ADHD--Inattentive: Senior and Just Diagnosed. Help?

<p>After years of feeling like a failure because I can't concentrate when I read, of trying so hard to organize my work and keep on top of things but always making a mess, of not being able to listen to directions as hard as I try because I lose focus and so on, I was finally diagnosed today by a psychiatrist as ADHD--Inattentive. It is a huge relief. I've been so worried for the longest time as why I couldn't pay attention even though I've tried so many different methods. I'll be starting medication in a month or so, but I don't want that to be my crutch. I need to learn techniques to deal with this on my own, and not rely on ADHD as an excuse the rest of my life. I was wondering if anyone knew any good books or sites with accurate and helpful information that would aid me in this? Over the years I've generally managed to figure out how to push through but I don't want to do just that anymore. Is there anything out there? How do I learn to manage this better?</p>

<p>Hi, I also feel like ADHD, and honestly I have felt this way since freshman year.
It has been such a struggle for me… to a point where homework takes me until 3-4 am even though i should have taken 2 hours max.</p>

<p>Maybe you can help me… Money is my main concern.
How much did it got you to see a psychiatrist… how much was the testing (and what was the testing?)… how long did it take you to get diagnosed?.. how much are the drugs…?</p>

<p>It’s unfortunate that because of my financial status I may go undiagnosed forever :(</p>

<p>With me, I had a few issues, my main ones destroying my life being depression and anxiety. I couldn’t cope anymore. I was going insane. And because I was tired and couldn’t concentrate I grouped it into the depression/anxiety category.</p>

<p>I’m very close with my ecclesiastical leader. His daughters and great friends to me, and he and his wife are like the parents I never really got. I went to him. In my church, the Bishop, much similar to a Pastor, is quite helpful and knowledgeable about a lot of ways to get help. I went to him broken down. He got me into counciling paid through the church. </p>

<p>Three months of that past and my councilor looked at me and told me he wasn’t sure how to help and suggested I see a psychiatrist and gave me two names. This would be paid by my insurance, and what wasn’t by insurance, the church. </p>

<p>I went to one appointment at the beginning of summer and couldn’t stand the man. I was done for awhile.</p>

<p>I finally made another appointment the first week of August with the other name. I just had my appointment Tuesday Sept. 7. That’s when he went through, very thoroughly and helped me figure out what was going on. </p>

<p>I was diagnosed with ADHD–Inattentive and Cyclothymic Disorder (a minor for of manic depression). I am now waiting three weeks before I start medication. My doctor suggested Strattera for the ADHD. It’s suppose to be very low dosage and much more helpful along with lesss severe as Riddelin. Luckily my insurance has a four dollar generic plan, so I can afford medication.</p>

<p>I’m not trying to start getting behavioral therapy as well, which I’m hoping insurance will cover and looking for support groups within my area. </p>

<p>I lucked out with money. I come from a low-middle class family so this could have greatly broke the bank. If you have insurace I highly suggest looking into it as with local organizations you might be a part of that would help. Many school will do the basic testing, but you need to check with the psychiatry department of your school. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Are you in a public or private HS?
You will want to let your school know about the diagnosis and get support in place immediately. You might find preferential seating helpful, or extended time on tests, but nothing can happen to help you until you have a meeting with your school.</p>

<p>I have a meeting Monday with my guidance counselor about getting put on a 504 that will continue into college. Friday I have my next appointment with my psychiatrist where I’ll get all the information to be sent to the school and that’s when I’ll begin medication.</p>

<p>Read the book Driven To Distraction by Dr. Ned Hallowell. There are also some other books that may prove helpful concerning time management for College and HS students with ADHD as well. But nothing made a light bulb go off in my head more so than Hallowell’s book. Easy read as well!</p>

<p>Medication can prove hugely helpful, which has proven especially true for my daughter diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. However, from what I’ve learned recently with my younger D is that extended time for standardized tests seems to be very hard to come by unless you also have a diagnosis for a learning disability, although an anxiety disorder can also work sometimes. It may prove harder since you’ve not been using accommodations throughout HS, but it’s always worth asking.</p>

<p>I second Drivern to Distraction.</p>

<p>Also, see here:
[Adult</a> ADHD: 50 Tips on Management](<a href=“The Biggest Portal and Login Address Directory - AddResources”>http://www.addresources.org/article_50_adhd_tips_adult_hallowell_ratey.php)</p>

<p>Use technology to the fullest for lists, reminders, etc.<br>
Devlope structure – wake up/bedtimes regulated, even on weekends is very difficult in the 15-25 age group. Even if you have to have a fluid wake up/bedtime, be sure the routine is the same. We didn’t believe this would have a significant effect until we tried it for a few months. That said, my 10th grader doesn’t stick to it.</p>

