I think I have ADD but I need some advice on what to do next. Well I guess since this is my first post here, I should tell you guys a bit about myself

My name is Tom and I"m 32 years old and live in brisbane. I have a 5 year old daughter who's living interstate with my wife...we're getting divorced in march.

I've always had huge problems staying focused on things I'm supposed to do. Oh, I have no problems starting a project or doing research on something - in fact I can do that really well. I can focus on something so intensely that nothing else exists - for hours or even days.

The problem is it never lasts. As soon as I get bored, that's the end of it. I've had so many jobs and started so many courses and had so many ideas. This has always been one of my wife's many complaints.

Another problem is money. Instant gratification - what can I say. I suck at sticking to a budget. I can draw one up - no worries. And then I constatly change it to suit what I want to do instead of following it. Again...just ask my wife...she has lots to say on this issue.

Now where was I...oh yeah, I get distracted easily...especially in conversations. People usually end up getting the impression I don't want to talk to them because other things keep grabbing my attention. And I get impatient when people (including my wife) are tellling my something or are asking a question. I already know what they're trying to say and I want to respond damnit. I get bored listening to them.

I am terrible with managing time and am always late. Again, another thing that used to frustrate my wife. It's not that I don't care...I just can't do it.

Oh yeah, and my wife has always resented that she had to be the organised one.

I am usually completely oblivious to people's feelings or reactions or their expectations of me in social situations.

My mum says as a kid I was always extremely hyperactive, impulsive, stubborn and difficult.

In the past I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar affective disorder ( though the next pdoc I went to said it wasn't bipolar). I've also been diagnosed with PTSD and general anxiety. I was on 450mg of effexor for about a year, which helped with the depression after my brother died, but not with any of the stuff described above.

I just really need help with this stuff. I've pretty much given up on trying to do anything because I'm never able to stick with anything. I feel like a failure.

I've never really known much about ADD, but I came across it on the net over the last few days and I just think it describes me so well. I'm hoping this will provide some answers and a way of dealing with the symptoms so I can live a normal life.

Now, what I"m wondering is....how do I talk to a pdoc about this. Are they likely to just dismiss the idea of ADD. How do even begin to explain all this to a psychiatrist.

I went to see a GP today and told him some of what I've written above and asked him for some medication and a referral. He was happy enough to give a referral, but would not give any medication to me if his life depended on it.

If you guys could tell me how you got diagnosed or even what psych in brisbane is good to see for this sort of stuff. Or any comment on what I've written here...does it even sound like ADD to you guys?

Sounds like you've already convinced yourself about your condition. I personally would visit a Psychiatrist instead of a General Practitioner (GP). Psychiatrists specialize in treating mental disorders, and can determine whether or not you have ADD, ADHD, or combined. Either way, it's nothing to be embarrassed about because a lot of people are just like you. You've made a good choice by coming here, because this place is a good start to getting you informed and making the right choices to help your problem. It's a long road ahead, especially if you're thinking about trying medication. Some medications don't work as well for everyone, so you're going to probably be trialing some until you get the right kind. Psychiatrists seem to be very embracing of your disorder, and will try their hardest to find the right help for your ADD/ADHD, even if it means writing 10 different scripts on 10 different occasions. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm always trolling around here at almost every hour of the day.

Bobby

Sounds like you've already convinced yourself about your condition.


Heh....that's probably true.

I guess I'd it to be ADD because then at least there is a way to do something about it. ^^

ADHD is treatable with stimulants also. Adderall and Ritalin are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADD/ADHD patients. They can make you more attentive, and also calm you down if you're hyperactive.

actually I've always found it strange that when I've done speed in the past, it had a calming effect instead of making me bounce around like a ball of energy, and helped to to focus on things better.

The theory is that people with ADD/ADHD have lowered chemical levels in their brain, so stimulants bring the chemicals back to their normal (or above) levels. By the way, DO NOT mention your past speed use to your Psychiatrist. They will be VERY hesitant to prescribe you medicine. Stimulants have a high risk of abuse, and they know this. If you accidentally mention it, and you're absolutely serious about getting help with your disorder, mention Strattera, which is a non-stimulant medication for ADD/ADHD.

They will be VERY hesitant to prescribe you medicine. Stimulants have a high risk of abuse, and they know this. If you accidentally mention it, and you're absolutely serious about getting help with your disorder, mention Strattera, which is a non-stimulant medication for ADD/ADHD.

thanx...good to know.

it was never a habit...just something I tried from time to time.

