Okay...has anyone else ever been diagnosed by a pychiatrist with add??? Mine just did yesterday and wants to put me on Ritalin. I have always been a hyper person my whole life...but I got good grades...I can sit down and read a book or watch a movie..I can concentrate on just one thing..i use to be a hairdresser that takes a lot of patience...
This just doesnt make any sense to me.
She also told me being ADD causes anxiety and depression...im so confused....I didnt think I was add..!@#!@#
So now I have ADD???
Been there... and yes, I too had good grades.
I have heard that some people with ADD (or maybe it was ADHD, I can't recall) have the ability to hyper-focus, meaning when we're really focused, we can block out ALL distractions. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but when I heard that, I became more willing to accept the diagnosis.
I would check with your psychiatrist to be sure that this is the case. It was years ago I had heard this and I don't want to give incorrect information.
The psychiatrist that diagnosed me had also mentioned that the effects of depression and those of ADD are similar. There is a test - or rather a list of questions your doctor can ask to see if you only have a few of the symptoms or if you have enough to qualify as ADD.
I had tried a couple of medications back then, but I was very depressed at that time too. I had changed jobs - so much so that this new job was different enough from those I had for years. I was finally in a position where there were no systems in place for my routine day. I had to come up with my own systems and ways of doing things, remembering things, etc. My old positions were very logical and allowed me to only focus on one thing at a time. The new position had me "managing" (for lack of a better term - because I didn't do that well at all) muliple projects at once. I was ALL OVER THE PLACE. The Ritalin didn't work well for me - as I had to remember to take it. That was a challenge. Then I tried Concerta and it was long lasting, which was MUCH better. I didn't like the side effects, though. Thus, I went off it and just "dealt" with it.
Well, I didn't deal very well because the work didn't stop coming and I about went crazy trying to do it all. This is what caused even more depression.
Anyway, that was a few years back and I have always thought about trying the medicines again. Concerta was great for me, but I can't remember what the side effects were. Perhaps the dosage was just a little to much for me. I did notice that I was able to decide what to work on and concentrate on it, then move on to the next thing. Prior to that (and since then) I seem to only super-focus on things when I totally allow myself not to think about anything else. It has to be quite deliberate.
I truly have considered going back on medicine, but one of my goals is to finish this program and see what changes occur. Even if I really do have ADD, I had depression beyond it because of my upbringing in an alcoholic household, which was riddled with negative thinking.
Upon completing the program, if I still find myself to have these same issues without as much depression, then I will consider medicine for ADD again.
Needless to say, my situation is complex due to my past and it is likely different than yours. I just wanted to share it with you.
Is there anyone else out there that can relate?
Oh, one piece of advice - if you don't believe or trust your psychiatrist, get a second opinion. Be sure that they test you for ADD as well.
Best wishes to you in your discovery!
I have heard that some people with ADD (or maybe it was ADHD, I can't recall) have the ability to hyper-focus, meaning when we're really focused, we can block out ALL distractions. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but when I heard that, I became more willing to accept the diagnosis.
I would check with your psychiatrist to be sure that this is the case. It was years ago I had heard this and I don't want to give incorrect information.
The psychiatrist that diagnosed me had also mentioned that the effects of depression and those of ADD are similar. There is a test - or rather a list of questions your doctor can ask to see if you only have a few of the symptoms or if you have enough to qualify as ADD.
I had tried a couple of medications back then, but I was very depressed at that time too. I had changed jobs - so much so that this new job was different enough from those I had for years. I was finally in a position where there were no systems in place for my routine day. I had to come up with my own systems and ways of doing things, remembering things, etc. My old positions were very logical and allowed me to only focus on one thing at a time. The new position had me "managing" (for lack of a better term - because I didn't do that well at all) muliple projects at once. I was ALL OVER THE PLACE. The Ritalin didn't work well for me - as I had to remember to take it. That was a challenge. Then I tried Concerta and it was long lasting, which was MUCH better. I didn't like the side effects, though. Thus, I went off it and just "dealt" with it.
Well, I didn't deal very well because the work didn't stop coming and I about went crazy trying to do it all. This is what caused even more depression.
Anyway, that was a few years back and I have always thought about trying the medicines again. Concerta was great for me, but I can't remember what the side effects were. Perhaps the dosage was just a little to much for me. I did notice that I was able to decide what to work on and concentrate on it, then move on to the next thing. Prior to that (and since then) I seem to only super-focus on things when I totally allow myself not to think about anything else. It has to be quite deliberate.
I truly have considered going back on medicine, but one of my goals is to finish this program and see what changes occur. Even if I really do have ADD, I had depression beyond it because of my upbringing in an alcoholic household, which was riddled with negative thinking.
Upon completing the program, if I still find myself to have these same issues without as much depression, then I will consider medicine for ADD again.
Needless to say, my situation is complex due to my past and it is likely different than yours. I just wanted to share it with you.
Is there anyone else out there that can relate?
Oh, one piece of advice - if you don't believe or trust your psychiatrist, get a second opinion. Be sure that they test you for ADD as well.
Best wishes to you in your discovery!
I agree COMPLETELY with Sunbound about getting a 2nd opinion. Sometimes it seems like mainstream medicine will do whatever they can to simply throw a script at you and be done with it. (Reader's Digest just had an article that stated 94% of physicians have received "kickbacks" from the pharmacudical (sp?) companies!)
