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Controlling my ADHD became much easier once I figured out the science behind what was causing it. I was "diagnosed" as a young child, but my parents didn't "bel

by cgshaw 16y ago

Controlling my ADHD became much easier once I figured out the science behind what was causing it. I was "diagnosed" as a young child, but my parents didn't "believe it" and it shaped my youth. I was a bright kid, but a terrible student, impulsive and had trouble with organization, finishing things, etc. It's worth noting that ADHD has a huge co-morbidity with other diagnoses, bi-polar, depression, manic depressive, anxiety, etc. Often times if you treat the other condition it can help the ADHD and vice-versa. More than anything it's trial and error. It took me probably 18 months to really figure out what works best and I'm still not great at totally controlling it. I started with therapy and drugs. I've taken ritalin and adderall. Between those two drugs, I tried many different variations in dosing. The best for me was a 10mg XR in the morning and 2.5 mg IR in the afternoon. Without the IR I'd get a bitch of a headache in the afternoon / evening. On the regimen I got the best grades of my life. I was in the Top 10% of my law school class that semester. But I felt like shit. My eye twitched, I was constantly thirsty, my skin was really dry it was weird. So I took another course. I started meditation and working out. I have worked out a lot before, but I went to more of an aerobic based workout after I read the books below. It's kind of hard to get legitimate insight on this. Folks don't like telling their story. Feel free to email me if you want. I'll try to update this as the thread goes. 1. Spark the science of exercise by John Ratey (great read by someone who has ADHD) 2. Driven To Distraction : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood by Ed Hallowell and John Ratey.

anon_ADD 16y ago
Thanks a lot. I will get the books and see what they say. The biggest hurdle I have is there is no easy way of diagnosing other symptoms you mention. I find that I know more than my doctor about this condition and the internet is a far better resource of information than him. On a side note, I think one of my sons inherited my genes and has the same problem. He is young enough that bad organization, not finishing things etc is not causing him problems yet. But I expect that to change once he goes to the elementary school. What are your thoughts on giving ADD drugs to children? Would it have helped you if were on a drug regimen when you were young? I am scared of giving him drugs because of the side effects you mention(I get most of what you get plus the extreme insomnia). But if it is going to help his quality of life and learning, it might be a worthwhile thing.
- cgshaw 16y ago
  ADHD is highly hereditary. My mom's hyperactive and my dad's passive, it manifests in entirely different ways. I had some major insomnia as well, but that's been an ongoing battle. I knew WAY more about ADHD than the two different docs I saw. Primarily because I had a breakdown and read dozens of books on it before I realized I really needed help. I was working for a big law firm over the summer and just lost it. I had trouble working a lot in a mundane job I didn't like and I struggled big time. The most important thing is to find ways to do what you like. I can remember times where I'd slept 10 hours and woke up to read for class and fell right back asleep. You subconscious is a pain in the ass and when you have ADHD it can be nearly impossible to force yourself to do things you don't want to do. The only reason I was able to titrate my meds and play around with the dosage a lot was because I was very articulate with my doctors. I would explain what I read, how I felt, why I wanted to try different things and they were supportive. Far and away the best treatment for insomnia was to workout--hard. That's what Ratey's book is about. Not the vanity like I'm going to try to get jacked workout, but stressing out your body to the point where it focuses on rebuilding your body so your brain is forced to relax. I've often thought about how I'd raise my own kids (married, but no kids yet). I think I would let me kids fucking explore and play with them a ton. It's hard being a square peg and fitting in the round hole of compulsory education, but there has to be a better way than just letting him/her flounder like my parents were forced to with me. (Not by choice, they just didn't know better the information available on the brain and psychology is about 1,000 times better than 10 years ago).

by cgshaw 16y ago

anon_ADD 16y ago

Thanks a lot. I will get the books and see what they say. The biggest hurdle I have is there is no easy way of diagnosing other symptoms you mention. I find that I know more than my doctor about this condition and the internet is a far better resource of information than him. On a side note, I think one of my sons inherited my genes and has the same problem. He is young enough that bad organization, not finishing things etc is not causing him problems yet. But I expect that to change once he goes to the elementary school. What are your thoughts on giving ADD drugs to children? Would it have helped you if were on a drug regimen when you were young? I am scared of giving him drugs because of the side effects you mention(I get most of what you get plus the extreme insomnia). But if it is going to help his quality of life and learning, it might be a worthwhile thing.

cgshaw 16y ago
ADHD is highly hereditary. My mom's hyperactive and my dad's passive, it manifests in entirely different ways. I had some major insomnia as well, but that's been an ongoing battle. I knew WAY more about ADHD than the two different docs I saw. Primarily because I had a breakdown and read dozens of books on it before I realized I really needed help. I was working for a big law firm over the summer and just lost it. I had trouble working a lot in a mundane job I didn't like and I struggled big time. The most important thing is to find ways to do what you like. I can remember times where I'd slept 10 hours and woke up to read for class and fell right back asleep. You subconscious is a pain in the ass and when you have ADHD it can be nearly impossible to force yourself to do things you don't want to do. The only reason I was able to titrate my meds and play around with the dosage a lot was because I was very articulate with my doctors. I would explain what I read, how I felt, why I wanted to try different things and they were supportive. Far and away the best treatment for insomnia was to workout--hard. That's what Ratey's book is about. Not the vanity like I'm going to try to get jacked workout, but stressing out your body to the point where it focuses on rebuilding your body so your brain is forced to relax. I've often thought about how I'd raise my own kids (married, but no kids yet). I think I would let me kids fucking explore and play with them a ton. It's hard being a square peg and fitting in the round hole of compulsory education, but there has to be a better way than just letting him/her flounder like my parents were forced to with me. (Not by choice, they just didn't know better the information available on the brain and psychology is about 1,000 times better than 10 years ago).