I need to stop coming on here and looking for an excuse to be a failure and to feel bad all the time.

I dont even buy into this whole chemical embalance thing, I just think I am the way I am, and only I can change it.

Sure, meds do work in the short term, but is it right? Is it right to sort my problems by taking pills?

Or is it me? Is their something I can do to help myself, and stop looking for a reason to fail?

A lot of people on here will just tell me to take the meds, and even through they do work, I would feel so much guilt for doing so, because I am relying on pills to help me, instead of relying on myself.

I know that their has to be a way of helping myself, but I just dont know what that way is. :(

Frazz, I really feel for you. You sound so frustrated and depressed. Do you know what you need help w/ exactly?

I think you're ahead of a lot of us in recognizing that pills won't solve all of your problems. Many just rely on the meds without seeking ways to modify our beliefs, behaviors and habits. Depending on what areas you need help in, other resources such as a therapist, coach, books and your school (if you're a student) can help. You probably know all of this, it's just a matter of figuring out what you need and where to start. Coming here for support is another part of treatment. You're already addressing this aspect of treatment by coming here.

I think a lot of us have developed a bit of learned helplessness. We know we're going to fail so we don't even try. A therapist can help you change your negative beliefs about yourself by helping you to recognize and challenge your negative thoughts. Maybe meds can help you get ready to tackle some of these issue.

but is it right?
... .. it's right if the meds are used to help you to get some place in which you are happy - otherwise the meds're helping you to stand being some place in which you are unhappy.
Nothing to worry about - as long as you get some place with them.

I would feel so much guilt ...
We'll shortly be seeing that the very real problems we face -
- are reactivity to our environment.
You're feeling bad because society is bad -
unstimulating approaches to teaching are the most at fault.

Learning is by definition the most stimulating activity that there is for us -
- if it's less than that for you -
- therein lies the problem
and
solution.

I know that their has to be a way of helping myself, but I just dont know what that way is.
Learning is by definition the most stimulating activity that there is for us -
- if it's less than that for you -
- therein lies the problem
and
solution.

ooops !
I just said that didn't I.

Oh well
(must be right then)
:-)

~ps~
hyperfocus is hyperattention -
- the trick is to be able to flick the hyperfocus knob ... ...

and that trick'd be

Learning is by definition the most stimulating activity that there is for us -
- if it's less than that for you -
- therein lies the problem
and
solution.

->- to work out how you yourself can learn -
your own individualized approach
- can't be foisted upon you - you need to work it out for yourself.

And then use the meds accordingly -
- and

at some point

all of the bad stuff'll just - 'up and leave'

(despite the fairy story like Happy Ending -
I am being as serious as can be (here)
- really do mean every word)

The mind is hungry -
- our problem is to work out how to feed our own mind -
- for ourselves

(hyperfocus follows)

:-)

honest !!!

(((((Fraz))))) whether you recognize it or not, your post really had a lot of emotion in it. Only you can tell how the meds do or don't effect you. I am so proud that you recognize that meds alone aren't the answer and other habits picked up along the way 'pre meds' need to also be addressed. You honestly in my eyes have made an amazing stride in just your post alone. You are an amazing person and I am a true believer of positive re-enforcement. I believe that if you are given the positive praise that we sometimes need each day, it really does effect the outcome of your day. I give myself a pep talk each morning to keep me away from falling off the edge, I also have a friend who gives me a positive pep out of the blue. I often think of the unfortunate people that don't have the mental strength to fight the beast inside our heads or a friend and let it take over.

Again Fraz only you know how the meds effect you and if they do or not make it possible for you to think differently or give you an ability to perform actions you didn't have the ability to perform pre-meds. I have a feeling that if you had a 'buddy' a positive enforcer you may see a difference in your days :) I have a feeling you're not coming here for an excuse to be a failure, but an excuse to procrastinate and in the end you feel like a failure.

What is the one thing that tops your list that you want to make a change in?
What can I do to help :)

Try to ask yourself this, if you stop the meds what will change? Will it be for the positive? Or will you be in the same mental position you are in now but just with the added effects that the meds are helping to control? Let's see what we can do to change the personal habits you acquired for all those years pre-meds, and then if you're feeling you can manage no meds, then talk with your Dr. about a decreasing plan to help stop your meds in a safe way.

