Posted by IsoM on December 17, 2002, at 11:43:23
In reply to Re: Question? ADD or depression? » IsoM, posted by Phil on December 17, 2002, at 6:02:59
The psychologist who tested me for ADD told me that depression is fairly common among ADDers.
We stress easily & very quickly when something bothers us.
We often deal with years of frsutration at trying to fit into the linear, non-ADD world.
We tend to feel frustrated with ourselves if we don't understand the nature of ADD. The limitations of having a scattered focus, short memory, little sense of time passing & therefore poor time management, frustration of never seeming to know where we last put something, & on & on.It's only normal to be frustrated & depressed for someone who doesn't have a wife to keep track for them, or a personal secretary to deal with these minor mundane matters that are, nonetheless, very important to function well. Extrapolate that kind of life into years of trying to cope & no wonder most ADDers have depression. It has long term effects on our neurotransmitter levels that can lead to true clinical depression.
I found that ADs treated the depression (sort of) & impulsiveness but did little for focus & alertness plus general 'joi de vive'. That's why stimulants have been such a godsend for me. Both Dexedrine & Provigil have done wonders, both in different ways.
Jaynee, some people who can't tolerate caffeine have no difficulties with stimulants. Both affect the CNS but in different ways. Ask for a sample dose instead. And personally, I find anxiety goes way down on stims for me. I tend to find my anxiety worsened by my lack of focus & poor memory.
And Phil, I can't remember (it's from early this year, I think) what you take as meds. Have you ever tried the approach of treating your depression with stims too?
poster:IsoM
thread:33414
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021206/msgs/33461.html