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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 4:43:10
I've been treated for anxiety disorder for years. But something has been brought to my attention as of lately, and it's the idea that I might have ADD. It makes sense. I am extremely disorganized. I get bored easily. I talk out of turn often, and I can't stop talking sometimes (even when I can see on someone's face that they wish I would stop). I procrastinate on work like crazy, causing me major stress to finish things on time. I'm very easily distracted unless it's something I'm very interested in. When I converse, I skip around a lot. I'm impulsive. I've taken a bunch of tests online, and they all say that the indicators are strong. Is it possible to have anxiety disorder and ADD? I know I have GAD, because the symptoms that caused me to go to the doc in 1998 were definitely not ADD. The reason I never thought I had ADD was because I didn't have the easy childhood indicators. It's easy to diagnose when the kid is a pain in the *ss, causes a lot of problems, and doesn't do well in school, but I wasn't any of these. I did okay in school, but I hated school because it was boring and I couldn't stand the majority of my classmates, but I didn't get into fights. A professor that I have has done a lot of work with children with varying disabilities and learning disorders, and he showed a video about some kids with different learning disabilities. It never occured to me that it's not normal to procrastinate and be disorganized -- it's all I know. I said to him "Maybe I have ADD?" He looked at me and said "Well duh!" (I wasn't hurt by this, he's a really cool guy) It just never occured to me! Would it be helpful to talk to my doc about this? Am I just trying to justify being the way I am? Do I really have a problem? Would it normal for me to be medicated for this on top of the Effexor I already take? Sorry about my rambling, but I am just bothered by the idea that there is something else wrong with me. I wish my brain was just normal.
Posted by Racer on May 6, 2006, at 11:11:03
In reply to Do I have ADD?, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 4:43:10
I think this gets into the "what use is a diagnosis" and "is it a problem only if it has a label" discussions, and I'm too groggy for that this morning.
Is it possible you have ADD? Yes, it is. You know how boys are eight times more likely to be diagnosed with ADD than girls? Do you think that's because it really only hits boys? Or do you think some other factor comes into play? My best guess is that girls express it differently from boys, and don't come to the attention of the teachers/doctors/parents as often as "troublemakers." Where a boy might disrupt a classroom, girls are much more likely to keep it inside, where it's less apparent -- but just as real.
But does it matter what you call it now? If you're going to treat it, then yes, it does matter. But if it isn't diagnosable, does that mean it isn't a real problem? Of course not.
So, back to the question of treatment, yes, you can take something for ADD while taking an antidepressant. I take Wellbutrin and Dexedrine, and have tried Adderall and Ritalin. Ritalin was the best, but I stopped for side effects. (Atypical side effects.) The Dexedrine isn't great, it does boost my mood a bit, but it doesn't boost concentration nor attention. The Ritalin did, and I may give it another try one of these days.
Hope that helps.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 11:59:16
In reply to Re: Do I have ADD?, posted by Racer on May 6, 2006, at 11:11:03
Well, the reason I'm concerned about it is because it has been a problem lately. The procratination is catching up. I am missing classes because I am procrastinating too much. Also, when I'm teaching class, I am extremely distracted most days by students talking while I'm teaching. I know it's normal for them to talk, but it irritates me so much, and it distracts me from being able to teach my subject. I am thinking about talking to my doctor about it, because while I was able to make it this far (I'm 25) without any diagnosis or medication, it's becoming a problem now. Thanks for your feedback, because I saw that people are put on antidepressants for ADD, and obviously, that didn't solve my problem, so maybe something like Ritalin might help. -Bonnie
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on May 6, 2006, at 12:39:53
In reply to Re: Do I have ADD?, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 11:59:16
It might be possible, but also it might not be the case. Another very possible explaination is that your anxiety is getting worse lately. Anxiety can cause you to be more disorganized and forget things, etc. (So can depression, which is often present in folks w/ anxiety). And for me, personally, procrastincation is a HUGE sign that I am anxious and avoiding the thing that is making me anxious. (I have GAD and major depression.)
If you really and truly want to figure out if this is your diagnosis, you should make an appt w/ a psychologist. They have the appropriate training to construct an accurate picture of your diagnoses and how they might fit together. A GP physician does not have the expertise
(nor time) to figure out an accurate diagnosis, especially for ADD in an adult, which is much harder to accurately diagnose. A psychiatrist might do a better job than a GP, but be aware that s/he will be much more likely to decide that you have the disorder and to medicate it.Meds can be used to treat ADD if it is an issue for you, but be aware that it is a tricky issue and there are costs and benefits. One prob is that stimulants for ADD can increase feelings of anxiety. I actually take a small dose of dexedrine to help w/ depression. And it has helped, BUT I can only take a small-ish dose b/c it makes me more anxious.
Back to the psychologist issue--do you see a therapist? It could be really helpful in sorting out anxiety issues.
I hope that something here is helpful!
Best,
EE
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2006, at 13:54:50
In reply to Re: Do I have ADD?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on May 6, 2006, at 12:39:53
EE it was to me as I'm escalating on my benzos the last week just so frustrated I can't get it right. One person say stay with luvox the next ENSAM I am spinning in circles can't read or doanything that therapist new one wants me to deal with getting old. Don't they say you are only as old as you feel? This is supposed to Be CBT. Example you are older , can't job learn to walk it's okay to only walk. This just makes me feel older the Ortho guy says I can do my old lady jog as long as it doesn't hurt. Love Phillipa
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 15:09:52
In reply to Re: Do I have ADD?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on May 6, 2006, at 12:39:53
EE,
I would think that it's just part of my anxiety, but it's been prevalent my whole life. It's just now, my tasks are getting more involved, more important, and the deadlines are more finite, so it's becoming a problem. I would see my psych doc about it anyway, because if I saw my regular doc, he'd tell me to see the psych doc anyway! LOL Thanks for your input! :D-Bonnie
Posted by fairywings on May 6, 2006, at 15:45:22
In reply to Do I have ADD?, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 4:43:10
Hi Bonnie,
Can't add much to what other people said, but I have ADD - wasn't diagnosed till my son was in 2nd grade when he was diagnosed, and my gp told me I should get checked out too.
