Posted by Katz on February 8, 2001, at 12:34:20
In reply to Pstims and depression: to all, posted by Sulpicia on February 7, 2001, at 18:08:52
>Sulpicia,
Do you still take the tofrinl? That stuff used to knock me out for days. How much adderall are you taking and can you be more specific in the ways in which it has helped you? What were your exact symtoms?
Did you suffer from any of the following: fatigue, lack of motivation, lack of self esteem, loss of libido, social phobia, dysthymia?
There was something that I read on that website that really sticks out in my mind. A person with adult ADD said that when she walked into a room full of people and they were laughing, she would think that they were all laughing and talking about her. I can't tell you how strongly I can relate to that story. But I think that's just part of the Social phobia. I used to feel the same way when both my sisters-in-law would be huddled together at family gatherings. I would always feel ill-at-ease and paranoid that they were talking about me. I really came to hate these family dinners. It was a relief when one of my brothers got a divorce and I no longer had to deal with the two of them together.
You have raised some red flags and I'm wondering if it is possible that I could actually be suffering from undiagnosed ADD. I was a good student in college and never seemed to have concentration problems, however, I did have to take profuse notes. I would never have been able to retain any information simply by listening to a lecture. Writing things down seemed to help me to focus my attention better. Hmmm, interesting!
Best wishes,
Kathy
Hi Everyone --
> I've been following this thread with great interest and perhaps some of you may find my own experience useful.
> I've suffered from chronic depression since the age of 13; I've been successfully treated with tofranil 3x, or so I thought.
> About a year ago my son was tested for ADD/HD and for everything that we said "no" to for him, I said "yes" to for myself. A month later I was evaluated and diagnosed with ADD inattentive type [no hyperactivity].
> I was prescribed adderall and I cannot even begin to explain how my life, to say nothing of my mood, has changed for the better.
> After my evaluation with the pdoc he told me that adult ADD/HD is widely underdiagnosed and very, very often co-morbid with depression. Females especially tend not to be evaluated because they have the inattentive type and so get written off as "daydreamers."
> I was sceptical at first because although I had a spotty academic career at one point, I was smart enough to compensate for my ADD. In fact if it had not been for my slow reading speed making me crazy in grad school, I might never have pursued diagnosis and treatment.
>
> I'm NOT suggesting that people rush out and *look* for a diagnosis of ADD/HD. I merely wish to point out that many adults are diagnosed in their 30s and 40s.
>
> If you search for the ADD site at About.com there are some online tests and descriptions of symptoms etc. Some of it may click with you. This doesn't mean that it will be easy to find a clinician to evaluate you and prescribe appropriate meds and therapy.
> The CHADD web site is also very good for adult ADD/HD.
>
> Just thought I would share this because I've been dramatically helped by accurate dx and tx.
>
> S.
> ps -- if you search Dr. Bob's psychopharmacology tips [stimulants] you'll find some interesting discussion of pdocs who use stims as an add-on for tx of depression.
poster:Katz
thread:53287
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010131/msgs/53519.html