Yeah it definitely is a bit disturbing how so many classmates "needed" it (I don't think they were addicted, I just think they had their lives pre-planned and if they only had four hours to write a 15-page paper because they "needed" to go out clubbing that night then adderall was their way of getting it done). My brother was always the ADD one in the family, which is why I never considered asking for it (plus my father, being a doctor, despises the practice of over-medicating people, so if I asked for it, I would probably be met with a lot of questions lol). When I did use adderall (a handful of times) it was certainly effective...writing graduate papers is a b**** when you have zero interest in the topic. I would consider trying to get a prescription as there are side projects (business-related) that I can never focus on.
Yes absolutely. Exercise is fantastic...going to the gym was sometimes the best thing to look forward to (open, inviting place and you feel productive, like you've completed a task). Motivation, though, can be a challenge, which is why when I re-join a gym soon I'm going to look into early morning classes (even if it's yoga) just as a way to get me up at a decent hour. Just like Han Solo mentioned, if I have no reason to get up early, I won't. Also, regarding the diet...this probably sounds silly to most, but lately (as in the last few weeks), I've found myself more interested in cooking than before. I would always go to the grocery store and think, "okay, now what should I buy to cook" but nothing seemed interesting, and I didn't have a plan. I'm also not "creative" enough (with cooking) to just make up a dish. Easiest thing I did: printed out a few recipes that didn't require many ingredients and went off that list exactly. I'm not a big leftovers guy (which is one reason why I wouldn't purchase different food items since I'd use it once and end up wasting the rest), so usually aimed for smaller portions when cooking.
I was going to reply more thoroughly to the few somewhat ignorant comments in this thread but just couldn't get anything coherent written so I'll just say this: 1. While people with ADD seem to be able to do the fun things, the interesting things etc. just like the normal people, it doesn't mean they don't suffer from the disorder or that they don't need medication. The important difference here is that normal brain should be able to concentrate also on the more boring things (like med school books) if the person deems it IMPORTANT. When you have ADD, there just isn't enough dopamine activity in the brain for that and forcing yourself to do something just increases the anxiety, making it often even harder. 2. Thanks to the abuse of ADD drugs and the overall ignorance and negativity on the subject, people with the real disorder might find it even harder to get proper help and medication. For example, here in Northern Europe doctors might need special permits to even prescribe the stuff. That practically makes it next to impossible to get (legal) medication for some adults who have the ADD-I subtype and don't have enough medical history from their childhood and have managed to live with the disorder somewhat successfully. 3. For the folks recommending physical activity, you are on the right track because physical activity releases dopamine in your brain. The effects of course vary individually but for most, having to do something physical every time you have to use your brain isn't just possible because the effect doesn't usually last long enough. Also, for people with ADD, it actually is easier to become addicted to sports than normal people who naturally have higher dopamine activity in the critical parts of the brain. 4. Unfortunately, in addition to physical activity, there are also other things releasing dopamine to your brain. Drugs, alcohol, gambling, shopping(!) and most extreme experience seeking activities also have this effect. That's why most people with untreated ADD are likely to have substance abuse problems and likely have problems with their financial decisions. 5. Stimulant medication actually decreases the chance of developing said substance addictions in people with ADD. (The effect in normal brain is the opposite, as probably everybody knows). So, if you have someone still undiagnosed person close to you with these kind of serious problems and chronic underachivement in life, please don't just throw him/her the comments "you are just lazy", "everybody has problems with concentrating", "you just need to pull yourself together". If the person really has ADD, he/she is probably feeling ashamed enough without your ignorance and tries to get hold of his life "just one more time", just to fail again becoming only more anxious or depressed. And when you don't get the right diagnosis early enough in y our life, the comorbids that tend to follow undiagnosed ADD make it really hard to get the correct diagnosis in later life. It's likely that many people with serious depression have something like ADD underneath it but nobody can figure it out any more because the person has become a total mess.
Hard Part of that is. .. its hard to write down all the great Ideas you have while exercising Rocket River
For anyone that may have questions I've been reading a lot of articles here http://add.about.com/od/livingwithadhd/u/Coping.htm#s4 Really informative stuff. I've been struggling with this a lot in my adult life and it has definitely led to the decay of my adult relationships and caused me a lot of physical and mental pain. This has been an eye opener for me, so I thank RR for starting this thread and raising my own awareness.
everybody has ADD. some people just have it worse than others. nobody NEEDS medication for it unless they are already dependent on it. i'm not saying it can't help, but just because you have trouble focusing sometimes doesn't mean you need medication. if anyone is really having trouble focusing to a point where it is having a negative impact on your life there is no harm in getting an opinion from a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Can anybody recommend a way for me to get a script on the cheap? Maybe a doctor on a sliding scale? I am really struggling with my symptoms. Especially when my son wakes up at night. I have to try like hell not to lose my ****. I'm currently not able to work until around September and my wife is still new at her job and doesn't get insurance for another couple months. If anyone could point me in the right direction I'd be really grateful.
Moe Most general practitioners are fairly inexpensive. The medication is what is expensive. Even the generic Adderall runs for $150 a month, and insurance does not knock off much. If you had a job, it would be worth it, without one I am not sure. Also, I will say that if you are lacking sleep and feeling irritable, ADD medications will only increase your problems.
Have you thought about taking Provigil (Modafinil)? A lot of people take this nowadays instead of Adderall. My brother gets his medication shippped to him for a tenth of the cost from overseas pharmacy. No need for script. The medication and pharmacy overseas is legit. http://www.gizmag.com/go/3574/
What you say is probably true and many people claiming that they have ADHD are just taking the easy way out and using it as an excuse to use stimulants. The best simple description I have ever heard for ADHD is that it is the "inability to persist toward a goal." Everyone has bouts of inattention and laziness, but eventually they get what they need to done. The same can't be said about people with ADHD, they might just forget to do things, change things up due to the way their disjumbled mind works, get discouraged and give up because that's what they've been doing their entire lives etc.. Not if you hit up Costco, generic adderall is only $50 bucks for a month (60 tabs of 20mg) uninsured. Walmart has generic Ritalin for $4. Moes, you just need to hit up a phonebook and call around to different psychiatrist and ask if there are any discounts for those without insurance. Many psychiatrist are sympathetic to those with ADHD and know what a difference it can make if it gets treated.
I don't have trouble sleeping, I'm extremely irritable, and my anxiety and depression have been out of control.
Yup, this describes me to a tee. The frustration I have with myself has gotten unbearable at times. Things like getting exercise and eating better have helped a lot, but there are a lot of deep seeded things at work here that need to be addressed with a combination of therapy and medication.
Locations in Montrose, 59/Hillcroft and east Houston. If you're receiving disability, SSI, or unemployment just bring proof of that along with your ID. If you have no income, you need a letter from whoever supports you declaring that you have no income and that they are currently supporting you. Aside from Psychs, we have regular family practice, vision, and dental, all available on sliding-scale.
The largest obstacle will be getting a doctor to give you a script. No experience but given amphetamines high potential for abuse, most will likely prefer a psychiatrist see you first. The problem with that is psychiatrists will want to see you every month or 3 and they cost more than a GP per visit (who might be willing to go 6 months between) My suggestion is find someone that knows a Dr. willing to give scripts for it and just go ask. Most GPs these days avoid all controversial meds and instantly refer to specialists, so if you find one who doesn't, you will actually have a shot at getting it. Without insurance the cost will be proportional to the amount you are taking it won't be as much as people claiming here. Would strongly caution taking these if depressed though, if you get dependent it won't help that at all.
