Hi there, my name is Barb and I'm newly diagnosed with ADD. At a regular visit with my psychiatrist, (who treats my anxiety/depression), I brought up some issues about my life and she immediately asked me a series of questions relating to ADD. After going through this checklist of hers, she told me that she feels that it's quite possible that I have ADD. She would like to see a copy of my childhood report cards and has explained how in girls, it often doesn't manifest itself the same way (in terms of acting out). I was very shy , nervous and quiet child at school, and loud and boisterous at home. My father was an alcoholic and very violent, so I think I had serious anxiety issues as well. When I was 17, I had my first panic attack and they were a problem through my early 20s. I was on Zoloft, then Prozac (which made the panic attacks worse) and now I'm back to Zoloft and love it. At one time I was also on Xanax 3/day. My biggest problem is now that she has "diagnosed" me, I'm scared to death of taking the Dexedrine. I keep thinking that if I dont' actually have ADD, then it will make me have a panic attack or a heart attack or that i'll become addicted to it. Thinking about this ADD, has brought on panic attacks again, that were gone for some time. I'm worried that it is my anxiety or depression that causes my forgetfulness, etc...
When I read all the posts on here, it worries me. I think that maybe I'm losing my mind, or I'm going crazy, or if I was going crazy, would I know it? All of you seem to be very accepting of your diagnosis, and I would like to become that way aswell. I'm just very nervous and worried, and it's making my panic worse. I don't know what it is that I'm specifically asking, but I would like to know how others felt about being diagnosed initially. Thank you so much for your words.

Some of us have been that way once...but me I was diagnosed at 16 and 12 years later I by now used to the idea..I am also on dexadrine and it helps me out alot. I know it's a lot to take in all at once but the more u learn about ADD the better it gets I think....I was actually kinda releaved in a way...knowing exactly what was wrong with me and learning how 2 face it....Now I see the good things about ADD and Makes it easier for me to accept :) Hugs Hun, It'll be ok ;)

Welcome Barbaradoll! :)

I, too, was relieved to finally have a diagnosis and a plan of attack for helping me to cope with the difficulties in my life. Like you, panic attacks have been a part of my life for over 20 years and I can only say that when I take my medication (Ritalin) I feel better, calmer, and can think more clearly which helps me to stop worrying myself into those states of panic.

Start slow, stay in close contact with your dr. reporting how you feel and are reacting to the meds. Remember that there are lots of different medications available for treating ADD and if one doesn't work for you there are still options. There is a lot of information here in the forums about the different meds. Read up. Knowledge about ADD and its treatments is so important.

Hang in there!

While I was diagnosed with ADD a long time ago I avoided taking medications for EXACTLY the same reasons as you. A) I suffer from panic attacks B) I have some minor heart issues C) I was scared of becoming addicted. While I can't releive all of your fears what I can tell you is that firstly the panic attack issue is one you have to deal with a bit. Ritalin and other ADD drugs are VERY short acting in some people as little as 1 to 2 hours so in the unlikely chance something undesireable happens it will be over quickly. While there is some chance of a panic attack it is slim and I found that taking medication has helped my panic issues since unbeknownst to me they revolved around many of my ADD issues. ADD allowed my mind to run a little to wild coming up with every bad result possible in a siutuation which in turn caused panic attacks. Since starting the medication I have noticed my mind doesn't swirl with bad possibilities as much and haven't had any panic issues

As for heart attacks unless you have some pre-existing heart issue you shouldn't have any issues (this is my personal opinion, not a medical opinion of any kind). But by all means discuss this issue with you doctor. Your doctor will take precautions to ensure that you don't have a coexisting heart problem.

Finally as to addiction, there have been many studies about this issue in medical journals showing that ADD stimulants taken as prescribed are not addictive. Let me be honest, if you take to much you can become addicted but this is not something that happens instantly after taking one pill but instead takes a long time.

