Posted by Ms_Placed on September 7, 2002, at 23:09:02
I'm sooooo glad I found this site! I see many kindred spirits from your posts. I was diagnosed with "anxiety spectrum" 4 months ago and am now taking 300 mg/day of Effexor. I strongly suspect I have ADD, although mt psychologist& psychiatrist are reluctant to add ADD to their diagnosis. (Previously a friend/internist prescribed Prozac, Wellbutrin and CelexA which had little effect. She also has prescrived Phenphertamine for weight control which seemed to improve my motivation problems).
I've always appreciated (or found humor in) my eccentricities. I can't keep am organized household-- I saw a Montel episode on the messiest houses in America and my house was worse than all of them. I needed three hours to "wake up", playing solitaire and smoking cigarettes before heading off to work. The police came to my door because my son left the car door open. The car was so messy and the entrance hall to my house was so messy they decided a violent struggle had taken place. I've pulled my hair out since I waS thirteen, go on impulsive spending sprees, am a compulsive gambler. have abused drugs and alcohol (but have had little trouble quitting when stress declined) and periodically, will eat the same dinner (rice with corn or tomato soup, etc.) for three years straight.
I have been a very successful sales director and entrepeneur. My style is to set the vision and find capable people to carry it out. I have depended on a secretary (enabler) to keep me organized and functioning since I was 25. I was married for 10 years and depended on my "house husband" to pay bills and keep me out of trouble. I have a phobia about paying bills. I did not learn to drive until I was 43, divorcing and pregnant with my only child.
I lost my job last September. (I focused my sales team on the airline market-- seemed stable at the time!) My cluttering grew really out of control, two feet deep in some areas of the house. Severe anxiety and depression set in.I have a vision for a new company, the website is 80% finished, but I've been unable to work on it for six months. Suddenly, I looked around and saw chaos everywhere, in my car, purse, home, work, finances. I spent all my energy on parenting my seven-year-old. I went to a psychologist and was started on the Effexor regimen.
Since then, all hell has broken loose. My ex came in my house, decided it was unsafe for my son. filed to get sole custody. He called my mother who took charge and helped me clean it up.
The depression and anxiety have vanished, but my inability to focus on a project (business start up, housecleaning) has gotten worse. Since starting the Effexor, I am no longer motivated by deadlines. My negotiation skills have remained intact. I waS successful in negotiating the custody issues and the sale of my home without outside help.
I strongly feel that ADD is my primary problem. With Effexor alone, I am not able to function in establishing my business, moving, etc. My pschiatrist, psychologist are satisfied with my progress and just up my Effexor dosage. There is a three month waiting list for new patients wanting to see psychiatrists in my area.
My question: I've been able to order Ritalin online without prescription. What are the risks? What are the alternativeS? Will continuuing the Effexor-only regimen staand any chance of success on bringing back motivation and focus (I've been on it >4 months. Sorry for the long post, byut whew! I feel better!
Jane
poster:Ms_Placed
thread:1035
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20020829/msgs/1035.html