Diagnosis and Treatment
Recently diagnosed? Struggling with your treatment? Have you had positive/negative experiences related to your diagnosis or treatment? Tell us about it!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sherra Scott on
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Mindy, if you haven't had the ADD/ADHD symptoms since you were a child, then your issues may very well be something completely different and related to your hormones and other imbalances in your system. Just my opinion, but if I were you, I would explore the other options and not get "dead set" on it being ADD/ADHD. That doesn't mean you can't get some great techniques to deal with your symptoms through ADD forums and resources!
Sherra
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Permalink Reply by Antoinette on -
Hello Terry and the rest of you,
This is my first message here, so forgive me if I'm a little chaotic :)
Last year I went to a psychologist and she said I was diagnosed Borderline. We are a few months further now and she says, no this is not Borderline, this is something else. She asked if I wanted to do some tests and also listen to information from my parents and other people around me to get a diagnose with good grounds. My husband is diagnosed with ADHD en friends of us say, If you don't have ADD we are also misdiagnosed. It is all very messy in my head now. With two children in the house, that doesn't make it easier. How did you get further without a good diagnose?
Antoinette
Terry Matlen said:I know that many, if not most women I've talked to have been misdiagnosed with depression...or...have depression AND the ADHD but the ADHD is missed. Has that happened to you?
Terry
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Permalink Reply by Mindy on -
It isn't that I'm so dead set on it being ADD. I just didn't like the way he seemed to dismiss the things I was saying to him. I am nervous about the hormone replacement though...I'm only 34. I'm doing some research on the subject, but I would like some input from real people...not just studies. I've tried to look back to my childhood for symptoms. I've always been one to procrastinate, "I just work better under pressure." I did not get in trouble in school, although I did often get told to put away a book during lectures. I did fidget, but nothing to disturb the class. I was a good student, and earned high marks. The thing I realize now though is that I always crammed and retained the information just long enough for the test. Only things I found very interesting or continued to use constantly stayed part of my knowledge base. Another thing that makes me wonder is...I was often forgetting needed materials or misplacing things. My solution was to always carry everything with me. I didn't use my locker, just a really big bag and lots of muscle! In my adult life I have three children, work full time, and go to school. I think maybe I could manage my symptoms for a very long time, but once things got really crazy...things are falling apart for me. I don't really care what they call it at this point...I just want help fixing it. My doctor did say he wouldn't believe how these hormones and such affect women if he hadn't seen it himself. He told me one of his patients had been on anti depressants and ADD meds with no success, and the hormone replacement helped her tremendously. I've been on antidepressants through the years and never felt like they made much difference. I am hopeful he is correct.
Wow, sorry for the ramble. I appreciate the input!
Sherra Scott said:Mindy, if you haven't had the ADD/ADHD symptoms since you were a child, then your issues may very well be something completely different and related to your hormones and other imbalances in your system. Just my opinion, but if I were you, I would explore the other options and not get "dead set" on it being ADD/ADHD. That doesn't mean you can't get some great techniques to deal with your symptoms through ADD forums and resources!
Sherra
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Permalink Reply by silverwings002 on -
I am an unemployed, single mom of 4 girls. I am not diagnosed yet, tho I couldn't be more certain that I have ADD. The one and only time I tried desperately to get a diagnosis and meds I tried really hard not to say anything about depression cuz I KNEW he'd focus on that. And I made all the way through, til the end of the appt. and he asked about depression, and of course, voila, focused on that. I pushed [as much as I was able to at that time], and he 'gave' me wellbutrin. It actually gave me a couple hours of focus and feeling better, but went right back to the same same old after that and couldn't sleep. Very bad cycle. Even half doses didn't work. I was on a spiral downward [now I know it was ADD burnout], and continued with my plan to bring the kids to their dad, out of state. I just knew- from knowing myself- that I would either be neglectful trying to focus inward and fix the problem or be abusive bottling the problem and taking it out on them. They would be in physical danger. THeir dad told me no, my mom interfered and set up for my [ex] brother in law to have them even tho my instinct was screaming at me to not do that. My daughter was pre-diabetic and no one knew that. The ex took them a month later after a call from them, and he met the toddler for the first time. A month after that the oldest came very close to dying from her diabetic shock. SHe'd been pre-diabetic for months.
