This is role call for members living in Australia. Please give a brief intro

Name
Location
Relationship to AD/HD

stephanie wilton
Tara qld
5 children 3 boys with adhd 1 also has odd
and another son with asd odd suspected adhd and speech dysplaxia

Name = Pru
Location = Sydney
Relationship to AD/HD = adhd enhanced personality ;) plus 1 x adhd dog (Trixibelle - see photo)

Originally posted by qmab13
stephanie wilton
Tara qld
5 children 3 boys with adhd 1 also has odd
and another son with asd odd suspected adhd and speech dysplaxia

Hi Stephanie - Sounds like you have your hands full! Not sure if you know about a local online support group for women. Anyhow it is located @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ADDventurousWomen

best wishes,

Name: Andrew
Location: Brisbane/QLD
Relationship to AD/HD: love/hate

Name: Paul
Location: Melbourne
ADHD relationship : Diagnosed ADHD Combined.
Medication: Unmedicated.

firstly... b4 i forget....

DEX.... thats soooo funny!!... "Listen, the thing about ADD is... hey look, string!" and soooo true too ;)


Hi all.....

Name: Kim (38) single parent of 1 girl (8)
Location: Inner west, Sydney
I always thought it was JUST ME :confused: ... till my sis asked me to look up ADD on the net 2 weeks ago...
I'm in the process of getting help, been to my GP, she agrees and gave me a referral...

Bit worried about my daughter now :( .... esp for yrs when she does things... ppl (including me) say "oh you are your mothers daughter alright" :eek:

Kimmmie

Kimmie
Greetings - there are many similar folk here & lots of support :)
best wishes

Name: Ben
Location: Sydney
Relationship to AD/HD: Diagnosed ADD, 3 years ago.
Medication: Dexamphetamine 5mg.

Name: Margery
Location : canberra
Relationship to AD/HD: have ADD

name: jane
location: perth
I have ADD and it now appears that my son has ADD..on monday we will return together to the WONDERFUL psychiatrist who diagnosed me several months ago...I cannot say how thankful I am to this man, as he has given me a new life! After 20 years of lithium, valium, antidepressants and antipsychotics I am finally on medication that works!!! I dont want my son to spend 20 years of misery so i took him in last week. This doctor is so clever, he hardly says anything...just does little annoying things like for instance, starts to write on his notebook but doesnt actually put the pen to the paper, just hovers the pen around thus guaranteeing the ADD patient to react with ADDANNOYANCE .... this tactic caused my son to swear, threaten, walk out of the office three times and basically expose his ADD to the doctor! So he had his brainwaves measured last week and monday (hopefully) we will have a diagnosis for my boy as well!

Hello, I am new to this forum, and would like to say hello. I have a 7 year old son with adhd, and I believe others in our family of 6 have it also, but it is just not affecting our lives too much to medicate.
Live in Brisbane.

Name: Matt
Location: Brisbane
Relationship to ADHD: Diagnosed primarily innattentive - It's not something I have, it's part of who I am - and I don't like the last 'D', I am not disabled, nor do I have a deficit, the rest of the world is just a bit boring most of the time ;)

Name: Tracy
Location: Port Macquarie
Relation to ADHD: Diagnosed 2 years ago
Medication: Dexamphetamine 5 mg 3 times a day

Name: Suzanne
Location: Melbourne
Relationship to AD/HD: Diagnosed with ADHD nearly 7.5 years ago, the 4th person in my family to be diagnosed with it:D The way i see it, you take me as i am... and thats exactly what my boyfriend has done;)
Medication: Dexamphetamine 10mg 4 or 5 times a day... if you think thats a lot you should see how much my dad takes.

Name: Islander
Location: Queensland
Relationship to ADHD: my son (age 6) diagnosed in May 2004 with ADHD; myself (age 36) diagnosed in November 2004 with ADHD.
Medication: My son: 5mg at 8am, 2.5 mg at noon; Myself: 10 mg at 7am, 10 mg at noon, and 10 mg at 4pm.
*Dosage amounts were set by my son's paediatrican and my psychiatrist.

Name: Otto
Location: Brisbane
Diagnosed 2 month ago..looking for a Brisbane based adult support group
cheers

Name:
Sasha

Location:
Inner West, Sydney

Relationship to ADHD:
Diagnosed 15 years ago at age 12. Father has since been diagnosed. Partner recently diagnosed.

Medication:
Currently nothing, was on dex but made the anxiety and rages worse so I have had to stop.

firstly... b4 i forget....

DEX.... thats soooo funny!!... "Listen, the thing about ADD is... hey look, string!" and soooo true too ;)


Hi all.....

Name: Kim (38) single parent of 1 girl (8)
Location: Inner west, Sydney
I always thought it was JUST ME :confused: ... till my sis asked me to look up ADD on the net 2 weeks ago...
I'm in the process of getting help, been to my GP, she agrees and gave me a referral...

Bit worried about my daughter now :( .... esp for yrs when she does things... ppl (including me) say "oh you are your mothers daughter alright" :eek:

Kimmmie
i am in the same position as you with alwasy thinking there was something wrong. i tried to make an appointment with a GP today, but the surgery was closed on wesneddays. i'll go tomorrow. but i dont know what to say.

name: shinobi
age: 18
diagnosed: years ago
meds: dex, 15mg (10mg am, 5mg pm) should be 20mg (10mg am, 5mg pm, 5mg pl later)
location: WA

Name: Andrew
Location: Brisbane
Relationship to AD/HD: I think in a differant way to everyone else, outside of the square, and was diagnosed some time ago.

Name: Susan
Location: Melbourne
Relationship to AD/HD: Recently diagnosed
Medication: Dexamphetamine 5mg 3-4 times a day

Well I am new here so I thought I had better introduce myself ;)

Name: Lisa

Location: Central West NSW

Relationship : I have a son with ADHD/ODD & have been recently diagnosed myself. My son is on RitalinLA & I am unmedicated ...... after 38yrs of this I am me & if anyone doesnt like it ... not my problem ;)

I am a hairdresser by trade but only work part time now as I am a single parent of 3.

Will catch up with you all a bit more & fill you all in on my life story no doubt ......... I will admit to being an extrovert ....... well .... Im sure most of you know what I mean :D

Name: Rhaps
Age : 28
Location: Gold Coast
ADHD relationship : Diagnosed ADHD Type 3 & 4
Medication: Dex 60mg / Effexor xr 225mg / Tegratol 2 morn 2 at night / Stilnox when needed for sleep .. varing dosages dependant on work load.

