[Jshect]

I think I may have ADD PI (SCT) though I am not sure. I have bipolar II and anxiety for sure. My symptoms are: I read extremely slow and I often have to reread what I just read if I want to have any chance of remembering it, I can not concentrate if there is any kind of noise, I am constantly daydreaming and spacey, I have a terrible memory. I am not hyperactive though.
I have tried the stimulant meds and they make me hyper and make my concentration worse so that may be a sign I don't have ADD. Next I will try a non stimulant med.
If you have ADD PI what meds have worked for you?
Have you tried non stimulant meds like straterra if the stimulant meds have not worked for you?
Have any therapies worked for you?
Do you know of any tests that will determine if you have it or not?

Thanks

[Jshect]

oh yea some of my other symptons are: constantly losing things, chronically disorganized, rarely ever finish books or projects I start, Have trouble with communication at times because I just can't seem to find the right words, low energy most of the time (besides when I am hypomanic), sluggish cognitively...

What has worked for you Psych Central comrades?

[Whisper of help]

This sounds like me, to the letter. The doctor's never said exactly what I have, but I've looked it up myself and I've got the exact same thing you do.

What meds have you tried for it? I take Concerta, and it works fine for me. It's what I've been taking for about eight years now, ever since I first was diagnosed.

Aside from medication, I've found a thing or two that works for me. First, if you have something you need to get done, (along the lines of cleaning the house, or things like that) thinking about things that make me mad help get me out of that sluggish, 'ugh' feeling. Either that, or do just about anything to get your blood pumping. Get your adrenaline flowing, because that helps counteract the problem. It's not always the best solution (since you very well can't read while you're moving around, or stuck in a self-inflicted rage) but it works in some cases. I hate feeling angry, so I don't usually try to tick myself off.

If you're just sitting idle, and you're dealing with the SCT, I recommend playing a video game or going outside and playing sports or something. The video games are actually easy to do, because you're keeping your mind active and interested, and the sports will keep you active, so your adrenaline gets going.

[sunrise]

I have a lot of those symptoms except the SCT.

I take Bupropion and Vyvanse for ADHD. Both have helped me, and only one is a stimulant.

It was recommended to me to make lists so I don't forget what I am supposed to do. This sometimes helps, but often I forget the lists once I've made them. When trying to get things done, I use the trick of setting an alarm and just working on the task for 15 minutes straight without allowing myself to get torn away by distractions. That way I can break things into smaller chunks and get something accomplished. When I am taking a test at school, I make myself do 20 problems, then I allow myself a little break and draw a doodle or something as a reward, then I do another 20 questions, etc. Just now, I completed the first 4 questions of a 7 question assignment and I am now going to go take a shower as a reward (with a time-out on PC also ). Then I will come back and finish the assignment. It's a lot easier for me to get through a long assignment this way.

There are a lot of books out there on behavioral strategies for ADHD.

Good luck.