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Adult ADD - any sufferers here?
- Thread starter Relic
- Start date
I find it interesting people have been told to go to a Psychologist / Psychiatrist to be diagnosed with ADD/ ADHD. Perhaps it's because I went to a Neurologist. Not saying one way is better than others, just hadn't thought about it that way.
I'm glad this thread is here. I'm reading so much that I also deal with on a daily basis. I knew I wasn't alone, but you don't always realize things it might be effecting.
*re-posted to hopefully get some opinions*
Are there any small internet based tests you can take just to see if you might possibly have it? I've been noticing that I have trouble staying focused on one thing for any real length of time before my mind begins to go elsewhere. Heck, even things I do enjoy sometimes can't keep me captivated for as long as they used to. For example, I'll set up my desk so I can begin working on a project, but then I'll feel the need to clean my room. I'll do that for a bit, come back and do work for 5-15 minutes, and then I'll just have to run downstairs to the corner mart to buy something. I'll get back to my room, work again for a little bit, but then I'll have to check Talkbass or go talk to a roommate just because I can't stay focused. Basically, a task that should have taken maybe an hour or two to do will have taken me a whole day because I couldn't stay seated and on task for more than minutes at a time.
I'm a pretty smart cookie and have never had these issues before, but over the past year or so it has become a much more noticeable problem. *edit* And that's the thing that gets me; I've never had this kind of problem before. It really only started popping up when I was about 20 or so.
Are there any small internet based tests you can take just to see if you might possibly have it? I've been noticing that I have trouble staying focused on one thing for any real length of time before my mind begins to go elsewhere. Heck, even things I do enjoy sometimes can't keep me captivated for as long as they used to. For example, I'll set up my desk so I can begin working on a project, but then I'll feel the need to clean my room. I'll do that for a bit, come back and do work for 5-15 minutes, and then I'll just have to run downstairs to the corner mart to buy something. I'll get back to my room, work again for a little bit, but then I'll have to check Talkbass or go talk to a roommate just because I can't stay focused. Basically, a task that should have taken maybe an hour or two to do will have taken me a whole day because I couldn't stay seated and on task for more than minutes at a time.
I'm a pretty smart cookie and have never had these issues before, but over the past year or so it has become a much more noticeable problem. *edit* And that's the thing that gets me; I've never had this kind of problem before. It really only started popping up when I was about 20 or so.
Online tests they say can indicate problems but never confirm an actual disorder.
I realized yesterday that one of the effects of Adderrall is that it eliminated my G.A.S. 
Last week I even listed on eBay bunch of stuff I bought related to bass playing, but barely used (including a couple of basses ). It's not just bass stuff, either. I've put my boxes of old books in the car, the ones that I read years ago and haven't touched since. I'm taking them to the used bookstore this weekend to unload them. I've kept those books for no good reason for years, moving them from place to place. The boxes are pretty tattered by now, barely holding together.
When I was into astronomy in the 90's and early 2000's I had major GAS, all the time. New camera, new telescope, new mount, new eyepiece, assemble it all and use it once or twice, then sell it and get something else. The most exotic gear was the most attractive. Russian Maksutovs, custom refractors with special glass, giant eyepieces the size and heft of a hand grenade. I sold most of that stuff a long time ago, but much of it is still with me, sitting in boxes. I still have the objective lens for an Askania Cinetheodolite, for a project I never really even got started. I bought the thing because of the idea of it and because it was vintage gear from the space race era, not because it was practical or useful.
Oh, look: Contraves EOTS Cinetheodolite Telescope Missile Tracker (ebay)
Last week I even listed on eBay bunch of stuff I bought related to bass playing, but barely used (including a couple of basses ). It's not just bass stuff, either. I've put my boxes of old books in the car, the ones that I read years ago and haven't touched since. I'm taking them to the used bookstore this weekend to unload them. I've kept those books for no good reason for years, moving them from place to place. The boxes are pretty tattered by now, barely holding together. When I was into astronomy in the 90's and early 2000's I had major GAS, all the time. New camera, new telescope, new mount, new eyepiece, assemble it all and use it once or twice, then sell it and get something else. The most exotic gear was the most attractive. Russian Maksutovs, custom refractors with special glass, giant eyepieces the size and heft of a hand grenade. I sold most of that stuff a long time ago, but much of it is still with me, sitting in boxes. I still have the objective lens for an Askania Cinetheodolite, for a project I never really even got started. I bought the thing because of the idea of it and because it was vintage gear from the space race era, not because it was practical or useful.
Oh, look: Contraves EOTS Cinetheodolite Telescope Missile Tracker (ebay)
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Very true, I just wanted to see if there were any that might say, "yeah, you might want to get that checked out just to be sure." Or at a minimum, see if anyone here could read that and say it sounds similar to problems they have if they personally have ADD/ADHD.
A few other posts in this thread, like how caffeine affects ADD people, actually resonate loudly with me. That stuff tends to calm me down and not get me jacked.
I'm medically diagnosed with A.D.D. and I think the jokes are pretty funny.
I started on Vyvance last May. It works. It makes life easier on my family. I had a coping mechanism that I developed as kid where I would concentrate so hard that I would block out everything and everyone around me to accomplish a task. I wasn't catatonic and it wasn't all the time but it was annoying for my family. I reluctantly agreed to try medication after going without the first 45 years of my life. I wish I had done this many years ago. It helps with my multi-tasking and I don't get annoyed with people who interrupt me when I'm on a task.
