Living with ADD/ADHD :(

[VRBeauty]

Count me in. Diagnosed as an adult. It''s something I don''t mention to too many people. I got tired of even close friends telling me I don''t have a condition that I know I have, or that it''s just forgetfulness or this busy world or whatever. Whatever it''s called, I have it, and it affects my life in ways that people who don''t have it can''t imagine. I''m not medicating... most of what I tried didn''t seem to help and trying to figure out what would help just required too much, well, attention. But it definitely affects the quality of my life and work in major ways, so I''m thinking of giving the meds another go.

 

[Amethyste]

Date: 2/17/2010 9:25:04 PM
Author: VRBeauty
Count me in. Diagnosed as an adult. It's something I don't mention to too many people. I got tired of even close friends telling me I don't have a condition that I know I have, or that it's just forgetfulness or this busy world or whatever. Whatever it's called, I have it, and it affects my life in ways that people who don't have it can't imagine. I'm not medicating... most of what I tried didn't seem to help and trying to figure out what would help just required too much, well, attention. But it definitely affects the quality of my life and work in major ways, so I'm thinking of giving the meds another go.

Oh... How I know what you mean... Others are often quick to say things like that. so I know how you feel...

For 10 years I wasn't medicated, I was ok for the most part, but I struggled with many other things in my life because I thought I could "control" it, but it really controlled me, I felt very helpless...

I am not really in favor or medication, but in my case, its the one thing that helps me to feel better. I am going to try until I find what works for me.

 

[Arkteia]

Date: 2/17/2010 7:18:44 PM
Author: LtlFirecracker
Just to clarify a few statements made


1) A general pediatrician can manage most ADHD for the children. It is one of the few mental health conditions I myself am truely conformable with. Of course, there are cases I do refer out (kids with another mental health disorder, kids who can't be managed on one med, kids 6 years old ect)


2) when a kid meets criteria for ADHD but is not hyperactive they are technically called ADHD - inattentive type. This is the type that is more common in girls, and regardless of gender either gets missed, or picked up much later. The inattentive symptoms are the symptoms that will most likely persist into adulthood.


3) There have been no studies showing diet modification will help this problem


4) For meds, the stimulants are the most effective treatment. Different meds work for different people.


5) I usually try to do a combo of medication therapy with environmental modification. That is only successful if you have a motivated patient (for the adults) or parent (for the kids). I explain to the parents that the children need to learn how to cope with their ADHD when they are not on meds. This is especially important for social situations where impulsive statements can cause problems. I have one child I am managing with environmental modification alone and we are using evidence based practices.


6) From the pediatrician's point of view, it is important not to diagnose every kid with a behavioral issue with 'ADHD.' Every child I have seen with a behavioral problem or a mental health disorder came in to rule out ADHD because someone else told them they might have it. I have had 2 year olds with speech delay come in on the advise of a speech pathologist for a r/o ADHD eval. I have to explain to the parents that a 2 year old does not have an attention span that is long enough to be disordered!!! I had another kid with depression who came to me for a 'r/o ADHD' from the social worker, and I didn't even bother to do the workup, I sent him to psych to manage his depression. I would like to find away to go about educating these professionals about what is/is not ADHD, but easier said than done.

100% agree. I do not want to discuss specific situations but I see kids of three brought to me because parents want to medicate them for ADHD. I often send them for neurocognitive testings. Interestingly, many of them end up diagnosed with ADHD but usually the parent who brought them in has ADHD, too. It makes me wonder if the kid is really so hyperactive or the combination of ADHD kid + ADHD mom is unsafe. I do not remember starting anyone on Ritaline at this age; we recommend therapy + observation for the kid AND treatment of ADHD for mom (or dad, whoever has it).

Oh, and no one has mentioned Daytrana patch. The effect is usually mild with no significant variations in the level of the medication and patients who can stand the patch like it. Not too many are on it, though, because unfortunately, it is quite irritating to the skin.