Posted by Viridis on June 23, 2003, at 23:39:59
In reply to Re: how do i know if i have add versus 'depression' » Lasagne, posted by bookgurl99 on June 23, 2003, at 15:50:19
Really, don't feel inferior if you turn out to have ADD. One therapist I saw (who urged medication, but wasn't licensed to prescribe) insisted on calling it "attention difference disorder". His point was that it had nothing to do with with intelligence, creativity, etc.; it's just a different way of viewing the world that doesn't always mesh with highly structured environments. I tend to agree.
I once asked my pdoc if I'd be considered "ADD" if I were in a different line of work that required less attention to long-term detail. He said something like, probably not, but you've made these choices and I'm medicating you for your situation -- that's all I can do.
So, you can radically change your life, or take meds that help you fit in, or find some compromise in between. I've chosen the compromise approach -- moderate med use (avoiding the ones that really change my personality, by trial and error), which allows me to focus better on a career that allows a lot of freedom and imagination.
poster:Viridis
thread:133458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030619/msgs/236511.html