Hi Fraz

Going through the same thing as you. It doesn't matter about the meds really.....what matters is what you feel you need to have a fulfilling life.

It's obvious to me that some people have the ADD thing and yet have completely sussed lives.

The difference is that they are self aware and understand the environment they need in order to function effectively. They ensure their environment fits them...rather than trying to fit into an environment.

In addition self esteem has a HUGE amount to do with it. I am coming to the opinion that it's not the imbalances in the brain that cause the most grief it's the effect they have on self esteem if ones early life isn't ADD friendly.

Once the low self esteem is established.....it just gnaws away at life.

So maybe you are right.....if you can become confident, self aware and boost your self esteem then I suspect the prescription may not be required.

kilt

I need to stop coming on here and looking for an excuse to be a failure and to feel bad all the time.

I dont even buy into this whole chemical embalance thing, I just think I am the way I am, and only I can change it.

Sure, meds do work in the short term, but is it right? Is it right to sort my problems by taking pills?

Or is it me? Is their something I can do to help myself, and stop looking for a reason to fail?

A lot of people on here will just tell me to take the meds, and even through they do work, I would feel so much guilt for doing so, because I am relying on pills to help me, instead of relying on myself.

I know that their has to be a way of helping myself, but I just dont know what that way is. :(
I come here for completely different reasons. ;) Mostly to learn what the docs don't/won't tell me, and to learn how to cope with ADHD the best way I can - find ways around it, sort of.

I understand your mood, it's almost like you're pms-ing. :cool: But lighten up! :)

Sorry you're feeling so down at the moment Fraz. You seem to have the wieght of the world on your shoulders. I don't have any answers for you, but that's okay because you will work them out for yourself. I hope you start to feel better about yourself soon.

hugs to Fraz!!! hang in there...you've made great strides already! you're here with us, and that's a good step!

it's fantastic that you realize meds aren't a cure-all. many of us that are successful are doing a combo of meds and therapy. part of therapy is fixing the internal monologue and learning to change our thinking and how we describe ourselves...very important. also, you do need to accept that there are things you will not be able to change...but that's okay!! even "normal" people have their weaknesses! plus, being perfect is boring as all hell.

i think it's great that you are refusing to be a victim to ADHD! take control of yourself, your mind, and your life...therapy can help you do this.

therapy is paramount, especially if you don't want to be on meds forever!

i totally feel where you're coming from. it's not an easy road to travel by any means, but you can do it. you are a wonderful person with so many good qualities! and yes, you can change yourself and learn new tools and habits that will allow you to live the life you want without meds.

(hugs)

"A lot of people on here will just tell me to take the meds, and even through they do work, I would feel so much guilt for doing so, because I am relying on pills to help me, instead of relying on myself."

I felt something similar when I started in on my anti-depressant meds. I felt like having to rely on a pill to be able to function was just highlighting that I'm hopelessly flawed and a failure and just plain 'broken'.

Thing is, it was awfully tough to get any better and work on stuff I needed to work on --or do stuff I needed to do-- without leaning on the medications to help me get the ball rolling. I was asking myself to run a marathon with a broken leg. It's a stupid unreasonable thing to ask. But then, I *do* believe in the chemical imbalance thing so that analogy works for me. In the end, it worked out ok for me. I worked my **** off and even though I'm not living the life I've dreamed of ~yet~, my progress is good and I'm not taking any pills any more at all. But I did, for a long time.

The pills are a tool to free up some of your resources so you can help yourself and do the things that make your life one that you enjoy living.

Ok I'm rambling. I dunno if that's helpful or not. Hang in there and keep pushing!!

Thing is, it was awfully tough to get any better and work on stuff I needed to work on --or do stuff I needed to do-- without leaning on the medications to help me get the ball rolling. I was asking myself to run a marathon with a broken leg. It's a stupid unreasonable thing to ask. But then, I *do* believe in the chemical imbalance thing so that analogy works for me. In the end, it worked out ok for me. I worked my **** off and even though I'm not living the life I've dreamed of ~yet~, my progress is good and I'm not taking any pills any more at all. But I did, for a long time.

