Self Medicating

[Anonymous]

I read that ADHD is caused by a lack of dopamine, does anyone know if that is true? I was self medicating by taking a drug called heroin,

it worked pretty good but it was getting kinda’ expensive so I gave it up. I would like to take proper medical help now. How would one go

about getting diagnosed ? I presented my symptoms (many) to a psychiatrist but I don’t think he believed that ADHD was real so he just

blew me off now I am up the creek without a paddle

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[Anonymous]

I bought one of the ADD books featured on the WNED television special shown the other night. I find it very hard to concentrate enough to read it, I have to go one sentence at a time and really concentrate hard otherwise I will not remember what I have read. Is this normal for ADD?

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[Anonymous]

Yep. For sure. I have always been a good reader, but I still find it hard to read certain things. Especially non-fiction that is not broken up into small chunks of information. I think I only read fiction well because it suited my daydreamy mind. It has always been my escape. But I still struggle with even easy to read things when there are distractions around, or when I am tired. And if a book doesn’t catch my interest in the first few pages then I don’t have much hope for sticking with it.

My ADHD son also reads well OR comprehends well, but cannot do both together. He never reads for pleasure. If he is read to, he can understand a book fine. If he has to read out aloud, he reads very well but does not take in very much of what he reads. His mind can only do part of the reading job at any one time.

Try audiobooks. There are some books on ADHD available in audio format. Just google audiobooks and ADHD. I love audiobooks because I can listen to them while I do housework, rather than get stuck in a normal book and ignore everything I should be doing!! And they are great for helping me get to sleep too.

As for finding a psychiatrist….I got some names from our local ADHD organisation, but had issues with one not being at the same number, one being retired, and the other not taking any new patients. My GP said that if I had no luck with the psychiatrist I have an appointment with (I had to go with an unknown one in the end) then I should ask the ones on the ADHD organisation’s list for some names of who they would recommend.

Don’t give up. If you can find support from somewhere, then it will make all the difference too. I found support in my GP. She is fantastic and I was so relieved to find that she was willing to believe me and support me even though she has never dealt with adult ADHD before. Having someone on your side to give you moral support is the best way to get through the diagnostic process without giving up.

Good luck!

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[Anonymous]

Hi, thanks for helping, I can read and my reading comprehension has always been on the high side but I just cannot retain what I read. I cannot follow complicated explanations or theories, wether written or spoken, I don’t know if I have ADD or a learning disability but I have done enough research to know there are tests available out there that would give conclusive evidence one way or the other. I was reluctant to see my family Dr. about it because I was under the impression that the diagnosis was so tricky that only certain “ADHD” specialists could do the diagnosis. I will look into it much more but thanks again for your help, it was REALLY appreciated.

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[Scattybird]

Hi guys – doing back to self-medication….. has anyone tried taking tyrosine and phenylalanine supplements. I read somewhere that these amino acids are precursors of dopamine and can help. Has anyone tried the natural approach or these in particular and if so, what was your experience? Thanks.

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[Anonymous]

I don’t know enough about those compounds to really speak intelligently on the subject but just from reading though the wikipedia articles it seems the effects would be subtle if any on dopamine levels and if you’re having as much trouble reading as @shootingallery then you probably need some proper diagnosis and treatment.

Difficultly reading was one of my main reasons for seeking treatment in the first place, I’m still not reading much more than I was prior to treatment but when I do it is a lot easier but I still don’t enjoy it and as the others said I strongly prefer audio books.

The doctor pointed out that reading is a skill and the fact I’ve avoided it all my life is probably a factor in addition to my attention disorder.

Also becuase of my extremely poor spelling and other specific difficulties the doctor suspects that I may have some sort of a learning disability along the lines of dyslexia.

I have self medicated a little bit in that I tried ADHD meds before I ever went in for treatment. I also noticed that psuedoephedrine (cold medicine) helped my productivity immensely even though I was miserable with a cold I would always get more done and feel more in control and organized when I was on it.

It does not work in the long term though becuase your body builds up a tolerance quickly and it can be addictive and cause all sorts of problems so please DON’T try to self medicate with it.

Go get a second opinion from an ADULT ADHD specialist!

It’s such complicated area of study that I would not trust anyone elses opinion, they simply won’t have access to the level of specific knowledge and experience that a specialist will. If they still don’t think it’s ADHD than you probably have some other issue causing your difficulties.

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[Scattybird]

Hi – wise words lurknessmonster – thanks. Reading itself isn’t an issue but concentrating on what I read certainly is. I guess it’s all too complicated as you say. I think you made a good point about the subtle effects things like tyrosine might have. I don’t need subtle effects, I need something that’s going to explode in my brain and shake me into focusing, concentrating and not procrastinating any more. Subtle won’t do it.

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[JimC.]

@shootingallery: take the virtual ADD test on this site; it’s not definitive but at least it might help in starting diagnosis. Take the results to family doc and see if s/he can either help or recommend someone that can, and will.

Yes it’s typical to struggle with text, and also to self-medicate. Both can be helped with proper diagnosis and meds, but I stress everyone is different and we all use different meds, methods, and coping strategies.

Good luck, Jim

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[Scattybird]

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[Scattybird]

Sorry about the blank – I edited my post and lost it. Giving up on this one!