You might consider what your behavior was like as a child- did you exhibit ANY of the typical ADD symptoms then? Last I knew a person does not develop ADD/ADHD overnight!
Lastly, your q. kind of made me chuckle because several years ago when I first began having panic attacks/anxiety I actually had a pharmacist filling my xanax tell me how dangerous this drug was and suggest that I was ADD- HA! (Evidently he didn't realize Ritalin is the "mama's little helper" of the 21st century!- Idiot.) The only time I exhibit ADD tendencies is when I clean the house...
fischee
You might consider what your behavior was like as a child- did you exhibit ANY of the typical ADD symptoms then? Last I knew a person does not develop ADD/ADHD overnight!
Lastly, your q. kind of made me chuckle because several years ago when I first began having panic attacks/anxiety I actually had a pharmacist filling my xanax tell me how dangerous this drug was and suggest that I was ADD- HA! (Evidently he didn't realize Ritalin is the "mama's little helper" of the 21st century!- Idiot.) The only time I exhibit ADD tendencies is when I clean the house...
fischee
Wow thank you both!! Well I have been to several doctors and none of them have told me I have add.....just this lady. And Fischee when I was little I didnt have add at all...I was a totally normal functioning kid..that got sad when my mom left to go to stores lol...and yea you're right..you can't get this overnight..I think she was just saying this because I was talking really fast...I WAS NERVOUS!
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Guest
Hi DMP:
I definitely agree that a second opinion is called for.
During the years that I saw psychiatrists, many of them were on the wrong tract. And to this day I am very skeptical of them. I did see a few good ones. I saw different ones as I moved now and then.
I have learned much more by reading and studying than I ever did from doctors.
There were years that I was horribly depressed
and could barely function.
It was a plain old fashioned MD that brought me out of it. A man that cared. Yes , I took medication.
I just don't believe everything that doctor's say to this day.
I haven't had depression in several years now. I don't have much stress any more.
But I do know where you are coming from.
Just my 2 cents.
MaryJane
I definitely agree that a second opinion is called for.
During the years that I saw psychiatrists, many of them were on the wrong tract. And to this day I am very skeptical of them. I did see a few good ones. I saw different ones as I moved now and then.
I have learned much more by reading and studying than I ever did from doctors.
There were years that I was horribly depressed
and could barely function.
It was a plain old fashioned MD that brought me out of it. A man that cared. Yes , I took medication.
I just don't believe everything that doctor's say to this day.
I haven't had depression in several years now. I don't have much stress any more.
But I do know where you are coming from.
Just my 2 cents.
MaryJane
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vanitykills
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:06 am
Hi!! I went through the same thing. my doctor said that it's normal for girls to have a bit of ADD because we've got so much to do, and so much expected of us. it's probably just your aniexty, that would be my guess..
"You probably wouldn't worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do."
Just a little more information on the ADD thing.
My husband was diagnosed almost two years ago with it.
It's not necessarily just about paying attention and being able to concentrate, in the moment. Looking back, we realized he probably had it his entire life, but no one ever knew. They thought he had his quirks. If it interests him, he can concentrate. If it bores him, he spaces out. He played alone alot as a kid, got lost in his own little world. Caused alot of trouble, wanted the excitement the danger brought. Had a hard time sticking with one job for any length of time. BIG thrill seeker, adrenaline junkie. Scuba diving, surfing, snow boarding, skate boarding, anything to get the adrenaline rush. Problems paying his bills properly, too much long term diligence needed. He's been on three different medications. First one helped ALOT, can't stay on it for long. Second one caused, SERIOUS side affects. Now on a better one, working through things.
I don't know your situation, but it's possible that she came to this diagnosis for other reasons that the stereotypical ones. A psychologist was able to pick up on my husband's after our first session, was reinforced through more sessions. Our family physician agreed after checking him out, and extensive conversations and different options.
Ultimately, get a second opinion. No reason not to.
Good luck! We're all here for you, rooting for your success!! Hang in there!! You'll make it.
My husband was diagnosed almost two years ago with it.
It's not necessarily just about paying attention and being able to concentrate, in the moment. Looking back, we realized he probably had it his entire life, but no one ever knew. They thought he had his quirks. If it interests him, he can concentrate. If it bores him, he spaces out. He played alone alot as a kid, got lost in his own little world. Caused alot of trouble, wanted the excitement the danger brought. Had a hard time sticking with one job for any length of time. BIG thrill seeker, adrenaline junkie. Scuba diving, surfing, snow boarding, skate boarding, anything to get the adrenaline rush. Problems paying his bills properly, too much long term diligence needed. He's been on three different medications. First one helped ALOT, can't stay on it for long. Second one caused, SERIOUS side affects. Now on a better one, working through things.
I don't know your situation, but it's possible that she came to this diagnosis for other reasons that the stereotypical ones. A psychologist was able to pick up on my husband's after our first session, was reinforced through more sessions. Our family physician agreed after checking him out, and extensive conversations and different options.
Ultimately, get a second opinion. No reason not to.
Good luck! We're all here for you, rooting for your success!! Hang in there!! You'll make it.