The pills are a tool to free up some of your resources so you can help yourself and do the things that make your life one that you enjoy living.

I totally agree with Blur. Only I used to buy the "chemical imbalance" theory so completely as to think that the proper medication would CURE me! After years of trying and failing at that, I finally realize that my problem is my thinking. If my thinking does not change, nothing will change, and this requires work on my part. And yet my depression and anxiety were so severe that I could not do what I needed to do in and out of therapy in order to get better. After all, if I feel "what's the use in doing anything, nothing will ever change", and feeling all freaked-out all of the time, I don't follow through with the CBT outside of therapy. So I am taking antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications now, but I do not expect them to cure me and I do not expect to take them forever.

I totally feel you Fraz. It is, however, a big deal to regcognize that you are ultimately in control of yourself and your destiny. You are a young and there are so many people who never even figure this out.

I have found I must remind myself If I don't want others to define me by my ADD (or my Bipolar), I can't define myself by it.

Hi there Fraz,

Do you see a counselor? A trained psychologist? If you don't, it might be something you should think about. A therapist can help you identify the things about yourself that you would like to change, and help you determine how best to go about change. If the meds are helping you - quit thinking of them as something evil or not approved of by society. I believe many of us here (also part of society) would support your taking medications as prescribed.

Sometimes I think the best thing to do is to write down first the things you like about yourself, then the things that you would like to change. Tackle your "change" list one at a time - and this would be much easier with a therapist. If your major problem is inattention, you might have a hard time changing that - because as mentioned above, it may simply be a chemical imbalance. A chemical imbalance is never fixed by behavior modification. Sure it may be helped (or the problem lessened), but it won't go away.

Sometimes, taking the pills is all we can do to help ourselves. I hope you come back and talk with us about this...

Take care,

At Heart

Hi Fraz, I've just come through something similar. When I was idagnosed a year ago and given this tablet I was so elated that my head was quiet for the first time in my life. I thought Great I'm cured!!! Over time I found out that I was NOT cured. The meds did not take my adhd away. I felt cheated, despondent and crashed big time. I'm now on another med which works better for me. It may have actually beent he Strattera that was depressing me as I feel so much better on concerta. Who knows.

I take the meds. I know they will not cure me but they enable me. I can function better with them. I now view the ADHD as any other chronic condition. I want to find the med that supresses the symptoms I don't like but still enables me to have my spark.

Not sure if this is helpful but you are not alone. You have to do what is right for you and your circumstantces. If I did not need the meds to function adequately at work I would not take them. I choose the meds and a job as opposed to no meds no job...

Hey you,

How're you keeping up? Keep us posted.

Hey Fraz, I understand too. I realy hated the idea of meds at first, but I take them, and I feel better because of them.

However, they are one tool among many, and I still have a lot to work on, even though it's been several years. Sometimes I feel like I'm starting from scratch again, but coming here I know I'm not alone.

Part of the struggle is we live in a society that doesn't value the way we work. Everything is so scheduled and structured and material and we're expected to adapt to the system. And it's frustrating.

Another thing about meds - would you feel the same if you needed them for diabetes or high cholesterol or anything like that? True, some conditions can be helped with lifestyle changes, but sometimes that's not enough.

Hang in there, and do what works best for you!

I dont take meds

Are you anti-med? And can i ask why? I'm not pushing the med thing, i never would. Everyone needs to decide what's best. But resistance can stop you from trying what could be best. Sometimes. Are you feeling better or are you still in CrappiLand, population Fraz?
If you're depressed, you should see a doctor. Sorry, had to lecture.

Are you anti-med? And can i ask why? I'm not pushing the med thing, i never would. Everyone needs to decide what's best. But resistance can stop you from trying what could be best. Sometimes. Are you feeling better or are you still in CrappiLand, population Fraz?
If you're depressed, you should see a doctor. Sorry, had to lecture.

I dont take meds because I believe we are all born the way we are for a reason, and taking chemical altering pills just seems so un natural.

This is just my opinion of course.