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[Anonymous]

I am having a problem using Concerta successfully………I find that I run to it, every time I am getting tired if it’s not bedtime, and if I have an emotional problem. What do you do, if you need the medication, but it’s hard for you not to abuse it. I know I can ask my pharmacy to dispense one a day, and that’s what I may have to do…………….

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[Anonymous]

Starlak77, it is not my place to advise, but I will share this……………many of the meds prescribed for ADD(H) are serious.

If I may…..some folks find that ADD meds are a great benefit, others find they are a good “leg up”….or part of a number of elements that make their life shine. Diet can be a huge factor….not just the Canada food guide thing but getting to organic foods where possible, and working with a nutritional professional to understand what things one should be eating and why.

We are what we eat (cliche I know), and so much food today is a “chemical hodgepodge”, that it is really in our best interest to understand what we are eating…..and more importantly what we SHOULD be eating and why. Just because it is sold in a grocery store does not mean it is good for us….chemical sprays and feedlot procedures are terrible for us…..

Exercise, (sure sure)…..is critical to good emotional and mental health. Regular exertion expels toxins and oxygenates the blood and brain, and relieves stress and tension. Fact is 10 minuets, or simply exercising during the commercials… while watching TV in the evening is enough to make one feel better than they ever did. It doesn’t take much, but it must be regular.

Counseling can provide a world (lifetime)of benefits as well. I feel it doesn’t have to be an ADD counselor either……but a good counselor you can work with. I went for years and it provided me with a lifetime of learning understand and peace…..a life with no regrets. I’m 61 and never once ever regretted the time I spent in counseling. Best thing I ever did….EVER!!!!

So careful…..meds can be a great tool……but abuse could cause an additional world of problems. Many folks here subscribe to the multi-point concept of managing their wellness, some include meds in that regime……..and have a great deal of success in their lives from it.

I’m just sayin’…….

Toofat

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[Anonymous]

I AM A 55 YEAR OLD MALE DIAGNOSED TWO MONTHS AGO WITH ADD BY A PSYCHIATRIST. ALL MY LIFE I MADE MY LIVING BY

MY WITS, AS IN HMMM…. DON’T ASK. QUESTION: I AM TRYING TO ATTEMPT MY GED (HIGH SCHOOL) TEST BUT REQUIRE EXTRA

TIME ON THE TEST AS IN I HAVE TO TAKE XTRA TIME TO ASSESS THE QUESTIONS. GED HAS A FORM WHEREBY YOUR DR.

CAN SPECIFY THAT YOU NEED X-TRA TIME. ANYONE ACTUALLY SEEN THIS FORM ???? EASIER TO FIND BIN LADEN OR RAID

FT. KNOX, THEY WANT DOCUMENTED PROOF OF THIS DISABILITY BEFORE AGE 12, THEY DIDN’T EVEN RECOGNIZE IT BACK

THEN, PLUS IT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE A PSYCHIATRIST AN HOUR TO FILL OUT THE FORMS AND WHO PAYS FOR THAT ??

YOU DO $$$$$ DOES THIS SOUND FAIR ?? DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH EDUCATION/ADD “ACCOMODATION”

AND ONES LEGAL RIGHTS ???? i DO NOT WISH TO ABANDON MY GOALS BECAUSE OF HAVING IMPOSSIBLE, UNNECESSARY,

EXPENSIVE, BEUROCRATIC HURDLES PLACED IN THE WAY OF MY PROGRESS ….

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[Anonymous]

I was diagnosed with ADD in Nov 2011. Prior to that the working diagnosis was depression for 25 years. Needless to say the antidepressant was only useful when I hit bottom after first getting stressed then not sleeping and a high level of anxiety.

Fortunately I had a healthy fear of self-medicating using prescription and street drugs. Part of that fear came from knowledge I gained from working in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. I suffered and went through a lot of pain in my life. I am lucky and had a good support system.

I am not judging or preaching about self-medicating but please anyone having problems – see a doctor or a licensed mental health counselor. Most medications have side effects and can interact with other prescriptions, foods, alcohol, etc. What may have short term benefits could cause harm

I am now in my 50’s and learning about ADD and how to manage it. At times I am overwhelmed but remind myself I only learned about my ADD 3 months ago.

toofat – I know your post is 2 months old but i always find your comments are positive and helpful. The diet and exercise is so important.

starlaK77 – I would strongly suggest you talk to your doctor They can change the drug, dosage or do other things to help

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[scrapper]

I was self medicating in the early part of my life, but had no idea. I always felt great and normal when abusing speed or white cross. I quit doing that many years ago. I’m over 50 and just found out. I am taking adderall now, it is working great, but I’m noticeing I need more, or different treatment help. I’m looking for other things to help with the problem, I have seen 2 different shows on the tv, really informitive. I did know I had problems when it started interfering with my ablity and quality of life. It became a real problem in the middle 90’s, getting worst every year. We adoped our daughters and we had a family counselor to help with some problems the kids were having and was able to figure out that I had aadd. She was at the level that she could recommend meds and DR. will do it. I started on stratera . worked alittle. I talked to my DR. and he had no problem putting me on adderall. I got tested and found the problem was worst and that DR. raised adderall to 30mg. I want to overcome the problem so I do want more help and am going to find it on my own. I dont advice abusing drugs it is a terrible road to go down, I was afraid to take the adderall because of that road.It is working out great right now. It is best to see a DR. for meds not the corner dr. feelgood. GOOD LUCK!!! it has to get better

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[Author]

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