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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by thinkfast on July 14, 2004, at 8:11:58
Pdoc will not hear of me taking a stimulant for anxiety. I finally worked up the courage to ask about it and tell my experiences with them and was still denied. Ritilin is the only thing that I have found that calms my thinking down, which in turn makes socializing and whatnot much easier. It doesn't speed me up at all, it just makes me extremely mellow. The therapist is wanting me to take all of the freegin psychological testing to see 'exactly' what diagnosis I have. They, of course, have never heard anything of using a stimulant for anxiety or OCD, which I'm sure I DO have. I can't really afford the 500 bux for all of the tests, and I really don't think I need all of the tests anyway. They seem to think they have to have "proof" of ADD before they will even consider a stimulant a possiblity. What the he^^ should I do? Is there any other pursuasive method I can use to make it a possibility to at least let me try it for a while? Any thoughts appreciated.....
Posted by Glydin on July 14, 2004, at 8:14:25
In reply to stim for anxiety...dr. says no way..., posted by thinkfast on July 14, 2004, at 8:11:58
Find another Doctor?
Posted by pablo1 on July 14, 2004, at 10:33:31
In reply to stim for anxiety...dr. says no way..., posted by thinkfast on July 14, 2004, at 8:11:58
Yup, find another doctor. Also, I'd say don't use the terms "anxiety" or "OCD" because those are generally aggravated by stimulants. Read up on ADD. I do hear ADD sufferers describe what you describe. ADD diagnosis does not require a lot of tests, it is wise though to rule out other possible causes.
Posted by dazed on July 14, 2004, at 13:03:32
In reply to stim for anxiety...dr. says no way..., posted by thinkfast on July 14, 2004, at 8:11:58
When I was reading up on ADD (which I have), it says that Ritalin does calm those with ADD even though it is a stimulant. I can't remember how it works, but it calms Adders and especially Add with hyperactivity.
Posted by cpallen79 on July 15, 2004, at 14:29:27
In reply to stim for anxiety...dr. says no way..., posted by thinkfast on July 14, 2004, at 8:11:58
Hi there, perhaps get a second opinion and get tested for ADD. I have ADD, OCD, anxiety/depression. If you're ADD, a stimulant calsm you down, I know my adderall has a calming effect one me, except during those valleys and the comedown. Best of luck
> Pdoc will not hear of me taking a stimulant for anxiety. I finally worked up the courage to ask about it and tell my experiences with them and was still denied. Ritilin is the only thing that I have found that calms my thinking down, which in turn makes socializing and whatnot much easier. It doesn't speed me up at all, it just makes me extremely mellow. The therapist is wanting me to take all of the freegin psychological testing to see 'exactly' what diagnosis I have. They, of course, have never heard anything of using a stimulant for anxiety or OCD, which I'm sure I DO have. I can't really afford the 500 bux for all of the tests, and I really don't think I need all of the tests anyway. They seem to think they have to have "proof" of ADD before they will even consider a stimulant a possiblity. What the he^^ should I do? Is there any other pursuasive method I can use to make it a possibility to at least let me try it for a while? Any thoughts appreciated.....
Posted by pablo1 on July 15, 2004, at 15:21:12
In reply to Re: stim for anxiety...dr. says no way..., posted by dazed on July 14, 2004, at 13:03:32
The best explanation I've heard is that stimulants activate dopamine in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) allowing ADD folks with an inactive PFC to think more clearly. Untreated, the ADD mind compensates for that missing ability to focus by behaving hyperactive in order to rev up the engines and concentrate. That's why people with ADD hyperfocus and can concentrate exceptionally well if it's an activity that is exciting or interesting but boring 'easy' stuff is a serious struggle to concentrate on.
The lack of focus equates to creativity where a normal brain focuses down and solves problems easily and simply, the ADD brain bounces around many possibilities before it finds something exciting enough to land on. And when that excitement is found, it's more intense than an ordinary easy solution.
The inability to perform normal tasks well and social disruptiveness or lack of social awareness causes conflict, harms self esteem and causes depression over the years so many ADD folks are depressed also. Then you talk about combining ADD with OCD & being overfocused or unable to shift gears and throw in emotional sensitivity & it all gets confusing pretty quickly.
> When I was reading up on ADD (which I have), it says that Ritalin does calm those with ADD even though it is a stimulant. I can't remember how it works, but it calms Adders and especially Add with hyperactivity.
This is the end of the thread.
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