Fraz, maybe you should try to look at meds like food. Some people take vitamins because they have vitamin deficiencies and can't really do without them. Then you have diabetics who have to take insulin or they will die. Phenylketoneurics have to take all sorts of pills and can't eat the same foods most people do or they will die. I don't think there is any reason for us to have any particular condition other than a DNA accident (mutation) that could have been inherited for generations, or alternatively, it could have happened when we were just a zygote... either way it's not some cosmic "reason" to feel bad about ourselves and avoid treatment. I'm just saying if the meds help, take them, but don't blame yourself for this condition or try to rationalize why you should stay sick.

But why should we believe in the whole chemical embalance thing?

Dont you ever wonder if they just make this stuff up so the drug companys can make millions off us?

I am not against drugs that save lifes, and help with physical problems.

But do people like us REALLY need meds?

And stimulants arent like other meds, other meds are consistant, and will almost always work...... but with stimulants, the first dose is always the best...... then it slowly takes a hold of you.... and you find yourself going down hill...

Dont you ever think that meds just fill you up with false hope?

And when the medication finally stops working..... you find that your symptoms are even worse than before you started taking the meds.... because your mind now seeks an even higher level of stimulation?

Which can then lead to an even higher chance of speedy drug abuse, such a ecstasy, and coke... ect

Drug companies don't need ADD - they're already making plenty of money Fraz. I'm sure they're quite happy now that ADD has 'come along', but you could say the same about depression etc. I know plenty of people who say they wouldn't be around if it wasn't for thier anti-depressants. They never worked for me which just goes to show there's no simple, single answer for any problem, but the point is ADD can be a problem, and any problem needs a solution. So if meds aren't going to be your solution, what is? Because it sounds like your ADD is causing you a bit of grief at the mo. (At least here you're not alone in that!:))

I guess my biggest worry is my parents finding out about my ADHD (they dont know I have it, because they dont know what it is)

And im also worried about addiction... and finding myself depending on these pills everyday..... maybe im wrong to feel this way.... but it just doesnt feel right doing it.

And stimulants arent like other meds, other meds are consistant, and will almost always work...... but with stimulants, the first dose is always the best...... then it slowly takes a hold of you.... and you find yourself going down hill...

Dont you ever think that meds just fill you up with false hope?

And when the medication finally stops working..... you find that your symptoms are even worse than before you started taking the meds.... because your mind now seeks an even higher level of stimulation?

Which can then lead to an even higher chance of speedy drug abuse, such a ecstasy, and coke... ect

One thing I do know is that long before I found out about ADD, I had to drink either tea or coffee to keep myself participating in the daytime world. I also got into smoking cigarettes, which I recommend you NOT do since cigarettes can kill you (I quit over a decade ago). I used this sort of self-medicating to keep myself functional, not realising that I was compensating for ADD (which I hadn't even heard of).

Drinking coffee and tea didn't lead to drug abuse, I don't buy that "slippery slope" stuff, if that argument was true then we were all doomed by our very first chocolate candy bar. YOU have the will power to resist drug abuse, especially when you see how badly others have gotten messed up by them (drugs). It's all about awareness and self-control.

That said, I'm not having much luck with my course of treatment, but I will just keep trying until something works. Remember that everybody responds differently and only your doctor is qualified to judge your progress.

*edit*
Fraz, have you even been diagnosed or seen a doctor about this? You need to talk to your parents, you should not be self-diagnosing based on things you read on the net.

I think you need to talk to your doc about this. All the questions you're asking are really valid and you need someone to answer them correctly.

Fraz, have you even been diagnosed or seen a doctor about this? You need to talk to your parents, you should not be self-diagnosing based on things you read on the net.

My psycologist told me I was defenatly ADD years ago, but I was never formally diagnosed.

She didnt like the idea of giving me another label over my AS one.

Fraz

I mean this in a supportive way: You are completely wrong when you say its up to you to change if, by that, you mean its your fault that you are ADD and that you can somehow will yourself out of it. I don't know or care if its chemical or electrical or neuroligical - ADD is as real as a brick wall and you are banging your head against that wall by blaming yourself.

The change you need is (a) figuring out how your/our type of mind best fits into the world (not easy) and (b) ignoring the self-blaming voice in your head until it gives up and goes away (also not easy and a problem I think many people in the world have, not just ADDers). These things are hard but not as hard as the impossible task of changing the nature of your mind and blamng yourself when you fail.

