[HatefulCreatures]

I'm kinda in shock about it? To be honest I'm taking it harder than I expected, even though i dont think im taking it hard at all..if that makes sense. I'm in my mid 20s and a male, I went to see a psychiatrist because I've been crazy stressed out due to heart break and been having horrible sleeping problems. Instead of some Lunesta and maybe an antidepressant like I expected, she hits me from left field with the ADD thing. I didn't really know what to say at first, and many of the things she said about having it made sense to me and struck home. Some didnt. According to her fixing my ADD will regulate everything else in my life, including my sleep and "depression". So she refused to give me any sleeping meds and left me with a referral for an EKG... I've been speaking with my friends who have attention disorders (all adhd though, I've yet to find a peer with just add), been doing some research, and overall I'm even more confused now about the situation than before. My counselor was a little surprised with things as well and suggestion I get a second opinion. I agreed and plan on getting one before I spend the money on an EKG, but like... I dont know guys.. ADD & an SSRI aren't answers to any of my problems and are stupidly over prescribed here in the US. This woman could've just been like.."john edwards"-ing me and taking advantage of my somewhat weakened emotional state. I've been reading up here for the last few hours and it seems like a wealth of knowledge.

The main reason why I went to get help in the first place is because I have a problem controlling my thoughts in some ways, I think negative things way to much and its gotten to the point where it effects my life. Recently my lloonngg time girl and I ended things for good and since i feel like ive just like..gone off the deepend...or something. Heres a list of things I've noticed and why I went to get help: I get real anxious now, i find myself curling my toes for no reason or like, sitting awkwardly. My face sweats when I eat any type of food and my hands & feet sweat more. My insomnia kicked in with a vengeance and if i get woken up there isn't a chance I fall back asleep. When I do wake up its like someone spins a top in my head, theres so much on my mind and so many things rushing through it, there isnt a chance I'd fall back asleep. Immediately after waking up hurtful things usually rush into my mind no matter how hard or what I do to stop it. I just feel like i'm short circuiting...I forget to turn the lights off, I put off doing my laundry, and overall i just am more of a "lazy person" than I was before. Which is bad, cuz I was pretty lazy then. I guess one of the main personality traits this woman used when diagnosing me is that throughout my life I start things and just abandon them..Such as playing various musical instruments, different forms of martial arts, and staying in shape. My goals have been to overcome any of these mental issues on my own or holistically, but I've been trying for I dont even know how long with minimal success an where I'm at now I defenitely need help of some sort. I just dont want to make a mistake and start a treatment plan for something that isn't right for me. Any input or light you guys can shed would be greatly appreciated. dont hesitate to ask me any questions, as i wasn't to sure what to write here any ways.

Thanks & Godbless

[BWW1]

I can relate, I too was dumbfounded when I was struck with the sudden possibility that I might have ADD. I was watching last year's World Series between the Giants and Rangers, when the announcer made mention that one of the Giants players had trouble remembering the secret hand signs used to communicate accross the field. Eventually the player was diagnosed with ADD, and if I'm not mistaken, was put on medication and was able to resume his career with improved success. This immediately brought back so many recollections of instances where I had trouble memorizing things. I then was able to decipher all the other things that pointed to ADD. I was awestruck with all the signs & symptoms that pointed to ADD. However, I must say that I was pleasantly dumbfounded, if that makes sense, because it explained so much and I came to realize that I wasn't to blame for so many things.
I've yet to be officially diagnosed, but would bet dollars to donuts that I'm ADD, which is fine by me. I just want to get the right treatment so I don't continue to miss out on my life. Hope that helps, god bless...

[HatefulCreatures]

Originally Posted by BWW1

I came to realize that I wasn't to blame for so many things..

Amen brother.
While it sucks and I feel as if its a weakness. I feel better about things I was previously hard on myself for. I'm glad I reached out to get help and understand that theres not something as "wrong" with me as I had thought.
-update-
I went for a 2nd opinion today as well as a full ADD test. The second doctor I spoke with I felt much more comfortable with and spent much more time with her. She prescribed the same antidepressant the other doctor recommended as well as klonopoin to help me sleep. Once I get back to a more functional level she said we'd deal with the ADD. After reviewing everything she also agrees I have it... According to her, due to my intelligence and ability to cope and overcompensate for it means that its not something thats impeding my progression at this point and can be dealt with after we get me back on track. Which I feel comfortable with.

[ScatteredJamie]

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 39, 4 years ago. I had a tough time for a while but was releived that there was a real reason that I got "stuck" when I had overdone it at work and wasn't truly a lazy person. I came to understand so many things about myself. I am still learning and getting better at managing the bad parts of ADD and also getting better at maximizing the benefits of the good parts of ADD like creativity and being able to make people laugh. The book "so I'm not really lazy craxy or stupid? It is a great reference book and is written so you can just pick whichever chapter you want to read.

[Deeb]

I was diagnosed at 55. What a shock! The meds help except when I forget to take them. However, it was a relief to find that I wasn't lazy or stupid. I now refer to my ADD as SOS, Shiny Object Syndrome. People are kinder about it and less judgmental.

[addcolin]

Originally Posted by Deeb

I was diagnosed at 55. What a shock! The meds help except when I forget to take them. However, it was a relief to find that I wasn't lazy or stupid. I now refer to my ADD as SOS, Shiny Object Syndrome. People are kinder about it and less judgmental.

I'm in the process of being diagnosed ADD, at 53. Also came as a surprise, although looking back I see there was definitely something going on (or not).
This thing about being lazy, stupid, and bad memory, seem to be a hallmark of ADD? The memory thing has really been getting to me for a long time. Like your SOS.!

[vanyel22]

I'm 65 and found I had ADHD only 2 years ago. I've done extensive reading on the subject. I have to respectfully disagree with the order of your treatment. I was misdiagnosed by approx 6 therapists over the years with depression and given antidepressants - they did not work. Then, approx 2 years ago - my boss diagnosed me - I didnt believe her until I went home and looked up ADHD on my computer and found I had almost all of the symptoms. The medication (Vyvanse) has helped me a great deal. It has been found that taking the ADHD med first would help you a lot more - than other meds to regulate you - It's the ADHD med that you need to help you focus and concentrate, etc - then you may not need the others. Susan A

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by HatefulCreatures

Amen brother.

I went for a 2nd opinion today as well as a full ADD test. The second doctor I spoke with I felt much more comfortable with and spent much more time with her. She prescribed the same antidepressant the other doctor recommended as well as klonopoin to help me sleep.

Which AD did she prescribe? Just curious--some ADs are good for ADHD too.

I too got an ADHD diagnosis relatively late. I was quite functional and able to compensate for many years. Having a lot of life stressors can uncover it, or rather, interfere with your ability to cope with the symptoms.

I like how the first pdoc asked for the EKG prior to beginning stimulant therapy for ADHD. Very prudent!

Having ADHD sometimes annoys me. Can't think of another way to describe it. I feel I shouldn't have to take meds every day to increase my functionality, concentration, etc. So I won't take it for a while and do OK or not so OK, but never great. Then when I decide to take the stimulant again, I do so much better! I get so much more done, can focus, can stick to a project. And that annoys me! Like I don't want to have to take a drug to do well in life. But it does help me. Push pull push pull. So then I stop taking it for a while and the cycle begins again. Have been through this so many times...