Posted by mattdds on December 18, 2002, at 16:39:57
In reply to Re: Neuropsych testing for ADD? » mattdds, posted by viridis on December 18, 2002, at 13:49:33
Hey Viridis,
This is some interesting insight on ADD that you have. You certainly sound like you are doing well on your current regimen. I hope you continue to do well on it. You are very fortunate to have found something that works.
Since the other post that I wrote, I took an online ADD screening, and scored pretty low. But during a particularly bad bout of depression, however, I would be willing to bet that I would be functionally ADD! My attention seems to be one of the first systems to go when I get extremely anxious / depressed.
When I am in extremely anxious states, it seems everything is screaming for my attention, and it is easy to get off task. For me, it is that I get distracted by intrusive anxious thoughts or images. Probably my amygdala working overtime, constantly monitoring for threat-related information. So threat-related intrusions are usually what kill my attention, and it becomes severely fragmented.
But what is interesting is that if, in this fragmented, ADD-like state, I take a 1/2 mg of Klonopin, all of a sudden my attention comes right back within an hour or so! Not quite what you would expect from benzos, which are purported to adversely affect short term memory. My memory is also improved by benzos, especially Klonopin.
The fact that my "ADD" is worse with anxiety and relieved with Klonopin tells me that anxiety is more likely the problem with my attention, rather than "primary" ADD. When I am relaxed, my mind, attention and even ability to learn are all pretty good. As long as I don't feel overwhelmed, I can concentrate quite well.
What you said about the genotype-environment interaction makes a lot of sense, and I agree, that ADD is not a pathological thing per se. Like anything else, treatment should depend on if it's causing any significant functional problems or suffering. I think I read somewhere that Thomas Edison, and a number of famous thinkers are now believed to have had it. I bet it, like other traits, exists on a spectrum. Perhaps people with ADD are just on one extreme end of it?
BTW, that is cool that Adderall (Adderall, right?) works as an antidepressant for you! I wish docs gave that out like they do Lexapro! Hell, at least I would be able to concentrate better while depressed!
So there are my ADD thoughts about ADD!
Best,
Matt
poster:mattdds
thread:131883
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021217/msgs/132367.html