Like someone else said if treatment helps - great. I have always had anxiety too, and insomnia, and a tendency toward depression. I guess the anxiety can cause distraction and irritation - like w/your students, but I have much less anxiety on stimulants - I can feel it more as they wear off - so I have an afternoon dose. And yeah, if you find the ADD meds help, and the Effexor helps, then it makes sense. Everything takes tweaking - what you try first might not work.
I hope your pdoc will work with you to help you feel better.
fw
Posted by alohashirt on May 7, 2006, at 20:59:54
In reply to Do I have ADD?, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 4:43:10
Bonnie,
Take alook at http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/psychiatrist/adhd.html
There is an online diagnoistic quiz. try it, talk to your internist or make an appt with a pyschiatrist who specializes in ADHD and have a diagnostic interview. There are a bunch of disorders that have similar symptoms to ADHD. As a an adult with ADHD I'd recommend seeing the pdoc.
> I've been treated for anxiety disorder for years. But somethinghas been brought to my attention as of lately, and it's the idea that I might have ADD. It makes sense. I am extremely disorganized. I get bored easily. I talk out of turn often, and I can't stop talking sometimes (even when I can see on someone's face that they wish I would stop). I procrastinate on work like crazy, causing me major stress to finish things on time. I'm very easily distracted unless it's something I'm very interested in. When I converse, I skip around a lot. I'm impulsive. I've taken a bunch of tests online, and they all say that the indicators are strong. Is it possible to have anxiety disorder and ADD? I know I have GAD, because the symptoms that caused me to go to the doc in 1998 were definitely not ADD. The reason I never thought I had ADD was because I didn't have the easy childhood indicators. It's easy to diagnose when the kid is a pain in the *ss, causes a lot of problems, and doesn't do well in school, but I wasn't any of these. I did okay in school, but I hated school because it was boring and I couldn't stand the majority of my classmates, but I didn't get into fights. A professor that I have has done a lot of work with children with varying disabilities and learning disorders, and he showed a video about some kids with different learning disabilities. It never occured to me that it's not normal to procrastinate and be disorganized -- it's all I know. I said to him "Maybe I have ADD?" He looked at me and said "Well duh!" (I wasn't hurt by this, he's a really cool guy) It just never occured to me! Would it be helpful to talk to my doc about this? Am I just trying to justify being the way I am? Do I really have a problem? Would it normal for me to be medicated for this on top of the Effexor I already take? Sorry about my rambling, but I am just bothered by the idea that there is something else wrong with me. I wish my brain was just normal.
Posted by curtm on May 11, 2006, at 11:51:16
In reply to Two suggestionsa (Re: Do I have ADD?, posted by alohashirt on May 7, 2006, at 20:59:54
>> Would it be helpful to talk to my doc about this? Am I just trying to justify being the way I am? Do I really have a problem? Would it normal for me to be medicated for this on top of the Effexor I already take?
I will be anxiuosly awaiting a follow up on this post one because I feel the same way. I never really wanted to consider that it might be a problem. I am afraid to take anything that might stimulate me in a way that would provoke my stimulant drug addiction, which I currently have control of.
>> I said to him "Maybe I have ADD?" He looked at me and said "Well duh!"
Similar: My wife said to me, "Do you think you might have ADD." I just rolled my eyes.
>> Sorry about my rambling, but I am just bothered by the idea that there is something else wrong with me. I wish my brain was just normal.
You aren't rambling. You actually made it easier for me to understand what it is that I thought I should have been saying all along.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 14, 2006, at 2:29:43
In reply to Re: Two suggestionsa (Re: Do I have ADD? » alohashirt, posted by curtm on May 11, 2006, at 11:51:16
I actually did see the pdoc the other day, but I didn't bring up the ADD thing because I want to get my anxiety meds straightened out first, and I was afraid that if I brought it up now, the doc would say it is just a problem with my med (even though it has been a lifelong problem that I never thought was a big deal until now). So, when I get up the nerve to bring it up, I will definitely put a post on the board. And hey, thanks for letting me know that someone else feels this way. - Bonnie
> >> Would it be helpful to talk to my doc about this? Am I just trying to justify being the way I am? Do I really have a problem? Would it normal for me to be medicated for this on top of the Effexor I already take?
>
> I will be anxiuosly awaiting a follow up on this post one because I feel the same way. I never really wanted to consider that it might be a problem. I am afraid to take anything that might stimulate me in a way that would provoke my stimulant drug addiction, which I currently have control of.
>
> >> I said to him "Maybe I have ADD?" He looked at me and said "Well duh!"
>
> Similar: My wife said to me, "Do you think you might have ADD." I just rolled my eyes.
>
> >> Sorry about my rambling, but I am just bothered by the idea that there is something else wrong with me. I wish my brain was just normal.
>
> You aren't rambling. You actually made it easier for me to understand what it is that I thought I should have been saying all along.
This is the end of the thread.
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