That being the case, am I actually likely to become addicted to stimulant medication?

If you have ADD/ADHD, yes. You are more susceptible to addiction than the average Joe or Joey in your case, since you're from Australia :). Stimulants by nature are addicting...look at caffeine, almost the entire world is addicted to that stuff (me included!). You, over time, will become dependent. Some people like to take "vacations" from their medication. An example would be not taking your medication on the weekend because there's no need for it. Also, only taking it when you study or work.

Hi Tom! Welcome to the forums.

You'll find lots of info and really great people here.

Nikki

Hi Tom! Welcome to the forums.

You'll find lots of info and really great people here.

Nikki

Thanx :)

I think I have ADD but I need some advice on what to do next. Well I guess since this is my first post here, I should tell you guys a bit about myself

My name is Tom and I"m 32 years old and live in brisbane. I have a 5 year old daughter who's living interstate with my wife...we're getting divorced in march.

I've always had huge problems staying focused on things I'm supposed to do. Oh, I have no problems starting a project or doing research on something - in fact I can do that really well. I can focus on something so intensely that nothing else exists - for hours or even days.

The problem is it never lasts. As soon as I get bored, that's the end of it. I've had so many jobs and started so many courses and had so many ideas. This has always been one of my wife's many complaints.

Another problem is money. Instant gratification - what can I say. I suck at sticking to a budget. I can draw one up - no worries. And then I constatly change it to suit what I want to do instead of following it. Again...just ask my wife...she has lots to say on this issue.

Now where was I...oh yeah, I get distracted easily...especially in conversations. People usually end up getting the impression I don't want to talk to them because other things keep grabbing my attention. And I get impatient when people (including my wife) are tellling my something or are asking a question. I already know what they're trying to say and I want to respond damnit. I get bored listening to them.

I am terrible with managing time and am always late. Again, another thing that used to frustrate my wife. It's not that I don't care...I just can't do it.

Oh yeah, and my wife has always resented that she had to be the organised one.

I am usually completely oblivious to people's feelings or reactions or their expectations of me in social situations.

My mum says as a kid I was always extremely hyperactive, impulsive, stubborn and difficult.

In the past I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar affective disorder ( though the next pdoc I went to said it wasn't bipolar). I've also been diagnosed with PTSD and general anxiety. I was on 450mg of effexor for about a year, which helped with the depression after my brother died, but not with any of the stuff described above.

I just really need help with this stuff. I've pretty much given up on trying to do anything because I'm never able to stick with anything. I feel like a failure.

I've never really known much about ADD, but I came across it on the net over the last few days and I just think it describes me so well. I'm hoping this will provide some answers and a way of dealing with the symptoms so I can live a normal life.

Now, what I"m wondering is....how do I talk to a pdoc about this. Are they likely to just dismiss the idea of ADD. How do even begin to explain all this to a psychiatrist.

I went to see a GP today and told him some of what I've written above and asked him for some medication and a referral. He was happy enough to give a referral, but would not give any medication to me if his life depended on it.

If you guys could tell me how you got diagnosed or even what psych in brisbane is good to see for this sort of stuff. Or any comment on what I've written here...does it even sound like ADD to you guys?

ADD certainly sounds like a possibility that needs to be assessed. The problem is finding someone who has an interest. The local support group ADDAQ would be the first place to look (http://www.addaq.org.au/)
but if this is not helpful the Nw South Wales support group ADDults with ADD- ( http://www.add.org.au) is much more active. I have spoken to the secretary Joy Toll- and I know they collect information about suitable practitioners from interstate- because she asked me about the Victorian ones.

thanx for posting those links Barliman.

I made an appointment today to see a psychiatrist at a nearby hospital but have to wait a month to get in.

I also rang another hospital's mental health department (main one in Brisbane) to see if they had a psych I could see sooner, but instead they provided an over the phone consultation straight away free of charge.

I'm not sure of the guy's qualifications though. He said he'll have to discuss it with the rest of the team and get back to me in a couple of days. If they think it is ADD, they will recommend a psychiatrist that actually deals with that, since they themselves don't actually deal with ADD.

thanx for posting those links Barliman.

I made an appointment today to see a psychiatrist at a nearby hospital but have to wait a month to get in.

I also rang another hospital's mental health department (main one in Brisbane) to see if they had a psych I could see sooner, but instead they provided an over the phone consultation straight away free of charge.

