A.D.D. in adults?!
Question: A!.D!.D!. in adults!?
My boyfriend has realllllllyyyyy bad A!.D!.D!., but is undiagnosed!. He self-medicates with marijuana, which is just a bad idea, not to mention expensive!!! I am trying to encourage him to see a doctor about it!. What kind of doctor can he see!?
He also thinks that he will have to take ridilin!. But aren't there many more drugs out there for adults with A!.D!.D!.!?!?!? Thanks for your help! :-)Www@Answer-Health@Com
He also thinks that he will have to take ridilin!. But aren't there many more drugs out there for adults with A!.D!.D!.!?!?!? Thanks for your help! :-)Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
i have adult add and i take 60mg of adderall a day!. tell him to go to a psychiatrist (not a psycologist) and get diagnosed and they will figure out what course of treatment is best for him!. they will probably prescribe adderall because it's has like a 70-80% success rate or something like that!. but if that doesn't work there are a few more stimulants he can try, but in my experience straterra sucks (sexual side effects are brutal)!.
it's kind of a pain in the *** to be on stimulant therapy because most of the effective drugs are controlled substances and you have to have the actual paper prescription whenever you get a refill!. they won't allow faxes or call-ins!. but all in all i guess it's better than the alternative!.
i used to self medicate myself as well and i gotta tell ya that with the way adderall is priced these days it's probably cheaper to stick with the weed :) j/k!.!.!. but seriously, i will only take the name brand stuff because, for me, the late afternoon "crash" isn't as rough!. unfortunately a month supply costs me about $300 because my insurance won't cover the name brand!.!.!.
in my opinion, the majority of people that get "addicted" to adderall are the people that either have a substance abuse problem to begin with, or they don't really have add and they're just using it to get high!. i've been taking it for quite a while now and i only take the prescribed theraputic amount!. i'm definately not addicted to it because i don't even really like it, but it does help me focus on 1 thing at a time!. i still have problems figuring out what task to begin with, but once i start it i can finish it!.
there's also a book titled "delivered from distraction" (can't remember the author) that might help him understand his condition a little more!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
it's kind of a pain in the *** to be on stimulant therapy because most of the effective drugs are controlled substances and you have to have the actual paper prescription whenever you get a refill!. they won't allow faxes or call-ins!. but all in all i guess it's better than the alternative!.
i used to self medicate myself as well and i gotta tell ya that with the way adderall is priced these days it's probably cheaper to stick with the weed :) j/k!.!.!. but seriously, i will only take the name brand stuff because, for me, the late afternoon "crash" isn't as rough!. unfortunately a month supply costs me about $300 because my insurance won't cover the name brand!.!.!.
in my opinion, the majority of people that get "addicted" to adderall are the people that either have a substance abuse problem to begin with, or they don't really have add and they're just using it to get high!. i've been taking it for quite a while now and i only take the prescribed theraputic amount!. i'm definately not addicted to it because i don't even really like it, but it does help me focus on 1 thing at a time!. i still have problems figuring out what task to begin with, but once i start it i can finish it!.
there's also a book titled "delivered from distraction" (can't remember the author) that might help him understand his condition a little more!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You're worried about the pot!? Tell you what, take him to the doctor, and the doctor will give him adderall!. It's basically a stimulant!. Basically, it's speed!. But speed helps you focus! When he's physically addicted to that, then hopefully the insurance company will keep paying for his pills!. Because they're like, $140 for a months supply from the doctors if he has no insurance, or $10 a pill on the street!.
I'm not saying he should keep smoking pot!. But I'm just telling you, encouraging him to go to the doctor to get pills that are also very expensive is not going to solve the money problem, unless his insurance company will pay for them!. But then he's on freakin' speed!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I'm not saying he should keep smoking pot!. But I'm just telling you, encouraging him to go to the doctor to get pills that are also very expensive is not going to solve the money problem, unless his insurance company will pay for them!. But then he's on freakin' speed!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
There are other medication options that aren't narcotic stimulants!. Stratera is one of the other options besides Ritalin!. I work for an internal medicine doctor who sees patients with adult A!.D!.D!. I dotn't think marijuana is treatment for this!. Get medical help!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
From my studies and my rounds of helping and dealing with many adults that suffer with Adult ADD, I have found that it's not an easy thing to deal with, so I did some research and found that there are many ways to get through this, and a lot of helpful tips for people with this disorder!. With the steps that I will give you should be able to understand this disorder and you should be well aware on what to do!.
It's a great idea to seek counseling for any issues that you may have!. phone books and directories will provide you with counsel nearest you!. You will be ask many questions and it's best to be honest and never leave any information out!.
Step2Talk to your doctor about the symptoms that you are having and work with him or her to find medication that better works for you!. Note that not all medications will not work so just keep on trying each and everyone given to you till you find what works the best!.
Step3Find ways to cope with this illness and to better yourself in everything that you normally have problems with!.
A] Counseling, treatment, and medication can be valuable tools in treating Adult ADD!. Also, many skills and coping strategies that are designed to help adults in everyday life can also help people with ADD achieve their goals!.
