Hello all! I have been reading these forums for the last couple of days, and let me tell you, I have felt much better knowing that there are many other people out there that are having the same issues as me. Let me tell you my story and let you give me suggestions on how to get help. Thanks!

I am currently 30 years old and I am pretty sure I have ADD. I have always had trouble with falling asleep or waking up to early or sleeping 7-8 hours and still feeling tired. Ever since I was in grade school, I have always procrastinated severly. I once got grounded for an entire semester because my parents could not get me to do my homework. The only way I made it through school was through my intelligence, because I always did the extreme minimum required to get by. As I have gotten older things have been slightly better but far from perfect. I am very forgetful (I even forgot my wifes birthday once when she was pregnant, not fun). I always start projects or pick up a new hobby only to never finish. I try to read self help books on procrastination and being a successful person. The books have helped, but I have trouble reading because while I am reading the words, my mind wanders off to different subjects. I have to read the sentences over and over again to comprehend what I am reading. I started getting books on CD and that helped me comprehend info a little better.

I have been to the doctor several times for the sleep issues because sometimes I would get so tired, that I didnt want to do anything. The doctors always told me it was depression even though I didnt feel depressed. I would try the drugs prescribed for a few days then I would quit the medicine because I didnt like the way they made me feel. I finally decided to just deal with the symptoms because I didnt like taking drugs and going back and forth to the doctor.

Now, I just recently opened a business, and the stress from the business has amplified the symptoms a lot. When I have 3 tasks ahead of me, I constanly change focus from one to the other to the other, over and over again, and I never get any of them finished. I litterally spent half a day on a project the other day that should have taken 10 minutes. I try to read info on the business, but I cant focus on the material. I tried listening to an audio self help CD and I couldnt even focus on that long enough to comprehend any of it. Realizing that this is happening, I start to panic a little knowing that if I dont get this under control, then my business will fail. I thought that I had a good handle on it, but the stress has sent me out of control again.

So, I know I need to see a doctor, but I wanted to hear some other peoples storys on if they were able to be treated successfully and to hear some success stories. What was the treatment and how did it transform your life?

Thanks in advance! I look forward to hearing your responses!

Welcome to the Forums, JaDB!:) I started with my general practioneer who ruled out other medical problems. He referred me to a clinical psychologist specializing in ADHD who evaluated me and gave me an ADHD diagnosis. I started Concerta and counseling -- it's helped a lot. I was two trimesters behind on my paperwork and I got it caught up and have stayed caught up. It's not a perfect solution, but it really helped me get a better handle on things. I would suggest doing some reading like Driven to Distraction or Delivered from Distraction by Hallowell and Ratey (if book reading isn't your things there are some great tapes too and Answers to Distraction has a short question answer format that is easy to access). There are useful non medical and well as medical suggestions in their books. Regular exercise (several times a day) can help improve clarity of thinking and focus. Implementing structures and strategies can help. Hiring a good ADHD coach can help you get things in place and off to a better start. And always be sure to include plenty of support and human connections -- they are important for everyone but especially so if ADHD is involved.

Take care,
Scattered

I feel your pain.
You got your own business started, wow, you overcame!

Sounds to me like your tiredness is 'brainfog'. The feeling that you just cant clarify and get into the groove.
I don't know how big your business is but you can hire people to do stuff for you, some folks are really good at not being like us, use them!

So are you saying medicinal treatment is not effective or wont help me to overcome some of these issues? I was hoping to hear from some people that have overcome a majority of their symptoms to lead a productive life....:( Someone give me a little hope please!!! I have an appt next Thurs. so we will see what happens. Thanks for the input!

Hi JaDB (what does that mean, anyway?),
The diagnosis in and of itself helps. The medication helps a lot. Your research will help. This forum definitely helps. However, I've found there are no quick fixes. It's a daily journey with ups and downs. You're on the right path. Have a good appointment. I'm feeling pretty yucky myself today.

I send you a hug.
~Debra

Hi JaDB:
Have you ever been evaluated for a sleep disorder like Sleep Apnea? Ask your wife... do you snore, does it ever seem like you stop breathing while sleeping? Often people who don't sleep well or who wake up after what should be adequate sleep and are still tired have sleep apnea. What happens is you periodically stop breathing (airway blocked or other reasons) and when your body strives to breathe it wakes you up ever so slightly, so that what happens is you spend most of the night in sleep stages 1 and 2, and don't spend enough in stage 3 (dreaming) or 4 (deep sleep) which are more restorative.

You might look into this, partly to help with your sleep in general, and also because I read that in addition to depression, other things such as sleep deprivation can "look" like ADD.

Sorry you're not getting all the "miracle" stories you were hoping for yet. I think part of the reason is because there isn't really a quick fix. Some may find a med and a dose that they respond to on the first try, but for others it takes more time and changing usually involves time and work too. You're running across us all "in progress."