<p>2 of my kids have inattentive ADHD – As much as I was leery to put kids on meds it has been a tremendous aid. </p>

<p>We strongly suspect DH has it based on all we learned with the kids, but we cannot find ANYONE in metro Philly area who can diagnose and prescribe for DH for less than $3,500. Insurance will not cover it for an adult. So NEVER let your Rx lapse – even if $ is an issue – contact the manufacturers, ask for discounts, do whatever it takes.</p>

<p>Even before I read that you might be cyclothymic, I was thinking of posting to tell you that ADD can be associated with, and confused with, bipolar disorder. Then, when you mentioned depression and anxiety, I thought about that even more.</p>

<p>Be very careful with medications for ADD, such as stimulants, because they can trigger more problems with bipolar disorder and increase agitation, for some. I know you have very low level bipolar tendencies, but it would be good to keep it that way.</p>

<p>You sound like a very thoughtful and mature person, who is not looking for quick fixes and willing to do some work towards health and better functioning. There are things you can do to either supplement or replace medications, ranging from routine exercise to cognitive behavioral therapy to keeping a daily log of moods and attention. Others may direct you as well. There are clinics and therapists dedicated to alternative methods, with or without meds.</p>

<p>With your conscientious desire to invest time and effort, I hope you can find a therapist who will honor that and minimize meds, at least to the level you need and no more.</p>

<p>But I also hope you find someone who understands the relationship between ADD and bipolar problems. Literally 95% of people with bipolar disorder are diagnosed with ADD.</p>

<p>The formula is to treat mood first, and see how that affects anxiety and focus. If that doesn’t help with focus, then treat anxiety, and see what that does for focus. Then, the last rung is to treat the attention and focus issues. </p>

<p>In other words, it could be that bipolar disorder is causing your focus issues, and medications for that might be helpful rather than Ritalin etc.</p>

<p>Or, maybe not…I don’t want to say too much online here. If you do try Ritalin, then that will certainly let you know if you have a potential bipolar issue, and you can go from there.</p>

<p>Antidepressants can also trigger bipolar symptoms for some. Just be aware, and I have a feeling that ultimately you are going to do fine.</p>

<p>fake disorder</p>

<p>just an excuse for poor discipline and a lack of self-control</p>

<p>^Yakyu, some very fine neuropsychologists at your own alma mater would disagree with you, so you mustn’t actually be a STEM student or someone made a mistake admitting you. You must also be ignorant of the recent genotype research out of UBC that shows a connection with DRD2 allotype and specific genetic differntials between non-ADHD, ADHD, and ADD Inattentive type. So in the interest of assisting the OP, I will disregard your uninformed remarks and carry on.</p>

