Im going to get treatment here very soon and wonder if anyone here can tell me something I should know?
Anyone here being treated for ADD/ADHD
- Thread starter Crazymofo
- Start date
I'm supposed to be on Adderol, 30mg time-release, but I haven't taken it in about 5 months.
EDIT: If you really have ADD, and you want the medicine to help, make sure to take it everyday. I, personally, couldn't handle being a sloth all day, I liked being hyper alot more, so I stopped taking it.
EDIT: If you really have ADD, and you want the medicine to help, make sure to take it everyday. I, personally, couldn't handle being a sloth all day, I liked being hyper alot more, so I stopped taking it.
I think every kid I've known has been diagnosed with add or as depressed. I think doctors are a a little too eager to diagnose people with something. <----just my opinion
yukichigai
Diamond Member
- Apr 23, 2003
- 6,404
- 0
- 0
Not much to know really. When you're getting treatment you typically won't notice any behavior changes yourself, but others around you will usually. With me when I first started taking Ritalin I started getting little happy feelings every time I finished my work and such. Apparantly that's normal in everyone, but I'd never felt it before. (Explained why I would fall asleep doing homework, and why I hated it so much)
Depending on what meds you take you may need to watch out for some things. If you start getting thin suddenly or not wanting to eat so much and you're on a methamphetamine derivative (Adderol, Ritalin, etc) you probably need to switch meds. Adderol can make you feel dopish and slow at first. If it continues on try eating more protein. (i.e. more meat. MMMM, tasty tasty meat!) Oh yes, a ways down the line in treatement you may start feeling jittery in the mornings after you take your meds. It's not uncommon to need to adjust your dose as treatment goes on, since the theory is that the medication slowly changes your brain chemistry permanently while it supresses the symptoms.
I agree with Fiveohhh. My personal belief is that "problems" like add and adhd can be prevented/cured with a good, educational, wholesome upbringing.
Most of the kids that I know who are diagnosed to have add or adhd don't need medication at all. Just some motivation and self-discipline.
Just my 2 cents.
Most of the kids that I know who are diagnosed to have add or adhd don't need medication at all. Just some motivation and self-discipline.
Just my 2 cents.
Adderol is nasty. We started my 12yo on Ritalin years ago, but the twice a day thing sux for a kid. Then Concerta came out... Time released amphetamines. But it was messing with his heart.
A new product called Strattera came out recently. My son's been on it about 2 months now. The effect on him isn't nearly as strong, but his heart is perfect again. And his personality is back! We didn't even realize what affect the stimulants were having on his personality. He was totally closed up. Now he's my outgoing son again! Woot!
Keep in mind that most ADD patients have other issues as well... we found my son responds well to Zyprexa (an anti-psychotic!!!) because most kids with ADD suffer depression and mood swings. That put the kibosh on things, and made a huge difference in his general happiness (and mine!)
A new product called Strattera came out recently. My son's been on it about 2 months now. The effect on him isn't nearly as strong, but his heart is perfect again. And his personality is back! We didn't even realize what affect the stimulants were having on his personality. He was totally closed up. Now he's my outgoing son again! Woot!
Keep in mind that most ADD patients have other issues as well... we found my son responds well to Zyprexa (an anti-psychotic!!!) because most kids with ADD suffer depression and mood swings. That put the kibosh on things, and made a huge difference in his general happiness (and mine!)
BTW: Low carb diets (and low artificial sweeteners) will help in ADD management. Sugars and sweet-tasting things trigger the wrong chemicals in the brain... Cant' find the book right now, but there are several publications that discuss the effect of foods on ADD.
yukichigai
Diamond Member
- Apr 23, 2003
- 6,404
- 0
- 0
I agree. I believe ADD is the most overdiagnosed disorder out there. I still think it's real however.
ADD-like symptoms can be caused by so many things, from diet to sleep habits to different, similar disorders. It's almost impossible to tell if someone has ADD beyond three things: 1) they have the symptoms, 2) they respond well to medication, 3) they can't hold a thought as well as normal. Number one is easy to confuse, number two can give a false positive and number three is something only the patient can determine themselves. Try asking a 5 year old to do some introspective examination of their thought patterns sometime; just doesn't work.
