Adult ADD without hyperactivity? Anyone?

What the post title says. Really interested in speaking briefly to anyone with some experience with this and how they treat it etc. I'm around and about frequently. A private post would be welcome as well.

Shite...well what were the chances of THAT. No-one here without the hyper.??? Makes me wonder what the ratio of one over the other is. I think I'll stop talking to myself and see if I can't google some numbers. mumble grumble grumble etc..........

I'm ADD but I don't feel comfortable private message people. I'm sure us without hyper do exist.

I'm ADD, non hyperactive. However, I'm 17 and not quite graduated from high school, so I may not fall under the "adult" that you requested.

I've found that, for the most part, my medication really helps me. I've been taking 54 mg of Concerta every morning for the past... four years? Five? I'm not exactly sure, but 54 mg on time release keeps me going most of the day. I can't sleep in, though, or else I have a choice between going a day without the meds (meaning I have to keep myself pretty actively entertained or fall into a slump where putting two thoughts together is like trying to grip a handful of sand) or taking the meds and having them keep me up until the wee hours of the next morning. The former option is definitely no walk in the park, but I prefer it over the positive feedback loop that results from the latter choice (stay up late from the meds, sleep in later the next day, take the meds later, and stay up even later that night, etc.). The forgetfulness is still a bit of a problem even on the meds, but nowhere NEAR what it is unmedicated. I have to avoid long stretches of idle time or else I seem to fall into a mental slump even with the medication, and warm rooms, which can make anyone feel lethargic, have a tendency to also put me into the aforementioned slump.

But enough about me, what about you? (by the way, if you're more comfortable with private messaging, feel free, I'm fine either way)

Plenty of adult peeps with ADD without the hyper, I think. In fact it is thought that many children with ADHD lose some of that hyperactivity as they move towards adulthood too. Many of the adult ADHD symptoms are more related to the attention deficit aspect rather than hyperactivity.
I was diagnosed with inattentive type ADHD well into adulthood, and looking back I don't think I ever had hyperactivity. ADD drives me nuts. I wish my brain was more focused! But I cope with it, and the meds help enormously. Without meds I'm not the most productive person around.

That's ok Jimrat I'm new to the forum concept and i didn't even really know what it meant really. just thought that if it took some time to review my post and missed something there'd be some info in my box from someone. Thanks for explaining tho.

I'll get back WoH I'm just reviewing old posts and seeing if it might be necessary to catch up on some stuff. Your post was informative and if I might I'll address it later. Yes the sleep factor has been mentioned to me or at least I read about the potential problems somewhere. Nxt week I'll be trying the Concerta. I'll post to you later this eve or soon. Thanks.

I've read that Luce about the adult version being sometimes without the hyperactivity. I as well don't recall anything that might be classed as childhood hyperactivity. I was madly of in all directions like I am now I think. that whole inattentiveness due to lack of focus. I find it hard to read sometimes for example. So many times have my eyes followed words left to right for several lines or a paragraph before realizing I was only 'seeing' the words and my thoughts elsewhere. Sometimes but not always this happens and sometimes I have to read the thing over and over 3/4 times befor I actually 'read' the words instead of looking at them. Magazines and non fictions are preferable to books of fiction because I can just start anywhere or jump around and not have to follow a plot.

The internet is a godsend for me. In an hour I may have touched on dozens of topics. It's more stimulating than just print too. My history sometimes, after a few hrs. online can be a mile long. It's a bit of a curse really. I'm a master of nothing but I'd probably do well in trivia! heh

May I ask what medication has worked best for you? And the drawbacks? Oh and of course the differences you've noticed in taking them? That would be much appreciated. In case you don't get this post I'll see if I can send you a visitor note to askk you to read it. You sent yr message only yest. so hopefully you might check back. Cheers for now!

The strange thing is that I don't feel inattentive. I think it partially has to do with being on disability, so I'm not forced to the same point as others to work with really boring stuff or try to study things that wont catch my attention.