Name: Selena or Sel for short
Age: 25 years old
Sex: female
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Relationship to ADHD: I have severe ADHD and other co-existing disorders
Medication: Effexor (2 a day) Gingko Biloba (3 a day)

:D

Hi,

Name; Rowena
Location; Newcastle
Age; 23
relationship to ADD; my brother was diagnosed with ADHD about 14 years ago, i was i was diagnosed about 11 years ago and my mum just recently got diagnosed. I take tofrinal buut find it not working very well and having trouble getting the doctors to perscribe anything else.
Pet hate; people confusing ADD with plain old naughty kids!!! These days ADD has become over diagnosed. It took me over 6months for a diagnosis and my brother about 1 year! As docotors back then didnt know really what it was. Being naughty is so different to ADD so when i tell people Im ADD they dont believe it as im not hyper all the time.

my mum did an awesome job in raising 1 ADHD boy and 2 ADD girls while being ADD herself!

Hi
Name: Glenn
Location: Sydney
AGE; 42
ADD my self on edronax off lable use for ADD
16 year old son AAD Learning dificulities diagnosed at 6 at present on concerta ER 37mg one per day

Anyone got any thoughts on Ritalin now that it is on the PBS? I wonder if it is better for adults than dex? Or use a mixture?

I had Ritalin for awhile, PBS? I just need a reminder what it is. I seem to have forgotten. From which part of Aussi land do you come from?

PBS is the pharmacy benefits scheme... and I am in Queensland.

ritalin on pbs?? since when??
ok about me..
live: melbourne
am adhd but haven't been medicated since my teenage years
10 yr old daughter - ritalin la 20
hubby - seriously believe that there is something go on there too!!
2 cats - one of which may be bipolar
1 cockatiel - genius
1 canary - he is very sweet

Ritalin went on the PBS only a month or so ago, (great news) after 27 or so years of trying to get it on there. I think ritalin is 100 times better than dex, but that's just my physiology, other people find dex better for them. Personally, Dex made me manic, and not a very nice person while I was on it.
I'm 29, male in Bris, and only recently diagnosed with ADD. (8 months)
I go by the handle 'Binabik'. I'm a bit wary of putting personal info on forums. (Besides in most forum agreements you'll find that posting personal info is a breach of the regulations, and these threads are usually stopped).

Why do you thinks Ritalin is 100times better than dex specifically? What doses of each have you tried? Im on 120mg of dex.. and i was diagnosed 7mths ago.

i don't know binabik's reasons and i am no longer on meds, but i did find that dex made me very shaky and dry.. ritalin did not, in actual fact, i felt more confident after taking it..

Anyone got any thoughts on Ritalin now that it is on the PBS? I wonder if it is better for adults than dex? Or use a mixture?
In Canberra its come in the last month. In August when i got my rits it was the normal price.. yesterday it was cheaper...

My apologies for posting a statement like 'ritalin in better than dex' and then not saying why. I was a bit distracted, I'm sure you underestand ;)

I'm not saying it is better in all cases or even most cases, but it definately was for me. from what I can recall (which isn't much usually) Ritalin has a constant half life of about 3 to 4 hours. Dex has a widely varying halflife depending on your body acididty, body temp, weight and a range of factors, so even in the same person, dex can stay in your system for a varied time from 6 to 18 hours. and It's not always the same time frame, depends what you ate for lunch.
so when i was on them, i would find that oftentimes i would be due for my next dose, and feeling like I needed it, when in fact up to 30% of the previous dose was still in my system. Over 3 weeks this cumulative effect meant that even taking my regular dose, i had way to much dex in my system, and I got manic, etc etc.
the problem was, i wasn't aware it was happening, because i was hyperfocusing on tasks. It was finally only when my flatmate told me i havn't slept or eaten for days, and had developed a really short temper did I realise what was going on.

so for me, ritalin is a more sure and stable thing, it's out of your system fairly quickly if you need it to be, and at least you know what's going on.
Plus dex 'felt' more like a stilumalant, where as ritalin helps, but is less noticeably a 'kick and come down'. for me anyway. hope that clears up what i meant.

Bin.

Name: Matthew
Location: Blue Mountains (Western Sydney)
Relationship to ADHD:
I love being an eccentric freak. I wish more people did random crazy ars.d sh.t for no real reason. I get bored with triviality in coversation and... I'm a teapot! I'm a teapot! No seriously, I've only just been LABELLED with this thing. I would like to avoid all drugs and deal with the less favourable aspects of my cognitive functioning el naturale' - diet, suplements and stuff.

bye

Name:Simon
Location:Sydney, inner west
Relationship to AD/HD:Diagnosed 5 yrs ago at 28, spent most of my school years being told I was stupid OR being told that if I put as much effort into making people laugh into my school work I would be top of the class....Mum would also tell me that i was stupid and that i wished I had dyslexia - but bad luck i didnt. Over the past 2 yrs I have been steadily taking more and more Dex, essentially over medicating. It started when my mum was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and her husband (dont know who my father is) sort of ignored the situation. With more medication it made it easier to sit through chemo with her etc etc, I guess it made the "pain" go away. I finally came clean and told my psych he is now taking off dex and tells me that EDRONAX may work. I think he is BSing me, I get that i need to stop the dex but what about Strattera - its a non stimulant treatment......Thoughts anyone?

Name: Anne
Location: Sydney
Relationship: 17 year old son ADHD inattentive & impulsive type
Meds: Ritalin LA supposed to be once a day, but try telling him that.

Summary: Brilliant primary student, started G & T class in secondary....every year has slid down. Won't work, study, no motivation. Diagnosed only months ago. Classic ADHD symptoms. Just started HSC year.

Name: Joanne
Location: Perth
Relationship to ADD: just got diagnosed with ADD 2 weeks ago, finally an end to the long hard 23 yrs of my life, now i can move forward :)
Medication: Dexanphetamine

Weird , they always give "adults" dexies.. but they've never moved me off rit's. hehe.

Hi,
I don't have a clue where to start;) I am 40 and off to my GP on Thursday for a referral to a specialist after my friends finally got the courage to talk to me about "something not quite right with you , but we don't know what!"
I also had a customer at work ask if I have ADD,(becasue he has, and he said I was *just like him*) and my response was "don't be rediculous" but after loads of reasearch, and reading I think he may have a point...

I will post again after my appointment
Thanks for being here

Its the start of a brilliant new begginging - thats all I can say. If it is ADD, you'll just wish you'd found out sooner.

Then again, you might just plain be a freak hahaha..

Name: Dean
Location: Toowoomba
Age: 34
Was diagnosed with ADD, depression and high stress late last year. My wife saw an episode of Dr Phil and thought, 'man does that sound just like....."
Currently on edronax.

Name: Glenn
Location: Sydney
ADD my self on edronax off lable use for ADD
How do you find the edronax Glen. It seems to be helping my depression but not so much my add tendencies (my wife agrees).

My favourite family comment: After telling my father (he suffers from severe bi-polar and OCD) he responds with 'I'm not surprised'. He could have mentioned it earlier :D

Hi, after 4 attempts to join this forum, I am actually able to post!:D I now just have to remember which account actually works!

I will figure it out soon enough!

LOL, I just found my original post under "harryt" but then I couldn't sign in, so re registered, but it couldn't activate it..LOL..then tried tracyhadd then tracyhadd"a" and finally tracyhadd"b"!