Anyway, my little brother had ADD-like symptoms, but it turned out he simply had a severe protein defficiency that was causing the symptoms. (He's a vegetarian and a picky one at that) Now that he drinks Atkins shakes at breakfast he's much more focused. Just goes to show you.
I had to choice to recieve extra time on the ACT and the SAT, but refused both opportunities because, even though they say they don't, colleges tend to look down on people who take extra time for the tests. And it does show up on your results.
yukichigai
Diamond Member
- Apr 23, 2003
- 6,404
- 0
- 0
I know some about this.
The going theory is that the brain of someone with ADD is adrenaline hungry, that is to say it works actively to bring about situations that produce adrenaline. This is why ADD kids are always unfocused, always looking for the next exciting thing for the next big adrenaline fix. When you eat sugars it has some type of reaction, can't remember the specifics, which either depletes the adrenaline in the brain or makes the brain more adrenaline hungry. This brings about the typical ADD behavior once again. Fortunately it doesn't last for too long. (Just long enough to drive the poor parents bonkers) Some people also react differently to sugar, namely it takes more to have such an effect. But yeah, try to keep the sugar intake down.
If you're treating a kid for ADD and you let them have caffiene regularly you need to hit yourself in the head with a tack hammer.
first off, make certain the diagnosis is correct and that you are not treating a symptom of another problem.
each prescribed medicine will affect people differently, so if you do go that route, understand that the first treatment may not be as effective as the second; you may have to test the different responses. Ugly i agree, but part of the game with this issue.
try eliminating the other variables; make certain you have no allergies kicking in that could be masking other problems. If you are already taking some medicines, they could react with whatever treatment is prescribed, so make certain your doctor understands what you might be taking, why, and how it's currently affecting you. Also make certain that your doctor has a very good handle on your base-line issues such as appetite, allergies, moods, headaches, ect..
once you start, give it time to get into your system. Have another person also monitoring your behavior, appetite, sleep patterns, and personality traits (patience levels, anger, thinking response, motivation, ect.).
Last but not least, don't expect this to fix all the problems. If you're lucky, the issue will be easier to deal with, but as you grow and change, you will react differently to the medicine, making it so that you will need to routinely see your doctor and have him/her update your prescriptions.
good luck
each prescribed medicine will affect people differently, so if you do go that route, understand that the first treatment may not be as effective as the second; you may have to test the different responses. Ugly i agree, but part of the game with this issue.
try eliminating the other variables; make certain you have no allergies kicking in that could be masking other problems. If you are already taking some medicines, they could react with whatever treatment is prescribed, so make certain your doctor understands what you might be taking, why, and how it's currently affecting you. Also make certain that your doctor has a very good handle on your base-line issues such as appetite, allergies, moods, headaches, ect..
once you start, give it time to get into your system. Have another person also monitoring your behavior, appetite, sleep patterns, and personality traits (patience levels, anger, thinking response, motivation, ect.).
Last but not least, don't expect this to fix all the problems. If you're lucky, the issue will be easier to deal with, but as you grow and change, you will react differently to the medicine, making it so that you will need to routinely see your doctor and have him/her update your prescriptions.
good luck
Originally posted by: yukichigai
I know some about this.
The going theory is that the brain of someone with ADD is adrenaline hungry, that is to say it works actively to bring about situations that produce adrenaline. This is why ADD kids are always unfocused, always looking for the next exciting thing for the next big adrenaline fix. When you eat sugars it has some type of reaction, can't remember the specifics, which either depletes the adrenaline in the brain or makes the brain more adrenaline hungry. This brings about the typical ADD behavior once again. Fortunately it doesn't last for too long. (Just long enough to drive the poor parents bonkers) Some people also react differently to sugar, namely it takes more to have such an effect. But yeah, try to keep the sugar intake down.
If you're treating a kid for ADD and you let them have caffiene regularly you need to hit yourself in the head with a tack hammer.
It?s funny that this was mentioned because I am on the Atkins diet. My attitude changed dramatically once I was off all the sugar and carbs but I still have a lack of focus... I know that I have an issue with sugar but I'm pretty sure that my symptoms of ADD are still there... I took a little questionnaire and had about 50% of the symptoms for ADD. I've been on the diet for over 2 months now and am doing quite well with weight loss and attitude change but I still have some depression and anxiety and a lack of drive.