Eric

I need to stop coming on here and looking for an excuse to be a failure and to feel bad all the time.

I dont even buy into this whole chemical embalance thing, I just think I am the way I am, and only I can change it.

Sure, meds do work in the short term, but is it right? Is it right to sort my problems by taking pills?

Or is it me? Is their something I can do to help myself, and stop looking for a reason to fail?

A lot of people on here will just tell me to take the meds, and even through they do work, I would feel so much guilt for doing so, because I am relying on pills to help me, instead of relying on myself.

I know that their has to be a way of helping myself, but I just dont know what that way is. :(


Having read your post...I just wanted to share that the same thoughts run through my head from time to time.
Despair is a lonely state of mind. I used to think of it as depression...and maybe it is...but changing the attitude can really help.


Waking up each day with a sense of purpose...a goal...or an effort to find joy in the simple things has helped me snap out of that state.
It doesn't just happen. You have to work at it.


Does it seem fake at times. The answer is yes. But when you realize that happiness can be chosen...things can change.
I'm not suggesting that meds are good or bad. (In my case...consistent aerobic training and good nutrition and 8 hours of sleep helped immensely.)

If it helps at all, you aren't alone. Everyone wants to feel good. And for some, that state of mind comes very naturally.
For others... we have to make a conscious effort to focus on the positive.


I have found when I give more to others, whether it be volunteer coaching for my kid's swim team...or just random acts of kindness...the reward had a way of coming back full circle. Taking the focus off of ourselves is beneficial...even if it's only momentarily. ADD is for life...and learning how to cope with it ...and take control over it is a process.


Although ADD can be perceived as a detriment...some of the world's most creative and successful people have used their innate sense of focus and eccentric thinking to rise to the top of their professions. Welcome it. :)


All the best.



Val

Fraz, you're, what?, 17 years old? What about the idea of just taking 3 months out of your lifetime and trying an ADD med? Most start working within a few days so you will get an idea if they will be helpful or not. Give it 3 months. Sometimes we need that help to rise to a level where we are functioning enough to develop the stratigies we need to evolve and feel good for our ADD life. At 3 months stop taking it. THEN decide, was my quality of life better on the meds or off? And go from there. Also depression often goes hand in hand with ADD you really seem depressed as evidenced by the hopelessness in your posts. Years ago i hit bottom and finally agreed to go on an antidepressent. I had nowhere to go but up, right? I was on it for 6 months. It got me up to a level where I was able to summon up some motivation. It enabled me to feel hope and garner some strength to make the much needed changes in my life. I didn't need it after that as I felt better making those changes, learning some healthy coping skills and becoming a stronger person. Maybe short term meds will be enough to help you as well. Many ADDers aren't on meds but they have the motivation to learn the skills needed to live w/ ADD. Somehow , you need to get to that level of feeling the hope and motivation. 3 months is NOTHING in the span of a lifetime. You will not have failed yourself.
Experiencing life fully means once and while you must open your mind and be more yeilding. Try new things. Meds don't have to be forever and you will be the one in control.
******As far as going on meds for ADD make sure you undergo an extensive neuropsychological evaluation by a licesnsed Psychologist before taking on the ADD lable and recieving treatment for it. My testing for ADD lasted 12 hours over a 3 day period. There are so many variables to consider when being tested with ADD symptoms. For instance I found out that I also have an auditory processing problem. Who woulda thunk?
Too many general practitioners today are pushing unnecssary meds on people after administering a simple 10 question test! That is not enough for a thourough diagnosis! Years ago I was told by an MD that I just had depression and that my attention problems were just a symptom of that. I could have made a lot more progress in those lost years had I gotten the right diagnosis.
LEarn all you can about ADD meds to make the most informed decisions.
And what about mom and dad? I'm not sure what your relationship is like, but shouldn't they know what you are going through so that they can help and support you? Educate them on ADD or have your therapist do it.
knowledge is power, and all.

I have found when I give more to others, whether it be volunteer coaching for my kid's swim team...or just random acts of kindness...the reward had a way of coming back full circle. Taking the focus off of ourselves is beneficial...even if it's only momentarily. ADD is for life...and learning how to cope with it ...and take control over it is a process.