My youngest daughter is ADD as well and I watched her go through the diagnostic process and the medication really helped her.
I started on Vyvance last May. It works. It makes life easier on my family. I had a coping mechanism that I developed as kid where I would concentrate so hard that I would block out everything and everyone around me to accomplish a task. I wasn't catatonic and it wasn't all the time but it was annoying for my family. I reluctantly agreed to try medication after going without the first 45 years of my life. I wish I had done this many years ago. It helps with my multi-tasking and I don't get annoyed with people who interrupt me when I'm on a task.
My youngest daughter is ADD as well and I watched her go through the diagnostic process and the medication really helped her.
I've got it bad. I've been on and off medication for it for the past 21 years. At the urging of my long suffering wife, I'm back on the pills. I'd only taken ritalin before (except for an experiment with some non stimulant that went terribly) but now I'm on a new variation of Adderall. I think the brand name is Vyvanse, it's dextroamphetamine thats somehow attached to lysene acid (i think...) the point being that it smooths out the delivery and makes it last almost all day for me. I find it to be much superior to ritalin because I am less nervous and jumpy on it, it doesn't give me headaches like ritalin did, and my personality is basically unchanged. Except now I can focus on stuff that I don't care about, I can keep my mind from wandering off during a conversation, and I have a **** ton more energy...I guess that's what amphetamines do for you. Also I've lost some weight without even trying. I definitely recommend it if you are unhappy with ritalin. The only downside is there's no generic form so it is expensive.
I was on a med called Straterra. I believe it was a non-stimulant. Made me very depressed, and didn't help enough with the ADD to make the side effects worth it.
I was put on that too. It didn't work for me either. I had similar side effects. I was very irritable with my family. It did help my ADD but at an expense. I was also tried on Concerta. It worked also but I would crash late in the day and get really tired. I was ready to blow off the meds and then it was suggested that I try Vyvance. It seems to be working well and it lasts all through the day into the evening.
My diagnosis came after going through the diagnosis process with my daughter. Realizing I went through the same issues and symptoms as a kid and then going through the same trials with different medications with her made me decide to get tested.
One side effect my daughter had from Ritalin was Paranoia. Similar to what a Methamphetamine user would get. She was young around 10 at the time and would think everyone was trying to poison her. She would freak out and refuse to eat food from at a restaurant or at a friends house. Her friends parents would think she was rude and obnoxious. It was pretty sad and alarming. The doctor figured it out right away and switched her to Concerta and the Paranoia stopped. We actually have a good laugh about that now. She has a good sense of humor about it all even back then. She is 17 going on 18 now and graduating high school in June. If not for the Vyvance she may not be graduating.
The Concerta or Vyvance? Either one worked but my daughter crashed on the Concerta too so she was switched to Vyvance. But the Concerta was definitely better then the Ritalin.
Glad to help. Unfortunately if you Try Vyvance (like another poster said) there is no generic available. It's expensive. With my insurance I pay the maximum copay which is $30.00 each month for my daughter and my self so $60.00 a month. If you don't have insurance coverage for it will cost around $140.00 a month. You can get it filled at a Costco Rx for around $98.00.
I got diagnosed in 2004, and have been on Concerta the whole time. I still struggle with things like follow-up and hate sitting at a desk all day - but the meds and the awareness of the ADHD have helped immensely.
ADHD can be covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, so don't hestitate to ask your employer if you need something, such as extended work hours to get your work done or the ability to wear headphones at your desk.
ADHD can be covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, so don't hestitate to ask your employer if you need something, such as extended work hours to get your work done or the ability to wear headphones at your desk.
This sounds very similar to me, I have a really well documented case of childhood ADHD. I would say go check with a doctor or ADHD specialist, just NEVER use ADHD as an excuse for poor work, it may take a lot of effort but eventually you will figure out ways to handle it.
Possibly both, as I'm not sure which will work (or if either will). Having issues with my insurance, and am currently shopping around for another provider. Also being Epileptic means having to make sure the ADD med plays nice with my Epilepsy meds. Messing that up could mean a long hospital stay, or a one way trip to the other side.
I've got a great Neurologist I've been seeing for many years now. Expense is another issue. My Epilepsy meds aren't cheap, and if I have to do without one, it'll have to be the ADD meds.
Stimulants always have no or calming effect on ADHD , add people. I was put on Ritalin back in the 80s,it's a stimulant...gramma described me as a zombie. She told my mom while I was there visiting I'm not taking that crap! Lol
I'm not diagnosed ADD, but they said I was hyperactive..took me off sugar ...doesn't do a thing. Anyways..I have a hard time focusing, even on the bass...but I can focus on my bus driving job. Low self esteem, usually fail at stuff I like to do...I quit cos I can't focus....was pretty confounded in school...I'm not even practicing bass since Nov...can't focus, can't sit down and figure what to do.
I'm not diagnosed ADD, but they said I was hyperactive..took me off sugar ...doesn't do a thing. Anyways..I have a hard time focusing, even on the bass...but I can focus on my bus driving job. Low self esteem, usually fail at stuff I like to do...I quit cos I can't focus....was pretty confounded in school...I'm not even practicing bass since Nov...can't focus, can't sit down and figure what to do.
