[MFrey]

I'm new here on this board, I'm a 27 year old female. I'm struggling through this new job I have. I can't seem to focus on anything and I don't know how to begin projects. I rush to get things done but when I turn them in there's a lot of errors. I'm trying my best to read over things and catch my mistakes but it doesn't seem to work. I make silly little mistakes that shouldn't have been made in the first place. I don't really see myself as a hyper person, at least not on the outside, but my mind is usually going a mile a minute about everything and anything other than what I'm supposed to be focused on.

I have a doctor's appointment set up for next week and I was going to ask my doctor if this is "normal". I'm weary about taking medications because I hear so many bad things about them.

Is there any alternatives or good books out there that might help me? I'm not even sure that I have ADD.

[maverick]

Hi, for you interest, there is a good book on ADD called "Scattered" by Gabor Mate, M.D. Here's a quote from p. 16:

The restlessness coexists with long periods of procrastination. The threat of failure or the promise of reward has to be immediate for the motivation apparatus to be turned on. Without the rousing adrenaline rush of racing against time, inertia prevails.

.... On the other hand, when there is something one wants, neither patience nor procrastination exists. One has to do it, get it, have it, experience it, immediately.

One more interesting quote: Brian has ADD. He also has a dog. They take each other for daily walks. As Brian puts on his coat, hat and boots, the dog lies under the kitchen table, waiting. Brian leaves the house, and the dog doesn't move. The dog will not budge until Brian has come back into the house for the third time for key, wallet or whatever other items he has forgotten to take the 1st 2 times. The dog has learned from experience, which is more than can be said for the owner.

This may or may not be of interest, but the book is very insightful and for the person with ADD, one recognized him or herself in much of the book.

[Renwolf]

I just wanted to thank you for posting the title and author of that book. The section that you quoted rang very true for me, so I stopped at the bookstore after work, bought the book and read it cover to cover when I got home.

It was really eye opening, because I've known since I was a kid that I have some mild learning disabilities. ADD was never mentioned, but it really explains a lot.

Sorry for hijacking the thread. MFrey, please let us know how everything goes. Good luck!

[maverick]

You're welcome, I sometimes have insomnia, so I read a lot. I like your web site, you definitely strike me as intelligent and insightfull. Not to cause further digression; MFrey, hope all is well!

[Miss_A]

bump.

[MFrey]

I saw a counselor about a month ago and explained all of my problems at work. He said I probably had ADD. He advised me to get a day planner (Franklin Covey) and see a psychiatrist for possible medication. I didn't think highly of the psych visit, probably because it was 6:00 in the evening and I was his last patient for the day. He also told to get a Franklin Covey Planner and said I probably had ADD (what's with the "probably"?). I told him I was willing to try medication, he really didn't offer any other solution, maybe I should have asked.

He perscribed 20 mg of Adderall RX once a day. I got the perscription filled yesterday (Saturday) and took the first pill at 11:00 a.m. It is now 9:00 a.m. (Sunday) and I maybe slept 15 mintues in the past 24 hours. I did notice I was more aware and attentive to what I was doing through the day, I even read a whole book in one 5 hour setting. I also had a pulsating heart beat the whole time I was on it and just a general feeling of anxiety. After buying several books on managing time and correcting ADD behavoirs I may just try to make my symptoms more manageable.

After reading the effects of Adderall and how easy it is to become addicted I think for me I need to try an alternative. I like the fact that I seemed more attentive, but the side effects that I was feeling and still feeling are outweighing the good. If I am unsucessfull at managing on my own, I may ask for a lower dose, like 5 or 10 mg.

Thanks for your replies and I'll try to keep posting here and asking you guys plenty of questions. ;o)

Molly