescription quite often.. I have to see a doctor at least every 3 months. If they tell me to stop using them for some reason I will (but slowly of course). They've also adviced me to take a day off of meds every now and then, so that I won't develop tolerance too easily. Once or twice a week would be good, but sometimes I forget. ?

Having said that, I don't recommend those meds to anyone unless they can't find any other way to deal with their problems. I don't recommend any adhd meds either, but sometimes they're the only way a person can live a so-called "normal" life.

[Jaci_Roxx]

oh and as for the "fake rich countries conditions" comment - that was uncalled for.? A personal lack of knowledge or understanding about a disease or condition should not render it non-existent.

A doctor once told me to "think positive, go jogging and do fun stuff" when I was seriously depressed. You don't say that to a person who's depressed unless you want them to jump off a roof! 

People aren't properly informed about diseases etc... adhd is for example a neurological problem, and people tend to think it's psychological. Even doctors sometimes think it is!

[babydolls]

^ I've had similar "useful" comments from Drs when I suffered from depression. its crazy isnt it.    The same Drs were very quick to prescribe me with some pretty strong and dangerous medication at the time - which i struggled with for a bit, then eased myself off them completely. Managed to deal with my personal demons in other ways and havent needed medication for years (yay).  great you finally got an accurate diagnosis, and are doing ok