Attention deficit disorder in adulthood

eth0_

Anyone here been diagnosed with ADD in adulthood? Were you treated with Ritalin or CBT therapy?

GuanYin

eth0_ wrote:

Anyone here been diagnosed with ADD in adulthood? Were you treated with Ritalin or CBT therapy?

Couple of my cousins have been, I'm not sure how they are treating it, I'll ask and get back to you.

Myksyk

A diagnosis of ADD in adulthood can be quite difficult to obtain. Medics shy away from this general diagnostic criteria for a variety of reasons and are (perhaps understandably) slow to ascribe cognitive and behavioural problems to ADHD or ADD. The assessment information provided to the assessing Doctor must be comprehensive with extensive collateral information from relevant sources such as family, friends, spouse etc. The Copeland Symptom Checklist for Adult Attention Deficit Disorders is recommended as a good screening tool in this regard. CBT is almost always recommended as either a stand-alone intervention or in combination with medication (this depends on the particulars of each case). There are a variety of medications available, and the choice will again depend on the case in question. There is also the question of whether there is a 'hyperactivity' element to the presentation. If so this may dictate a different treatment regime. Some medications currently used are Methylphendiate (Ritalin), Clonidine (Catapres), and Concerta. Others may be prescribed depending on the case.

Having worked with a variety of adults with this condition I can only say that the treatment approach really comes down to the severity of the disorder. The severity of cognitive, interpersonal, social and vocational impairment is crucial. I have worked with some who only require a substantial cognitive and behavioural support plan to manage while others I have referred on for medical input. My experience is that, despite comprehensive information on our part strongly suggesting ADHD, it was almost impossible to get someone willing to diagnose. We had some extremely poor assessments done by some psychiatrists within mental health settings which were more a case of 'go away' than anything else. In the end, a private assessment was required. Although not without its disadvantages I have seen different kinds of medication work relatively well with certain people. A structured approach to working with one's own cognitive and behavioural patterns is almost always of some use but its effectiveness depends on having a skilled person to help you develop, monitor and maintain it.

neilivan

I am looking for some help on this matter. 41 years old. Fairly certain (self diagnosed) ADHD. Have managed to muddle through quite well but am now facing a wall I cannot climb alone. If you have any contact details for specialists in this area (ideally in the Cork area but anywhere in Ireland would do), I would greatly appreciate it. If this is not an appropriate place to request this then I apologise in advance.

DrIndy

Looking for info is OK, looking for a diagnosis isn't, so you don't need to apologise. Be wary of self diagnosis, there are many reasons for psychological imbalance, if you are concerned about your mental wellbeing, its always good to go to your GP who can refer you on, if you are loooking specifically for a specialist in this area, once more it is good to have a doctors letter with you when doing so.

mpento

Just throwing this in. I remember hearing about how more and more "disorders" are being generated. The trick for drug dealers (I mean pharmaceutical companies) is not making the drug but generating the market. Once you tag (insert doctor financial incentive plan here) sucker (sorry I mean patient) with a legitimate disease then you can sell them your legitimate drug. Personally I have GOBD (grumpy old bastard disorder) but still waiting for my medication. Hold on this is a whole new market for viagra!!!:D Hope your problem is not too serious but I would try not to get onto the medication solution. Good luck

neilivan

Appreciate the concerns and am already aware of these. As I say, this is not an off the cuff self diagnosis. Though I am aware of the inherent shortfalls. Neither is it me looking for an easy label to attach to a lifelong feeling of alienation and thereby resolving the desire to simply know what is wrong. I certainly have zero intention of travelling down the medication route. I am looking, ideally, for a therapuetic relationship wherein I can explore the effects "whatever it is", has had on my life. I came across Adult ADHD earlier this year. And bells rang in my head. I was not looking for a disease to fit my life experience, but this simply was too close for comfort. I resist applying the label but as time goes on and the past comes more and more into focus through this prism, then things are making more and more sense, uncomfortable material is being brought to the surface and I am able to deal with it in the light of ADHD with a degree more success than I have in the past managed. But it doesn't actually matter if it is ADHD or not, though I am convinced that it is, what matters is any lever that permits the appeasement of a lifelong sense of otherness and alienation and disconnection, and a sense of extreme social unease, lack of focus, combined with hyperfocus, (which can be confusing and which also feeds in to a consequent compensatory grandiosity) etc. etc... This I would like to explore with a professional. But having waffled all that, your concerns are appropriate and appreciated.

snorlax

Occupational therapists work along the lines of what you mentioned above, you will have to go to GP for a referral unless a blanket system of referral is in operation. a multi disciplary approach is probably the best option as OTs rarely work on their own and normally have a psychologist and other medical personnel at hand . .

however we also work developing people's social skills/ independence skills and help build people's self confidence. OTs are also trained in sensory integration techniques.

