[Trace14]

Just curious can ADD be treated without meds? Maybe it would depend on the severity of impact on life? My mom has ADHD for sure. My T has never mentioned in but from what I've read it does look like something I may have struggled with since childhood. Makes me a little angry that I was never tested for it, or maybe they didn't have a test for it back then. I'm 58 now. I think my life would have been much different *sigh*
What's the point of looking into the diagnosis now?

[ronmiller]

Medication may seem easy sometimes. But some recent theories have proved that such disorder can be treated if the person affected plays video games. For more information you can visit: ajc.com/news/national/new-adhd-treatment-could-involve-video-games/itP9p47LcsWh2q50amDkAK/

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by ronmiller

Medication may seem easy sometimes. But some recent theories have proved that such disorder can be treated if the person affected plays video games. For more information you can visit: ajc.com/news/national/new-adhd-treatment-could-involve-video-games/itP9p47LcsWh2q50amDkAK/

If I have it.....I would rather find a non medication way of dealing with it.
Looked more like that site was for kids treatment. Maybe there's something for adults. I know going to the PC arcade and playing a game relaxes me

[Open Eyes]

It can be difficult when it comes to ADD or ADHD because a child can be born with this challenge and yet a child can develop what can be confused as ADHD or ADD due to the stressful dysfunctional environment they are growing up in. Also, a child can have both ADHD and also experience dysfunction that creates hyper vigilant behavior problems that can interfere with that child's ability to learn and focus normally.

You are correct in that when you were a child and going to school and trying to learn they did not know about ADD or ADHD so they did not give the proper attention and extra help for these children and sometimes these children were punished when what that child really needed was to be educated according to how that child "can" learn.

[smm275]

While I have used many medications over the years, Activities such as sports where you learn discipline and other life skills has proven helpful for me. Also meditation, I use a great app to relax myself and calm down.

[Llama_Llama44]

It's a challenge, but I manage without medication. ADHD meds exacerbate my anxiety so I don't have too much of a choice (currently I do take meds for anxiety).

I have lots of thoughts on ADHD diagnosing and meds, but won't go into it unless you want to hear (read).

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Llama_Llama44

It's a challenge, but I manage without medication. ADHD meds exacerbate my anxiety so I don't have too much of a choice (currently I do take meds for anxiety).

I have lots of thoughts on ADHD diagnosing and meds, but won't go into it unless you want to hear (read).

Sure, let 'er rip tater chip!

[Llama_Llama44]

Well I made another post with some work / school coping mechanisms tools that I've found helpful.

I was diagnosed as a kid, got help in school but wasn't on meds. In grad school I got rediagnosed- did the whole 5-6 hr testing thing. I needed to do that to get access to certain resources.

A lot of the testing is questionnaires that you fill out. If you are an anxious person who tends to over think and are self-conscious, it might feel difficult to fill out accuratly. I had a hard time translating my issues into all the questions.

If you have other mental health issues it's complicated too. But some people test more clearly than others. It may make you feel better to test- you might feel validated and more clear.

Psychiatrists will often diagnose you just on their assessment, if they are going to prescribe you drugs. You don't have to do the full testing if you don't want probably- and it's expensive so it depends on your insurance.

I think diagnosing could give you clarity, validation, and access to some treatment options (like meds). But you may not need / want those things if you feel pretty clear on your issues and are getting the help you need. It is also possible you will go through all the testing and just be more frustrated.

As for meds, a lot of people use stimulants. There are some other medications to. Stimulants made me anxious for the most part. I don't take them now. I take an ssri currently which helps with anxiety, and helps ADHD sort of indirectly. Some people feel much better on stims. Sometimes I wish I could take them so I could just calm down and focus, but it's not worth messing with the anxiety right now.

Everyone is different and it partly depends on what issues you think ADHD might relate to and what you want to get out of a diagnosis.

Hope that helps...

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Llama_Llama44

Well I made another post with some work / school coping mechanisms tools that I've found helpful.

I was diagnosed as a kid, got help in school but wasn't on meds. In grad school I got rediagnosed- did the whole 5-6 hr testing thing. I needed to do that to get access to certain resources.

A lot of the testing is questionnaires that you fill out. If you are an anxious person who tends to over think and are self-conscious, it might feel difficult to fill out accuratly. I had a hard time translating my issues into all the questions.

If you have other mental health issues it's complicated too. But some people test more clearly than others. It may make you feel better to test- you might feel validated and more clear.

Psychiatrists will often diagnose you just on their assessment, if they are going to prescribe you drugs. You don't have to do the full testing if you don't want probably- and it's expensive so it depends on your insurance.

I think diagnosing could give you clarity, validation, and access to some treatment options (like meds). But you may not need / want those things if you feel pretty clear on your issues and are getting the help you need. It is also possible you will go through all the testing and just be more frustrated.

As for meds, a lot of people use stimulants. There are some other medications to. Stimulants made me anxious for the most part. I don't take them now. I take an ssri currently which helps with anxiety, and helps ADHD sort of indirectly. Some people feel much better on stims. Sometimes I wish I could take them so I could just calm down and focus, but it's not worth messing with the anxiety right now.

Everyone is different and it partly depends on what issues you think ADHD might relate to and what you want to get out of a diagnosis.

Hope that helps...

I wish I could have been diagnosed as a kid. Maybe I would have done better in school, not sure how I passed. Back when I was in school to acted up, or not paying attention you got your butt whipped when you got home. There were all kinds of labels for an ADD kid...like lazy, stupid, air head.