Next attempt would have been tracyhadd"c"

but, it's all good now, even though I have 3 new hotmail accounts!:p

Hi! Newbie from WA here. Adult ADD and ultra confused to be honest! Anyone else from WA here?

Yep, I am :-)
Perth

update for me 120mg+ of dexadrine.

Dean
Sorry for not replying sooner as i havent logged on for a while
I have gone from Edronax to Ritilan 10mg tabs worked up to 60 mg a day as Its given me a lot more drive to do things and my moods have gone as well (thank god said my wife) I have been trying different types ie Ritilan 10 mg 2 mths and then i asked to try Ritalin LA 60 mg (40mg 8am + 20mg 12 NOON ) for a Mth. I am now on concerta 54mg as i type The concerta 54mg just dosnt do it for me but the 34mg is great for my 17 year old son.The best for me is the Ritilan LA so far.The Ritilan 10mg is ok but its trying to remember to take the tab at the right time was a night mare it was like this for me 20mg 8am, 20mg 10.30, 20mg 12.30 and it just didnt work out for me, the Ritilan LA at 40mg 8am & 20mg at 12noon looks to be the one for me next time i see the nut man....:rolleyes: hope this helps
Regards Glenn


Name: Dean
Location: Toowoomba
Age: 34
Was diagnosed with ADD, depression and high stress late last year. My wife saw an episode of Dr Phil and thought, 'man does that sound just like....."
Currently on edronax.
How do you find the edronax Glen. It seems to be helping my depression but not so much my add tendencies (my wife agrees).

My favourite family comment: After telling my father (he suffers from severe bi-polar and OCD) he responds with 'I'm not surprised'. He could have mentioned it earlier :D

I'm on ritalin as well as edronax now. Using IR to find my dosage then moving on to LA. Hope it works for me too. Bit on the expensive side tho. Concerta is definately out of the picture.

Name: Wendy
Location: Victoria
Relationship to AD/HD: I am a 34 year adult recently diagnosed with Inattentive ADD. I am currently on no medication.

Hi there all ! My name is Rhys and I have just moved back to Melbourne from interstate. I am diagnosed with ADD and need to get in touch with a good doctor here in Melbourne to get all my medication re-organized. I am on 50mg of dexamphetamine per day and about to run out as my last issued authority script from my doctor in South Australia is at an end. I really need to get onto that ASAP and just thought someone might know a good doctor. I have a referral. (email and phone number removed by moderator)

:-)

Thanking you in advance.

Name: Chris
Location: Sydney, Northern Beaches
Relationship to AD/HD: diagnosed as a child, was on ritalin until about 11yo. Rediagnosed at 20. Now on Dex.
Physical Age: 31
Mental Age: ??? :) I can be 31 when required but it's more fun not to be!
I've found in the last year that I annoy my friends in varying degrees when I talk too much etc etc. I felt like I couldn't be myself and had to hold back to please them. Met a friend with AD/HD and we really enjoyed the common bond. Unfortunately this was just before he moved interstate for work.
Looking for new local friends as well as online friends who understand me. As well as some advice.

Name: Chris
Location: Sydney, Northern Beaches
Relationship to AD/HD: diagnosed as a child, was on ritalin until about 11yo. Rediagnosed at 20. Now on Dex.
Physical Age: 31
Mental Age: ??? :) I can be 31 when required but it's more fun not to be!
I've found in the last year that I annoy my friends in varying degrees when I talk too much etc etc. I felt like I couldn't be myself and had to hold back to please them. Met a friend with AD/HD and we really enjoyed the common bond. Unfortunately this was just before he moved interstate for work.
Looking for new local friends as well as online friends who understand me. As well as some advice.
*waves*

*waves*
:p Hello!

:confused:
I need the name of a Psychiatrist in Sydney that may be able to diagnose a
probable case of ADD in me. I am a new member of this forum and in fact, a Grandmother of 2 so this problem has been part of my life for sometime now. I know that I really suffered as a child and I believe that I am still in the catagory of ADD so a proper diagnosis from a Psychiatrist that is sympathetic to the cause and effect of such a disorder would be helpful.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!!!! :D

I'll PM you the name etc of mine, but you'll need a referal from your GP anyway.

SG, welcome :-) Aussie Aussie Aussie :-)

good luck, maybe writing down a list of your problems and showing your GP, and insisting a referral may help

Oh yes and Welcome SydneyGirl! :D :D

:confused:
I need the name of a Psychiatrist in Sydney that may be able to diagnose a
probable case of ADD in me. I am a new member of this forum and in fact, a Grandmother of 2 so this problem has been part of my life for sometime now. I know that I really suffered as a child and I believe that I am still in the catagory of ADD so a proper diagnosis from a Psychiatrist that is sympathetic to the cause and effect of such a disorder would be helpful.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!!!! :D
a GP wiling to refer you is needed more than "a name of a psycyiatrist"

I know, Ive been dealign with this **** for 10+ yrs.

most of the stuff u read on here is US/UK/Other

you need your GP to refer you. If you are NOT happy with that, go back to your GP and get anther referal.

dont find a psych that will "just prescribe" **** to you... it needs to be done properly.

I really hope you are not wasitng everyones time.

Hey Animal,

Are there as many sharks in the water in Australia as they say on television? When I was seventeen I was out on the third sandbar at Padre Island sitting on my board waiting for a good one when something about seven foot long that was slimey and scaley rubbed against my right leg as it went by. If you ever wondered what a surfboard would look like as a motorboat, get the idea.

X-Man :cool:

Hi there. My name is Confuzzled. I'm from Brisbane. I have an ex husband who I think has ADHD, and I have a 7yo boy recently diagnosed with ADHD and a 6yo boy recently diagnosed with Aspergers/ADHD. My brother was diagnosed as an adult with ADHD. I've suffered major depression for 20+ years which has been fairly resistant to medication. I was stressing about how to try to teach my boys some much-needed social skills when I never figured them out myself, then started to think of some of the other ADD symptoms and a lightbulb went off. Because I've never been hyperactive it never occurred to me before. I've been googling a bit and noticing more and more that's pointing me to the fact that I've probably struggled with this all my life. I can't wait to see my psych next and find out where to go from here. This could be a turning point in my life!

Anyway, it's nice to meet some others in the same situation.

prumont i love it - adhd enhanced personality....

im goin to use that!

Gday Aussies!!

my name is luke!
and im from sydney
and im AD/HD

and i hope you all have a great day!!

ps. you can really tell the difference between the vibe of the Aussie section and the rest of the world section on this forum!

uh huh


*big yawns*

Because you in australia, i would strongly recomend going to the brainwave center.... and Get an EEG done. its a brainwave analysis
within 2 weeks you will know exactly what your dealing with!!