So my g/fs dad is a Doctor with access to Ritalin so he gave me one dose... Supposedly if you take it and have a "speed" reaction then obviously you don?t need it but if you have no reaction then it?s a good chance you have ADD. Well I took it today and had no "speed" reaction instead I am just able to concentrate and focus like never before. I'm at work now and man things are just flowing from my brain with ease! I am much more relaxed and able to focus on the issues im facing. I do feel sluggish and a friend I was talking to on the phone said I sounded sedated. I don?t feel sedated though only slowed down and able to think much more easily.
So can you guys tell me where to look to for being diagnosed/treated?
I've got ADD, but I'm not being treated. Doc says I'm doing an awesome job controling it. I think I could do a lot better, but if he's happy with how I'm doing, I'm happy.
Cerb
Elite Member
- Aug 26, 2000
- 17,484
- 33
- 86
1) Changes in schools are what hurt people with ADD the most.
2) You need to see about getting rid of that shrink. I can see about medication, but discipline has little to do with boredom. One of the common things through anyone with ADD is that they will do near anything to not be bored.
3) The bad parenting is what causes all the misdiagnosed kids. not to mention, see #2.
After all, how many kids can really like phil collins that much?
yukichigai
Diamond Member
- Apr 23, 2003
- 6,404
- 0
- 0
Umm... actually that sounds like a speed reaction.
Seriously though, considering how utterly low the dose is compared to street speed that reaction sounds indicative of having ADD. (Either that or being extra sensitive to meth) In order to be diagnosed you have to go to a licensed psychiatrist... or is it psychologist? A shrink by any other name regardless. You'll have to go through about 2 weeks to a month of visits and such before you get your actual prescription, provided you have ADD.
Good luck yo.
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,337
- 136
ADD is a fraud. It's just something doctors tell people who have a lot of energy so they can sell more drugs. Having a lot of energy is a gift not a curse. Focus it. Manage it.
Doctors have told me that I've had ADD my whole life and I have always refused medication. I did very well in school, scored high on all my tests, and I have good career now. Don't believe the bullsh!t.
Doctors have told me that I've had ADD my whole life and I have always refused medication. I did very well in school, scored high on all my tests, and I have good career now. Don't believe the bullsh!t.
Originally posted by: yukichigai
Umm... actually that sounds like a speed reaction.
Seriously though, considering how utterly low the dose is compared to street speed that reaction sounds indicative of having ADD. (Either that or being extra sensitive to meth) In order to be diagnosed you have to go to a licensed psychiatrist... or is it psychologist? A shrink by any other name regardless. You'll have to go through about 2 weeks to a month of visits and such before you get your actual prescription, provided you have ADD.
Good luck yo.
Damn I have to go to a shrink! That really kinda sucks but then again I think its worth it... Thanks for the info!
Cerb
Elite Member
- Aug 26, 2000
- 17,484
- 33
- 86
This explains my 7th birthday party PERFECTLY. Also makes sense...I have an anti-sweet tooth.
...why is that? Coffee = good. That reminds me: when I get done reading this I'll be off roasting some.If you're treating a kid for ADD and you let them have caffiene regularly you need to hit yourself in the head with a tack hammer.
I myself have been diagnosed ADD since I was 8 years old. (I'm 19 now) I think drugging your kid because of ADD is the wrong thing to do. You need to setup better learning enviroments in order for the kid to be successful. If he is easily distracted, take away the distractions and sit with him and help him with his work. Better education/teachers/enviroment/willing parents >>>>> drugs.
Cerb
Elite Member
- Aug 26, 2000
- 17,484
- 33
- 86
Having lots of energy is a gift. having ADD has little to do with how much energy you have, much more to do with how you use it. A friend of mine w/ ADD has to be on medication because otherwise he's hyper and basically exhausts hismelf. I, on the other hand, usually just don't any energy, and hardly the best immune system. I got the best mental attributes (including the ADD, despite the sh!t it causes w/ schooling) from both sides of the family and worst physical.
-Cerbie, on Zyrtec and now 7-day old coffee.
yukichigai
Diamond Member
- Apr 23, 2003
- 6,404
- 0
- 0
Caffiene creates an ADD-like effect in normal people. In people with ADD it can have very random effects but almost always causes them to get so damn hyper you want to kill them. Hell, when I get on caffiene I want to kill me.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 21K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter