Okay, lately I have been going crazy in my head. Here are my "symptoms":
Racing Thoughts (all the time)
Constantly Changing My Mind (by the hour or minute)
Constant Mood Changes (by the hour or minute)
Always Questioning Myself
Forgetfull
When I talk I never think first. I sometimes wonder how the hell I am even talking.
I think way to much about everything.
Serious lack of "get up and go"

I tried Ritalin, and it makes me cold, shakey, and sweaty, not to mention gives me joint pain.
Concerta does the same only less severe. I want to try Adderall, but havent asked for it yet. Is this even ADD? What the hell is it? If its NOT add, what else could it be?

I have tried Zoloft, and it gives me horrible insomnia, a light headache. I still think alot, but I have more confidence. I am always questioning my own motives, my own abilities, and myself in general. I worry allot about stupid stuff, which is not a problem if I could stay worried on ONE thing. My mind is always changing, and I amm always changing my mind on things. For ex:
Searching for a home business opportunity and I chose one. Then I question it one mnute and say its not for me, then 20 minutes I convince myself its great and I want to get started right away. an hour later, its back to no motivation and questioning myself... Any Ideas?

I took a ADD Screener just now, and this is what it says:
TypeProbability
ADD Combined Type Not Probable

ADD Inattentive Type Highly Probable

Cingulate System Hyperactivity May be possible

Limbic System Hyperactivity May be possible

Basal Ganglia Hyperactivity Highly Probable

Temporal Lobe System Not Probable

I am always shaking my feet when I am sitting, and if I am standing then I am pacing. I thought this meant ADHD, but I guess not. What do you guys think?

It's really up to a professional to diagnose... Who is prescribing the drugs now? If you're getting them from a an FP, maybe get a referral to a psychiatrist who will be in a better position to figure out what's wrong.
If Ritalin didn't work for you it could just be that particular drug or it could be that it's not ADD.
One of the DSM requirements for a dx is that the "symptoms" have been present for 6 months at least I think and that they be producing impairment.

Here's a little online quiz. It's not a diagnostic quiz and some don't like this questionnaire, but it can give you an idea at least of what some other symptoms might be.

http://amenclinics.com/ac/tests/add_test1.php


-edit-
You posted the above as I was typing this. Looks like you've already found Amen's site. I wouldn't worry to much about those types. If you search Amen types or something similar you'll find some threads about that quiz and his proposed types.

You need to tell this to your doctor. Your symptoms describe several maladies. I am not qualified to make a diagnosis, and even if I were, I would not make one over the internet. But, if you are having the symptoms of ADD and anxiety disorders, you should definitely tell your doctor.

One thing could be that constantly changing medications could be part of the problem... etc.

All medications have side effects, and in many cases the side effects diminish after a while. It also takes a while for some medications to start working. It can take several weeks. Some medications start working right away. Ask your doctor. Whatever you do, you do not want to be in the position of jumping from one medication to another every week or so. It is bound to cause problems.

The best thing you can do is to go to your doctor and insist on a formal diagnosis. It will take some time to get one, but it will remove all doubt and relieve much anxiety. In the meantime, work with your doctor to arrive at a suite of medications that helps control your symptoms, and hang in there until you can get a proper diagnosis.

good luck

ME :D

Yea I have already set another appt. Its just annoying having my mind changing all the time. Sometimes I feel like I am going crazy and I just want my brain to shutup. I know no one wants to give me a diagnosis, but i am not stupid. I wouldent take your word over a doctors advice. I am just looking for someone to tell me if they had similar experiences, or have an opinion of what it might be so I can research it. I am better off telling my doc what I think it is, than telling him some symptoms and have him diagnose me. I know my symptoms better than I could ever describe, so telling me some possibile mental problem names could help a lot. so if you have any idea what else it could be PLEASE share.

WOAH...

meadd823

I hope I am reading your post right. you have the fact, figures in front of you and you need to connect the dots so the facts/figures come out with a business like "flow"
Okay how is you verbal ability???
I have good verbal skill and what I often do is say out loud what I am trying to write.
Maybe saying out loud what I want to write switches brain gears or some thing I just find when I am stuck I can sit back and ask my self "What am I trying to say?" And then answer myself..yes sign of insanity according to some but productive for this dyslexic!!!!!
Music through head phone help me be able to read those facts..it helps me read period!!! Temp is everything. I change tempos depending on the tone I want to portray!!

