[unbreakablej]

Hi

I've been diagnosed with adult ADHD recently and prescribed concerta. TBH I am slightly skeptical (and relieved) about the diagnosis. It was based on an interview and me filling up a questionaire ('scoring' very highly). It simply sounds too 'good' to be true - to have my failure of a life explained away.

However, I have been reading up so much on the subject I am worried that I might be self fulfilling all the symptoms...

I've read that people with real ADHD gets really calm after taking stimulant drugs. This is true for me. In fact, if I take my meds + coffee at the same time, I start to yawn non stop.

I also feel as if there is a cling wrap around my brain, and with my temples feel like they are being pulled down to the ground; and the back of my head feels heavy.

Just wondering, if that a real/good indicator that I really have ADHD? In contrast, what happens when people with no ADHD takes such stimulants. Do they get high? Or just concentrate better. Do they get hyperactive?

[kanasi]

I think for neurotypical people, the reaction would be like what you hear about happening when people take something like "speed." They think and do things *faster*, maybe? (Don't quote me though-- I'm just guessing here!)

Apparently there are studies showing that neurotypical folks who take ADHD drugs to study don't do significantly better than they would have done without, but ADHD folks do significantly better on meds. I've never known anybody who took ADHD drugs that wasn't ADHD, at least that I know of. I've heard NT folks take it so they can slack off in class and just use the drugs to help them catch up later. I don't know if that's true, but the perception being out there certainly doesn't help people with ADHD to be taken seriously.

[unbreakablej]

Just recently read an article that says that taking the stimulants doesn't help for non-adhd people.

I'm howver, looking for people's experience with more immediate physical effects. I can feel a physical 'pull' and effect on my brain and I'm just wondering if anyone else have the same sensations.

[Blockade_Runner]

I'm still getting myself settled with my diagnosis shift from Bipolar I to ADHD. Seemed odd to give a stimulant to someone you believe to be hyper in some way, but has been a rather big help.

Over the years, I've learned personally that having the diagnosis doesn't always take into consideration who you are and how your mind works normally. Being mindful of that and what ADHD can do can help immensely.

[snoozysnooze]

I completely agree! I am trying to sort out what is just me and what is adhd.

[kanasi]

Originally Posted by unbreakablej

Just recently read an article that says that taking the stimulants doesn't help for non-adhd people.

I'm howver, looking for people's experience with more immediate physical effects. I can feel a physical 'pull' and effect on my brain and I'm just wondering if anyone else have the same sensations.

Since no one else replied to your exact question, I thought I should give an approximation. First, I'll just explain I'm not diagnosed yet. (I expect my case to be confirmed though, as I fit most inattentive criteria going back to childhood, had hyperactive symptoms until I was 14 or so, and I have mostly ruled out other possible causes.) Anyway, back to your question, when I was taking antidepressants like Wellbutrin, in the *beginning* (i.e. the first few weeks), I felt the exact same sensations you describe. I think it has something to do with upping the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. (Stimulants for ADHD raise dopamine levels, just like Wellbutrin does.) I remember googling "heavy head" at the time and finding lots of cases of other people having that experience too. So it's probably not only an ADHD thing.

[unbreakablej]

Originally Posted by kanasi

Since no one else replied to your exact question, I thought I should give an approximation. First, I'll just explain I'm not diagnosed yet. (I expect my case to be confirmed though, as I fit most inattentive criteria going back to childhood, had hyperactive symptoms until I was 14 or so, and I have mostly ruled out other possible causes.) Anyway, back to your question, when I was taking antidepressants like Wellbutrin, in the *beginning* (i.e. the first few weeks), I felt the exact same sensations you describe. I think it has something to do with upping the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. (Stimulants for ADHD raise dopamine levels, just like Wellbutrin does.) I remember googling "heavy head" at the time and finding lots of cases of other people having that experience too. So it's probably not only an ADHD thing.

Thanks for your reply kanasi.

I guess everyone reacts differently so it is hard to pin-point what is and what isn't the 'actual' effect of the drugs. I am just hoping that one's reaction to them might give a more scientific/actual indication of the disorder, as I am consistently grateful/sceptical about my diagnosis.

[kanasi]

If you like, there's a blog I find useful for comparing symptoms and experiences with folks who have ADHD. Maybe have a look through their "meds" tag here, but keep in mind that just like you said, everyone's going to react differently to the same medication. I don't think reactions to medication are going to be uniform enough (even among people with the same ADHD subtype) to help reconfirm your diagnosis. Whenever you're uncertain it's probably best to just look over the DSM criteria.

Also, an important warning/tip I've read (possibly from the same blog if not another forum) is that it's important *not* to look for a specific physical sensation when taking stimulants for ADHD. The result you want is that your ability to organize/stay on task/etc. improves, not that the drug makes you "feel" a certain way. It's fine if it makes you feel pleasantly "calmer" or more "energetic" (literally either one can happen depending on the person), but it's not cool to get hooked on that response, as that could be a sign of becoming physically dependent on the drug.

[snoozysnooze]

I have been recently diagnosed with ADHD. I find myself facing a lot of the same questions you are. I was afraid I was self fulfilling the symptoms as well. And I had no idea how or what the meds were supposed to do or feel like if they were working vs not working.

I found the personal descriptions and stories to be much more helpful than just a list of symptoms and such. With more and more research and more and more reading of personal accounts, I realized I really do have it and not something else. A lot of the stories were what I feel and how I have acted verbatim. it's very validating and helpful. Kansai's suggestions are very helpful- I think.

I really am trying to be better, so I want my diagnosis to be accurate. If it wasn't ADHD I wanted to know.

As far as how I feel on the daily. I still don't exactly know what is ADHD and what is just me.

I fidget and pace a lot.

I stop in the middle of speaking to someone and then start up where I left off-if I can remember where that was.

I have a billion to do lists- I do get some of it done.

I write everything on calendars and I make my own planners-because I can't keep it all straight without doing this

I tend to go on and on- I have learned to pick up on social cues so I try to reign myself in when needed

I am almost always on my feet- I find it difficult to sit down for very long, unless I am extremely exhausted or have been drinking or something else that S L O W S me down

I get excited- genuinely excited- about stuff and then get bored with it- I have every kind of crafting and art supply, tons of exercise and activity stuff- the list really does go on

I have a very difficult time making myself do stuff with friends and such if I don't want to. I can make myself do things if I KNOW there will be a consequence otherwise.

Also SLEEP was completely elusive unless I passed out from drinking or took too many sleeping pills, and melatonin, and valerian root tincture. It was torture. I didn't realize that I hadn't been dreaming until I started having and remembering my dreams

I am very fortunate to have a wonderful partner who is so completely opposite of me and who has his ish completely together and is EXTREMELY routine and such- it helps me so much to have a routine. I could never stick to one without someone else leading the way.

Wow- I didn't even realize all of this before I got it down.

As far as the medication goes: I am on Wellbutrin I take 200mg twice a day. I have noticed a bit more focus and a general feeling of having my ish a little more together. I think my prescriber will add something else like Strattera or Ritalin- I really, really don't want Adderall. I am still figuring out how the meds are helping or not helping... I felt like they were making things worse, but it's just that I am noticing things that I do a little more-- I hear this is very common. The biggest bonus for the meds for me is that I can actually sleep for more than an hour at a time. I used to get up 6-10 times a night to use the bathroom. My doctor thought I had diabetes, but no- I just couldn't stay asleep- and I am able to pee at the drop of a hat- so...

I hope this is of some help for you- it was for me just getting it out. So, thanks for that!