At that time I was doing full time online schooling, living off colleg fund [VA].
My oldest is also [inattentive] ADHD, my second is hyperactive ADHD "with prevalant delays" and maybe somthing else, the third is getting Early CHildhood sp. ed. She is much more advanced than her sisters were, but still not in normal ranges in everything. I am divorced. He was diagnosed ADHD at 4yo, but is in denial now. He kept my baby away from me for 2 years.
I am afraid to seek diagnosis, for a lot of the reasons ya'll have stated, and also to be rejected for it, tho I am totally amped up for the fight. Getting a psychiatrist appt. is not easy. Don't trust psychologists right now. Cannot get or keep a job cuz of the kids kept getting flu's and colds, like a rotating door. And AWFUL nurses for my daughter's diabetes.
We're on MA now, so there's some coverage, I think, but most places don't want to accept people on that.
I am nursing my 8 mo old daughter, so cannot go on meds yet anyway. She rejected the bottle at 2 1/2 weeks [doing both breast/bottle] and is still on breast at least half the time. Rejected bottle and couldn't handle any formula at all. FInally finally "getting" one type of sippy cup. Am hopeful, and know not to push it, just offer it often. I think she likes it. Esp. juice. I too have that constant fatigue that not 'chronic fatigue syndrome' cuz I have always been super super tired. My whole life long. I too have heard it in association with ADD. I acutally wonder if my ADD wouldn't be much better if I had some energy. I told my docs that if I do ever get on meds I would want the stimulants just to have some energy. THey looked both mildly shocked and intrigued. I think I am going to a neuro. My daughter's ped. neuro. told me I should make an appt. with him [he was great!] after talking about my own symptoms a bit.
My oldest's sensitive nerves are so bad, she cannot stand brushing by people, she's paranoid about it now. She has to get water and rub it to get rid of the feeling. ANyone ever heard of that? We all need to go to the dentist too...
Ooops, got seriously off base. During elem sch I was top of the class, but I didn't understand things until years later. Whatever I studied. Years! In high school, I got everything from A's to F's. THing is I love school. And reading. And tv/movies. And writing. Reading was my escape, so much it was my punishment [no reading] when grades were bad.
My memory is so bad it isn't funny.
I can get some things done now, with some extra effort to get up, but if anything happens that is upsetting or changing gears or more than I expected, then I am set back and I have to get over it. Emotionally. That takes time, and either tv or choc or something. Love my pop/coffee. When I need to do somehting big, I am "laid out" for days, psyching up for it. But I do eventually get what I need for the project.
I hate it when I cannot defend myself, my children, or people are able to put their logic above me.
I do so many of the same things you guys do, and I feel the same unending frustration ["its the bane of my life"], esp. when the ones that should hear our problems and eagerly jump in to help are the most to turn on us. [docs]
Had to get rid of my daughter's puppy today, he was too much work for ADD'ers. Had no idea, and now she's more stresed on top of being super stressed all the time.
