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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sudhira on August 30, 2002, at 19:01:21
Does the way a person responds to a stimulant hold a clue as to whether or not they have ADD?
I've tended to think that if you have ADD the stimulant calms you and if you don't have ADD it makes you hyper.But what if a stimulant results in a blend of both of those responses? ritalin gives me focused energy. My mind has relaxed and my body has been a little energized. I've been diagnosed with depression and now I wonder if I also have inattentive ADD.
Someone told me that if a stim energizes you at all you must not have ADD because they give it to kids to CALM them. Any thoughts?
Posted by rainbowlight on August 30, 2002, at 19:27:10
In reply to Stimulant question, posted by sudhira on August 30, 2002, at 19:01:21
I have ADD and I get the same response you get, relaxed mind but energized body. Not hyper, just awake. I take Ritalin also. I guess the best way to tell for sure whether you have ADD is to be tested for it. You can have other disorders at the same time as having ADD. I am Bipolar yet also have ADD.
Posted by fairnymph on August 30, 2002, at 19:55:13
In reply to Stimulant question, posted by sudhira on August 30, 2002, at 19:01:21
Stimulants give most people "focused energy".
Posted by JonW on August 30, 2002, at 21:08:02
In reply to Stimulant question, posted by sudhira on August 30, 2002, at 19:01:21
I think an important point to make is that if a stimulant improves your quality of life it is justified. In my opinion, at least.
Jon
Posted by sudhira on August 31, 2002, at 1:30:13
In reply to Re: Stimulant question, posted by rainbowlight on August 30, 2002, at 19:27:10
Thanks for writing. Out of curiosity, did you have an "official" ADD evaluation? If so, what was it like? I was previously diagnosed with ADD after discussing my symptoms with my doc--but I moved to Oregon and my new doc said I must be evaluated by an ADD specialist in order to know for sure.
Previous Psycho Babble posts reveal variation in the way people are diagnosed. Some people have been tested and others were diagnosed by their psychiatrist the way I once was. Just wondering how you came to be diagnosed with ADD.
I'm glad ritalin seems to help you--are you lucky enough to not have the peaks and valleys in energy like I do? I'm hoping to try Concerta...
Posted by sudhira on August 31, 2002, at 1:48:21
In reply to Re: Stimulant question » sudhira, posted by JonW on August 30, 2002, at 21:08:02
That is an excellent point. My last doctor seemed to disagree. I'm pleased to say I have a new, more empathetic doctor.
Posted by rainbowlight on September 1, 2002, at 23:02:18
In reply to Re: Stimulant question » rainbowlight, posted by sudhira on August 31, 2002, at 1:30:13
My pdoc thought I had ADD from hearing my symptoms, so I had my therapist do a test on me for it. Basically he asked me a bunch of educational type questions, math, general knowledge, and then he scores it. I fell into the range that shows ADD. I would look for a therapist or doctor that can test you for it. From reading here there are some very long involved tests you can also take to be diagnosed. I would do a search on the Internet, you are bound to run across some general tests for ADD. The book "Driven to Distraction" is really good and has tests in it. I highly recommend getting this book if you think you have ADD. I do get the peaks and valleys with the Ritalin but they aren't too bad. I just started the extended release version and it is pretty smooth. I have heard that Concerta is the smoothest but my insurance won't pay for it, so for now I am taking Ritalin XR. I think they all have peaks and valleys to some point. Some people tolerate Adderall more than Ritalin, and vice versa. It is really trial and error to see which one works best for you. I tried 3 different ones before I decided Ritalin was the right one for me.
Posted by IsoM on September 2, 2002, at 1:51:43
In reply to Re: Stimulant question, posted by rainbowlight on September 1, 2002, at 23:02:18
I just want to add something about the type of diagnosis you received from your therapist. It's not a very reliable test. If someone is of high intelligence with many interests, especially scholarly interests, their answers to such questions can mislead someone into thinking they don't have ADD.
