[ADDled]

Dr. Laurence Jerome

90 Wharncliffe Road South

London, ON N6J 2K1

519 432 3818

Highly recommended…he has helped me a lot with my adult ADHD.

Hope this helps.

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[ADDled]

Based on my experience, it can get worse sometimes. Stress and anxiety can amplify the symptoms. But because we can’t actually measure the impact of symptoms with a meter or gauge, or because ADHD is a spectrum disorder, we end up relying on our opinions or self-reports. And that makes even more difficult to be objective. The question I always ask myself is: “Where is the evidence?”.

Maybe it’s not as bad as you think…..and just your reaction to it?

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[ADDled]

haraldbenz

Is your dosage too low? Has your Doctor considered either ramping up the dosage or adding another stimulant in additional to the Adderall XR?

I’m currently on Concerta and my psychiatrist has added Strattera as a booster. That combination seems to work quite well.

Hope this helps…

 

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[ADDled]

I have a 9-5 office job and I absolutely HATE it. Staring at spreadsheets in a grey coloured cube is boring beyond belief. Then there is the “administrivia” which seems to increase more and more and is more urgent than the actual work I need to do.

I much prefer to work with my hands. Or in some sort of creative environment where my ADHD can be a force for good instead of evil. There was something on the radio about a software firm in Germany that has hired people with Asperger’s and autism for scanning lines of computer code for errors. It seems the ability to hyperfocus and to see patterns is an advantage. This report went on to say a company in Halifax (?) or somewhere on the right coast of Canada, was doing the same thing.

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[ADDled]

keeping the faith,

Good for you to support him through all this. A supporting, understanding spouse is one of the keys. As someone who discovered I had ADHD later in life maybe I can provide some insight.

It will take a while to adjust to this. Maybe he is still adjusting? Hopefully soon, he will realize there are still things that need investigating.

Generally adapting to an ADHD brain style is about “pills and skills”. Therapy and counselling are as important as medication. Maybe the therapist wasn’t the right one and the chemistry wasn’t there.

In a lot of cases, symptoms of depression and ADHD can overlap making an accurate diagnosis difficult. Usually, psychologists will attempt to to reduce the impact of the most serious condition, then treat other less severe conditions once the major one is under control. And sometimes, an antidepressant such as Wellbutrin can also help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Maybe increasing the dose of Wellbutrin could help.

I can’t say for sure, but perhaps the psychologist felt there was enough of an improvement to warrant not pursuing treatment for ADHD at this time. Perhaps a follow-up with the psychologist could identify any outstanding issues? I my case I see the Dr. every three or four months to see if any adjustments are required.

There are lots of resources here on this website to help the both of you. The videos made by Rick and Patrick , the founders of the website, are good for raising awareness in a fun way.

Assure him he’s not “broken”: just a different “brain style”.

Hope this helps…

 

 

 

 

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[ADDled]

I agree that taking risks are a necessary part of career success, but there may be consequences if this backfires. Success has a thousand fathers, but failure is an orphan.

Drive is not enough. There has to be a supportive environment to encourage taking risks. But it seems it’s risk avoidance rather than risk taking where I work. Budgets are too tight and deadlines too short to  impact any of these because something didn’t work out.

When I see neuro-normals struggling with this, what it going to be like for someone with ADHD?

I’ve learned a long time ago not identify with my occupation. And I think that is causing problems for me now because I refuse to drink the corporate Kool-Aid. My managers detect this. I’m sorry, but being a loyal, dedicated employee hasn’t paid-off  for me. Rather, I identify with who I am and my hobbies and all other aspects of my personal life: that gives me a better self-worth than work has ever done. This is where I can take risks. Knowing that I can safely fail becomes another learning experience without the fear being judged. Self-awareness is the approach to everything I do now.

Hope this helps…

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[ADDled]

The thing to be aware of when deciding about a career choice is the possibility of deluding yourself  into thinking you can succeed at doing anything if you are on meds, have a coach or counselling or are willing to work hard. I also know there are ADHDers who can succeed.

I thought I could do that, but the thing to also remember is that whatever comes easier to most people can be difficult for people with ADHD. Because our brains work harder than “neuro-norms” there is remains a real possibility to burn out. When you really need to apply yourself in a stressful situation at work, you may not have the cerebral reserve or horsepower (as I call it) to get through when everyone else makes it look relatively easy.

