Posted by pablo1 on July 15, 2004, at 15:21:12
In reply to Re: stim for anxiety...dr. says no way..., posted by dazed on July 14, 2004, at 13:03:32
The best explanation I've heard is that stimulants activate dopamine in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) allowing ADD folks with an inactive PFC to think more clearly. Untreated, the ADD mind compensates for that missing ability to focus by behaving hyperactive in order to rev up the engines and concentrate. That's why people with ADD hyperfocus and can concentrate exceptionally well if it's an activity that is exciting or interesting but boring 'easy' stuff is a serious struggle to concentrate on.
The lack of focus equates to creativity where a normal brain focuses down and solves problems easily and simply, the ADD brain bounces around many possibilities before it finds something exciting enough to land on. And when that excitement is found, it's more intense than an ordinary easy solution.
The inability to perform normal tasks well and social disruptiveness or lack of social awareness causes conflict, harms self esteem and causes depression over the years so many ADD folks are depressed also. Then you talk about combining ADD with OCD & being overfocused or unable to shift gears and throw in emotional sensitivity & it all gets confusing pretty quickly.
> When I was reading up on ADD (which I have), it says that Ritalin does calm those with ADD even though it is a stimulant. I can't remember how it works, but it calms Adders and especially Add with hyperactivity.
poster:pablo1
thread:365964
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040714/msgs/366557.html