Hi there. My name is Confuzzled. I'm from Brisbane. I have an ex husband who I think has ADHD, and I have a 7yo boy recently diagnosed with ADHD and a 6yo boy recently diagnosed with Aspergers/ADHD. My brother was diagnosed as an adult with ADHD. I've suffered major depression for 20+ years which has been fairly resistant to medication. I was stressing about how to try to teach my boys some much-needed social skills when I never figured them out myself, then started to think of some of the other ADD symptoms and a lightbulb went off. Because I've never been hyperactive it never occurred to me before. I've been googling a bit and noticing more and more that's pointing me to the fact that I've probably struggled with this all my life. I can't wait to see my psych next and find out where to go from here. This could be a turning point in my life!

Anyway, it's nice to meet some others in the same situation.

bit harsh P_Stampy???

Sydneygirl was just asking a question.... and besides isnt time for the wasting anyways...??


a GP wiling to refer you is needed more than "a name of a psycyiatrist"

I know, Ive been dealign with this **** for 10+ yrs.

most of the stuff u read on here is US/UK/Other

you need your GP to refer you. If you are NOT happy with that, go back to your GP and get anther referal.

dont find a psych that will "just prescribe" **** to you... it needs to be done properly.

I really hope you are not wasitng everyones time.

P_Stampy

I agree with Luke, I've just read your reply to Sydneygirl and she was only asking a question, while I agree with you when you say people seeking psychiatric help should do it properly and that one shouldn't just go to a psych that's prescription happy but on the same token I feel the way you expressed your reply was quiet negative and certainly a little too harsh and I'm sorry to say this sweetie but your general attitude stinks to put it plainly.

As I said all Sydneygirl was doing was asking a simple question and asking for advice which she has every right to do and she certainly doesn't need negative feedback or people implying that she's wasting people's time.

I get the impression that you're a rather frustrated and maybe even an angry person and that's fine, ADHD can be really hard to deal with but please try not to take it on others, we all have our issues and we all come on this forum for support and friendship and the last things anyone needs is negative posts or harsh remarks...as the saying goes "If you have nothing nice to say, DON'T say it at all"

Have a nice day

Selena:)



Selenabit harsh P_Stampy???

Sydneygirl was just asking a question.... and besides isnt time for the wasting anyways...??

hellooo
this is my first post, hopefully it ends up in the right place ;)
diagnosed 8mo ago with ADD, on dex, 30mg
im 27, from perth, i am studying psych at uni - have been doing this on and off for a while now. I have a 5yr old boy and a lot to say about everything :p
Ive had a good laugh reading some of the posts in these forums over the past few days.
i just wanted to print off everyone's stories and show them to everyone i know and go "see, it wasnt really me, i didnt actually forget your birthday, in fact i remembered four times that day, i just didnt remember to call you cause by the time id find my phone i forgotten why i was looking for it". :o
well thats it for now, have a good weekend everyone!!
k

Hey Kirstie.
Welcome to the forums and I hope you find this place to be as useful and helpful as I have and believe me you will get support during your more difficult times as well as a few great laughs.

Keep us posted and take care

Selena

Kirstie :-) Welcome from another WA'er :-) I am also in Perth

Tracy

hey there, 25 year old male from Brisbane here :)

I work in the IT sector, and they've got me on dexies.

Hi :)

Hi Dan.

I've sent you a PM and also welcome to the forums.

Selena:)

hey there, 25 year old male from Brisbane here :)

I work in the IT sector, and they've got me on dexies.

Hi :)

hiya, emm from perth, recently got the ADHD diagnosis . . . I always thought it was an excuse for having badly behaved kids, now don't I feel stupid . . . well more than normal anywho

hiya, emm from perth, recently got the ADHD diagnosis . . . I always thought it was an excuse for having badly behaved kids, now don't I feel stupid . . . well more than normal anywhoLOL..welcome :D

Hi there, well I'm heading to the adult adhd clinic at Prince of Wales next week...long time sufferer, first time diagnosee (and test-subject) i guess ;) It's weird was it something that everyone else just knew they had, like they read a book on it and read the case histories and went "yep that's me, oh yeah that's me too...oh my god! that's me too!" Cause for me it's like reading about it has given me an explanation for things I have done all my life...I was always hyperactive but I guess that was in the time where it always was a case of "he'll grow out of it"...but hey...I'm 34 now and it hasn't shown any sign of abating yet! lol

welcome :-)
aussie aussie aussie..oi oi oi :-)

keep us up to date ;-)
PLEASE PM me if I *forget * to get back here to see how it goes with you ..I tend to forget stuff..LOL..no IDEA why..

Welcome :)

HUH? There was a sporting event I missed? Yeah write some more seems very interesting.

Well what a friendly lot you all are :D (well two of you anyways lol) I guess we are a populace spanning the country?

Yay! well back from the clinic and after gads and gads of tests...geez the
press space bar for any letter you see on the screen except 'x' for the next 14 minutes test is so very annoying, but the dr said he though that I was a pretty cut and dried ADHD so now getting CT scan and ECG and blood tests for proper and final diagnosis next Monday :D

Trip update-We leave for Oz on June 22 and return July 9! Got my walking shoes today and my ergonomic backpack. Can't wait.

You all are awesome. Question: I need ideas for a gift for the home stay family I will be with for 3 days. I am thinking Pictures, t-shirt of High school sports team, Cubs hat, recipes, stuff for s'mores, stuff about Illinois-the land of Lincoln, one of my hand-dyed/woven art pieces. Any other ideas?

Me in US-Southern Illinois

You will enjoy Australia VisualImagery!!!!

Where are you going in Australia exactly? Are you walking and hiking or something? Umm gifts I would love stuff for smores but that is me and quarantine might go nuts.

Hint: The harbor Bridge is not that exciting neither is the opera house. Long live Brisbane.

33 - diagnosed 6 months ago - in Sydney - Desperately working on changing my life.

I'm Finding medication has changed my work life beyond recognition - Massive positive.

But...

I'm Finding no relief from irritation and rage - Is it ADD or something else

Often depressed at all the wasted years - pointless
Often angry that I have a condition I don't want - pointless
Often frustrated that I will never achieve my potential - pointless

I feel like I have four brains which take control at random - One brain is that of a complete genius, two belong to Joe Average and the other is from the village idiot.

Sadly I have no control over which takes control and when.

One minute I will amaze myself (and others) the next I will embarass myself totally.

"at least you know why now" someone helpfully said when I told them I was ADD...

"that's no consolation, I have been convinced since I was 5 years old that this is all just a phase... diagnosis is just confirmation that it isn't. This is just who I am"

Anyway....... hello Australia

Hey mate. :) Sorry to hear that. There is always help. Remeber that.

I'm sure there is lots of help out there... but I haven't discovered where yet. I'm not originally an Australian - I emmigrated 15 years ago and have since naturalised but I haven't got to grips with a lot of the healthcare and support options, especially on the government side of things

I'd love to find a service (if it exists) to help people with ADD or similar - Also do you know of any help that is available through Medicare? Everything I have found out so far has come at rather a high cost. So I'm now at a point where I can't get much more information/counciling/treatment for fear of bankrupting myself!!