I miss reading books, something I actually could do in the past. So I'm not sure if that part is inattention or something else.

My main issue seems to be normal everyday functioning. I can't for my life start at a starting point naturally and go through doing something and then complete it. It's impossible. Usually I think about a single action days before, and I almost panic when I really have to do it. Because I know how bad it will feel. I'm not sure why simple tasks are so draining for me, but they are, to the point where they scare me. If I really manage to start up a project I can sometimes have a hard time stopping even. I had my friend almost physically drag me away from cleaning. I think it is because it is so hard to start, that when I can, I don't want to rest and restart, it is less draining (for the moment), to keep going until I feel it is done, or until I collapse.

Ritalin has helped me some in starting things up. Sometimes I have just started something even just thinking about it a few minutes which is very amazing.

Ritalin changes who I am, so I don't know if it is worth it or not.

I have ADD, no hyperactivity. I was first diagnosed as an adult. I think the hyperactivity symptoms often go away as the person ages and not everyone even has them when a child. I've also heard that more males than females tend to have the hyperactivity symptoms as children. You are not alone!

For my ADD, I take Wellbutrin and Vyvanse. Wellbutrin helps with motivation to do something. The Vyvanse helps even more, but in a somewhat different way. I am much more able to accomplish things when I take the meds, start a project, see it through, etc. Also, I can concentrate better with the Vyvanse and not be so easily distracted. It also gives me a feeling of "I can do this", although I have come to realize that sometimes it is a false positivism. But nonetheless, sometimes it is good to feel that way even if not true.

Hey Quizzickle...
I'm new to the forum, but diagnosed 3 years ago (Age 43) with ADD. I was never hyper, just leg bouncing and could be chatty sometimes. I take Adderall three times a day and try to get in my daily walks. Who knew "I" liked how exercise made me feel?!?

You are definitely not alone

Hi Quizz, I have dx adhd inattentive subtype, not hyperactive. Who knows what came first but I also have been dx'd depression, anxiety, bipolarII. I am currently on meds Welbutrin, Adderall, Lithium, Clonopin. Seems to be a pretty nice cocktail, I've had 2 good days in a row at work. I stopped the adderall for awhile, but just added it back in 2 days ago and wow, quite a difference how I'm actually able to focus and work. I'm so happy and if I can make it through a work day tomorrow, that'll be 3 days in a row for the first time in months!!!! You can message me anytime if I can try to answer or help in any way.

Hi...just checked back in on here and thanks YYZ and B/inanna for your input. I hope to get back soon with a question or two and thankyou for the offer. Next week I'll know what med they're going to start me on. It's been a long wait and I'm pretty anxious about it all. Particularly worried about it affecting my sleep rhythms. I get about 5 hrs a day and if I get less it'll be pretty rough I think. I've adapted to 5 but 5 isn't near enough to really feel well. I can't nap either. Also really not into trying sleeping pills. Has sleep been an issue with any of you?

I had sleep issues long before my diagnosis and if youcan believe it my sleep cycle improved after starting on Adderall I used to have trouble with my mind going to Sleep Mode, instead it would get stuck in the Slide Show when I laid down to go to sleep.

The meds seem to affect people differently, but I don't think you need to worry about losing sleep.

I had sleep issues long before as well. I take the adderall in the morning and lithium and clonopin at night. I have a sleeping pill ambien, I only take it about once a week if I really need it. My sleep has been regular on this combo. Sleep is key for me, I have to be strict with myself to not indulge in the adderall or take it after noon.

Hi. I've just contributed to another interesting thread that you had replied to. My ADD is associated with lethargy, rarely with hyperactivity. I get to sleep well, mostly, but tend to wake in the night, or very early in the morning, often ruminating on things that I feel angry or guilty about. Though often lethargic, I can be restless, but that is a matter of failing to settle to a task, maybe a task I'm not very keen on. That restlessness can involve frequent trips to the fridge, to snack. I tend to branch off into a series of tasks, instead of completing the one I began. I have a daytime sleep most days - can manage without if I have to (or if there is something compelling happening) but may be very lethargic, sleepy, irritable. I can ALMOST manage to concentrate well enough to play a game of Bridge, which is a passion. No matter how bad I feel I can lose myself in a game of Bridge, though I beat myself up if my sleepiness makes me play badly. Social situations often scare me, though if I feel at ease I can then talk far too much.