Quote:
I can physically feel the "gears grinding to a halt" when I try to force myself to read research articles. It's almost as if my brain is saying "you don't have enough dopamine to complete this transaction".

Love the way you said that!!!

Quote:
But, if I suddenly switch to reading forums or vacation guides or even statistics books, I'm wide awake.

The vacation and forums I get but statistic books???
I would think these statistic book would read a lot like research articles. Research has a lot of stats!!!!!!
In my brain the areas that are able to read both statistic books and research articles are located in the same place.....in some one else's brain!!!!
__________________


I just read that. Thats exactly how I feel. Its like, I cannot think anything inside my brain, but if someone asks my opinion of for advice I will start talking out of nowhere and BAM People glaze over at how what I said made perfect sense. My mind races all the time thinking about stupid stuff when I dont want it to, but when I try to concentrate I draw a blank. If I am just casually thinking about something, or talking about something I say exactly what I wish I could think and put on paper. Its like my mouth is my mind, and my mind is my mouth. weird... anyone know what i mean? I can say everything I wish I was thinking, but I cant make myself think it. Hard to explain

Okay, I AM NOT A PSYCHIATRIST AND THIS ARE ONLY MY THOUGHTS.....


I just read that. Thats exactly how I feel. Its like, I cannot think anything inside my brain, but if someone asks my opinion of for advice I will start talking out of nowhere and BAM People glaze over at how what I said made perfect sense. My mind races all the time thinking about stupid stuff when I dont want it to, but when I try to concentrate I draw a blank. If I am just casually thinking about something, or talking about something I say exactly what I wish I could think and put on paper. Its like my mouth is my mind, and my mind is my mouth. weird... anyone know what i mean? I can say everything I wish I was thinking, but I cant make myself think it. Hard to explain
While what I described that you quoted (via meadd823's quote) is most definitely ADD, it doesn't exactly match up with what you are saying above in my mind....

What you describe sounds a LOT like bipolar disorder. BiP is my "primary" diagnosis, and many of the symptoms overlap, making it somewhat difficult to tell the difference. However, it's a different "feeling" and what you describe REALLY sounds more like "hypomania". Keep in mind that "mania" in BiP is not always pleasant.

The fact that you didn't respond well to stimulants is a red flag indicating it may not be ADHD. Of course, there's always a possibility you have both, but that you need to get your moods stabilized before you can get the ADHD under control. Near the end of my first week on Adderall, I was feeling pretty CR*PPY because, due to a silly mix-up, I'd actually been taking a lower dose of Prozac than I always take. It seemed to reduce the effect of the Adderall.

The insomnia on Zoloft is also an red flag to me that you may be Bipolar. A bipolar person on an SSRI (or any other antidepressant) by itself is likely to be sent "upward", and this can actually cause somewhat permanent changes. If you are bipolar, you NEED to be on a mood stabilizer. If you get severe depression, an SSRI can be added on top, but not by itself. You may very well find that these meds take care of the majority of your symptoms including those you attributed to ADHD.

I hope I gave you a little relief from the stress of "WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME!!!" I know what it feels like ;).

Good luck!

And, BTW, when you are researching....

I'm talking about Bipolar Type II, here. BiP II is quite different from the stereotype, "classic" profile of long, intense mood swings. BiP II is sometimes called "atypical", even though it's probably more common.