Its amazing tho, even when I have no hope and see no end in sight, am very very negative and prefer it that way [been trying to become positive] , I still get up again, and trudge on again. That's more than a lot of suicidal people do. To me that s amazing strength, cuz isnt there some saying that mankind lives on hope? We sometimes do without, are we more than human? lol
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Permalink Reply by Tiffany Anderson on
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Hello everyone:) I am new to this site. I hope what I am about to write isn't too long I have a lot to get at at the moment. I usually just drop into forums and read people's stories to see if anyone out there feels like I do, but I have never felt a need to write a response until today. Ok some background, I was married to a sociopath for 13 yrs, very charismatic and totally full of s*$t it took me forever to figure that out because because he was always so good and warping my reality and making me think everything is in my head. Long story short when I met his girlfriend I realized it wasn't all just in my head.lol So I became a single mom of 4 after I moved back to town (he was military, we lived in Italy at the time) I just kept going and going everyday doing whatever I needed to start over. I did this for 5 yrs I tried to go to school but couldn't concentrate or always something else that needed my attention. Last November I hit a wall, a really big damn wall! I got really upset one day and just couldn't stop crying well let me tell you I don't cry. Part of my problem actually was that I just lived so long telling everyone I was fine because either, nobody takes you seriously/cares or you get completely jacked up in the evil roller coaster of Doctor's vs. Psychologist, vs. YOUR GUT INSTINCT'S. Anyway it kinda freaked me out and I felt really tired and hopeless all of the sudden which I do feel everyday anyway but this particular day I think my brain just shut off. I didn't do anything weird but I drove over to my GYNO's office because he is just a great Doctor and I respect what he says unfortunately he only deals with my annual pap smear however, I just sat there and was crying saying I don't know what's wrong with I'm so upset and I don't know why? He advised me to go and TALK to someone a friend of his was a good counselor. So I drove straight there. I sat in this counselor's office for an hour just babbling and crying I don't even know what I said or If I was making any sense Your always so worried that if your truly honest they will think your crazy. At the end of the hour he looked straight at me and said " I don't know what the F%#K is wrong with you, I want you to come back tomorrow." Those are his exact words surprisingly after that comment I actually went back, at my 2nd visit he gave me the typical here take this little test and answer these questions and I will give you a diagnoses. In 5 min's based on two questions he diagnosed me as being BIPOLAR. The question's were have you ever felt better sometimes than other times? and Have you ever been mad for more than a day? Well at this point I just wanted to know why I always feel so bad and you would think I had to go fight the Devil just to do a load of laundry, I mean it's not like I have to carry it down to the river or anything but the simplest of house chores seem to overwhelm me to the point I will just sit there for hours thinking about what I need to be doing but not doing anything at all really except randomly musing around my house picking a bit here and there. I'm quite intelligent and the rock for everyone that knows me but for myself I'm always emotional lost and my brain will just either replay events over and over or I am thinking about everything at once but not concentrating on any one thought really. I live in one total exhausted brain fog, brushing my teeth somedays is just too my effort. He prescribed me all these major drugs, Depakote. lithium, seroquel, zoloft and etc. Well at first I took them because I just wanted to feel better. I also just wanted a title to explain why I always felt like it was such an effort to keep it together everyday. I went home and over the next 3 months took all this medication drugging myself up so I couldn't even remember my name. I read and read about BIPOLAR disorder but I just didn't fit the criteria or relate to anyone's stories I read. I when to my last appt with him and I said I'm not going to take this anymore I think the only thing wrong with me is I have had a very stressful period and my body and mind had enough and I just started to cry. He said well you're in denial everyone is when they first get diagnosed with any mental disorder. He said I am BIPOLAR also and I was an alcoholic for 30 yrs. I said why did you get diagnosed with BIPOLAR? and he said I was sitting on the front porch drinking coffee and the pigeons were talking to me. I sat there for a min and I said well if they start talking to me I will be back until then bye. So for the last yr I have struggled through my days having good ones and bad ones. I recently tried to get my real estate license and I failed my exam on Monday. I studied and studied but my brain won't slow down enough to retain anything or make since out of it. I went to a new Doctor yesterday and explained this whole story to her and she thinks that I might just have ADD with depression because not having any relief from your frustrations and worries everyday tends to depress you over time. This is my second day on Vyvanse for ADD, so I don't know yet how it will work.I won't take the anti- depressant because I always feel worse on them. But the more I read of all of your stories I feel like I can completely relate to all of you. I know there is hope and the perfect prescription is believing we are not crazy, finding the right med, putting into the equation all the things going on in our life at the time, and KNOWLEDGEABLE DOCTOR! I know that the unforgiveness we put upon ourselves as mother's and wives we would never put upon our friends were they in our situation, why are we so hard on ourselves? and the fact that simple chores seem too much for us to complete, taking things out on our children and partners because we are really just frustrated with ourselves makes us feel like failures but we are not! There is no black or white to living with ADD and we have to listen to ourselves even if nobody else will. I hope that everyone remembers they are not alone and if you are having a bad time know that somewhere I have just swept my kitchen floor and put my dust pan away in the refrigerator..haha Good luck to everyone on this site. Thanks for listening.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Fitzgerald on -
You took the words/thoughts right out of my mouth/head!! :until the second child came and it was no longer a joke. I was crumbling.