Even with ADD, I did well in school, getting As & Bs. My behaviour, on the other hand, even for a well-mannered girl, left some teachers less than "satisfied". When I was interested in a subject (most I found interesting), I did well & the teachers liked me for my interest & enthusiasm.
There are better tests available that gauge your ability to sustain focus under boring or slow circumstances. Everybody's focus wanders under those conditions, but people with ADD have much more difficulty. Conversely, when the test speeds up & changes, their focus increases considerably.
Posted by oracle on September 2, 2002, at 2:59:47
In reply to Re: Stimulant question, posted by rainbowlight on September 1, 2002, at 23:02:18
Basically he asked me a bunch of educational type questions, math, general knowledge, and then he scores it.
Huh ? ADD is an attention problem, there is no correlation between ADD/LD and IQ. I would question using this "test" to Dx ADD.
Posted by rainbowlight on September 3, 2002, at 0:21:31
In reply to Re: Stimulant question, posted by oracle on September 2, 2002, at 2:59:47
When I spoke of math questions I was speaking of sequencing, repeating patterns backwards and forwards to guage attention. It wasn't like an IQ test. I understand the types of tests you are talking about (like I had mentioned above - the long, time span types of tests). However my insurance (and many) won't pay for those types of tests. I was lucky I got any test at all with my HMO. I do think you can get a "general" idea about whether you have ADD or not by taking tests as in the book I mentioned "Driven to Distraction". They have a hundred "symptoms" that you can check off to give you a general idea. And the ULTIMATE test, how do you respond to a stimulant? Are you more focused, calm? I sure wish the insurance companies would pay for a full range of tests for all of us, so we could be exact about our diagnosis. I was first diagnosed by my pdoc for the ADD due to symptoms I had. I then had the therapist test me. I guess I could pay for more in depth study but I have read enough to know I definately have it. Unfortunately I wish I would have known alot sooner.
Posted by Christina on September 3, 2002, at 9:20:59
In reply to Stimulant question, posted by sudhira on August 30, 2002, at 19:01:21
I have ADD, and Ritalin made me very jumpy... a negative sort of energy.
With Adderall, I feel calm and focused. However, Adderall does not work for me unless I take it on an empty stomach. If I take it after eating breakfast, I feel anxious and irratable (as if it's not working).
Posted by mags on September 3, 2002, at 15:53:37
In reply to Depends on Stimulant, and dosing., posted by Christina on September 3, 2002, at 9:20:59
Hi there, I am presently in a regional mental health hospital that deals with "treatment resistant" patients. I have been there for three months. I have been diagnosed with BPII. I am presently on
Lithium 900 MG
Lamictal 225 MG
L-Thyroxin 50 MG
Seroquel 50 MG.It has taken me a looong time to get to these doses as I get every side effect there is!
I am totally exhausted, hence the thyroid med, but haven't had much response. I have been in this depressed state for 2 years. My doc decided to try Ritalin. He gave me a dose on Friday, I think it was.5 MG (blue). I had NO response to it. He said when I get back to hospital he will try a higher dose.(I get out on weekends!)
Is this normal to have NO response? Is there any point in trying?
One other point, when I was a teenager I tried a type of speed (yellow jackets?) and it put me to sleep!
When I had ECT the anesthetician (SP)said it was VERY hard to get me to sleep...hardest he has seen....doc figures something to do with my liver.....ECT's didn't help....
Thanks for any responses.
Mags
Posted by sudhira on September 3, 2002, at 20:10:05
In reply to Depends on Stimulant, and dosing., posted by Christina on September 3, 2002, at 9:20:59
I've been interested in trying adderall, I'm using a small dose of ritalin but I have a feeling another stimulant will serve me better. Apparently, not all stims are alike as I once supposed. Like with your experience of having a better response to adderall as opposed to ritalin.
If you don't mind could you share what your diagnosis is. I wonder if certain diagnoses respond to one type of stim over another. I have refractory atypical depression and possible ADD. So far ritalin as an augment is ok, but the ups and downs are tiring. Trying to decide what to try next.
This is the end of the thread.
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