So to get to the point talk to your doctor, read everything you can on these forums, and if your doctor prescribes medication think it over and if you feel comfortable try it. The great thing about ADD meds is that they work almost instantly. So after one day you can compare the benfits to your fears and make your decision from there. I found for me personally that the benefits far outweigh the things I fear. I hope this helps. And just a reminder I'm obviously not a doctor so ask a real doctor about the things that I said here.

ADD medications, specifically stimulants are technically contraindicated by strong anxiety. That said, I have been taking Ritalin for 2 months now, and I am actually less prone to have an anxiety attack while I'm dosed up, because the Ritalin helps inhibit some of the impulsivity that my anxiety brings on, and it slows my brain down enough that I can rationalize the anxiety a little better, more of the time.

I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and I just started taking Zoloft for it, but it hasn't kicked up to peak effectiveness yet (heck, it hasn't done much besides let me know it's there so far), so I can state from experience that in my particular case, Ritalin does not make my anxiety worse: it makes it better.

Hope that alleviates some fears.

Hi Barb,
I just wanted to let you know I am relatively new also (6 months) to my diagnosis and I had the same reaction as you when my Dr told me. I was angry and embarassed, I cried uncontrollably, I had panic attacks, I denied it for months, then after about 3 months, I started to read more about it and now I am 75% comfortable with it.

I wanted to also suggest that you look through some of Dr. Amens books or website to see which type of ADD you have. I mention it because you said you had a panic attack on Prozac. I went to a lecture where he talked about conditions where anti-depressant medication will "flip" the patient. My ADD daydreaming must have kicked in after that since I don't remember which one!

Which brings me to the final point I wanted to make, that there is a nice side to the diagnosis...being able to laugh and accept some of the things you do that drove you nuts before..like forgetting information!

Best of luck!
http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/

See, Shugga, You're not alone...I know we cn help ya pull through this...Just hang in der...hugs!

Welcome Barbara! I am 39, and I was diagosed at 29. Anxiety is something a lot of us here experience too. What a relief that there was actually a name for it, ADHD! I thought I was a unique kind of weirdo. The only weirdo like me on Earth!

I had a terrible childhood with school and peers... just terrible. My parents were trying for me so hard. I feel really bad about how I treated them. I will carry that guilt to my grave. My parents have forgiven me, but I have yet to forgive myself. I was so shy, dreamy and quiet in school. I also managed to get through school with D's and C's. I probably got one A or a couple of B's in my elementary years. Depressing. Then when I would go home from school I would vent.

The psycologist that diagnosed me, treated me in my rebellious teen years. I can remember going to see him while stoned or I just ran away when my parents would drop me off. I would tell him lies about myself turning my problems toward my parents. I was innocent! I am so ADHD! I returned to him at the age of 29 when both of my boys were diagnosed.

I am just now trying to finish my degree. For a long time I was so angry because the diagnoses came so late. Now I have moved on and learned to embrace my ADHD. In fact Barbara, I wouldn't want me any other way! How boring it would be to be "normal".

There are a lot of good books out there. When you get a day off go to the bookstore, get a cup of coffee, look for a good ADHD book, relax in a comfy spot, and learn about yourself.

It isn't that bad girl! It can be frustrating sometimes, but to hate it, means you hate a part of yourself you cannot change. Someday you will learn to embrace it. Meds do help the symptoms for a little while. They actually helped me a lot. That is how I got the confidence to use my ADHD to my advantage. There is a lot about yourself that you will not even think existed! Great things Barbara. In time you will see.

But then again, if you don't have ADHD, then I just told you all of that for nuttin!

Now I wouldn't say that...Onwari...it's all a learning experience for both ADHD & NonADHD PPL :)

hey all,

Hey Barb, Im a 27 year old male from Australia. I suspectected I had ADHD a few years back. I did not do anything about it. I tried college recently and went down like a sack of spuds. So I thought, I must seek help. Ya see I see my self as quite inteeligent but I was failing wher so many regular people were exceding. In the past month I have read 5 books on ADD, some twice.. I have probably spent about 60 hrs on the web researching. I would diagnose myself 100% ADD. and when the realisation hits it can be both an epiphany and confusing at the same time. Well anyways I was diagnosed yesterday! Yes I have ADD, so does my father and it runs in my mums side aswell. Mind you I still feel confused and I have really tried to educate myself. I think Its just very natuaral its part of the evolution of personal understanding and develpment. PLEASE PLEASE stick it out. READ, READ AND READ everything you can on the matter and dont stop asking questions. So I would like to share this with you.