I retired prematurely (from being a family physician in the UK) because of psych difficulties, partly relating to what I now, aged 61, see has been lifelong ADD. I take an unusual antidepressant, Moclobemide, but no other psych medication. I do use chocolate/cocoa or coffee to wake myself up to play Bridge or to drive a long way - the effect tends to impair sleep, up to maybe 12 hours later. I avoid sleeping pills - they all seem to do much more harm than good. I've just joined the forum, so my posts need checking by a moderator before they may appear. Best wishes, R

Yes, I believe there is ADD without hyperactivity. ADD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

In fact according to DSM IV there are three subtypes of ADHD.
· The hyperactive/impulsive subtype was labeled ADHD-HI,
· The Predominantly Inattentive subtype was labeled ADHD-PI,
The combined type was referred to as ADHD-C.
ADD is of only one type and that is being inattentive but not being hyperactive. In fact many people use ADD and ADHD-PI interchangeably.

I have ADD without hyperactivity. From what I have been told / read Hyperactivity is more common in kids and ADD without hyperactivity is more often the case with adults. I take Adderall XR (time released) 15mg. and it helps. I started with 20Mg but it was too much for me, made my heart race and kept me up till the wee hours. With meds I am able to focus, stay on task, and control impulses better and just generally be more aware of and have better control over my actions.

I am also Non-hyper ADD. I was diagnosed in grade school, however my parents were in denial and thought I was LAZY. So...they never told me. There many years of below average grades and young prfessional parents that worked until 6:30 (I was a latch key kid). 5 years ago I had a miscarriage with twins and just dort of freaked out. I started going to a wonderful behavioral therapist that has really helped me with my past baggage. In the mist of therapy I was sharing some thoughts with my mom about being overwhelmed all of the time and that is when she asked if I knew I was diagnosed as a child with ADD. This was 3 years ago. My therapist thought that I could handle the ADD with some practice and not need meds. Well, I since have adopted a child that is now 2!!!! and my marriage is falling apart to the point that I gave up my therapy to go the group therapy with my husband. I really feel that I want to be put on meds, but am really afraid of the side effects. What are some thoughts about the difference between stimulant and non stimulant? What are some meds that have worked for others like me? Please help!

Hi YYZadd,
I'm trying to figure out best meds for me and I am hoping to gain some knowledge from your, or others experiences.
I also was diagnosed recently, within the last 1 1/2 -2 years and just turned 44. After a decent amount of reading up on ADD I relectantly decided to give meds a try and started on Adderall XR 20mg about a year ago. I stopped taking it after about a month because even though I was getting good mental effects: clearer thinking, much better motivation, better impulse control, and a clearer view of what was going on around me and my own actions (although a think a fair amount of the last one has been due to reading and learning) ..it also made my heart race, kept me up too late, made my fingers and feet feel as if they were going numb speratically, and I really wasn't fond of the "geekin" feeling.
After being unmedicated for about a year I have been back on Adderall for about a month now, tried 15mg this time, in the hopes of removing the negative physical side affects and other than the foot and hand thing, just a little, and still a little of the "geekin" feeling here and there the rest are gone. ..... Unfortunately so is some of the clarity and motivation. Ultimately I would like to have more of the positive mental affects that I experienced with the 20mg, and keep the physcial effects to what I am experiencing with the 15mg, or ideally eliminate them all together, all though I realize the last part may be unrealistic.
I was thinking that maybe taking meds throughout the day as opposed to taking the time released version might help me to better regulate both the mental and physical effects of the meds. I am wondering if you started on the XR version and could speak to the differences, or if you could just share specifically what you are taking now and what your experiences with it have been with it.