Here are some links that might help you decide if you fit the profile:

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/bpbasics/a/menu_whatisbp.htm

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm

http://www.bipolar.com/

http://www.bipolardisorder.com/index.jsp?reqNavId=0

THanks for your feedback! I am not sure about it being BiP II because I am not depressed, I was on zoloft for the ADD because I told the doc that I thought it might be anxiety. I thought about it being mild mild bipolar, because my mind changes almost instantly. One second I am thinking "yea, I am goign to do good. this is for me, i can do it!", and then the next minute I am thinking "Can I? No I cant, etc..." then I tell myself to ignore the negative voice, and I do. But its still always there going back anf forth and back and forth, and its driving me crazy. I seem to go back anf forth, sometimes I will go weeks and be fine. Then for a couple weeks I feel like I am going crazy. Either way, I can never concentrate or hold focus to anything for a long time. I get diustracted easily, and cannot make up my mind about anything.

reading about mania sound like how I am to some extent, but I dont have any of the symptoms of it. The mental stuff yes, but the symptoms like:

Elevated mood
Euphoria (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/euphoria.htm)
Hyperactivity (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/hyperactivity.htm)
Excitement (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/euphoria.htm)
Overconfidence
Grandiosity (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/mania.htm)
Extravagance
Spending sprees (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/impulsivity.htm)
Recklessness
Delusions of grandeur (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/delusions.htm)
Talking a lot
Rapid speech
Rapid movements (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/movement_symptoms.htm)
Reduced need for sleep
Increased appetite (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/excessive_hunger.htm)
Excessive exercising
Increased libido (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/hypersexuality.htm)
Increased use of alcohol
Distractedness
Aggression (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/aggression.htm)
Excessive laughter
Anger (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/aggression.htm)
I only have like 3. I dont know, starting to bother me more. I wish I knew what was wrong, it would at least make my mind shutup wondering what it is. Then sometimes my mind changed completely and I say no, I dont have anything! and I feel great. Then an hour or two later I start questioning it again! !!

To sum up my main problem that bother me the most - I can not decide on anything. My mind wont let me. Everytime I decide, okay this is what im going to do, I question it. I over-analyze everything. When I try to work or concentrate on real facts instead of just stupid worry without reason I draw a blank. I wish I could commit my mind to one thing, focus on it, and DO IT. Instead my mind races and I pace around, cant stop thinking, and I feel like my brain is going to explode from so many thoughts.

I feel better now, my mind stopped racing. I dont know why, I just watched some tv for 5 minutes and noticed I wasnt thinking. Sometimes I think I am really screwed up. I cant do things when I want to do them. Whenever I apply myself my mind goes blank and I always want to start over. What I did isnt good enough, or I forget what I was doing to begin with.

THanks for your feedback! I am not sure about it being BiP II because I am not depressed


Well, you don't sound depressed right now; you sound manic.
Many w/BiP have less problems with depression. Also, depression is often missed because it is not always about mood. Physical problems like fatigue often get people to the doctor long before "feeling down" does. It's also difficult to remember ever feeling down when you're up (even if that up isn't pleasant). It's for this reason that many bipolars stop taking their meds.


Here's a list of symptoms with the ones I thought you described in your posts in bold:



Increased energy
Restlessness
Euphoria
Extreme irritability
Racing thoughts

Rapid speech
Impulsive or reckless behavior
Jumping from one idea to another
Distractibility, can't concentrate well
Little sleep needed
Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities
Inflated sense of self
Poor judgment
Spending sprees
Increased sexual drive
Abuse of drugs
Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
Decreased motivation

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Hope your appointment is soon; a psychiatrist or neurologist can probably sort this out for you....

Again, good luck...

Well, ADD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, are just some of the things that can cause the symptoms you described.

ADD+anxiety seems to be a good place to start if you need to call it something until you have more information.

My advice is to try to get the anxiety under control and then try to get the focusing difficulties resolved.

good luck

ME :D

Yea I have already set another appt. Its just annoying having my mind changing all the time. Sometimes I feel like I am going crazy and I just want my brain to shutup. I know no one wants to give me a diagnosis, but i am not stupid. I wouldent take your word over a doctors advice. I am just looking for someone to tell me if they had similar experiences, or have an opinion of what it might be so I can research it. I am better off telling my doc what I think it is, than telling him some symptoms and have him diagnose me. I know my symptoms better than I could ever describe, so telling me some possibile mental problem names could help a lot. so if you have any idea what else it could be PLEASE share.

My advice is to try to get the anxiety under control and then try to get the focusing difficulties resolved.

I think Speedo is right about the bottom line. Your response to stimulants may have been purely a product of not having the mood/anxiety issues under control.