Yesterday I was diagnosed and prescribe Dexamphetamine. Its what comes first here in Australia I believe? Its cheaper.

Please read this thread
http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31

Its about my initial experience. But now almost a whole day latter what can I tell you. YES I now have hope! Its like my glass in now half full!

Almost ALL of my anxiety has gone! My anxiety was due to so much energy put into wastfull thinking, for eg. Today for the first time I felt next to no anxiety about going through some red tape.

I had to go to medicare (australian healthcare system, we really are lucky) to claim a rebate on the invoice from my visit with the Doc. I walked in calm, thoughts in place. filled out the forms. got my money. BAM! how good is that. I am no getting ready to do my tax. I am pulling my life together.

My heart rate is a little faster while on dex but think about this. whith all the anxiety you experience while you have not got your ADHD under somewhat control, then this cannot be good for your heart. On dex your hearts beats a little faster but so little anxiety. I guess its a trade of. I hope you understande my argument here.

anyways lots of best good happy energy to you.

MR SALLY......

What a wonderful bunch of people you all are. I am so pleased with the abundance of replies to my questions and thank you all sincerely. I have been thinking of taking this medication for 2 weeks now, and I do have a doctor's appointment this afternon at which time I will ask more questions about my diagnosis and the dexedrine that was prescribed to me.
It's been very difficult for me, but I have been doing a lot of research and reading all the posts, so most of it is making me feel more at ease. (Some of the posts to do with dex are a little scary though).
I don't have a heart problem (that I know of), but I am a smoker and do not do regular exercise, therefore I think that could be a bad thing with medication. The other thing is that if the meds cause your heart to beat faster and if I"m aware of it, it might bring on panic. For people with panic, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about... and I also know that I could be programing myself to have a panic attack by convincing myself of it, so I"m careful not to think too much. I have general anxiety disorder too, and of course I have the negative attitude of "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong". I don't know if that's an ADD thing, or my anxiety, but I really am putting in an effort to be braver and hope that I will be able to take the medication some time in the next few days.
Thank you all so much for your input.

If you try the meds take it real slow at first, you probably can break them in half or quarters with a knife held level, with even pressure (if it's not a sustained release form). I know how new meds can be scary. It helps to start small till you are comfortable with the effect. I'd suggest no more than 2.5mg to 5mg at a time for a few days.

Welcome Barbaradoll! I just wanted to tell you about how I found about ADD. I was reading an article about it in US news and world report. It was telling a couple peoples stories. It made me cry because itwas as if my life was being written about. I researched it thoroughly and it came as a huge relief when I finally found out what my problem is and that it can be treated.
It also is a huge relief when I found this site and saw that people here have the exact same thought that I do. Its kind of like group therapy. Stick around here, we are all here to help eachother.
I am currently waiting for an official diagnosis, but being here really helps. I don't have much advice about the panic attacks. However, I really hope you can see that you are not alone out there.

Barby,

I suffer from axeity and panic attacks, I believed the whole world was inately(?) bad. I saw conspiracy in everything. I used to watch the news and media just so I could deconstruct it and use it as my outlet for anger at the world. Mind you though -

I had a real desire to have a positive healthy outlook to life, for as long as I can remember I have read self help books. But I felt there was something underlining my difficulties.

You know what I believe has been the root of my chronic negative thinking. untreated ADHD!

YOu honestly would not believe how possible it is that you attitude to the world can change given a little help to towards the chemicals in your head. I dont thing people really understande what out of wack chemicals in your head can actually do.

I now look at the world in a new light I can now see both bad and good. ANd what is suprising me now is how much goodness really is out there. I never saw It before. I wanted to though.