DrIndy

mpento wrote:

Just throwing this in. I remember hearing about how more and more "disorders" are being generated. The trick for drug dealers (I mean pharmaceutical companies) is not making the drug but generating the market. Once you tag (insert doctor financial incentive plan here) sucker (sorry I mean patient) with a legitimate disease then you can sell them your legitimate drug. Personally I have GOBD (grumpy old bastard disorder) but still waiting for my medication. Hold on this is a whole new market for viagra!!!:D Hope your problem is not too serious but I would try not to get onto the medication solution. Good luck

This is paranoia. Doctors do not "invent" diseases, we just discover new ones or new variants. Neither do "drug dealers" create a market, but financially invest in a growing field with new, excellent or safer alternatives to the previous remedies available. Finally I take great offence at the concept of a doctors financial incentive - this is unethical, immoral and illegal and results in being struck off. We do prescribe where appropriate and only in the best interests of the patients which may be with new expensive meds where appropriate or the older ones if we feel they would be as effective.

rasa

there is very little awarness of adult adhd and correponding services. we are a new group in ireland whose specific focus is adult adhd, and can be contacted at daaadd@eircom.net (Donegal Action for adults with adhd). Unfortunately many GP's are not very familiar with the disorder, so that may not lead anywhere. firstly if you think you might have it, the best think is to education yourself on the disorder. There also are psychiatrists and psychologist who still do not believe in adult adhd. About 2 per cent of the child population are estimated to have ad/hd and 60% will continue to have the disorder as adults, that equates to around 9,900 adults in Ireland andit is an ignored population. www.add.org is one of the leading associations in adult adhd, and is very good place to start gathering more information. the site is american, where there is a lot more awareness about the disorder. there are also some excellent books - Driven to distraction and You mean I'm not lazy, crazy or stupid, to mention a few, available on amazon.co.uk. it is very helpful to get a formal diagnosis. you can start to make sense of an often very chaotic life history.
hope this is of help

eth0_ wrote:

Anyone here been diagnosed with ADD in adulthood? Were you treated with Ritalin or CBT therapy?

Eminem

I found out i had ADHD two years ago and im ataking ritalian at the moment .

solas

Appreciate the concerns and am already aware of these. As I say, this is not an off the cuff self diagnosis. Though I am aware of the inherent shortfalls. Neither is it me looking for an easy label to attach to a lifelong feeling of alienation and thereby resolving the desire to simply know what is wrong. I certainly have zero intention of travelling down the medication route. I am looking, ideally, for a therapuetic relationship wherein I can explore the effects "whatever it is", has had on my life. I came across Adult ADHD earlier this year. And bells rang in my head. I was not looking for a disease to fit my life experience, but this simply was too close for comfort. I resist applying the label but as time goes on and the past comes more and more into focus through this prism, then things are making more and more sense, uncomfortable material is being brought to the surface and I am able to deal with it in the light of ADHD with a degree more success than I have in the past managed. But it doesn't actually matter if it is ADHD or not, though I am convinced that it is, what matters is any lever that permits the appeasement of a lifelong sense of otherness and alienation and disconnection, and a sense of extreme social unease, lack of focus, combined with hyperfocus, (which can be confusing and which also feeds in to a consequent compensatory grandiosity) etc. etc... This I would like to explore with a professional. But having waffled all that, your concerns are appropriate and appreciated.

there was a thread discussing some of the elements of how to get diagnosed and treatments on this forum recently that you might find helpful (will take a lok for a link in a mo)
I'm sure f you read up on aspergers you might find it comparable also, (many children with ad(h) are often later diagnosed as aspergers) and so it is wothwhile having a professional opinion.

solas

eminem wrote:

I found out i had ADHD two years ago and im ataking ritalian at the moment .

I was going to respond to your query in personal issues and direct you here for some information, seems like you already found it.
I think there was also a thread in the forum request seeking a place for discussion on aspergers and related conditions, perhaps you could give it your support.
__________________

solas

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054889078
here ya go eminem

and link to forum request here:http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054888789

Eminem

solas wrote:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054889078
here ya go eminem

and link to forum request here:http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054888789

Thank you