Posted by JonW on July 1, 2002, at 8:47:41
Hi,
I can appreciate the similarities between GAD, ADD w/ agitation, and Bipolar II. My agitation, irritability, and some sense of internally driven moods have led myself and my pdocs to believe I have some form of bipolar disorder, but I really think questioning this and diagnosing me with ADD (hell, why not? I've got 'em all!<g>) should be entertained. I've recently read parts of 'Driven to Distraction' and identify well with this diagnosis. However, I think ADD is one of those things that nearly everyone could identify with at least some symptoms. My most indicative symptoms are these:
* Aversion to reading. I drift off while reading and nearly always have to reread this or that paragraph several times. I drift off during conversations with other peole as well. I often have to ask, "what did you say?" right after they say something. The greatest problem and difference between myself and others my age is that I cannot read without superhuman amounts of discipline.
* I have a history of being described as an underachiever as a child. I was always going on 'flights of thought' in the classroom. One of my teachers remarked that I wouldn't wake up until 10:00am. I was diagnosed with ADD when I was like 14, but my diagnosis has changed or at least changed focus since then.
* Difficulty getting to sleep. Difficulty waking.
* Impulsivity. I answer questions before they are done being asked or finish other peoples sentences. I talk over the person asking the question, assuming I know what they are asking because I want to talk. I've learned to cope somewhat and wait when I feel this urge so I'm not sure if this is a symptom.
* Mood lability. Also can have an entire day or two of a *really* bad mood.
* Sensitive to external stimuli. A lot of sounds give me cold blood, and certain sounds like someone chewing make me want to kill them! Sensitive to other's idiosyncracies. At the same time, I love certain things -- like the smell of a new book (too bad I can't read it!<g>)
* There are other little things... like being left-handed, seeking high-stimulation (yet I don't think I'm hyperactive), always getting lost (once it took me 3 hours to find a place that was 20 minutes away), and when I was working I would often make 3 or 4 trips in the morning from my car to the house before I left because forgot some things (sometimes the same thing<g>)
I've taken Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine at different times during my life. I don't recall my experience on Ritalin. I've taken Dexedrine recently and it was notable for one thing in particular -- it seemed somewhat calming and to completely extinguish my irritability and sensitivity to other's idiosyncracies. Other people were more pleasant to be around and I was more pleasant to be around. It was somewhat euphoric (by my standards, at least) so maybe that's all that explains it. Unfortunately, it gave me insomnia and horrible depression when comming out of the system. Adderall was less of a problem for causing depression but it may not have been quite as effective. When on the Dexedrine I seem to have less trouble with reading -- and my parents even say I read a lot more when I took it. Anyway, what do you think? Does this sound like ADD? I know it's a horrible idea to diagnose yourself and easy to find something when you are looking for it... I know GAD can cause restlessness, agitation, fatigue, irritability, and trouble with concentration and sleep. Could this explain the symptoms I'm having? I definitely have atypical depression + social phobia. Could this or possibly bipolar disorder explain these symptoms? Your thoughts are much appreciated!
Thanks,
Jon
poster:JonW
thread:111115
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020628/msgs/111115.html