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Post by Sheridan on May 29, 2004 21:32:30 GMT -5
I am 55 years old, and female. I have been on a quest lately to discover what seems to be getting in the way of my being successful at work and at home. I have a really hard time prioritizing what feels like a flood of details that come across my desk. I am almost not able to function when there is noise and converstion in the office. Procrastination has haunted me most, if not all, of my life. I experience a lot of "chatter" in my head at night while I'm trying to go to sleep, and take Trazadone so that I can get to sleep and stay asleep. I have been treated for dysthymia and anxiety, both of which are controlled by anti-depressant medication. Still these other issues linger. I am intelligent, creative, and well-spoken, but feel as though I am achieving far below my ability level. People have expectations for me that I have a really hard time fulfilling. Worst of all, I have not been able to fulfill my own expectations, or to set or achieve goals. (My self-talk goes something like, "If I'm so smart, how come I can't figure this out?") In my work life, success has been intermitant, and at one point a near disaster. At home, things are in disarray. Are these things consistent with others' experience? How did you proceed to obtain a diagnosis? Did medication help? What does it feel like?
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Post by CathyClutter on Jun 25, 2004 14:09:11 GMT -5
Sounds about like my experience. Meds can be really helpful. Since everyone's brain chemistrty is different, it can take awhile to figure out what works best. I went to a psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment - they generally focus on medical treatments and can prescribe meds. For theraputic approaches you'd probably see a psychologist. You can often find both in the same office, which is good for communication and a well-rounded approach.
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Donna
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Post by Donna on Aug 24, 2004 23:40:58 GMT -5
Hi Sheridan. I just read your posting and it really hit home for me - Thank you. You said something about having having a hard time falling getting to sleep because you can't turn off your mind. Do you know if that happens with a lot of people that have ADD?
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Ro
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Post by Ro on Aug 30, 2004 5:36:12 GMT -5
Donna - from what I have read it is quite common. I can be falling asleep in a chair watching tv but when I go up to bed, I toss and turn for hours sometimes. Then, evernight around 3:00 I wake up and can't get back to sleep. Around 5:00 I finally fall back asleep and then can't get up at 6:00 when the alarm goes off. I'm tired all day because of it but I know it will happen the next night too. BTW, I never take naps.
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Post by foxybohunk on Sept 22, 2004 14:31:19 GMT -5
Yes, the unending chatter in my head. I had never thought about not taking naps and having sleep problems as an issue, since that occured later in my life. Except the naps. I remember having a "very adult", as she put it when she later told my parents, conversation with my kindergarden teacher about how I do not nap, and have never cared too. Sleeping during the day is just ridiculous to me. That is good useable time! I can start at least 20 projects that I will never finish during that time!
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Post by boothby on Oct 3, 2004 3:02:49 GMT -5
Yes, the unending chatter in my head. I had never thought about not taking naps and having sleep problems as an issue, since that occured later in my life. Except the naps. I remember having a "very adult", as she put it when she later told my parents, conversation with my kindergarden teacher about how I do not nap, and have never cared too. Sleeping during the day is just ridiculous to me. That is good useable time! I can start at least 20 projects that I will never finish during that time! |
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Post by boothby on Oct 3, 2004 3:20:58 GMT -5
I am a 46 year old, mother of four, single. My last child, age 9, has been diagnosed with adhd. This is how I came to realize, I have adult add myself. I have had mental illness issues all of my life. It was during my divorce 12 years ago that I was diagnosed with major depression. Now, as if I need something else to go along with that, add. I have been having a pretty rough time of it lately. It takes me all day to finish a half hour task, when I think back at what took me so long, I can't recall were all the time went. I avoid people because my thoughts are just not there to carry on any kind of meaningful conversation. My apt. is a cluttered mess. My memory is shot and I feel like the front of my brain has it's "lights" on very dim, if at all. My daughter is a very big challenge for me. I feel like a disaster waiting to happen. I really need some support, so I found this sight. By the way, I am on SSI for my depression. My doctor put me on concerta because I told him I was sleeping all day. Completely, my sheer luck, I felt human for the first time in my life for about 3 weeks. That was 3 months ago. I have told my dr. that my medication needed adjusting, he only told me he would increase my dose if I would get a job. I feel like I am being blackmailed. Why in the world would I ad the stress of working, especially now? I will be seeing the same doctor my daughter sees and pray that she can help me. I feel I am going CRAZY!
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Post by giggles on Oct 5, 2004 11:30:21 GMT -5
agghhhhh who does your doctor think he is?? i was so mad after reading your post that i had to log in. my advice to you babe is change your doctor .. this one is clearley confused about his job description. you do not have to take this its your life he is playing with!!! some doctors and shrinks like to be in control. speaking to the doctor who did your assesment might be an idea it worked for me in getting my dose of dexedrine upped i then asked the doctor to fax my gp with the new dosage and job done . the family gp is just the middle man in most cases and only part of the managing of your medication but its btween you and the expert to fine tune your meds and then let the gp know so he can change the details on the prsciption. thats how its been in my case give it a try. good luck and keep ya chin up xxxx
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Kim
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Post by Kim on Nov 2, 2004 12:15:31 GMT -5
When I took my first dose of Ritlan, about 10 minutes later, I was having lunch with my husband and he said I looked up like someone was yelling at me. My response to him was the tapes turned off! Complete silence for the first time in my life, I only heard my own self thinking at the moment. I had alot of tapes playing. Childhood crap etc.
Since that day, I am focused, and alive. I have simplified my life by having my own business (I can hardly keep a job for more than a year) so I don't have the constant fear of bosses (dis)approval, just my own, throwing out the clutter, facing poor choices of the past head-on. That is what the med's. did for me. I hope you keep looking for a doctor. We are all different and what works for one doesn't mean it is for everyone. I also have a primary care doctor who is truly interested in me and my mental health.
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carey
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Post by carey on Feb 9, 2005 12:03:39 GMT -5
Having "chatter" in your mind while trying to sleep is common in my life, too. Also, I have a hard time filtering out backgroud conversations/noises, esp when I'm on the phone. From what I read in your post, you sound like an ADD candidate.
When my mother told me what she was learning about pediatric AD/HD sounded familiar to my childhood, and that I should get evaluated, I got the ball rolling right away. By then, I was desperate for relief of any kind! It's amazing how my knowledge about adult ADD had changed my life for the better. I recommend reading any books on ADD that target your needs. I've read "What does everyone else know that I don't" and "ADD and Romance" and "Survival tips for women with AD/HD" All 3 have been great!! Good luck in finding help!!
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imadd
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Post by imadd on May 7, 2005 22:42:38 GMT -5
The things that I have found that work best for me are to watch what I eat. I tried the popular low-carb diet and my mind stayed extremely clear an I slept! I never took ibuprofen or had any caffeine or aspartame. It was hard because I love sweets, especially chocolate, but I can honestly say that this was the best I ever felt in my life. I really think it has alot to do with this.
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