Do I have ADHD-PI?

[Anonymous]

So I am pretty sure I have inattentive ADHD, but I am not sure and would like to know if any of this sounds typical.

Since I was about 11 years old I remember I started having a ‘foggy head’ and I also walked with stiff shoulders, had bad skin issues, as well as problems breathing (slow anxious breathing). I was incredibly tired all the time, could barely get up in the morning, couldn’t remember anything or pay attention in school, and was very shy. I didn’t really care about doing well in school, and usually did enough to “get by.” I was also the class clown usually, and that was cool with me.

I don’t enjoy talking to people; I have nothing against people but I find talking to people stressful. I also feel emotionless about everything, or have dulled emotions. My Dad will call and say he loves me, and I say I love him back but know I don’t feel anything the way I am supposed to. I don’t really feel happy, or motivated, because even when I do well at something, like get an A+ or when I finished University I didn’t really feel accomplished or happy, it didn’t really mean anything to me, and I kind of wonder why I even bothered.

I live by myself now and I have no friends, and I constantly lose my jobs because I’m “too awkward” or I forget to do things and get frustrated easily, they usually tell me I am stupid when they fire me (from say, a job like Foot Locker), but I have a University Degree, so on paper I guess I’m “smart.” I am running out of money now and could be homeless soon, and that doesn’t even bother me. It’s like I can’t see things are bad unless they are happening right in front of me.

I also don’t care when I get fired, I am usually happy that I don’t have to go somewhere every day anymore. I spend 90% of my time on the computer alone, at home, and part of me is OK with it but part of me is really alarmed and I feel like my life is passing me by. I just don’t feel motivated; I feel no emotional “drive” or anything. But I am not suicidal, and I am actually a very nice guy who likes to make others happy. I sometimes feel as though I don’t have a personality at all, or that there is a personality buried underneath somewhere that never is assertive enough to exist, and this makes me pretty unattractive to women, and to friends, understandably. I’m just kind of “there” passively, and I don’t take interest in anything, I feel like I am spending 90% of my mental effort to just fit in and say the right thing, so I don’t like social activity very much.

Anyway, if I start taking something like Adderall or Ritalin, will I suddenly have a personality and emotions and motivation? How does that work exactly?

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[Anonymous]

canadianpoop

I can relate to some of the things you are saying, The ‘foggy head’ is what I have felt like for a good part of my life

I graduated from university in 1984

I was diagnosed after graduating from university with depression. Even with antidepressants I did not receive

much relief

In Nov 2011 I was diagnosed with ADD. The difference with proper treatment has been remarkable

My foggy brain has gone away. I seem to be responding well with stimulants (Concerta – same class of drug as Adderall, Ritalin)

Also I have been able to concentrate much better and I can stay focused. My irritability and depressed mood has improved.

Because I was treated very late I have had many years developing poor coping mechanisms

One of the many issues I dealt with was procrastination, poor organization, forgetting

Needless to say it has caused me many problems with jobs, relationships and general life

I also could never appreciate or accept my successes

FIRST STEP

in your post you have recognized that you are needing help that is the first step

I strongly suggest that your first priority is first to get some help first through your GP. You should be honest and

explain how you feel and how you think it has affected you. Yous should be referred to a specialist who can help and

your doctor will help do this

The next step is getting a proper diagnosis. This can be determined through a skilled psychiatrist who also deals with

Adult ADD/ADHD. Depending on your diagnosis the doctor will develop a treatment plan

There is help available. You also need support. Letting family (your father) who care about you know you are having problems

is very important. They can provide support in finding help.

You can get help for your situation and it may not seem like it now but with the proper treatment you will feel better.

Once you feel better you will find a lot of the day-to-day problems will get better.

If you do in fact have ADD/ADHD the psychiatrist will prescribe the appropriate medication (it may be Ritalin, etc.)

Also you will be able to receive support from counselors/therapists that you can talk to and help with making changes

that will help.

The improvement will be gradual and you will work closely with your doctor to make sure that you are responding to treatment

Go get the help and let the people who love you and care about know you are having some problems

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[Saffron]

@canadian, I get everything you’re saying. It almost sounds as if you’ve adapted your behaviour so thoroughly just to fit in that you’ve lost any reason for your ADD brain to love life.

For what it’s worth, I find it exhausting to the spirit to live within the confines of normal life and socially acceptable behaviour without the support of ADD meds. I am currently not taking meds for my ADD because of an apparent interaction with another, necessary, med. As a result, I’ve had to adopt a well-thought-out backup plan to keep the state of mind and habits you describe at bay.

So, YES, I believe medication would help you with all of this. I think you will be amazed by the difference.

Note: If and when you do go that route, it will be important to take advantage of that first burst of motivation and mental energy from the meds to break out of your routine (e.g. stay off the Internet for the first two days, pick some productive pastimes, contact a few people).

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[Anonymous]

Saffron you are right about getting treatment.

I think canadian needs to get the help quickly. There is a lot going on there.

Drawing on your family support system is also important.

In my own experience depression was something that needed to be treated. It is a catch 22 though.

Once i got out of the stressful situation my mood got better.

After a while all aspects of you life become stressful creating anxiety, depression, etc.

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[Anonymous]

Actually, I think I may have had childhood depression that was never treated or recognized since I was 10 years old.

I started taking Omega-3 with 5HTP (100mg) for the last three days and I feel like all my problems socializing and concentrating have vanished completely already, and I finally understand the world and people, feel like I have feelings and a personality and opinion, and my vision and breathing have changed dramatically, it’s amazing. I appreciate the replies and answers..happy ending to this story. I figure I should come post a follow-up because you’re a nice caring bunch of people, maybe I can cheer someone up.

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