Hi Libsters...
The thing about the ADD meds is that they affect people differently. I have tried Ritalin, Adderall and Vyvanse (This is a long acting stim) Adderall worked best for me. Ritalin was okay, but Adderall seemed to be a little more consistent for me. I like that Adderall takes affect quickly and I can plan my dosage based on the day ahead of me. Vyvanse started up more slowly (I did not like) and tailed off for me too early in the day. My usual weekday has me up at 5am and not in bed before 11pm. I take 60mg of Adderall per day, 20mg at 5am, 20mg at 10am and depending on the day 10-20mg at 4pm (changed from 2pm about a year ago) taking the last dose later keeps me more effective at home and actually seems to help me at bedtime. (My brain begins to race as the meds wear off)

One thing to mention about being on the meds is that after a lifetime of living with ADD you have to learn a lot of things. The meds make me more aware of everything, like Tone of Voice, Body Language, what people say to you and how they treat you. I am still basically a laid-back guy, but I have really had to learn how to react to these things that I did not notice before, or that I used to not engage the comments because I tended to shut down during a conflict. 3.5 years later, I'm still working on these things.

If you have not read any of the good ADD books, definitely do so... The reading has really helped me understand how ADD has affected so many things in my life.

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a pm.

http://www.amazon.com/Driven-Distrac.../dp/0307743152

http://www.amazon.com/Delivered-Dist...ref=pd_sim_b_1

http://www.amazon.com/Answers-Distra...ref=pd_sim_b_5

Great books, great read. A lot of valuable information in them, highly recommend. Go find 'em in your local library, much better than spending $45+ unless you really want to own them.

I've read both of the Distraction books (Great) and this is the first book about ADD that I read, recommended by my Pdoc.

http://www.amazon.com/You-Mean-Lazy-.../dp/0743264487

Opinion YYZ? I'll be scouting our library for these. Reading has always been a chore...maybe with the current meds I can give this a shot. Be an interesting experiment to see if I can focus well enough to glean something from them. I'll be at full dose next week.

Truthfully I'm wondering if they're having any effect so far. I've been moving sure but been depressed a hellova lot since meds inception 5 weeks or so ago...different than my normal benders which are usually very low level and slow to come n' go. This shite is a roller coaster. I was sitting outside tonight in the cool air thinking...maybe I'm a little more focused with the trade-off being I'm also able to focus easier on how difficult my other behavior difficulties are. Hence the staggering deeper depressions.

I don't know...obviously some long term use will change a few patterns for the better. I'm very curious but where am I going that I can't wait patiently? I'll persist..the shite should ebb. I have a good Doc as well. We'll take it where it needs to be...or try something else. All I have is time. Anyway just some late night blurbery.

My version of ADD, I believe, is not the hyperactive type. I'm not positive, as I do fuss and fidget a fair amount but hyperactivity is definately not a major issue for me. I also am under the impression from my Dr, I believe, that hyperactivity is more common in kids and non hyperactive ADD is more common in adults. I asked what the difference between ADD and ADHD was and his response was that the condition is now commonly referred to as ADHD and includes both types. I guess there really isn't really a big distinction exept that some are more prone to hyperactivity. Please anyone correct me if you know this to be wrong as I don't know this to be fact. As far as how I treat mine.. Meds. Adderall XR (time released) 15mg to be exact.
Not sure if this helps any as I am not quite sure why you ask. .. but hope it does.

Hey Q...
I still have trouble getting through books, but those were all fairly easy to get through. It helps that the authors are ADD as well. I cannot remember what med and how much you were taking, but for me, my depression seemed to go quickly. I don't think I was really that depressed, but more the sum of decades of ADD and a real stressful year.

The affect of Adderall was pretty profound for me. The dosage was spot on from the beginning (Lucky I think) 60mg per day. I like the quick acting over the extended release too.

PM me if you want to go into more specifics later. I'm supposed to still be working

Love it. ..."putting two thoughts together is like trying to grip a handful of sand" Great analagy! I'll definately be using that one.