Any advice would be very greatfully recieved - I live in Sydney if that helps.

Thanks

Hey mate. :) Sorry to hear that. There is always help. Remeber that.

Hi
If you go to your GP/psychiatrist and tell them you have ADHD and you would like to talk to a psychologist who specialises in this area, they will reccommend one or more for you to see. Medicare will now pay for the first 12 sessions with an accredited psychologist as long as you have a referral from your GP/ psychiatrist. Then you can take it from there...

Hope that helps

Kirstie :O)

Ahh yeah I am with medibank private so I don't know all that much about medicare. Google can always be helpful. I usally just ring up and they tell me.

Recently joined, although found this website 2-3 yrs ago and has taken me this long to do something about finding it again.

Diagnosed 16 years ago at the age of 18, I'm now 34 (did the maths for you, much easier that way) ;).

Gone back to uni to finish a psychology degree I start in 93. Loving and hating every minute of it. Like most have had some pretty dark periods but doing pretty well at the moment and plan to stay that way.

ADD simultatniously frustrating and amusing, inspiring and depressing, part of who I am not what I am.

Welcome to the forums soxy:) Recently joined, although found this website 2-3 yrs ago and has taken me this long to do something about finding it again.

Diagnosed 16 years ago at the age of 18, I'm now 34 (did the maths for you, much easier that way) ;).

Gone back to uni to finish a psychology degree I start in 93. Loving and hating every minute of it. Like most have had some pretty dark periods but doing pretty well at the moment and plan to stay that way.

ADD simultatniously frustrating and amusing, inspiring and depressing, part of who I am not what I am.

:cool: my name is my own
I live in north q.l.d.
dex is my meds also awaiting a new addition for bipolar
female adult,also have eldest son with a living copy of my DNA :D :rolleyes: :eek:
A.D.H.D with all the additives. ;)

My name is also my own ;)

Anyway...28 y/o female from Perth and recently diagnosed about 2 weeks ago. I've just tried out dex, which was OK but psych now wants me to try Ritalin so I started that yesterday. Really quite liking it so far - more so than dex anyway, but we shall see.

ADHD inattentive with a few of the others thrown in and currently bored at work. :p

Hi BELLABLUE, ive only been on dex for my adhd,whats the difference with ritalin?im curious but im fine on my meds,is there a cost difference also?did u have to wean off one then go to the other?........gawd,lol so many questions.:)

Hi BELLABLUE, ive only been on dex for my adhd,whats the difference with ritalin?im curious but im fine on my meds,is there a cost difference also?did u have to wean off one then go to the other?........gawd,lol so many questions.:)
Hi acceptance! :) Well, it's only my second day on the Ritalin and so far I've found them to be more 'active' I guess you could say! It's like...the dex was OK but it didn't do a whole lot more than make me feel a bit more awake but with the Ritalin I'm actually more focused and can plan and do things better.

The dex was also giving me bad headaches and occasional nausea more frequently that I would have liked but I've only had a couple of mild headaches so far on the Ritalin. I haven't had the extreme rebound effect everyone describes yet but I do get a bit cranky and irritated when they start to wear off.

As far as I'm aware (and please somebody correct me if I'm wrong!) you don't have to wean yourself off one before the other because amphetamines don't stay in the system very long - can't remember how long exactly but I don't think it's more than 24 hours at any rate (again, anybody is free to correct me is that's wrong!). Anyway, my psych didn't give any indication that I had to so I presume its fine.

In terms of cost, they're actually a bit cheaper than dex - about $33.25 per 200 x 10mg tablets (2 boxes). That's on the PBS anyway which I get them on (but have no idea how as I don't have a heathcard card or anything and I really don't understand how it works). They are actual Ritalin (Novartis brand) not a generic - I wouldn't know if we had a generic available here in Australia!

Wow, sorry for the long post! Anyway, I hope that answers your questions! :D

PS I just had one before I typed this post so that might explain why it's so long. Sorry! :)

Hi acceptance! :) Well, it's only my second day on the Ritalin and so far I've found them to be more 'active' I guess you could say! It's like...the dex was OK but it didn't do a whole lot more than make me feel a bit more awake but with the Ritalin I'm actually more focused and can plan and do things better.

The dex was also giving me bad headaches and occasional nausea more frequently that I would have liked but I've only had a couple of mild headaches so far on the Ritalin. I haven't had the extreme rebound effect everyone describes yet but I do get a bit cranky and irritated when they start to wear off.

As far as I'm aware (and please somebody correct me if I'm wrong!) you don't have to wean yourself off one before the other because amphetamines don't stay in the system very long - can't remember how long exactly but I don't think it's more than 24 hours at any rate (again, anybody is free to correct me is that's wrong!). Anyway, my psych didn't give any indication that I had to so I presume its fine.

In terms of cost, they're actually a bit cheaper than dex - about $33.25 per 200 x 10mg tablets (2 boxes). That's on the PBS anyway which I get them on (but have no idea how as I don't have a heathcard card or anything and I really don't understand how it works). They are actual Ritalin (Novartis brand) not a generic - I wouldn't know if we had a generic available here in Australia!

Wow, sorry for the long post! Anyway, I hope that answers your questions! :D

PS I just had one before I typed this post so that might explain why it's so long. Sorry! :)oh my god1 i still cant reduce the "quote thing"anyway,you seem like ritilin is fine,but everyones chemistry is different.no room here,but its on my mind if you want to post anyu new info.

I'M told ,the sooner you wean off the previous ,the better the"new"...takes grip.Am i mistaken?

oh my god1 i still cant reduce the "quote thing"anyway,you seem like ritilin is fine,but everyones chemistry is different.no room here,but its on my mind if you want to post anyu new info.
Will do, I'll see how I go! :)

I'M told ,the sooner you wean off the previous ,the better the"new"...takes grip.Am i mistaken?
Hmmm...not sure really. Might be an idea to ask over in the meds forum cause it would be interesting to know!

I thought I had joined in this thread... but it probably ended up somewhere in the ether!!! No worries, though, I am in Perth WA and have been diagnosed about a month & on meds (dexamphetamine)for one week less than that. I can say that it has already made a difference in my life - less aggro, less stressed (probably because I now know what I am needing to adjust to) and less un-co!!! Gotta be happy about that! I got my revision notes for my exams this week coming done about Wednesday of the week just gone, which means I am actually organised for the first time I have ever been at exam time!

Hello Tara....seems weve got aussies all round the country here:)

Introducing myself!!

Kerry
Casino NSW
My husband has add and bi polar, 8 year old son has add and possible bi polar.:eek:

Kate
Melbourne

My two sons have ADHD, 12yo on Concerta, Clonodine: 10yo no meds yet.
Two sisters ADD, I was informally diagnosed ADD by kids' doctor - it's so nice not to feel left out.