<p>MusicallyLatin - My son was diagnosed with ADD- Inattentive type last year. He also happens to have a very high IQ and to be very creative, but he has the same executive function issues you’ve described. If it’s any consolation, he’s doing very well at a very rigorous university right now, thanks to a lot of different things he’s accessed. Here’s a list of the things that have helped him most. I post here for future readers too, but if you want more detail, PM me.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Book (for practical strategies) Finding your Focus by Geri Markel (see [Managing</a> Your Mind](<a href=“http://www.managingyourmind.com%5DManaging”>http://www.managingyourmind.com) ; markel counsels college aged students and is familiar with inattentive type. She is also available for Skype behavioral modification coaching. However, my son’s school provides this service through the Learning Disabilities office. So my son meets weekly with his counselor to review his planning and prioritizing of work. Like you, it’s typically taken him twice as long to complete work as other students.</p></li>
<li><p>Nutrition: My son has benefited from starting each day with a high-protein shake and fruit serving (see <a href=“http://www.shaklee.com%5B/url%5D”>http://www.shaklee.com</a> for an example, cinch shake is what he likes). Research show direct evidence that protein in a.m. improves capacity for ADD individuals to focus. This particular shake also has nutrients that convert into the enzymes from which dopamine are made (l-dopa) and as such, seems to improve brain function. In addition, my son avoids processed food, especially things with additives or that use pesticides. Buy organic when and if you can. The research supports this.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>BTW, new research shows that most folks with ADD inattentive type have a gene that causes a particular dopamine uptake pump to “overpump” or clear too fast in a particular part of the brain. Those with ADHD have a different set of genes with the same outcome in a different area of the brain. But other dxs, such as bi-polar, depression, etc. also seem to be related to the processing of dopamine, norephidrine and serotonin in the brain. So all these things <em>should</em> help with depression as well.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Adderall - Son has responded really well to carefully considered adderal xl – the long lasting type. No side effects in his case. The poster who cautioned about bi-polar risk, however, is well informed, so make sure you have a “buddy” or someone to objectively assess your state when you do a drug trial, and journal your moods. Never double up and never abuse. Get a baseline heart health exam first, etc. Do this now while living at home. My son chose to wait until summer so that he could do trial near people who knew him well enough to observe behavior/mood changes.</p></li>
<li><p>Daily physical exercise – 30 min. – absolutely not kidding, this really really helps. Physical exercise releases and regulates brain chemistry.</p></li>
<li><p>Nutritional supplements – multivitamin, sublingual B for improved metabolism (and ergo production of neuro-chemicals), minl. of 1360 mg pure grade fish or algae oil, flax oil and magnesium plus 2000 iu of vitamin D. Research has shown all of the foregoing to be useful for ADD.</p></li>
<li><p>Transcendental Meditation - helps you become aware of the different “wavelengths” your mind operates upon. ADD - Inattentive’s issues are that you are in alpha more than normal (8 mhz) instead of beta…meaning you are likely quite creative or inspired generally but have difficulty on the rational throughput. For this reason, many holistically inclined practitioners recommend biofeedback to “shift your own gears.” However, we found this too expensive with spotty research/results to pursue in our case, since same can be achieved through TM.</p></li>
<li><p>Brain-Gym type exercises – Son has not worked with a lot of these yet; there are books out there that purport improvement or “cure” (questionable word usage, since it’s a genetic pre-disposition triggered or exacerbated by environmental) ADHD with cross-hemispheric exercises designed to integrate the left and right hemispheres of the brain and increase the “communication” (neurochemical impulse) activity. There has been some interesting research out recently that suggests these exercises and the “integration” of communication may in fact improve executive function and performance, but the scientific jury is still out on this one I think.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>If you haven’t already, make sure to mention to your counselor that you will need/want to retake you ACT/SATs with extended time. If your DX was thorough, I do not believe you will have a problem with this. My son had no problem at all receiving this type of compensation for all testing at a rigorous university.</p>

<p>Also note that if you’re slow at taking notes, or have symptoms such as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (usually goes hand in hand with inattentive type) and you can’t focus on what someone is saying and write at the same time, there is software available call MacScribe (not sure of PC equivalent) that will transcribe recorded files. If you use a good classroom recorder (eg H4Zoom is crystal clear) you can save time on compiling notes from which to study.
I hope this gives you good places to start.
Good luck and don’t stress. You are your own master!</p>

<p>P.S. Dr. Ned Hallowell has a second book out called DELIVERED from Distraction, with a lot of updated information and reference to new research. BOTH books are good, but remember, research is increasing by leaps and bounds each year, so they do grow a bit dated.</p>

<p>Yakyu – you sound as ignorant as scientologiest Tom Cruise when he criticized Brook Shields for using Paxil for her post-partum depression. And you know how well that went afterward :)</p>

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<p>“My doctor suggested Strattera … Luckily my insurance has a four dollar generic plan, so I can afford medication.”</p>

<p>Don’t think it’s available in generic yet.</p>

<p>Musicallylatin,
I think you’ve received some wonderful suggestions here; I’m going to check into some of the books mentioned for my 14 year old who is also diagnosed with ADHD-inattentive.</p>

<p>If I were you I would not worry about needing a “crutch” for the rest of your life or using ADHD as an “excuse.” You are only using it as an excuse if you are claiming you can’t do something because of it. That’s not what you’re doing. Instead you’re trying to find tools that will help you be able to learn and make the most of your potential. Good for you!</p>

<p>Take one day at a time, one step at a time. Who knows what treatments will exist or what you will need or not need later on in your life or even in a year or two. Focus on finding what you need to be your best today.
Best of luck!</p>

<p>Musicallylatin,
My eyeglasses are a crutch without which I can’t focus. And there are many, many people like me. Seventy-five years ago, eyeglasses were called “cheaters” because people using them were not relying on their natural eye-sight. Seems silly now, doesn’t it?<br>
It is great to have eyeglasses that work, even though it is true that they are a crutch without which my talents and energy would be wasted. I hope you can find the right medicine or other methods that will help you to focus. The world can’t afford to waste any more talent.</p>

<p>Okay, I’m not going to say that ADHD doesn’t exist. Because I can’t prove that. However, it hasn’t been proven either that it does exist.</p>

