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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SPhobia on February 24, 2004, at 14:23:01
Well, I think I may have always had some form of ADD or ADHD and assumed it was just part of my mild OCD. When I take stimulants they seem to calm me down and let me sit still. When I talk to my friends to take stimulants, it makes them bounce off the walls. Anyway, I am trying to discern the manifestations of ADD & ADHD in order to compare them to my personal experiences and look into possible treatment.
So....my questions are:
How do I recognize symptoms of ADD vs. ADHD?
Do the treatment options differ?
Posted by B2chica on February 24, 2004, at 14:47:35
In reply to ADD vs. ADHD manifestations???, posted by SPhobia on February 24, 2004, at 14:23:01
> Well, I think I may have always had some form of ADD or ADHD and assumed it was just part of my mild OCD. When I take stimulants they seem to calm me down and let me sit still. When I talk to my friends to take stimulants, it makes them bounce off the walls. Anyway, I am trying to discern the manifestations of ADD & ADHD in order to compare them to my personal experiences and look into possible treatment.
>
> So....my questions are:
>
> How do I recognize symptoms of ADD vs. ADHD?
>
> Do the treatment options differ?
>First you should get a definate diagnosis from GP or pdoc. I'm not sure but it seems treatment may be similar (ADDvsADHD).
Keep in mind i am not in anyway promoting/or not the use of strattera, however i found their site interesting. The link below goes to a checklist, though it says symptoms in childhood -it's the same list my pdoc gave me to fill out.
http://www.strattera.com/1_3_childhood_adhd/1_3_3_2_symptoms.jsp
Posted by snarley on February 24, 2004, at 15:08:52
In reply to Re: ADD vs. ADHD manifestations???, posted by B2chica on February 24, 2004, at 14:47:35
www.amenclinic.com has some add/adhd diagnostic checklists. that can give you a pretty good idea of what type you might be if indeed you are.
The fact that stimulants calm you down is also a sign. they calm down people w/ add but make normal people amped and edgy.
I would suggest you go find yourself a psychiatrist and get some tests done (i had counseling, checklists that my family filled out, an iq test, and a memory test). But i suggest you get a good pdoc who is experienced in treating add! mine is not comfortable prescribing stimulants, and thus i've had to jump through a lot of hoops and meds already with no success. I'm trying strattera now (like i said, he only prescribes stimulants at a last resort, even if they are shown to help the best) and hope that the strattera will work out, however, its slow going. ugh.
Find a good doc and get it taken care of, if you indeed have ADD/ADHD you arent reaching your full potential/productivity as you are
Snar
Posted by PoohBear on February 24, 2004, at 16:15:10
In reply to Re: ADD vs. ADHD manifestations???, posted by snarley on February 24, 2004, at 15:08:52
ADD and ADHD are essentially two different acronyms for the same thing: one means "attention deficit disorder" and the other means " attention deficit hyperactive disorder".
I believe that ADD is the older term while ADHD is the term du jour...
The "activity can be "inactive" or "active".
I have ADHD with some hyperactivity, though I also have some spaciness. I also have clinical depression and possibly some bipolar thrown in for good measure.
One of the best books I've ever read about ADD/ADHD is "You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?". I can't remember the authors. Really hit home when I read it...
Researchers used to think that ADHD was "outgrown" with adulthood. This is now known to not be the case. It's also now known that many, perhaps up to 40% of ADHD children will develop bipolar. British doctors seem to be indenial about the existence of ADHD and do not like to diagnose it. I haven't read how their Continental counterparts feel about it.
Tony
Posted by ramsea on February 25, 2004, at 4:40:14
In reply to Re: ADD vs. ADHD manifestations???, posted by PoohBear on February 24, 2004, at 16:15:10
Tony, you are so right. I am bipolar, but since my earliest memories I have had to cope with my difference from others---related to focus, daydreaming, withdrawal, moodiness, depression serious enough to consider suicide before age 12, and so on. I took a written test for ADD and unfortunately passed with flying colours. I also did pretty attain the status of Asperger's. But my medical team throws out first hand the notion of my ADD, and anything to do with Asperger's. They say that bipolar says it all. Personally, I know I have ADD type difficulties and I can describe to you various ways in which I have tried to overcome problems through the years. It would be affirming to have a professional at least look seriously at the possibility. When I first read the books on ADD I was amazed--they described so much of me. I wish I could be helped.
Posted by B2chica on February 25, 2004, at 10:02:53
In reply to Re: ADD vs. ADHD manifestations???, posted by snarley on February 24, 2004, at 15:08:52
> www.amenclinic.com has some add/adhd diagnostic checklists. that can give you a pretty good idea of what type you might be if indeed you are.
Snar, Great web page! just took the quiz. i'm definately a shoe-in. i was surprised at some of the questions, it just fit me like a glove. all this time....i truly wish i could have found this out earlier in life.
B2c.
Posted by TheOutsider on February 25, 2004, at 12:21:01
In reply to Re: ADD vs. ADHD manifestations???, posted by B2chica on February 25, 2004, at 10:02:53
The treatment of ADD in the UK is terrible!
Don't trust your docs when they dismiss the idea of you having ADD.
Is it possible for you to go privately? I saw a lovely private doctor in the UK, who diagnosed me with ADD, but he has now been forced to stop practising.
Posted by ramsea on February 25, 2004, at 14:25:04
In reply to Re: ADD in the UK for ramsea???, posted by TheOutsider on February 25, 2004, at 12:21:01
Are you still being treated for ADD? I went private many years ago, but my GPs and then ward psych refused to take any notice of the private psychs dx and recommendations. It was terrifying. What did your GP say about writing scripts for you, if they were needed? The UK is way behind in even taking an active interest in the subject. Here is a devastating neurological condition that can be treated and made a blessing in some cases. Big Sigh.
Posted by PoohBear on February 26, 2004, at 15:45:43
In reply to ADD and UK » TheOutsider, posted by ramsea on February 25, 2004, at 14:25:04
Ramsea:
Can you go to France? If you do the research yourself and get help here you *might* be able to get the meds you need in France.
Ya know, sometimes I think the reason ADHD is so prevelant here in the 'States is that all of the ADHD people got to bored and ansy in G.B. and left for America. Seriously, think about it. I know it sounds whacky, but it could explain a lot.
God I hate national health care. I hope we NEVER have it here. I don't want my doctor to be told regarding what to treat/not treat or what diagnosis to make: so much of medicine is a crap shoot anyway. Why tie your care provider's hands?
Tony
> Are you still being treated for ADD? I went private many years ago, but my GPs and then ward psych refused to take any notice of the private psychs dx and recommendations. It was terrifying. What did your GP say about writing scripts for you, if they were needed? The UK is way behind in even taking an active interest in the subject. Here is a devastating neurological condition that can be treated and made a blessing in some cases. Big Sigh.
This is the end of the thread.
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