Sorry I'm late, I slept through my first two alarms, then I got ready with miminal...ok a few distractions, then I left...forgot my phone, oops forgot my lunch, and finally got out the door after returning twice to get some things I forgot, then I missed my bus, and caught the next one, and well better late than never...HERE I AM :P

BlueTech...Female, 21 Sydney AUS!

Voluntarily ODD (so when my careers advisor told my whole class we wouldn't need to look at the uni course guide because we would never make it there, I got myself into uni and finished with almost credit average, I don't go out of my way to prove a point, I would have done it anyway, but I will admit it did make the achievement extra sweet) I am not really ODD, I just realise that there are more people in history who fit the diagnostic criteria of ADHD who have done something great compared to the anonymous masses without ADHD who had no faith in the people who's names we all know...

Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, Edison...etc.

Anywho getting back on track...if you haven't guessed, ADHD, predominently innatentive, but a little of the rest too...A few other disability issues on top of that, and there you have ME!

Just moved into a new place! very nice, close to work!!! Qualified Theatre & TV designer, I work in Entertainment industry as a full time technician! Musician (saxophones) and computer nerd in my spare time!

Just wanna say hi everyone, I've hunted for ages for an ADHD forum like this, but for some reason I haven't been able to find this til now... Google not cooperating?

Anyway, I'm a 25yr old guy in Brisbane, a jazz musician - composer/bassist... was trying to study music at uni earlier this year, but I don't have the best track record with institutionalized education, despite my passion for learning independently. So while now I'm practising at home until I'm ready to try getting back to uni again, I'm looking for a job - and I hope I find one that goes better than all the others this time!

The past couple of years has been a big period of change for me... learning that I am talented and capable, and I can do something with my life, rather than wasting it away as I used to... But it can be a tough world for people like us, and it's taking so much adjustment for me to try and live some semblance of a normal life. I used to not be able to handle the slightest problems in life, but I've become so stalwart now - despite the disadvantageous side of my condition, I am determined to not let little failures get in my way, and I'm going to make the most out of the positive aspects of it now! (speaking of Edison up there ^ - you probably have heard of all the failures he had to gain his few successes - he went through over 2000 failed experiments before the one successful lightbulb design! I think there's hope to be gained from that. Or at least, you could become famous for your low strike-rate.)

Anyway, I look forward to corresponding with you all!

Hi :)
I'm Nicole, not really a ninja
I live on the beautiful mornington peninsula in victoria

I think i have ad/hd or something, possibly bipolar disorder, been to a gp and seeing psychiatrist in a few weeks
My dad has AD/HD and depression and my little brother has AD/HD and ODD. Neither are medicated.
I'm not really sure if i have it, i relate to a lot of the things people are talking about on here and in all of the online tests i have taken i score AD/HD but i have done really well in primary and high school and only went to the doctor in the first place because i had been crying on and off for a whole week and didnt know why! When he heard that i had been printing off kids colouring pages to colour in before i went to sleep at night (among other things) he gave me a referral to a psych.

The weird thing is since i have been looking into add and stuff i feel like i am acting more like it! I'm not sure whether its because i'm aware of it now or perhaps i'm a different kind of crazy and i am subconsciously doing it.. lol.. But then doesnt self doubt and stuff come along with adhd. 'sigh' i guess i'll find out in a few weeks!

ps. Yes it is an absolute mad house at home with my little brother and my dad unmedicated. lol.. Dad is against it because he was made to take stuff when he was a kid and ended up with panic attacks and stuff and he has managed alright. Although he will go to the shop to get milk and come home with a new animal(s). Last time it was an aquarium. hehe

Hi I am new to Perth and have ADHD I am looking to chat with other Adders. I was wondering is anyone on Strattera. Currently taking Dex's and will be moving to Strattera.
10 mg for 3 weeks then 12 mg for 3 weeks then 30 mg for 3 weeks then 40 mg for 3 weeks and so on to find my right dosage. My GP who is in Melbourne wants me to start slow on this med. I trust her completely, but I need to get my eyes checked for gluacoma. My eyes have detoriated from Dex. Forgot to mention my name is Nadia and I am 35. I am starting a new job not sure about to start a new drug. My Doc wants me to stay on Dex for a few weeks then start Strattera on the weekend. I have been reading that Dex and Strattera work well together. Enough for now. New to this forum and this is my first post.

welcome Bella.. ;-)
I'm from Perth..but haven't tried stattera (too expensive)
let us know how you go :-)

Hi :)
I'm Nicole, not really a ninja
I live on the beautiful mornington peninsula in victoria

I think i have ad/hd or something, possibly bipolar disorder, been to a gp and seeing psychiatrist in a few weeks
My dad has AD/HD and depression and my little brother has AD/HD and ODD. Neither are medicated.
I'm not really sure if i have it, i relate to a lot of the things people are talking about on here and in all of the online tests i have taken i score AD/HD but i have done really well in primary and high school and only went to the doctor in the first place because i had been crying on and off for a whole week and didnt know why! When he heard that i had been printing off kids colouring pages to colour in before i went to sleep at night (among other things) he gave me a referral to a psych.

The weird thing is since i have been looking into add and stuff i feel like i am acting more like it! I'm not sure whether its because i'm aware of it now or perhaps i'm a different kind of crazy and i am subconsciously doing it.. lol.. But then doesnt self doubt and stuff come along with adhd. 'sigh' i guess i'll find out in a few weeks!oh,..good luck nicole -)

malcolm

location brisbane

relation to adhd ,,,my father my mother myself two of my children

medication high speed motor vechiles ,,,dope,,,occaisional e

Hi I'm Jo
Adelaide, South Australia
I am about to have my first appointment to get assessed. I suspect I am the combined type.
I have a 3yr old boy who I am sure is Hyper, he is bouncing off the walls so hard I am surprised we don't have dents.
I have a 4yr old boy who may be innattentive, but then he is 4 and they all seem a bit like that.

Hi im Alfie, turning 19 in the middle of november…
Live at Lake Macquarie in NSW (200km north of sydney)
been diagnosed as ADD as long as i can remember and have had all kinds of fun with medications; including legal issues.

Heaps from Brisbane it seems. Including myself. I am mainly I-ADD.

welcome :-)
there sure are a lot in Brisbane ;-)

can i join here? I am not an aussie but us kiwis aren't much of a community on here. You guys are pretty much the west island of NZ lol.

Just tell us your name kiwi girl...LOL:p

Melanie's my name.
I go by Melz, Melly, Smelly, Smelly Melly, Melzie, Mels da bells who really smells (my bros nickname when i was younger lol) or just plain Mel.
preferable Mel

Hi all,

Name: Chris
Age: 23
Location: Melbourne
Medication: 5-6 x 5mg Dexamphetamine.

Look forward to getting to know you all :)

Regards,
Chris

Hi Christy Boy:p welcome to the forumsHi all,

Name: Chris
Age: 23
Location: Melbourne
Medication: 5-6 x 5mg Dexamphetamine.