How do you go about getting diagnosed?? I was on anti depression/anxiety meds and still felt like poo so I weaned myself off of them while taking omega 3, zinc and Vitamin B6. If I don't forget to take them than I feel pretty good EXCEPT my ADD is still there bigtime but at least I'm not depressed manymore. I also try to exercise regularily.
But I would REALLY like to get diagnosed! Any advice?
Julie Nelson said:I was just diagnosed at 26 after my husband was diagnosed. We always joked about his ADD until the second child came and it was no longer a joke. I was crumbling. I have been on anti-depressants since 6th grade and after I quit my full-time job to stay home (2005), Anxiety was added. I never thought that I had anxiety. Inside I just had this feeling like I needed to do something all the time. It was hard to just sit and play with my kids because there is 'something to do' but I would never do anything constructive. I read 'Driven to Distraction' to try to understand my husband a little better but I ended up understanding myself! I am happy to have been diagnosed with ADD because I finally feel like I am on the right track but I am struggling with what to do now. It is like this new world that I am living in but I don't know how to live in it. I am upset that my whole life I have been 'depressed' and wondering why the anti-depressants aren't working. I feel like I need to learn everything all over again. Housekeeping, parenting, paying bills, how to be a friend and wife. It is very over whelming.
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Permalink Reply by Heather on -
I am also new to this site! I have posted once but, not anything about myself just my daughter!!! I am 38 mom of 2 little girls and a stepmom of 2 teens... Let me just say I feel all your pain! I have been diagnosed and have been on meds for sometime now... 1st diagnosed with depression in my early 20's then late 20's ADD and given meds! Then just about a year ago was told I also have OCD. The funny thing is it seems to me that things are not getting better, well somethings! I take everything out on my husband even when I know it is my falt! I use to live in a big city and had a good Dr. Moved when I married my husband and have had multiple events happen such as kids, job loss and no insurance! So, have been to several different Doctors and then lossing my insurance had to go to my local Doctor for refills. (thank god for him) He listens and want's to help. If it wasent' for him I don't know what I would have done. He is so great but, has told me I really need to see a Psychiatrist! My life lately seem to be spinning out of control and I just keep getting stuck!!! I feel like i cant do anything and when i do it takes forever! So, I have been trying to read anything i can to help me! The problem is I can not stay focused or even it seems too much to read! It is so crazy but, its like i cant read anything that is too long! So as far as remembering anything that is not happening!!! Does anyone have any suggestions? And has any one had this problem with reading???
Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Starr Kuzak on
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Terry,
I have recently began treatment for ADHD after suffering for years. I am the high-structured type who managed to attain a BA from the University of Michigan despite serious difficulty with no guidance. After my daughter began treatment for ADD, it became apparent that I had the same problem. Now, I'm taking medication and it has helped tremendously. The reason I'm writing you is because I want to find a new physician to prescribe my meds. The nurse practitioner who I'm seeing currently is not working out for me. During our last meeting, she discredited ADD in general, saying that it is being misdiagnosed more and more. She said that a lot of people abuse stimulants. It made me feel like she was accusing me of not really needing the medication that I've come to rely on just to function normally. I called her yesterday for a scrip refill and she said, "Didn't I just give you one?" Again, what exactly is this woman accusing me of? I was extremely upset. My primary care physician is another person who gives me no validation. He doesn't want to prescribe anything either. I feel so ashamed of this condition. It is infuriating that these doctors treat us like children. These people make me feel like a drug addict when I'm requesting less medication than my 12 year old daughter takes. Can you please guide me.
