Posted by Xanablu on April 13, 2004, at 19:54:15
In reply to Why is it so hard to get diagnosed wit Adult ADD?, posted by twinmom on April 13, 2004, at 14:16:47
Twinmom-It took me until the age of 45 to find a doc who understood the fact that my depression was rooted in undiagnosed ADD and chronic anxiety (perhaps brought on by, and certainly made much worse by the untreated ADD).
First, you must find a doc, preferably a psychiatrist, who is familiar with treating ADHD/ADD in adults. There are still many dr.'s who simply do not accept this particular diagnosis, or, they do not want the responsibility of prescribing schedule II meds due to paranoia concerning DEA regulations.
Since there is no black and white test u can be given that proves u have it, u must have a confident p-doc who can evaluate you from a clinical standpoint. I believe it does help to print out any simple ADD/ADHD quiz u have taken and bring it with u to your 1st appt. so u can show your doctor why you have reason to believe that this could be your possible diagnosis. Also, make a concise list of the symptoms u have which are most disruptive in your life (even if they do not typically fall under an ADD dx).
But, let the doctor guide the interview. He/she will ask what he feels is pertinent to an accurate dx. Altho ADD docs well know that frequently interrupting a speaker is typical behavior of ADD'ers, it really can slow down the process of his accessment of you, and, interfere with the doctor's ability to concentrate!I was given many tests, the huge comprehensive personality survey, as well as a long (3-4hr.) IQ test by a therapist about 4-5 yrs. ago. She was leaning toward an ADD dx., but, all meds had to be prescribed by my g.p., who was a a real hardhead and would not prescribe anything my therapist suggested except Wellbutrin and then ritalin. Ritilan was one of the most noxious, disagreeable drugs I have ever taken, it simply made me angry for 45 minutes, then I crashed hard, and had to nap for 2 hours in order to shake off the intense dysphoria it induced. WB at least helped me slightly, I was less foggy on it, but nothing exceptional. When I asked my g.p. for a short trial of Adderall, he said, 'NO way.' Flat. 'You have depression and depression overlaps many of the same symptoms of ADD.'True, but... All of this he based on asking me one ?. 'Can you read a book from cover to cover?' I replied, 'Yes.' He then said, 'then you do not have ADD.' (He obviously knew nothing about how many ADD'ers can focus well for hours on subjects that engage them, and are often quite intelligent, which can mask symptoms. I didn't know either, at that time). I tell ya, I felt so put down, so stupid, so drug-seeking and hypochondriacal that I threw the book I had brought with me, "Driven to Distraction", away, stopped therapy, and simply went on to the next antidepressant my g.p. descibed.
Bad idea. I had already auditioned several A-D's, both SSRI's and TCA's and they had not helped. Then, lo and behold, I was given an old computer, found Dr.Bob, and tons of info on dozens of websites. I also went to a psychiatrist recommended by my g.p. and tried again.
This guy was a total bomb, dx'd me w/dep., and refused to consider ANY other possibility. I was caring for my mom who had Alzheimer's, and he concluded I wd. be well once my nursing days were over. I kept telling him that was NOT the case, I had felt this way since I was 14, no trauma, just an inability to concentrate, organize, focus, control my moods, make decisions-all of which greatly affected my previously excellent schoolwork (which I accomplished in grade school due to high IQ and lack of hormonal fluctuations/sexual distractions). My IQ falls into the top 1/2% and yet, after 6 yrs. of college, I was still a sophomore...????? bAnd became a dropout, stuck in a low-paying job.
Well, Mom passed away 16 mos. later. I was completely sapped and had no p-doc support, only zoloft and klonopin from my g.p., which barely kept me afoat.
After Mom passed, my object of hyper-focus (a common ADD trait-I was a vigilant, loving nurse and was thankful to be able to be with her, hourly, until she died, holding my hand) was gone, I, between Apil anD june, sank into major, clinical depression. I lay on the sofa for 3 mos.-chronic pain eating me alive, until my best friend finally 'allowed' me to see her therapist (she had had a major transference problem, which suddenly vanished when she discovered he was married to his assistant).
He WAS great. Saw him twice, gave him my full history, we clicked, we laughed even. He asked me one very important ?. 'When was the last time you felt good?' I was honest and told him it was the 6-12 months after I had my baby, when I was going to a diet clinic and had been prescribed phentermine, a central nervous system stimulant, a diet med. He said, 'Well, it sounds like you need a stimulant in your meds.'
Whoo-hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!! He asked me if I wanted to go thru my g.p. for prescribing (HELL no) or visit the psychiatrist in the building. I saw the psych, of course, began Adderall & Effexor, and within the 3 weeks from my first vist to the new therapist, then p-doc, I was quickly climbing out of the pit. I found an orthopedist who prescibed darvocet and Soma (the KEY) which allowed me to manage my herniated disks and fibro, and I began the long road (I'm still on it) back to wellness.Over the course of a year, I switched to dexedrine and lexapro, and retained my darvocet, soma (both prn), propanolol (headache prevention & a good anti-anxiety med as well) and klonopin (I use Teva generic).
Life is not perfect, but my drug cocktail is very good, and the rest of the work must be done by me.
I am pre-menopausal, have an active 7 yr. old (my only child, a surprise at 40!) and my husband wants a divorce (he doesn't believe I actually have these 'disorders').When I received my inheritance from my mother, my hub. quit his job and we were forced to live on what was supposed to be 'my/our' debt reducer/therapy fund/investment fund. I also needed major dental work. Instead, I paid rent, bills, creditors, etc. and decimated my funds.
After the money dwindled down to nothing, he went back to work and is on his 3rd job in a year.
We are deep in debt, but I am happy to be splitting, my girl and I will move my sister's in another state. He plans to come too, but live alone. I'm glad, b/c I want her and her dad to be close. And, I plan to get half my inheritance back from him in our divorce settlement.
Life is positively saturated w/obstacles I must overcome, but, at least now, I am hopeful, and feel like I actually have a future that can include self-reliance and self-acceptance.God, I'm babbling-Twinmom, u must see a doc who is a specialist or at least well-educated about adult ADD. You can ask him or his/her nurse about this over the phone, otherwise it may take you years to get what you need.
Check out the physicians /psychiatrists guide in the yellow pages, some now list that they are specialists in the field off ADD diagnosis.
Perservere and avoid asking a g.p. to diagnose you for a neurological disorder. They are not shrinks. They treat common physical compaints or send patients to a specialist. There are a few who are really top-notch and stay informed in many areas, but they are in the minority.Best of luck-I understand your frustration so well-let us know how you do!
Xanablu
poster:Xanablu
thread:336012
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040412/msgs/336127.html