I think as you read through the various posts you will find a combination of struggles as well as successes. I think often we write more about our struggles because that's what we need help/advice for and to vent about, we don't need to vent about our successes, although we might be so happy we've got to share, especially if it might help someone else.

I don't have a big success story yet as I'm still working with my psychologist and doctor to find a med and dose that work well for me, and still trying to change some of my habits/behaviors (or lack thereof! :D ).

Going to my psychologist has been a big help, as well as connecting to others with similar issues on this forum (whether officially diagnosed ADD or for other underlying cause), and also reading up on ADD on the internet and in several books has helped.

Good luck with your appointment and don't lose hope.
~~bythesea

p.s. In a lot of those books there are "success" stories about how people were when they entered treatment and what they were like eventually after getting some help. So maybe those can help give you additional hope.

JaDB,

I, too, was desparate for anything that would give me hope.
For inspiration, you might be interested in my story:

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23417

Regarding diagnosis, depression is the most common of disorders and as so it's much more likely to be diagnosed when your symptoms are things like sleep problems and fatigue. At the time, I'm willing to bet you didn't connect those problems to some of the other symptoms you described, so your doctor made a best guess. The drugs of choice for depression aren't particularly harmful; if the diagnosis is wrong they simply don't work.

As stated in previous posts, many things can act like ADD, but the reading problem is more specific to ADD. Someone with experience treating ADD will know what to ask. While docs are less likely to simply prescribe a controlled substance without being certain they have the right diagnosis, some will at least give you a low dose "trial" to see if it helps.

I've been very lucky with my responses to meds. That hasn't been true for everyone. What I can tell you is that when you find one that works the difference is amazing. It's not perfect, but it makes the disorder extremely manageable (sometimes even an advantage).

Good luck!

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to reply. Your words are very encouraging and I hope that I have good luck when I see the Dr. I look forward to having a group of like minded people to receive extra help from time to time.

Debra, JaDB is my initials. I couldnt think of anything clever so I tried just using my initials, but the user name has to be 4 charecters long. So, a is the second letter in my first name, I know, kinda cheesy but I was in a hurry :)

bythesea, yes, several years ago, I had a sleep study done. I was so nervous I think I only slept about 3-4 hours that night, but they ruled out anything abnormal. The sleep Dr. refered me to a psyc. After speeking with him, about being sleepy and procrastinating all of the time and never completing tasks, he basically told me that it was probably depression and that some people were raised without a work ethic.... which further fed my esteem issues about being lazy. I think I just need to find the right Dr. and I need to stick with the treatment no matter what.

From what I have read, I dont have as severe a case as some people with this ailment. Although I barely made it through High School, and there was no way I was going to try College, I think I am still coping with it OK so far. I am hoping with the right medication and coaching that maybe I can be the person I've always wanted to be. A person that is decisive, doesnt procrastinate, and someone who is somewhat organized.

Thanks once again everyone and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello JaDB,

I just read your lost post where you said,
". . . The sleep Dr. refered me to a psyc. After speeking with him, about being sleepy and procrastinating all of the time and never completing tasks, he basically told me that it was probably depression and that some people were raised without a work ethic.... which further fed my esteem issues about being lazy. I think I just need to find the right Dr. and I need to stick with the treatment no matter what."

THAT IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!!! Trust me JaDB - I have BEEN THERE!! Isn't it the f$#@#n worst?? I practically have had similar experiences. Nobody said the "work ethic" thing, but I swear it was implied. Then, next thing I know, my WEALTHIER friends ALL HAVE ADHD!!!! And now one of them is using Provigil. This is the same friend who kept telling me that I need to see a doctor and that needing to take a nap every afternoon is NOT NORMAL! I told her I've SEEN LOTSA doctors, and they really don't care about my sleepiness, etc! They just tell me to get more exercise or to eat more vegetables.

Ya know? I just read an article about ADHD being a disease of the rich! That in the poor cities you don't find people diagnosed with ADHD. (something like that). Anyway - it just FLOORED ME when that friend who told me that I NEEDED to see someone because of my afternoon napping . . . well, suddenly she takes PROVIGL for afternoon sleepiness. I said to her, "where the heck do you go to the Dr.s??? and since when are YOU sleepy?" She got all hoytee toytee and said, "Oh, well I was just telling my doctor the other day how I was so sleepy driving to x, y, or z, that I almost fell asleep!" Well whoop-dee-flippin-dooo-dah!! If I said that, I would probably have Child Protective Services sent to my house. Maybe because I'm a single parent and she's married?? Maybe because she's a "delicate flower" type and I don't put much time into fine-tuning an ultra-feminine, eyelash-batting look? I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!

SS