KingMidas- Mission, BC, Canada

[KingMidas]

I'm a 26 year old construction worker, and I have been living with ADD my entire life. my 3rd grade teacher first noticed the symptoms and referred me to the counselor who put me through several tests including therapy sessions and an IQ test that came back with a score of 148. I don't remember how soon after but I was given regular sessions with a psychiatrist who put me on Ritalin; two low-doses and one high-dose daily. I continued the regimen from the age of 8 until I was 14, when I voluntarily took myself off of it; I was in the middle of puberty and it was messing with my hormonal balance making me too emotional.

A few months ago I met a 38 year-old co-worker who had been taking ritalin his whole life and I figured if he can be happy and lead a normal life than so could I

oh and another eye-opener was back in September; I was driving to work and a sign caught my eye: I ended up staring at it for a solid five seconds because when I turned back the car in front of me had stopped and I rear-ended him.

I have trouble following basic instructions, and unless I write everything down I forget it the next second. I don't know names of people I was introduced to moments ago, and I find myself talking nonstop to coworkers about whatever nonsensical thoughts are bouncing around in my head.

I have frequent bouts of paranoia to the point where I'm looking in the ceiling for cameras, and lately my ADD has boiled to the point where I need to sit down in a quiet area with my head in my hands and meditate until I can get started again.

Anyways I'm planning on going back on Ritalin but I have to go see a therapist first before my family doctor will refer me to a psychiatrist.

thanks for giving me a place to vent, I hope to get a lot of information from this site

[novagal]

Hello and welcome! If your looking for information and support, you've come to the right place. Glad to meet you!

[Turbochica]

[Lost Focus]

Talking to your co-workers about random things...often, describes me very well. Forgetting things shortly after hearing them, and having horrible trouble with names are also facets I can relate to.

Do you need to see your primary care, or can't you check your insurance website and find your own psychiatrist? Some insurances are like that, but thought I would ask.

[KingMidas]

I found out that my medical plan only covers $10 per session, up to $500 a year total. and if I want to see a psychiatrist I'll have to drive 60 miles into town.

so I talked to a mental health volunteer, who is a psychologist, and after a long interview she says that from my symptoms as I described to her point towards high-function autism, which I scoffed at at first. But after looking into the symptoms and floating in other forums I have been having doubts about who I am now and what label I have.

I shared the news with a co-worker who has a 13-year old with Autism and after asking me questions about my childhood he confirmed that my behaviors were the same as his son's. Apparently what I had assumed to be OCD was actually signs of Autism, such as organizing toys, spinning wheels on toy cars, staring at toys rather than play with them, etc.

[KingMidas]

so my family doctor is starting me out on Strattera, and so far I have felt no change except a constant stomach ache and difficulty urinating/ejaculating, as is common with other users... day 3 now

[KingMidas]

finally got to see a psychiatrist, he agreed with my previous diagnosis of ADD and updated it to inattentive ADHD. he prescribed me Dexodrine in two different doses, the 5mg tabs as needed and 10mg daily spansules.