I'm not sure of the guy's qualifications though. He said he'll have to discuss it with the rest of the team and get back to me in a couple of days. If they think it is ADD, they will recommend a psychiatrist that actually deals with that, since they themselves don't actually deal with ADD.

Make sure you walk in with a referral from your GP so you can get a Medicare rebate of $240. http://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=296&qt=item&criteria=psychiatry

yep, I've got the referral :cool:

yep, I've got the referral :cool:

Good boy!! Now don't forget it ;)

Good boy!! Now don't forget it ;)

haha...that made me laugh. Yeah, not that I would ever forget anything just because something else catches my attention.:D

I think I have ADD but I need some advice on what to do next. Well I guess since this is my first post here, I should tell you guys a bit about myself

My name is Tom and I"m 32 years old and live in brisbane. I have a 5 year old daughter who's living interstate with my wife...we're getting divorced in march.

I've always had huge problems staying focused on things I'm supposed to do. Oh, I have no problems starting a project or doing research on something - in fact I can do that really well. I can focus on something so intensely that nothing else exists - for hours or even days.

The problem is it never lasts. As soon as I get bored, that's the end of it. I've had so many jobs and started so many courses and had so many ideas. This has always been one of my wife's many complaints.

Another problem is money. Instant gratification - what can I say. I suck at sticking to a budget. I can draw one up - no worries. And then I constatly change it to suit what I want to do instead of following it. Again...just ask my wife...she has lots to say on this issue.

Now where was I...oh yeah, I get distracted easily...especially in conversations. People usually end up getting the impression I don't want to talk to them because other things keep grabbing my attention. And I get impatient when people (including my wife) are tellling my something or are asking a question. I already know what they're trying to say and I want to respond damnit. I get bored listening to them.

I am terrible with managing time and am always late. Again, another thing that used to frustrate my wife. It's not that I don't care...I just can't do it.

Oh yeah, and my wife has always resented that she had to be the organised one.

I am usually completely oblivious to people's feelings or reactions or their expectations of me in social situations.

My mum says as a kid I was always extremely hyperactive, impulsive, stubborn and difficult.

In the past I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar affective disorder ( though the next pdoc I went to said it wasn't bipolar). I've also been diagnosed with PTSD and general anxiety. I was on 450mg of effexor for about a year, which helped with the depression after my brother died, but not with any of the stuff described above.

I just really need help with this stuff. I've pretty much given up on trying to do anything because I'm never able to stick with anything. I feel like a failure.

I've never really known much about ADD, but I came across it on the net over the last few days and I just think it describes me so well. I'm hoping this will provide some answers and a way of dealing with the symptoms so I can live a normal life.

Now, what I"m wondering is....how do I talk to a pdoc about this. Are they likely to just dismiss the idea of ADD. How do even begin to explain all this to a psychiatrist.

I went to see a GP today and told him some of what I've written above and asked him for some medication and a referral. He was happy enough to give a referral, but would not give any medication to me if his life depended on it.

If you guys could tell me how you got diagnosed or even what psych in brisbane is good to see for this sort of stuff. Or any comment on what I've written here...does it even sound like ADD to you guys?

I am totally new here but ditto to most of everything you said.... I feel like such a failure all of the time because I can't seem to stay with something for the long haul. I constantly screw things up! I was diagnosed with Bipolar type II several years ago and nothing I tried worked so my new doc has diagnosed me with Adult ADHD and I am supposed to start Addreall this week...... keeping my fingers crossed! Best of luck to you!

I am totally new here but ditto to most of everything you said.... I feel like such a failure all of the time because I can't seem to stay with something for the long haul. I constantly screw things up! I was diagnosed with Bipolar type II several years ago and nothing I tried worked so my new doc has diagnosed me with Adult ADHD and I am supposed to start Addreall this week...... keeping my fingers crossed! Best of luck to you!


Thanx. I hope the Addreall makes some difference. Let us know.

The theory is that people with ADD/ADHD have lowered chemical levels in their brain, so stimulants bring the chemicals back to their normal (or above) levels. By the way, DO NOT mention your past speed use to your Psychiatrist. They will be VERY hesitant to prescribe you medicine. Stimulants have a high risk of abuse, and they know this. If you accidentally mention it, and you're absolutely serious about getting help with your disorder, mention Strattera, which is a non-stimulant medication for ADD/ADHD.

