damien - Perth, Australia

[damien]

Hi everyone. My name is Damien and I live in Perth Australia (although originally from New Zealand).
I am 32 and have only recently (6 months ago) been diagnosed with adhd. It's been a hell of a ride to get here. Many failed relationships, drugs, massive alcohol abuse, career failure after career failure. Learning about this condition has been such a realization for myself. It answers so many questions I have had about myself and my past.
So far the main ,if only, treatment I have been offerd from my treating psychiatrist has been medication. Although I have had good results on the meds I refuse to accept they are the only solution. Who knows what effect they will have on my body in the long term (I'm On 60 mg of dexamphetamines per day). I have been doing some research into other alternatives and plan to give them all ago. Money is not an issue espeacially when it comes to my mental health. People will spend thousands on a car yet baulk at a few hundred for a chance at correcting their brain disfunction. Even if they fail to me it's money well spent in trying! Will keep u posted . D

[Cactus]

Welcome aboard Damien! Sounds like you've really been through it. Hope you find the info you're looking for here.

And- hope you don't mind my asking, but I was diagnosed in 1971 so I've seen sooooo many 'treatments' come and go, and then come back again and go again, so I get curious about such things. Why reject the things that have been shown over and over and over to work and chase down the same dead ends that thousands of others have been down before you only to abandon?

[mctavish23]

Please read as much as you can (from reputable/mainstream sources) about ADHD.

There are currently about a dozen working definitions of ADHD, which shows the complexity of the disorder.

For children with both Hyperactivity-Impulsivity & Combined types, the only therapeutic technique to work is a rewards based behavior management/home token program that balances rewards with natural & logical consequences.

For adults, that translates to learning how to make lists, reminders,etc., as well as how to reward yourself with different reinforcers of your choosing.
You obviously have to want to do it, however, it takes a motivated person to attempt that in the first place.

That was a very simple explanation but it covers the main idea. The very best book I've ever seen on how to do that is......The Parents Guide to Attention Deficit Disorder...by Stephen McCarney & Angela Marie Bauer (Hawthorne Press).

I realize you're an adult, however, that book is still my first choice in recommending how to do something like that. It can easily be translated into an adult perspective, as far as coming up with strategies that would help with virtually any type of ADHD related problem you can think of.

As far as meds go, the first medication study of the impact of stimulants on behavior goes back to 1937.

Meds have a proven track record of working to help alleviate the neurobiological nature of the disorder.

This book has been recommended many time in the Forum because it's a true "classic" on ADHD.

Driven To Distraction by Lee Hallowell MD is a "must read" for those starting out on the ADHD journey.

Welcome to the Forum and good luck.

mctavish23 (Robert).

[Andrew]

Welcome to the ADD Forums, Damien!!

[mccoffee]

Originally Posted by damien

Hi everyone. My name is Damien and I live in Perth Australia (although originally from New Zealand).
I am 32 and have only recently (6 months ago) been diagnosed with adhd. It's been a hell of a ride to get here. Many failed relationships, drugs, massive alcohol abuse, career failure after career failure. Learning about this condition has been such a realization for myself. It answers so many questions I have had about myself and my past.
So far the main ,if only, treatment I have been offerd from my treating psychiatrist has been medication. Although I have had good results on the meds I refuse to accept they are the only solution. Who knows what effect they will have on my body in the long term (I'm On 60 mg of dexamphetamines per day). I have been doing some research into other alternatives and plan to give them all ago. Money is not an issue espeacially when it comes to my mental health. People will spend thousands on a car yet baulk at a few hundred for a chance at correcting their brain disfunction. Even if they fail to me it's money well spent in trying! Will keep u posted . D

Welcome to forum I agree it's good to know all the methods for treatement