Posted by Libby on July 17, 2000, at 12:32:08
In reply to Re: BROWN ATTENTION-ACTIVATION DISORDER (BAAD) SCALE » noa, posted by Cybil on July 17, 2000, at 10:52:30
> My apprehension with this whole ADDw/o path is what to do next. It seems like neuropsychological testing for ADD is very expensive and not even always accurate, especially for ADDw/o'ers. I'm very scared about starting stimulants, and it doesn't even seem like how you respond to them provides a certain diagnosis (i.e., I get calm and focused instead of jittery and wired, I therefore have ADDw/o). I know they're also used in AD therapy without an ADD diagnosis--I'm really concerned about tolerance, withdrawl effects if/when I go off them (weight gain, etc.). My boyfriend is well read on AD's and meds (he's on Prozac 20mg for anxiety) and argues that EVERYONE would feel better on stimulants.He also said that once I start taking them I'll never want to stop.<
This is ceratinly a concern of mine. However, if taking Ritalin for the rest of my life is the price I must pay for the level of functioning , the sense of calm, and the clear-headedness I've experienced, I'm willing. My productivity has improved so much in just a couple of weeks that my bosses and family have remarked on it. That's a pretty good sign if you keep in mind that I was on the verge of having to accept disability because I couldn't function at work.
Incidentally, there is one intangible benefit I have gotten from an ADD diagnosis I'd like to share... It has given me a new sense of direction in my therapy. Whether I have ADD or not, or whether anyone has ADD or not, it is a fact that I have been exceptionally impulsive, distractable, and moody for almost my entire life. That particular set of attributes has been reflected in my behavior for years...and those behaviors have caused me lots of problems. Rather than looking for the myseterious and ellusive psychological causes of my problems, I am now focused on correcting problem behaviors and developing certain cognitive skills I now realize I failed to develop along the way.
Just my thoughts....
L.
poster:Libby
thread:40588
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000717/msgs/40754.html