[ancientgeek]

It took me 20 quarters to get my BS in mathematics (in 1960’s) – along with minors in physics, EE, and philosophy. I got to play with really big toys – rockets at the Redstone Arsenal (Project Apollo). I retired at 55 because I was able to exploit the hyper-focus of my ADHD in my profession. I’m in my 70’s (is that senior enough?). I’m in the 4th generation of the 6 our family has identified as being ADHD.

I never was able to maintain a decent depression much over 24 hours, because something shiny and interesting always crossed my path and drew my attention away. Rather than wasting time on depression, learn about how ADHD works, then use that knowledge. One trick is to revise the world you live in – and the associated expectations. See the Canadian flicks “ADD and Loving It” and “ADD and Managing It”.  Hollywood and Silicone Gulch (Fremont – San Jose – Santa Clara) could not survive without ADHD and Autism.

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[ancientgeek]

That sounds like malpractice, but I am not a lawyer. The process for determining the proper level of a medication is called titration. Get a referral to somebody who is skilled in ADHD titration. It can involve a “blind study” where the “pills” are dated for when to take them. Some are likely to be a placebo. Others, close to you, take detailed notes as to your behaviour over the study interval.

Since this physician did not take a family history, I further suspect incompetence and malpractice. Statistically, ADHD is a twin recessive gene combination. Reporting this practitioner to medical licensing authorities may incentivise additional education and training.

I take 108 mg of Concerta and I can’t tell if I’ve taken the capsules. My wife, children, and grandchildren sure can. Best of luck.

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[ancientgeek]

The term “neurotypical” is so “right on the money”. I only tell people that I, and my family, are ADHD is when I value the person enough to be prepared to educate them. But first, you must educate yourself.I like the Canadian films “ADD and Loving It” and “ADD and Mastering It” for starters. ADHD books by Thom Hartmann (The Edison Gene) and Hallowell are also useful.

The odds that one or both your parents are also ADHD is about 40%. About what you would expect from a pair of recessive genes. The problem of giving or selling your medication is that eventually you will be “caught”, and thereafter, your doctors will be less willing to trust you with them. You never outgrow your ADHD. It’s genetic. At best, you can learn how to manage your brain wiring more effectively.

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[ancientgeek]

I’m 70 and use medication. The medication is a short term tool (about 1/2 a day). If the tool isn’t working, you have the wrong tool. If you can’t trust your doctor to work with you, you’ve got the wrong doctor. You are in charge of your health. The doctor is only an advisor – like all professionals. My 8 year old grandson decided to resume taking his 5 mg Focalin booster in the afternoon. Remarkable for an 8 year old. If he wants to stop, I’ll support him.

The kid is going to be “different” for his entire life. What kind of “different” is his choice.

The problem with ADHD is awareness. If you are not aware, you can’t fix or improve on the situation. Keep on fiddling with your ADHD. For myself, I found that the hyper-focus aspect was an incredible asset in my professional life.

Also, I used to take long walks during the workday. I referred to them as a “damage containment activity” – not installing errors into our products. Exercise alters your brain chemistry, big time. My research indicates that ADHD is caused by an excessive Dopamine re-uptake in the Caudate Nucleus of the  brain. Also, we have identified the ADHD trait in 6 of our generations (I’m in the 4th). I’m working with all my grandchildren to help them exploit their unique brain wiring.

The grandchildren have IEP’s (funded special ed). It’s hard to convince the professional teachers that “more time on tests” is a punishment and not an accommodation 🙂 If you are having trouble with a subject, try tutoring somebody else that has the same difficulty. It worked for me when I was in school.

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[ancientgeek]

Wanted to add that I am a concious and voluntary OCD. Habits allow for a lot of autopilot down the road of life. I am over 70 years old and speak from experience. I protect my effective habits like a mother bear protects her cubs.

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[ancientgeek]

Hollywood is also known as ADHD city, while Silicon Gulch is known Autism city. ADHD can be an asset if managed properly with knowledge. See the Canadian films “ADD and Loving IT” and “ADD and Mastering It”. My ADHD allowed me to retire comfortably at 55. My professions are software development and software engineering. If there was a software problem in my company (Boeing) that nobody could solve, they gave it to me. Hyper-focus can be a wonderful thing; but, must be managed if you want to keep your family. I’ve been married to the same, incredibly tolerant, woman for 48 years (and counting).

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[ancientgeek]

My ideal dose of ADHD medication is 108 mg of Concerta. Titration was done 15 years ago when I was in my late 50’s. Now my doctor will not go over 54 mg because of my blood pressure and my life has become hell.

I can’t tell if I’ve taken the meds, but my wife, children, and grandchildren can. The “tests” I’ve done over the last year indicate that my blood pressure is only minimally affected by the meds. When I take the meds, my family does not yell at me and includes me in family activities. Without the meds, nobody wants to deal with me, and that creates a great deal of stress and higher blood pressure. I am in the 4th identified ADHD generation in my family. One of my children is incapacitated by ADHD. All my grandchildren have been diagnosed with ADHD and have either an IEP or are home schooled. The youngest (8) takes 25 mg of Focalin in the morning with a 14:00 5 mg fast acting booster. All branches of my family and my wife’s have ADHD expressed in a sibling or close relative. It’s hard to fight the conservativeness in the medical profession. I’m desperate enough to be contemplating a law suit.

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