This is very misguided advice and certainly something I'd caution you to avoid taking. It is essential that you be forthcoming with all of your pertinent health information when consulting a doctor - and prescription, as well as non-prescription, drugs that you currently or previously have taken are definitely pertinent in ADD/ADHD assessment. A thorough ADD/ADHD assessment should include questions about your response to non-prescription drugs like stimulants, cannabis,cocaine,etc - it is extremely useful to the determination of which medications are prescribed.

In my own case,my psychiatrist found it very helpful to know what my response had been to both a stimulant and marijuana that I took briefly when I was younger. He still prescribed Dexedrine,a stimulant,for me as my first line of treatment - he didn't avoid giving it to me because I had taken a stimulant in the past. As well,my response (horrible) to marijuana gave him valuable information as to what medications were not likely going to help me.

I can, perhaps, see an ill informed general practitioner avoiding giving you a medication with which you'd had long term abuse problems when you were younger that might otherwise be recommended - many doctors who are not specialists,though well meaning,just do not have the comprehensive knowledge necessary to accurately assess and treat ADD/ADHD, or any other complex health issue.However, I would still encourage disclosure. Without it, the doctor simply does not have a complete picture on which to base important decisions.For a thorough assessment and the most effective treatment plan,I would urge everyone to be open and honest with their health caregivers.

Now I would like to give you an example, from my professional point-of-view,of how full disclosure of information can be very helpful to the patient's goal of receiving the best care possible.

I work as a Registered Nurse in a Post Anesthetic Recovery Room,where one of our primary functions is relieving postoperative pain. It was very helpful recently that two patients gave me an honest "yes" to my question about street drug use (there had been no mention of it in their charts - I was following a hunch as pain relief was not coming easily to them).

Because of their honesty I was able to explain to them, in a non-judgmental way,the relationship between these drugs and why it was taking so long for the narcotics I was giving them to work. More importantly,they received reassurance that I would continue working on pain relief until they were comfortable. As you can imagine, it was reassuring for them to hear this and to know that I was not going to withhold narcotic pain relief because they had a drug abuse history.

I hope this perspective helps. All the best with your search for answers and effective treatment (I'm still in the midst myself). :)

Thanx GreenPlanet, I've been thinking about this a bit. I've also spoken to my wife(her mother is also a registered nurse and my wife herself also studied to become a nurse) - even though we are separated we still try to remain friends for our daughter's sake, plus she know me fairly well :D. She said the same thing as you about giving the doc the whole picture and being able to get an accurate diagnosis.

I'm leaning toward just being honest with the doc at the moment, but I am still concerned about not being able to get the right medication if indeed I do have ADD.

I understand it's important for the professional to have accurate information so they can make the best possible decision, and I don't even know for sure if I do have ADD...but if I do have it, I'd like to be able to get the right medication. If they say...oh you've used speed in the past?...no medication for you!!!...next! - then what am I going to do?

Actually I'm curious - anyone else out there diagnosed with ADD, with any kind of history of stimulant use...did you or did you not tell your pdoc about said history and were you still able to get medication for ADD despite your history?

This has been a moral issue for me. My first doc who diagnosed me with ADD 100% refused to give me any stimulant meds after I told her that I had used cocaine in the past - even though I told her it mellowed out my racing thoughts- she still wouldn't even consider Adderall as an option. She prescribed Strattera which gave me horrible headaches that hindered my ability to get anything done. Now, I wasn't functioning well before Strattera, wasn't functioning well after Strattera. I went off Strattera and have been off all meds for the past few months until the other day. I went to a a new doc, didn't mention using cocaine in the past and now I will be starting on Adderall tomorrow morning. Had I told the new doc this info, I feel 100% positive that I would have been Sh*! outta luck and not at the very least have the opportunity to try this med as an option. I'm just happy to have this as a viable option now. An option that wouldn't have been available had I disclosed all information. It's sad that so many people abuse this drug for recreational use making it so difficult for people who may need it to get it.

Actually I'm curious - anyone else out there diagnosed with ADD, with any kind of history of stimulant use...did you or did you not tell your pdoc about said history and were you still able to get medication for ADD despite your history?

It's very common for substance abusers to end up being diagnosed with ADD. It's also not uncommon for people who suspect they're ADD to obtain and trial ADD medication.

thanx for the replies guys. Well I'm still not sure what I'm going to do, but I'll I'll let you guys know how my psyh appointment goes.