Speaking from personal experience, I tried to adapt at working in a career that was intrinsically not compatible with my brain style, but I really believed I could makes those changes to succeed. Meds, counselling, coaching, strategies and work arounds. Then I hit a mental and emotional brick wall. I just didn’t care anymore about my job. And I didn’t care if I was fired. The company was fully aware of my ADHD and some accommodations we made. Even that couldn’t help. I dreaded going into work each day and then all that angst started spilling into my personal life. If my anxiety about work stops me from going to sleep, the depression wouldn’t let me get out of bed.

So think real hard about whether you can make the emotional investment before choosing a career.

Hope this helps….

 

 

 

 

 

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[ADDled]

In my case, it is the ADHD, but it’s made worse when in a anxiety situation (which seems to be most of the time).

I found out making notes when this happens helps. I also using “mind-maps”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map

They have been quiet helpful.

If you are in school, college, or university you can get assistive accommodations such as using an audio recording device, extra time for exams, or in some cases someone is provided for you to make notes, I believe. Contact the learning institution for other examples.

Hope this helps

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[ADDled]

Somebody once said there is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness (or madness).

As a “fellow traveller” that has an interest in trains in model railroading, I don’t think it’s ADHD this guy has. I’ve been around enough of these people (35+ years) to know that they can be more OCD than ADHD. That’s not to say some don’t have ADHD, but if they do, they have found a very creative outlet where the symptoms for the most part aren’t debilitating. I wonder how many relationships have been saved by this creative outlet rather than participating in risker behaviour such as alcohol, drug abuse or gambling.

Speaking from personal experience, it’s one of the few times that my powers can be put to a good purpose rather than evil. It’s also all part of building confidence because we can all use a little of that. And that almost all people in the hobby are non-judgemental about whether you have ADHD, depression, OCD: you are only judged on your ability to create something in a reduced reality with your hands; or your dedication to a cause, such as being part of a historical society restoring an old steam locomotive for operation.

Jason is the owner of a Canadian company that produces high quality, highly detailed and accurate (a quality very important to us) model railway passengers cars and locomotives for our hobby. His products are highly appreciated and we have the highest respect for him. The fact Jason has a mock-up of full size passenger car in his basement comes a no surprise to us. We see him as being very fortunate. I’ve meet him and my ADDdar didn’t pick that up. There is the energy and dedication though.

I’m part of a club that displays our layout at trains shows. Occasionally, we see parents with Asperger or Autistic kids watching the trains go around. And  parents will often comment the  symptoms are often reduced just by watching the trains.

Crazy? Fanatics? Crackpots? Sure. But definitely not “heads in a duffle bag crazy”. I can see why those looking from the outside may wonder if we are all totally mad.

Hope this helps

 

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[ADDled]

I read this article the other day and, while I feel sorry for her and I ‘m glad she is better now,  wondered if we were talking about the same ADHD. I know it presents differently for females than males, so maybe I’m missing something here?

My first thought was “Well, we all feel like this when there is a significant emotional event”. Does that make it an automatic ADHD diagnosis in this case? She didn’t have a sense of her life derailing prior to this. Did her doctor (what credentials do they have to accurately make this diagnosis?) do any of the background research to find if she even had this as a child? Where’s the evidence?

I could think of few other conditions that mimic ADHD, such as anxiety for example, and was this investigated? Responding to stimulant medication will for for just about anybody.

And, of course, she writing a book about her experience.

Not a very well written article, I think. Kinda a “fluff” piece, really. But it’s this kind of journalism that just adds to the pool of the skepticism about ADHD because it reinforces the idea that everyone has ADHD at some point in there lives, so why does that make ADHD a disorder?

Anyone else feel this way?

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[ADDled]

Thanks, Larynxa

I have been keeping copious notes about this since asking for accommodations almost four years ago. I ‘ve had several meetings with HR during that time and was eventually granted  some of the accommodations (dual computer monitors and allowed extra time to complete my work). But the real simple, and obvious, accommodations weren’t granted (an audio recording device, locating  to work in a distraction-free area, transferring to a section that relies less executive functioning skills, such as organizing, planning, budgeting). Everything has been documented.

Now, after the last performance review, the company wants to review my accommodations to see what else has to be done to improve my work performance.

The result of having to deal with all this stuff at work for the last several years has caused my anxiety to kick into overdrive and now I can’t tell where my ADHD symptoms stop and anxiety symptoms take over. Both augment the already existing negative feedback loop. I’m burnt out and running on empty. Plus the fact I’m, on average, twice the average age of everyone else in my section…and the only one with that dubious distinction. I can’t help but feel there is a bull’s eye on my back.