Look forward to getting to know you all :)

Regards,
Chris

Hi everyone, i'm new (as new as someone can be when they've apparently joined this forum at some point in the past but can't remember having any convo's here but does remember some of the avatars. . . mmmmm. . . .) I live in SA and was diagnosed ADD in 07. Wasn't really a surprise. Have been on Dex but i may as well been taking sugar pills. Am thinking of trying it again. There are no proffessionals in my area that know anything about ADD. We have one visiting phych and there is a huge waiting list. Its pathetic. So i've just read what i can about ADD and tried to deal with it myself, with varying degrees of success. Haven't set anything on fire for quite a while now. Doing well.

Brisbane represent! :)

I'm 26.

Oh hai

Mexican (Melburnian) reporting in for duty.

30 year old male seeks hot..oops..wrong forum

Oh hai

Mexican (Melburnian) reporting in for duty.

30 year old male seeks hot..oops..wrong forum


Hot?? hot what :p

hot oven for cooking?

Herro all!

I'm 19, turn 20 in April. I spent 2 years at university, ANU, in Canberra before dropping out. I'm going back on medication this year and hope to go to uni again next year.

I had ADHD as a kid and I suppose I still have it as an adult. I live in Bathurst, NSW, but travel to Sydney and Canberra ever month or two.

Hi there!

I am 24 and live on the Sunshine Coast. I did a Bachelor of Communications and Creative writing and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education. Tutor English and technical writing and looking for employment. It's scary! but also exciting.

I surf, skate and wakeboard.

Moi fellow Orstrayans, oi give yew greetings!

Lily here, 34-year-old Sydneysider, about to return to UNSW to complete the last semester of my long-deferred and delayed Arts/Law degree.

Diagnosed with inattentive ADD July 2007, currently on 40mg Long Acting Ritalin.

Hi all Cathy here from Ballarat Victoria. Anyone know of any ADD specialists in Victoria?? Would love to be diagnosed so over myself not being able to do what i know i can. Very frustrated, creative and misunderstood.
seems like a very good site. Hope to meet some more aussies with similar struggles.
Cheers
Rabbit

Hey to all

Name: Jason (hyper_guy)
Age: ouch! looks too old when ya write it!
Location: Brisbane
Medication: 60-80mg Ritalin

Was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 6 years old, so going on 31 years now. For me symptoms didnt get better as an adult infact some a lot worse including hyperactivity. Have found lots of different ways to cope with inattention, impulsiveness, forgetfulness and disorganisation but havent got close to putting lid on the hyperactivity yet!!!!!

Looking forward to chatting to you all about this thing we all share, which for me for most of the time I wouldnt want it any other way! Looking back - really hard as a kid but as an adult much more intune with the whole thing.

Stay safe - stay happy.

Look forward to reading more of your post

Hi:)
im Leah from .... yep Bris:)
recently diag'd with inattentive add.
Dex for 1 week so far, 10mg am, 10mg noon, 5mg mid avo (4pm). started on 10 am & 5 noon a week ago.
seems to be going well! am just relieved that i finely found out what it is! and to finaly beable to act normal and accually complete things properly.
:) hope to chat soon.
cheers!
L. Scuz

Hellllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooooo!!! Im new and have Add and am taking exefor and dexamphetamine. My life has gotten so much better since being diagnosed but i still lose: my keys
hairbrushes
and sunglasses
quite regularly. I still ca'nt get organised either. But still, at least im a happy ADDer instead of a spaced out drooling fool!!! LOL

Hope to get to know people soon - does anyone know any support groups on the Gold Coast?:p

This is role call for members living in Australia. Please give a brief intro

Name: Nathan
Location: Brisbane, Southside
Relationship to AD/HD: Wondering if I have it.

The possibility was raised a few weeks ago by a psychologist I had been seeing for issues around academic performance. Still waiting to get a definative Dx. As she said, probably will not change anything in terms of my academic performance, with respect to having to find ways of getting through my courses, however, for me it is important to have a Dx of yes or no (or at least something) because right now I'm feeling like a disorganised, procrastinating, lazy student, who cannot just buckle down, stop finding things to do, and just do my work. Argh ---- don't you think I've tried :)

Anyways... anyone ins Brisvegas, love to make contact.

Hi everyone, I am the mother of a 13 year old boy with ADHD. Diagnosed at 5 and has been on Concerta for the last 6 months. He has been suspended so many times from primary and high school that I have lost count. Am at my wits end and am looking for some support from other's in similar situations.

G'day,

Stu
Melbourne
30
dex
3yrs diag
crank it up..

Hi All

Im a 35 y/o solo Mum of 2 boys. All 3 of us have forms of ADD/ADHD, the children have been diagnosed, I am in the process of trying to get diagnosed.

We've done the ADHD roundabout with the kids for the past 14 years, but I've only recently made the connection between my own symptoms and adult ADD (having always been fed the crap from the 'professionals' that adults cant possibly have ADD as children 'always grow out of it'), while Im feeling a tiny bit better about myself now that the connection has been made (so maybe Im NOT a hopeless, lazy, stupid ne'er do well, maybe there is a reason Ive tried so hard all these years without getting anywhere that doesnt start and finish with me just being useless!)

Oh yeah, we're in Perth, WA.

Name: Strange
Location: Melbourne
Relationship to ADD: ADHD comorbid bipolar, ASPD. Diagnosis bipolar: 14 years of age,
ADD & ASPD: 15 years ago.
Employment: medical scientist
Medication: Dexamphetamine 50 mg BD, Zyprexa Zydis 5mg D, Lamictal

Gavin, Brisbane, 48 y/o

Have new 8 weeks old baby, I was reading a baby book about ADD/ADHD. Whoops description fitted me.

Was reading books and googling why I had no job satifaction.


Did an online test today, 6 question short one:)
http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm
Scored 24, failed or past the test? hmm high chance I'm ADD or very easy bored.

Anyone know any jobs going in Brisbane for an unemployed entrepreneurial/artistic/inventive/genius?
They don't have this catergory listed on Seek:(

Drug of choice is coffee, gets me into Beta so I can pay attention for a few minutes, handy for meetings and job interviews.

Hallo Everyone,
I was delighted to find a group of ADHD people (or other) in Australia.
I am aged 75 - and was only diagnosed a few years ago.
I say, 'if only' I had known before! - I wouldn't have grown up with hang-ups on top of my condition.
I would have associated myself with groups and others years ago, instead
of waiting till this time when I feel so much alone.
In my childhood (England) ADHD was unheard of. We was written off as 'wilful and innattentive'. We got spanked and caned -
for being late to school and not paying attention. There was nothing I could do to please the teachers - or my parents.
They was frustrated with a girl who showed so much intelligence yet unable to pass any exams and present certificates
for employment.
Luckily in those days we didn't need a piece of paper to get a job. Most Public Service jobs etc required an intelligence test -
which I always passed with flying colours - in fact I was top for the London Trunk Telephone Exchange (joined at 13)
and top for the W.R.N.S. the Royal Navy - that was alongside the university graduates.
My life has been one big struggle., being unable to organise my life at all.
With everthing I have attempted, I've lost interest and started something else. I've fought deep depression all my life
and anxiety neurosis.
I think the main thing is not having anyone that understood me. My moral has always been very low and I have pulled back
from relationships knowing I was so complicated to MYSELF - let alone them lol
If anyone knows anyone from South Australia I can chat to - with ADHD - i'd appreciate it if you would let me know.
Thanks a lot
God Bless You All
Malvina

Hi All!