I posted in your thread in the International forums section (Australia)

Selena

By the way, DO NOT mention your past speed use to your Psychiatrist. They will be VERY hesitant to prescribe you medicine. Stimulants have a high risk of abuse, and they know this.
that wasn't a problem for me (see below)

If you have ADD/ADHD, yes. You are more susceptible to addiction than the average Joe.... You, over time, will become dependent. Some people like to take "vacations" from their medication. An example would be not taking your medication on the weekend because there's no need for it. Also, only taking it when you study or work.
to say that a person on stimulant medication will become dependent is very broad and ambiguous. if a person is medicated correctly, there should be little concern of dependency (according to the research).

in relation to taking 'vacations' from one's medication, experts are now suggesting that this may not be a good idea because ADHD affects a person's 'executive function' (not just 'attention'), which plays a vital role in the brain's cognitive function, which in turn affects one's ability to perform everyday task.

For many years, physicians prescribed stimulant medications to children only for school days or for weekend days when homework needed to be done. In recent years, however, clinicians have come to recognize that nonacademic tasks are also impaired with ADD syndrome.... Recognition of the pervasiveness of impairments from ADD syndrome has led many clinicians to prescribe stimulant medications to cover not only school or workdays, but every day of the week. <link rel="File-List" href="file:///D:%5CUsers%5CTimmy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsoh tmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><link rel="themeData" href="file:///D:%5CUsers%5CTimmy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsoh tmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///D:%5CUsers%5CTimmy%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsoh tmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> 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</style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]-->Brown, Thomas E. (2005). Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Actually I'm curious - anyone else out there diagnosed with ADD, with any kind of history of stimulant use...did you or did you not tell your pdoc about said history and were you still able to get medication for ADD despite your history?
i was completely honest with my psych, telling him that i started smoking pot when i was 12/13, that i had been arrested for it when i was 14, and had smoked it quite a bit up to around 18/19, then smoking it only occasionally. i first tried speed when i was 15 but only used it occasionally. at 15 i was also rushed to hospital on one occasion with alcohol poisoning.

i used to take acid on many occasions in my twenties, before it went out of fashion, so to speak, and ecstasy came in. i used to take ecstasy every few months and coke only on rare occasions. i also smoked heroin. by the time i saw the psych, i had starting drinking everyday.

i remember we did spend a lot of time discussing this issue, and while i had tried and use many drugs, it was determined that i was using them only on social occasions, as a form of self-medication, and that i did not display abusive or addictive behaviour towards drugs. i ended up being prescribed the highest dose of dex permitted (60mgs a day).

i guess the way each psych works with that information would be different. i was lucky to get one that was extremely thorough in his assessment and didn't make hasty judgments

- edit -

and just to follow up, after i began taking the medication i completely stopped drinking. i didn't enjoy the feeling of being drunk anymore. now, the most i drink when i go out is probably 2-3 standard drinks; and i may get slightly drunk maybe 3 or 4 times a year. i did take ecstasy, speed and coke a few times after i was medicated, but again, i didn't enjoy the feeling. i haven't taken any illicit drugs in over 2 years.

When I had my first visit with the psych. . .pdoc? whatever, the issue of self medication came up. I was completely honest about my past alcohol and drug use. I started smoking cigarettes and pot when I was 13, tried speed, didn't care for the racing heartbeat, dropped acid occasionally in my teens and early 20's, loved mushrooms. . . I miss that warm, fuzzy, connected to the universe feeling, the aching side and jaw muscles from laughing uncontrolably for hours on end. . . not so much. . .never did care for blow. . . I never could feel the attraction. And of course I was a binge alcoholic, I could have one or two drinks and be just fine but that third or fourth drink would awaken the lohocla and I would wake up wondering how I got home, why was I sleeping curled up around the toilet and what did I do last night? The drinking became less of an occasional thing and more of an every night thing but not to excess like in my youth after injuring my back.

I gave up everything except coffee and cigarettes 13? 14 months ago? Cold turkey. . . just stopped. . . I miss the hyperfocus ability of a good Sativa some days but aside from that, nothing. . .

He recommended 10mg Dexedrine twice a day as needed and if that works, try Adderal after a few months. I'll be seeing him at the end of this month to adjust the dosage or change meds.

Maybe the whole "hide your drug use from your doctor" thing depends more on your doctor's attitude or your country's participation in the war on drugs. . . I dunno?

And the whole connection between self medication and ADD. . . It's a chicken and egg thing. Which came first? In my case, I was prescribed ritalin when I was . . .11? 12? something like that. Didn't feel that it did anything and stopped taking it before too long.
The rooster came first, he laid the chicken and she laid the egg ;)

Well, I have been taking the 10 mg IR since Friday and no noticeable difference......