I know I have Generalized Anxiety disorder. But I have always thought I had ADD. In school I always got in trouble because I couldn't sit still and listen to the teacher or concentrate on homework and what not for any extended periods of time.
My mind would always be going. It literally would never quit. I was always thinking about everything. But up until recent reading I thought it was due to my anxiety. I found a website with a checklist of like 80 Q's and I answered 75% of them leaning towards ADD.
I am now on paxil and Welbutrin for my anxiety and it has helped greatly with my racing mind. But I am still ALWAYS tired and I always have been like that. I could sleep 14 hours easily and still not feel rested.
Growing up I was always the annoying "entertaining" kid. I definitly say things with out thinking first. I hurt peoples feelings alot when I am just kidding around.
The main thing that has me thinking I have ADD now was my racing mind. I would have to lay down 2 hours before I wanted to fall asleep because my mind would never shut up. Also my forgetfullness. I have thought of so many things I have wanted to add in this post well writing but I have already forgot 90% of what I was going to say. Also when people talk to me I am paying attention but I am not. They will say something to me and I will look at them and have absolutely no idea what they just said.
So does anyone here have ADD and anxiety? Does this sound like ADD to anyone else? And can I be on meds for 4 ADD and anxiety at the same time?
Please let me know what you think. Should i talk to my doctor?
Thanks for any feed back at all,
Cara

Hey cara,


Guess what you struck GOLD, I am ADD and ANXIETY AND have hypothyroidism.

Here's what I would suggest you to do, get a blood profile preferably an executive one that would check your thyroid, if you have hypothyroidism, that could be YOUR answer to YOUR ADD.

The thing is that hypothyroidism can be misdiagnosed as ADD and can be treated the same way due to a misdiagnosis.

If your hypothyroidism is taken care of then you won't have a number of problems that you're talking about. I would seriously recommend having an appointment with a psychologist who preferably has experience in pharmocology and can suggest medications to your physician for you and follow up with you.

It'll be expensive but it'll be worth it.

Oh and I almost forgot to mention that when you're an anxious person, ADD can be a misdiagnosed disorder easily because anxiety causes many if not all of the symptoms required for the diagnosis for ADD.

Yes, childhood history is extremely important, however if you're so anxious from childhood then it just mite be the case of anxiety and not add..so that's why I suggest meeting a psychologist or go to a community health center etc...

Take care!

Thanks for replying

I have had blood work done many of times to check for a thyriod problem. They all come back negative.
I have been calling around for a physcoligist. Mainly because I wanted to try to get off of meds for anxiety and wanted help with it. But from everything I have read I will probably have to be on meds for the rest of my life. :(
I do want to get a proffesional diagnosis, insted of self diagnosing myself.
Hopefully I can get in soon and get a diagnosis? I am driving myself crazy with all of this different reading. LOL.
Thanks again,
Cara

Welcome to the forums, Kira!:) I'm a double header myself -- I've got ADHD and anxiety! Fortunately, my Concerta helps both. It might be ADHD if you have the childhood history to back it up, but only a trained professional familiar with both can make that diagnosis. Wellbutrin is one of the second line drugs used to treat ADHD since it is a stimulating anti depressant. And yes, ADHD and anxiety are both treated together all the time since about 30%, if memory holds (that would be an ADD memory now!:rolleyes: ) of ADDers have anxiety issues along for the ride. Hallowell and Ratey in Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction discuss comorbid conditions with ADHD and treatment as do others. I'd suggest starting with doing some reading.

Scattered

Same here--I've had GAD since childhood--and OCD. ADD meds help my anxiety. I agree that the Hallowell books are great to start with.

Welcome to the Forums.

Many people with ADD also have other conditions the precentage is some thing like over 75% so the answer to your question is yes you could have ADD and anxiety. The primary should be treated first.

I also know of several people who take ADD meds and those for depression and anti-anxiety. Yes I would highly recommend you do these changes with a docotrs help!!!!

AMA doctor finder web site:
http://webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder/home.html?


ADDA professional directory:
http://www.add.org/help/index.html


Hope these help you find a doc.

Anxiety disorders are a common comorbid condition of ADHD.

if at all possible, try to find a professional who is familiar with both anxiety and ADHD. i went to a psychiatrist for years treating my anxiety but even after my anxiety was under control i kept complaining about racing thoughts & difficulty concentrating & impulsive behavior. i didn't know adults could have adhd [& apparently neither did he].

i was recently diagnosed by one of the university's psychologists. & i'm working with him and the school's psychiatrist to treat the adhd. i haven't had any problems with my anxiety - which i was afraid of when she first suggested stimulants.

ps when i was on paxil it took me awhile to go bed but once i did i could not wake up - even with 2 alarms and my brother throwing stuff at me. & i was tired all the time even though my mind wouldn't quit. i have met quite a few people who had that same effect.

Good Luck!

Beccablue,
I have auctully been wondering about the paxil doing that to me. I have always been a tired person but it is just ridiculous now. I could sleep forever if I wasn't bothered by my boyfriend til I get up.
I also take Welbutrin, from what I have heard it helps with ADD. That wasn't my reason for taking it. But I don't get the racing thoughts anymore. I thought my racing thoughts were because of my anxiety but now I am not so sure.
I am currently trying to find a psychiatrist that my insurance will cover. Hopefully she/he will be able to help. Wish me luck.
Thanks,
Cara

I Have been tried on Welbutrin for ADD but it did nothing but make me sleep and feel bla all the time.

Why are you on two antidepressants???? Both of these drugs are classified as such.

The following were copied from Shoppers Drug-Mart. The same information can be obtained from the patient education information sheet given out by pharmacies with your prescriptions, or other on-line sites like WEB MD.

PAXIL

This medicine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, panic attacks, social anxiety disorder, or a severe premenstrual syndrome known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). SSRIs work by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain called neurotransmitters. Paroxetine may also be used to treat a variety
of other conditions as determined by your doctor.



WELLBUTRIN TAB

This medicine is an antidepressant used to treat depression. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. This medicine works to help balance specific natural substances in the brain called neurotransmitters. When out of balance these substances are thought to be associated with the symptoms of depression.

ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking other antidepressants

Tammy,

I started taking paxil for my anxiety and it works well for it. But it has horrible sexual side effects and the Welbutrin counteracts that. I get that question alot actually :) They work well together except for the fact that I am tired all of the time and have horrible night sweats.
Thanks for the reply,
Cara

Since Paxil made me so tired, my doctor switched me to Effexor then to Cymbalta. both of these are SNRIs - Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors. The switch increased my energy level.
my curse: anxiety makes me sweat & anti-anxiety medication makes me sweat. i guess i am just a sweaty girl.

Good Luck at finding a good doc & getting insurance to cover it! often that is the biggest initial hurdle.

paxil gave me awful side effects -- suicidal thoughts and depressed me. i'm on zoloft now and so far so good. you are going to be okay :) i feel the same way as you, always racing thoughts. i have my panic attacks when im bored and nothing is going on around me. i just want you to know you are not alone.

They work well together except for the fact that I am tired all of the time and have horrible night sweats.

I don't know if a medication made me feel tired all the time and produced night sweats I would have to say it isn't working very well at all. I absolutely hate feeling tired and all the time I would rather be anxious!!!! This is personal preference of cors. A side effect that is tolerable for one person may not be tolerable for another!!!!

If the night sweats keep you up at night then that would explain feeling tired..not getting enough sleep due to discomfort?????!!!!