I'm Rob, a late diagnosed young adult from Sydney.

I was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD when I was 17, as the result of actively pursuing control of my attention span and work ethic for the HSC.

After prompting my counsellor at school to get me tested for ADD/ADHD, I saw a Sydney based Educational Consultant who referred me to the Sydney Developmental Clinic where I was diagnosed as ADD/ADHD.

I have since worked on using ADD/ADHD as a positive in my life, by reestablishing my perspectives, ideas and concepts of life itself. I am a Lifestyle Architect, studying Ba. Design (Visual Communication) at UWS Penrith (last 6 months of my course). I work as an ADD mentor to younger males with ADD throughout the week, helping them to sort out issues in their life, as well as working as a Graphic Designer and a Lifestyle Architect. I also run ADDucation, a lifestyle blog for Mature People with ADD Who Choose to Improve Their Life.

I'm a big believer of the affect of mindset and attitude on existence - afterall, its only our perception of reality that we respond to.

Cheers!

Rob

Hi I am known as Gumlu

I am female
34 yrs old

Adhd since 1988 ( bad old days Psy hospital and all)
Current med dex at 8 am and 4 2 pm plus meds for low blood presher and anti dep

Location Gold Coast 4225

This is role call for members living in Australia. Please give a brief intro

Name
Location
Relationship to AD/HD
Tabitha
Baulkham Hills, Sydney
Diagnosed Bi-Polar I, ADD & Anxiety Disorder.
10 yr old son Diagnosed ADHD 6 years ago - was on Ritalin, now on Dexies with fewer side effects :)

I would love to meet people with similar issues or find a support group in my area...having a tough time dealing with the recent Bi-polar diagnosis. :(

Hello
name = Beachwalker
Currently living near Newcastle but often overseas in Sth America, the sub continent or Africa due to my work and hobbies
age: I was diagnosed as a child before ADHD was the word ie when they called it Minimal Brain Dysfunction and the treatment was an extra thrashing with the cane at school and extra discipline at home (fortunately my parents did not comply and just let me run wild for we were surrounded by bushland and I grew up to love and respect nature as a result)

My mother was always anti mainstream drug therapy so my ADHD was treated with some pretty strange things as a child including low dose strychnine (which believe it or not was one of the few medications that actuallly helped!?)

As an adult I decide from time to time to medicate conventionally including
now for I am on quite a cocktail: dex IR 30-40 mg/d, prozac, milnaciprin and low dose seroquel for better sleep and occaisonal use of gabapentin during more stressful periods

I have considerable experience with moving between Australian states and re-establishing treatment and support. Always found being pro-active is best, not letting a GP doctor you hardly know send you to an unknown pschyatrist of their choice. It really is a roulette wheel to get good treatment this way

better I believe to get in touch with the ADHD support structures that exist in your state and find out which psych docs are popular, particularly with mums with kids with ADHD, but also other adults with ADHD. Work out which psych doc sounds the best for you and then tell your GP thats who you want a referral for.

You have rights as a patient and one of those is to ask for and receive a referral for the ADHD specialist of your choice. Some doctors or GP's may object to being told whom you want a referral for but most now in my experience will comply. If they dont comply, then I suggest dont waste your time on them, ie go bulk bill so you pay nothing but time for the referral.

It took me a while to realise that you need a psychiatrist that specialises in ADHD. many GPs dont realise this and may send you to a generalist pschyatrist that has little experience with adults and ADHD. Which can result in treatment that is worse than going untreated.

regards
beachwalker

Hi Everyone

I'm from Sunshine Coast Queensland and my 8 year old son has just been diagnosed with ADHD. We are unable to use medication as my ex-husband seem uneducation about it and does not agree. I'm at a loss as how to best help my son and really need to find information on ADHD diets, behavioural programs etc etc.

Hopefully this site can help me with some information but would love to hear from anyone who has some more info on how to "naturally" deal with this. Not my choice but I have to try something.

Thanks

An update to my original post waaaaay back at the beginning of this thread.

I'm now Living in the south east suburbs of Melbourne Victoria, I'm now 40,
and I've still got ADD :P

After being diagnosed around 2001, I eventually started on medication in 03/04 and took Dex for about 2 years. Stopped because, while I appreciated the clarity, I didn't enjoy the roller coaster (the come-downs were terrible).

Now I'm wondering if I should go back on them... I find my self seeking anything that will create a change in my mental state. Anything to relieve the standard crazy whirlwind.

Hi, I'm 40 year old girl on the Sunshine Coast Qld :)

Recently diagnosed by my clinical psychologist with ADD after changing to a new Dr who said I was definately ADD. I was originally diagnosed with bipolar 2 a year ago, but it just didn't seem like me for a few bits. I explained this to my new Dr after reading about ADD & everything just clicking. Felt like I found the real me! She says I definately don't have bipolar. Now being referred to a specialist adult ADD clinic for even more testing. My partner has ADHD & Asperger's as well. I must say we make an interesting couple LOL.

Would love to know if there are any support groups on the Sunny Coast or Northside of Brisbane too.

Name: Alfie86
Location: Brisbane
Relationship to ADD: ADHD
Diagnosis: 3 months ago
Employment: part-time student
Medication: Dexamphetamine 2.5 mg 5-7x / day, 5HTP pending

Name: Fiona
Location: Melbourne
Relationship to ADD: Diagnosed almost 3 weeks ago at age 39.

Hi my name is Janey and I have not been diagnosed yet. My daughter is thirteen and has just been diagnosed. I have always known she was a bit "different" but loved her so much because she is exactly the same as me. When she was diagnosed I burst out crying. I finally felt that she would be helped and her life and self esteem would be greatly improved. I knew instantly that I had had the same problems growing up and have never been able to fulfill my potential. I am wondering if anyone would be kind enough to give me the name of their pyche. I am in Hawthorne in Brisbane. Thanks

hi, im alexis.
i'm 27, im from sydney.
while i haven't been diagnosed with add, i seem to have alot of the same signs and symptoms as alot of people on here. i am very forgetful, i daydream alot. i find it difficult focusing, even on interesting things. have always been like this but seems to be getting worse. currently unemployed, when i am employed i find it very difficult to stay on task. i have actually lost a couple of jobs because of this. im seeing my psychiatrist next week. hopefully something comes of this. ive had to write alot of my experiences down as i seem to forget otherwise. good too see other aussies on here