Hey everyone, I'm new - first post!
I was diagnosed a year ago with adult ADD - unfortunately I was more recently diagnosed with cyclothymia as well - partly as a result from my reaction to ritalin (threw me into manic swings followed by abrupt crashes - even on half and quarter doses). So my doctors are wanting to get my cyclothymia controlled, and then see if there are any other meds that they may want to use to assist my ADD - the cyclothymia being the more immediate need.
So, with that background - I have a question - my big area of concern is activation - I have so much difficulty just getting started on stuff - once I get started - watch out! But that first step is painful. The worst area for this is waking up - which sounds completely LAME but I just cannot get out of bed, and it's not for lack of sleep or meds - it's been getting gradually worse over the last few years and now it's to the point where it's affecting job performance (consistently 5-10 minutes late) and my self esteem.
So without meds, how can one help in this area?
Thank in advance!
Colleen

Colleen,

I also have always had a hard time getting going and an even harder time stopping.

Getting started or stopped without meds is very difficult for me. That being said, I can do it by careful advance planning, that is, planning to an extreme. For example, the day before, assembling everything I need for the next day so I have no "where is it", "what do I do first" decisions in the AM. The "assembling" includes listing all steps to the do the next day tasks.

See if that helps. Also, I am assuming cyclothymia is a low grade form of bi-polar. Is that true? If so, it is something I need to learn more about. I have periods of such intense energy that I can't stop - meds or otherwise. However I do not seem to experience the euphoria that I'm told is characteristic of a mania phase. Nor do I get depressed. Just periods of high raw energy and periods of relatively low energy. Could that be a manifestation of cyclothymia?

Bob

Thanks for your reply bob! :)
That sounds like it may actually work - I think having a good sense of what I want to do and by what time will help too.
Cyclothymia is a low grade bipolar - but it's considered to be unique. They mania phases are hypomanic, so I don't feel like I'm god, but (being a buddhist) I have mistakenly thought that I'd found a corner of enlightenment in my higher phases. My downs are typified by "life is horrible, I"ll never _______(fill in the blank - be mentally healthy, have stable friendships, have the life I want)" and I'm very prone to getting into arguments that I look back on and feel mortified about later - with my husband, with work colleagues, with friends, etc. There are also mixed phases, where you feel intense, but like something is wrong, you're anxious...
There is a book I saw at Barnes and Noble last night called the Cyclothymia workbook - like all those other workbooks it's got a lot of exercises to do pertaining to the specific disorder, but there is an explanation of the disorder in the front, as well as an explanation of why it's unique to bipolar disorder.
Thanks again Bob!
Any other recommendations?
Colleen

That kind of sounds like me, except my depression has been borderline suicidal...

Colleen,

That cyclothymia thingy is something I do need to look more closely at.

Further suggestions?

Adderall - IF I'm affected by cyclothymia, and it should be a big "IF" from your viewpoint, Adderall helps cyclothymia and is the mother-of-all ADHD remedies.

Adamant,

If you didn't post to this board, I'd steal your "I'm a walking birth defect." That is ME ME ME. You made me wet my pants laughing. Shame on you :D

Bob,
Fortunately, there is a fabulous woman named Katie based in Istanbul who has a site devoted to it - unfortunately I can never remember the url (add) but if you type cyclothymia collective into google, go to the site, then click on the forwarding link to the NEW site, you can see people who are going through it - lots of good information, and GREAT smilies~
Good luck,
Colleen

Colleen,

Couldn't find the Istanbul gal, but here is what I turned up and at least until I see a shrink again, cyclothymia is me.

I underlined resonanting points:

For cyclothymia to be diagnosed, hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms must be present alternately for at least two years. Mood swings seem to occur frequently in people with cyclothymia -- the switch from depression to hypomania and back again may occur every few days or weeks -- even every few hours in extreme cases! Mood swings are consistent; a person with cyclothymia is never symptom-free for longer than two months.

[Indications]

Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep
More talkative than usual or pressured speech
Flight of ideas or racing thoughts
Distractibility
Increase in goal-directed activity or agitation
Reckless involvement in pleasurable activities
Absence of evidence that these hypomanic periods caused marked occupational or social impairment

Here is an interesting article.

Medical Treatment :From Eileen Bailey,Your Guide to Attention Deficit Disorder.

ADHD often does not travel alone.

Some experts believe that somewhere between 50% and 90% of all individuals with ADHD will be treated for a second condition sometime in their lives. Having a second diagnosis is called Comorbid Conditions or Dual Diagnosis.

Some of the most common conditions seen with ADHD are: Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Learning Disabilities, Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Some of these conditions have overlapping symptoms and can therefore create difficulties during the diagnostic process. For example, one common characteristic of Bipolar Disorder is “easily distracted”. Finding a qualified medical practitioner, preferably one that specializes in ADHD and related disorders, is extremely important. Proper diagnosis is essential in determining the correct treatment plan.

Previously, depression and bipolar disorder were considered to be disorders occurring in late adolescence or adulthood. It is now known that children can have depression or bipolar disorder and many times can be diagnosed as early as age 7.

Many times, ADHD is the first diagnosis made as it can interfere with a child’s early school years. However, this does not mean that ADHD should always be the first disorder treated. Generally, the disorder that is causing the most interference with life should the one that is treated first. Once it is under control, then it is possible to treat secondary conditions. For example, for an adult that is diagnosed with depression and ADHD, the diagnosis that is currently causing the most problems should be addressed. Many times this will be the depression. Once it has been properly treated and the individual feels back in control, they can concentrate on a treatment plan for ADHD.

Addendum on:
Generally, the disorder that is causing the most interference with life should the one that is treated first

This is probably why Adderall has noticable mood stabilizing efficacy on me. ADHD is the disorder causing the most interference with my life. I did an ADHD eval that included tests for other disorders. No other disorders showed up. ADHD is at root of my brain woes and causes cyclothymia in me seems a reasonable conclusion . Evidently the tests I took are not fine tuned enough to detect my dysthymic mood swings.

At any rate, good lead on unraveling the conundrum of "BoB."

Thanks!

I am said Katie from Istanbul. Coming in long after the thread is dead and cold...but guess what, I am now diagnosed with ADHD in addition to my Cyclothymia. I feel like the last piece has been set in the puzzle...at least for now :)

Yes, I have a website about Cyclothymia, and it has a great forum with very nice, helpful people. It has been a great source of support for me and I visit every day. :)
I've just purchased the domain, so now the direct address is:

http://www.cyclothymiacollective.com

I've only just done this so it will be a day or so until the domain name kicks in. Just wanted to let you know.

Take care,

KatieK, aka "the fabulous woman in Istanbul" :)))
(pyxey, you made my day)