<p>What I do know for a fact, however, is that it gets far too much hype. My second job is at a daycare, very part time. And when you find out that 8 of the 20 kids have been diagnosed ADD/ADHD, you know something is up. I honestly do not think that even one of them really has it, but almost all of them need a good spanking. </p>

<p>I didn’t mean to start any controversy, but there is another opinion. Here is my bit of advice, you would do yourself a big favor if you didn’t tell anyone that you have it. Why let a disorder define you? You say you don’t want to use it as an excuse, and that is definitely a good thing. But even mentioning it can trigger negativity in some people. After all, half of the time all we here is “It’s not my fault I’m talkative in class/don’t do my work, I have ADHD, I really do!”</p>

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<p><strong>swish</strong> it’s a 3-pointer. :)</p>

<p>Agree that research is getting better and better. Still liked Driven to Distraction better than Delivered… maybe it was all about the AHA moment.</p>

<p>Technology - I know they’re considered expensive, but I love my Iphone that automatically syncs with my computer. I religiously use ICal and it doesn’t matter where I add something, it shows up both places WITH ALARMS. I have become a clock watcher to some extent because with the lack of focus often comes the ability to hyper focus on things you really love. (I count CC as one of those things where I can lose hours a day if left unchecked.) Truthfully though, there are not too many people who are good at being generalists in what they like to study, so for some things you’ll find you have to employ every strategy you can get your hands on, while for others it will seem far easier. </p>

<p>Lastly, I think the trouble some people have with ADD of any type is the inconsistencies in performance. One MIGHT assume if you can effortlessly write a paper for English, you should be able to get through your Math homework (or vice versa). But they’d be wrong.</p>

<p>I’ve found this man’s books to be helpful:</p>

<p>[Thom</a> Hartmann’s Hunter and Farmer Approach to ADD/ADHD | Thom Hartmann](<a href=“http://www.thomhartmann.com/articles/2007/11/thom-hartmanns-hunter-and-farmer-approach-addadhd]Thom”>Thom Hartmann's Hunter and Farmer Approach to ADD/ADHD | Thom Hartmann)</p>

<p>I second Modadunn’s advice of using technology to help organize your life and remember little things. I have an Android phone so I use google calendar and it syncs with my computer and has a feature where I can set up to 5 reminders per event (and it has tasks). If you have any form of smartphone I would definitely do that. Using some kind of dynamic note-taking software is also convenient; I personally don’t prefer Microsoft’s OneNote, but it definitely has a cool tagging system and a lot of different inputs (audio, video, scanned notes, drawings, etc.).</p>

<p>I was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD 10 years ago, so I’ve had plenty of time to cope, but I think that these steps really helped - I only really got my ADHD under control during high school. As kmccrindle said, exercise seriously helps. I feel so much better mentally and physically when I do work out. I personally feel okay without medication, but I find that stimulants are a lot worse than antidepressants in controlling my ADHD.</p>

<p>Also, to the people who say that ADHD does not exist, you honestly don’t know what you’re talking about. Is it overdiagnosed, especially in children? Yes. Is it fake? No.</p>

<p>Anyway, I hope you find everyone’s tips helpful. Good luck!</p>

<p>I actually have no difficulties with taking notes during lectures. Those are what I strive in most because I can take notes to pay attention. Less easy to get distracted. It’s when teachers have fill-in-the-blank notes or required notes, where I have to follow a paper and fill in an answer when the teacher lectures on it. Movie worksheets absolutely kill me. </p>

<p>I have my next psychiatry appointment Friday. There I will be getting the written proof of diagnosis to have a 504 Plan meeting with my guidance counselor, vice principal and mother. I’ll hopefully be receiving extended time on assignments and a study hall. (Study halls in my school are only normally given to students who are failing constantly.) I also need to see about a mild leeway on the absence policy. My school has a three absences in a class and you lose credit policy. Because of my mood swings going in the direction of stress and anxiety and being compounded by stress of school from ADHD I occasionally have to take days off to cope. Especially after a busy weekend. </p>

<p>I am in karate and go two to four days a week. Lately it’s been four. One hour on Monday and Wednesday and two hours on Tuesday and Thursdays. It helps a lot. I gave up marching band this semester for it. (Marching drastically increases my stress. I’ve had breakdowns on the field during rehearsals, and it didn’t allow me to get to bed early enough. Karate I find very therapeutic and a lot more physically demanding.)</p>

<p>Is it normal for those with ADHD to be extremely exhausted after school? I always am. I never knew why. Now I’m cracking it up to the intense amount of work it takes to concentrate. I’m not sure though. Is this normal? </p>

<p>Thanks again everyone!</p>