I just wanted to say that was great advice Val.

Having read your post...I just wanted to share that the same thoughts run through my head from time to time.
Despair is a lonely state of mind. I used to think of it as depression...and maybe it is...but changing the attitude can really help.


Waking up each day with a sense of purpose...a goal...or an effort to find joy in the simple things has helped me snap out of that state.
It doesn't just happen. You have to work at it.


Does it seem fake at times. The answer is yes. But when you realize that happiness can be chosen...things can change.
I'm not suggesting that meds are good or bad. (In my case...consistent aerobic training and good nutrition and 8 hours of sleep helped immensely.)

If it helps at all, you aren't alone. Everyone wants to feel good. And for some, that state of mind comes very naturally.
For others... we have to make a conscious effort to focus on the positive.


I have found when I give more to others, whether it be volunteer coaching for my kid's swim team...or just random acts of kindness...the reward had a way of coming back full circle. Taking the focus off of ourselves is beneficial...even if it's only momentarily. ADD is for life...and learning how to cope with it ...and take control over it is a process.


Although ADD can be perceived as a detriment...some of the world's most creative and successful people have used their innate sense of focus and eccentric thinking to rise to the top of their professions. Welcome it. :)


Fraz-

I think this post alone has everything you need to get out of the rut you're in.

It's all hakuna matata my man. No matter how big of an issue something feels like it is, you'll be able to manage it.

Trust me, us humans are very adaptive creatures.

On that same note, I totally agree with dyingInside - medicine is helpful. Considering that your physical body is made of chemicals, and an imbalance of them leads directly to ADD, the simplest and most helpful solution would be to balance them.

I felt the same way as you did - and wasted years of my life trying to "fight" something that I couldn't conquer - my own mind.

Don't fret - ADD is not good or bad - it just is. It has pros, it has cons, but when it comes down to it, it's simply a different way of thinking and working in this world that can be though at times.

Don't worry, you're money.

Thank you for the kind words. Hope all is doing well.
...and Fraz,...hope things will turn around for you soon.

I've been thinking about this thread and practicing what I posted...and just wanted to say again...that everyday can be full of new challenges and rewards.
There's no escape from day to day life...and all the "stuff" that comes with it. Learning how to let go of the nonsense is essentially the key to a more enjoyable experience.

In my case, my mind was hard wired for anxiety.
Going 100 miles an hour...and worrying about the silliest things can be exhausting...aside from downright depressing.
(Both of these things seem feed off of one another.)


It's no different than if someone poured sugar into your gas tank...or introduced a virus into your computer.
Worry (and depression) does that to the human spirit. Everything gets sideways when you're on the anxiety program.


We were not wired for worry and fear. And we can't carry yesterday, or our imagined tomorrow.
We were made to live for today.

Some of us can develop strong mental focus over time...and some of us may need a prescription jump start.
I agree with Evangelo. Embracing who we are and being more accepting of ourselves is far better than than fighting off something that won't go away.

I bet there are millions of diabetics who wished they could squash their symptoms with simple will power.
That's not a likely scenario. And on that note...the fact that some of us need a step ladder to a better frame of mind is totally acceptable.



Happiness is a state of mind (and being) that was meant for us all.
Once you've grabbed onto it...you have to work to keep it! And in due time...it gets easier.


Best regards. Val

quiet tiger...great posts and attitude!!! that is what it is about. sometimes we people make life so complicated...and meanwhile it's so simple, and it can be so good if we let it be but it does take work!!

i feel ya on this thing to

I know that their has to be a way of helping myself, but I just dont know what that way is. :(Fraz, I've done it both with meds and without -- there isn't one right answer for everyone. While most folks with ADD don't get addicted to their meds and they are the most immediately effective, they're probably not going to do you a lot of good if you're kicking yourself the whole time you're taking them.

Because I'm in my late 40's and they didn't give ADD meds to adults when I was in college, I got through and did well by combining lots of exercise multiple times a day with lots of time practicing music (both activities help stimulate the brain), a lot of family support and prayer, plus a career path that I loved.

