Posted by Sara T on June 8, 2000, at 12:03:10
In reply to Re: someone please please help!!!!!!! » ryan_s, posted by leslye on June 7, 2000, at 11:49:01
> ryan, have you found your local chapter of CHADD (children and adults with ADD)? If not, go the their national web site (www.chadd.org) and find your closest chapter - you can call them, and usually they will have a list of local docs who are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of ADD in adults- your story is extremely common - often we see parents who have tried their kids' ritalin or adderal, or college students who have taken their roommate's meds- I think it is human nature!!!Docs who treat ADD aren't as shy about using stimulants - and, my belief ( and I beleive the consensus of the current treatment community) is that even in adults, stimulants are still first choice. you may end up needing a supplement of another agent if your anxiety doesn't respond to the stims, but alot of folks do well just on stims. Good luck hunting down someone who really knows what to do with adult ADD. leslye
Ryan,
I second what Leslye said. I am an adult with ADD and only realized it through my child's condition. I also tried some of his ritalin before seeing a doc and concluded it worked for me. It is very important that you find a pdoc who know adult ADD. Also, bring your school records with you so that you can validate your belief by comments from teachers as well as family. Diagnosis of ADD in adults requires a careful history taking.
Also, depression and anxiety are commonly comorbid conditions with ADD, and as my pdoc said, it is hard to tease them apart. Effexor is an antodepressant used in ADD treatment because it has an activating effect similar to stimulants. I agree with others also, that you need to give your meds a fair trial.
Finally, pick up the book, DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION, authors Ratey and Hallowell.
Sara T.
poster:Sara T
thread:36332
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000603/msgs/36564.html