And this is where my peasant background takes over and says “Something wicked this way comes”.

I’m thinking seriously about moving up my retirement from 18 months to six months and just get out, but I feel the company has an entirely different plan.

Do I stand my ground, call the Ministry of Labour and file a complaint now while I’m still working? Or just let it all go and count the days to retirement…

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[ADDled]

I couldn’t ask for more of more of an authority on the subject that you!

Thanks for helping me correct my assumptions

Take care…

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[ADDled]

I work in a cube farm, unfortunately, and the office background noise is extremely distracting regardless of the counter-measures I use to keep what’s left of my sanity.

These include the use of “noise-reduction” headphones that enclose the entire ear. But, the big misconception of noise reduction technology is that it does not totally result in complete sound reduction: there is still “leakage”. So it merely reduces the volume, and  if you are sound sensitive, an audio distraction is still audio distraction, regardless of the decibel level. Sometimes I’m forced to use ear plugs as well as the headphones to reduce the audio distraction to the point where I can almost fully concentrate on my work. I have listened to my tunes on my iPhone, but the volume has to be at “11”.

My concerns have been raised with my supervisors, several times, including performance reviews (and, of course, my performance generally is below average). It even went as far as the HR dept (a tip….HR is not your friend) and even they failed to understand the impact on ADHD.

There was this female co-worker in the next cube who had a laugh like a demented hyena. It was just that irritating and disruptive. And she would always find something to guffaw about several times a day. I asked my supervisor to speak to her supervisor about reducing the noise. That lasted two days.

Even though though working in a quiet area was recommended as an accommodation by the psychologist who confirmed my diagnosis, it has been consistently dismissed as not possible. And I know the company is required by law to provide accommodation “up to the point of undo hardship”. This is large, multi-national company that makes more money than Bill Gates, so hardship is not the issue. When I stated during the HR meeting “perhaps I should puncture my eardrums with an ice-pick? Would that solve my problem?” all I got was a dumb stare.

HR’s recommendation was to start earlier in the AM. But if you have worked in any office, most people start early in the AM to socialize before the boss comes in. So, that won’t work. Or stay late. Or to continue using my headphones. For eight hours a day. Maybe 12 hours sometimes.

Stonewalling, I thinks it’s called.

The other thing about headphones is that it isolates you socially from the rest of the office. Like, “what’s up with him”?

I once worked in a factory, where I saw a machinist who was hearing impaired (to the point of being completely deaf). I asked my wife why would someone with that severe of a hearing impairment would want to wear hearing protection? (Those big headphone-like things.) Her answer was “maybe he just wants to look like everyone else in machining”. Then it hit me. He didn’t want to be defined by his disability as being different”. Lesson learned.

And yet I always hear from people who are “neurologically-normal” comment that:  “It’s amazing how much work I can get done when no one is around”. Really? How do you think those of who have ADHD are supposed to work?

What ever happened to being courteous and respectful in the office?

 

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[ADDled]

8-10 bananas for breakfast? Really?

The idea of a fruit smoothie sounds appealing (no pun intended). Most of what has been suggested by everyone here I already do. Mg, Zn, omega3, B-complex, vitamin D are already part of the program. I think I need the advice of a nutritionist who understands the needs of someone like me that has ADHD, depression and anxiety.

The consensus seems to be to avoid meal replacements and protein shakes which now sounds logical. But in talking with another health care professional, her advice was that minerals such as Mg and Zn derived from food only is not enough to maintain body metabolism and should be augmented. She believes that current agricultural practices are leaching these minerals from the soil and are not supplying enough.

I just had another blood test done, this time to check thyroid function. There seems to be a lot  of research that the thyroid controls not only metabolism, but that thyroid abnormalities can contribute to worsening the effects of ADHD or even mimic ADHD symptoms.

http://connect.additudemag.com/groups/topic/Very_confused_Thyroid_and_ADD/

Thanks, all

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[ADDled]

I listen to a variety of music when working, and with the iPhone, it’s easy enough to select the music you want to hear.  I found that listening to music helps keeps me more aware of the passage of time. and drowns out the noise from inconsiderate co-workers. And sometimes when I have those  intrusive thoughts rattling around in my head, crank up the volume drowns them out.

But this is the really weird one, I especially like listening to First Nations pow-wow drum circle music. Talk about maintaining cognitive tempo! In a lot of cases, they sing in their original language, so being distracted by lyrics isn’t a problem, unless you speak Cree.

Hope this helps.

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