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Permalink Reply by Judy on -
abbiegrrl, It is not just you. My therapist said I should be medicated 2 years ago. I still cannot get anyone to even give me a prescription. They treat me like I am just trying to get high. I have had all the tests and have been diagnosed by a doctor. Still I can't get the medication to start with. I was told that Straterra is not a Controlled Substance and have tried to get that one. Mostly because it makes me feel safer, but the attitude remains the same. I wish that people would understand that these meds do not make us high. They make us function
abbiegrrl said:I'm so grateful to have been diagnosed. NOW I know how to address the chaos. Here's the problem: Adderall and that family are the meds which make life tolerable for me. I am a single Mom, student, working, and have 2 very active children, among other things going on at all times. When the meds are right, life can actually be SWEET. I find that the medical professionals are more often than not, reluctant to listen to what I've learned from the past several years, with other Dr.s and researching on my own (OCD, anyone?). In fact, I find that the majority of medical professionals are looking for a reason to label me as an addict, when I am simply trying to apply the PRESCRIBED medication, in the lowest dose that works. They scratch their heads and ask me what I want them to do? Well, for the past several years, I've found that a small dose of this works, and needs to be increased about every 3-4 months. Then we switch to the med that is almost the same thing, but start at the lowest dosage and work our way back up again. Then back to the first, and etc. I'm not looking to be up all night, superwoman. I just want to be functioning during the day; not spending 4 hours each and every day looking for---something, ANYTHING; and again, getting nothing done.
I feel like a criminal every time I tell my Dr/Med professional that I'm topping out of the dose, and it's time to adjust it again. When my meds were working the most effectively, the highest dosage EVER was 30 mg, twice a day. and then back to the 10 mg of the other drug. Maybe it's just me....
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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Mindy,
I'm on progesterone... It doesn't work except in that I have also been diagnosed with PreMenstrual Disphoric Disorder (spelling?) and it stops my cycles. Therefore a little less extremem with the mood swings throughout the month. It takes away those distractions. In the long run it does nothing for the ADD symptoms.
Mindy said:I recently went to my PCP with a written list of all the reasons I was seeing him i.e. I feel like I'm going in circles, what takes others minutes takes me hours, I never know where to start, I yell at my children and delegate duties so I feel like I can get it all done at once, I'm extremely irritable, and many others that I can't think of right now. He actually kind of snickered and asked, "Who doesn't feel this way?" He is very holistic on most issues, and he feels my issues are due to Adrenal fatigue syndrome and a low level of progesterone. I had saliva testing done, and my cortisol and progesterone levels are, in fact, low. I have started on some adrenal support supplements, and they do help with my energy level and sleep problems. They don't, however, seem to help me with my focus issues and the overwhelming feelings I have. He prescribed hormone replacement(bioidentical) of progesterone, but I am very hesitant to try it. Has anyone else come upon this issue? I have not yet gotten to go to an ADD specialist, as we're switching insurances right now, and it has been complicated. I am hoping to make an appointment within the month to get another opinion, but thought I might find some info here first. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Heather on
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Terry,
It is funny that so may people have been saying they have issues with getting the meds... I have not had that problem just getting the meds right! I belive the best way is to find a Psychiatrist who works with adult ADD. Since I have moved 6yrs ago I have been to 3 different Psychiatrist! Today I have an appt. with a new Psychiatrist... So, I really hope he has some experiance with adult ADD. Good luck with finding someone to help you. Just remember if you feel you are not geting the treatment you need you have every right to find a new Dr. Good luck and keep me posted...
Heather
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Permalink Reply by Danielle Robinson-Gay on
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Darlene,
I just joined today after my sister found your post. I've been recently diagnosed with ADD (I'm a 31 year old stay at home mom of 3) and I have to say everything you said is exactly how I feel too. I am blown away at the similarities. Its as if I wrote this myself. I noticed you wrote this in Sep. Have you had any luck finding help.? With my new diagnosis I'm feeling lost. I'd be really interesting in communicating more about this. It's as if we've been carved out of the same mold.
Thank you so much for your post. It is very comforting to know I'm not alone in thise.
Sincerely,
Danielle
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