I took a six week teleclass from Dr. John Ratey (Driven to Distraction author) last year and he explained that exercise worked for 2-4 hours like a dose of Adderall and Prozac combined by helping to raise the dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. For ADD the exercise has to come multiple times a day, but even 10 minutes can help kick the brain's focus up a knotch as well as help regulate emotional regulation. He has a great new book out called Spark on the effects of exercise on the brain (including sections on ADD, depression, anxiety and stress).

Adding Omega III fatty acids to your diet can help by providing the building blocks needed to build the neurotransmitters when you exercise (Delivered from Distraction by Hallowell and Ratey). Getting a coach or someone who can help you organize and stay on track can also be helpful. Finding something you really love to do also helps a lot. It's not nearly as hard to focus if you love the topic! Just a few suggestions in the non medication realm.

Good luck to you!

Hey, Fraz! i just found this on VisualImagery's profile http://dreamtimecareers.wordpress.com/
I think it might be helpful in pointing you in a direction towards finding more fulfilling work. Hope things are getting better!

Fraz -- have you been looking into any of the research on meditation as a means of treating ADD? I'm an adult sufferer, which I didn't even realize until I recently started meditating regularly and was able to see many patterns in my thoughts that clued me in. Through learning the technique of "mindfulness" I feel like a different person from what I used to be -- less distracted, able to focus, less anxious, etc. No promises (standard medical disclaimers apply) but Insight/TM/Vipassana meditation have been around for several thousand years, and they might work for you too.

My psycologist told me I was defenatly ADD years ago, but I was never formally diagnosed.

She didnt like the idea of giving me another label over my AS one.

Ok...not sure if anyone else mentioned it or not, but have you tried a change in diet? Sometimes my cousins' son would get depressed..and it was because of certain foods he was eating. It turned out he was allergic to most of the food we take for granted.

It might be worth looking into.

I also want to thank everyone else for the suggestions they've made as well...and Fraz...we do care, so please don't think about leaving forums. You have great worth.. or you wouldn't keep trying to help yourself.

i feel the same way you do! i hate taking meds they are terrible. but if i have them i take them then i dont stop and i get my stuff done. without it i am a nutcase. we should talk more.

Ok...not sure if anyone else mentioned it or not, but have you tried a change in diet?

Fish oils have been very helpful for me personally. If you're not a salmon eater, you can try any of the encapsulated brands.

I also cut back on sugar, heavy starches and wheat. A big pasta dinner would leave me feeling very foggy the next morning.
(That connection took a while to establish. But becoming observant of how we feel after eating certain foods is important.)


Protein in the morning prevents the sugar highs and lows throughout the day...which can have a big impact on one's general mood.
I found it's better to avoid any bakery products in the am altogether. Sugar and carbohydrates give you an energy spike...which is often followed by a crash.

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I'm not sure if we are allowed to offer links to outside web sites...but Dr.Weil has some great dietary tips.

"As far as foods are concerned, while there's no evidence that a dietary approach helps in all cases, a 1993 Cornell University study found that eliminating dairy products, wheat, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, eggs, chocolate, peanuts, artificial colors and preservatives seemed to decrease ADHD symptoms. An even earlier study showed that a low-allergen diet supplemented with calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamins produced favorable results."

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART00645

It may seem easy to just label yourself, but unfortuntely it doesn't seem to take the problem away.

Having ADHD isn't just a cheap excuse to fall back on. Not at all. It's just something to explain what's going on.

I suspect that you've tried countless other ways of helping yourself. And your post obviously states that none of them have been successful. It's hard to believe sometimes that things like procrastination, disorganization, etc. are things outside your relm of control. But it's true.

As the others have said, medication is only a part of the ADHD management 'routine' so to speak. I think most of us here still rely on other tools to help organize our lives.

Now medication is not the only route to ADHD management. Lots of people here use other means of managing their ADHD, and find them successful. Don't feel as though you have to take medication.

Having said that, medication is a very helpful tool for managing ADHD. And it's not the pills that are doing the work. They just help me focus so that I can do the work!

As many of us have found, medication doesn't make you 'normal' per se. You still have to struggle, but hopefully medication makes that struggle a lot less hard.