In the future, this section of our site will offer information on everything from memory and listening skills to organization and time management!. Check back here for articles about:
Living with symptoms
Workplace issues
Family dynamics
Relationship issues
ADD at various life stages
Step4Getting Organized to Get Things Done
Adapted from WebMD
The Challenge:
Living with Adult ADD takes a bit of work and focus!. But it is manageable if you take the time to understand Adult ADD and learn ways to channel your energy to benefit you!. The first step is usually a visit to your healthcare professional for information and advice!.
Reasons Why:
Today's computerized, multi-tasking workplace is stressful and exhausting for just about everybody - but far more so for the man or woman with Adult ADD!. A fast-paced work environment with many distractions, combined with Adult ADD symptoms, can produce feelings of pressure and insecurity - especially since people with ADD work very hard but may not seem to accomplish as much as their non-ADD co-workers!. Adults with ADD have the best of intentions, but they get sidetracked too easily to finish what they start!. So they can end up with fewer things checked off their "to-do" lists!.
Obstacles:
Adults with ADD frequently have problems with time management and organizational skills, which are requirements for most jobs today!. ADD can offer challenges, especially in "desk jobs" that involve constantly changing priorities or deadlines, complex organization, or management of a diverse workgroup!. It takes a lot of effort to overcome these obstacles, but it can be done!.
Whether you need to make your job fit your ADD or have a job where ADD "fits," here are some tips for making work easier to manage!.
Tips for Getting Things Done at Work:
Provide yourself with structure at every possible point in your work life as well as at home!.
Make lists, color-code business items (such as files) that relate to specific projects, set up a reminder system for appointments and project completion dates!.
If possible, work closely with someone who is detail-oriented and a good time manager - together you could become a high performance team!.
Keep in mind that it's good to share your strengths and weaknesses with your co-workers - we all know that no one's perfect, and by understanding you better, they can help you improve your job performance!. Chances are you'll find yourself doing the same for them, creating a valuable "win-win situation!."
Break down complex tasks into small, easily manageable tasks!. Set a completion deadline for each individual task!. And watch out for that all-too-common ADD trait: procrastinationWww@Answer-Health@Com
It's a great idea to seek counseling for any issues that you may have!. phone books and directories will provide you with counsel nearest you!. You will be ask many questions and it's best to be honest and never leave any information out!.
Step2Talk to your doctor about the symptoms that you are having and work with him or her to find medication that better works for you!. Note that not all medications will not work so just keep on trying each and everyone given to you till you find what works the best!.
Step3Find ways to cope with this illness and to better yourself in everything that you normally have problems with!.
A] Counseling, treatment, and medication can be valuable tools in treating Adult ADD!. Also, many skills and coping strategies that are designed to help adults in everyday life can also help people with ADD achieve their goals!.
In the future, this section of our site will offer information on everything from memory and listening skills to organization and time management!. Check back here for articles about:
Living with symptoms
Workplace issues
Family dynamics
Relationship issues
ADD at various life stages
Step4Getting Organized to Get Things Done
Adapted from WebMD
The Challenge:
Living with Adult ADD takes a bit of work and focus!. But it is manageable if you take the time to understand Adult ADD and learn ways to channel your energy to benefit you!. The first step is usually a visit to your healthcare professional for information and advice!.
Reasons Why:
Today's computerized, multi-tasking workplace is stressful and exhausting for just about everybody - but far more so for the man or woman with Adult ADD!. A fast-paced work environment with many distractions, combined with Adult ADD symptoms, can produce feelings of pressure and insecurity - especially since people with ADD work very hard but may not seem to accomplish as much as their non-ADD co-workers!. Adults with ADD have the best of intentions, but they get sidetracked too easily to finish what they start!. So they can end up with fewer things checked off their "to-do" lists!.
Obstacles:
Adults with ADD frequently have problems with time management and organizational skills, which are requirements for most jobs today!. ADD can offer challenges, especially in "desk jobs" that involve constantly changing priorities or deadlines, complex organization, or management of a diverse workgroup!. It takes a lot of effort to overcome these obstacles, but it can be done!.
Whether you need to make your job fit your ADD or have a job where ADD "fits," here are some tips for making work easier to manage!.
Tips for Getting Things Done at Work:
Provide yourself with structure at every possible point in your work life as well as at home!.
Make lists, color-code business items (such as files) that relate to specific projects, set up a reminder system for appointments and project completion dates!.
If possible, work closely with someone who is detail-oriented and a good time manager - together you could become a high performance team!.
Keep in mind that it's good to share your strengths and weaknesses with your co-workers - we all know that no one's perfect, and by understanding you better, they can help you improve your job performance!. Chances are you'll find yourself doing the same for them, creating a valuable "win-win situation!."
Break down complex tasks into small, easily manageable tasks!. Set a completion deadline for each individual task!. And watch out for that all-too-common ADD trait: procrastinationWww@Answer-Health@Com