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Boo hoo,  aren't all I hoped they would be.When I started Strattera in February, I was feeling pretty hopeless and depressed. My depression cleared right up within the first few days of taking it, which I just thought was me feeling happy to start treating my ADHD. I switched to Adderall XR a week and a half ago and my ADHD symptoms are better than ever, but that same malaise I had all my life up until this last February came back. I guess even though Strattera isn't approved as an anti-depressant, it was doing the trick for me. So now I don't know what to do - hop back on the Strattera and see some of my hyperactivity creep back, or stay on the Adderall and act like a normal person but feel sad all the time. I'm thinking of taking one of my my 80mg Strattera pills tonight and seeing if I feel better tomorrow, but since it's been 9 days since I've taken Strattera it might make me puke or something. Maybe I'll do it...for science!
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| # ? May 13, 2013 23:11 |
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| # ? May 23, 2013 19:54 |
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Have you tried other stimulants besides Adderall? As for Strattera, it was originally developed as an antidepressant, but worked better for treating ADHD symptoms, hence its approval for ADHD and not depression. I believe there are a few goons in here who take a stimulant and an antidepressant. If you're dealing with depression as well as ADHD, you could ask about that as a treatment option. Anywho.. got my new Concerta. Unfortunately, I was not able to get the Watson generic (actual brand-name Concerta in disguise), so I got the Mallinckrodt-manufactured kind. I'll see how it goes. Luckily, I also have a bunch of IR Ritalin to pick up the slack if it craps out earlier than the regular stuff.
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| # ? May 13, 2013 23:24 |
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I finally got my psych to give me 2 months worth of scrips. Yeayyyyy!!! And I remembered to schedule an appt ahead of time this time! Let me tell you, getting 60mg adderall every day for a month and then not having it for a week, withdrawal lasts a long loving time.
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| # ? May 13, 2013 23:27 |
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Xibanya posted:Boo hoo, This is a perfect conversation to have with a psychiatrist. I'd be curious as to what a professional says.
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| # ? May 13, 2013 23:36 |
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Yeah, Xi, you might need both a stimulant and an antidepressant. I'm on that combo now (generic Concerta and generic Lamictal*), and life is so much more manageable and calmer now it's unbelievable. I can get stuff done because I have an attention span, AND an actual desire to do it. Should have done this 4 years ago. Then I may not have had to try every single ADHD drug under the sun. *Lamictal is a mood stabilizer primarily used for Bipolar, but it's also used as an anti-depressant in lower doses. It probably won't be your doctor's first choice; I'm on it because I'm such a delicate flower that my body can't handle the 5 classes of anti-depressants out there, so I officially have Treatment Resistant Depression + ADHD. Hence, this instead. And it works really well for me.  
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| # ? May 13, 2013 23:41 |
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aww yea i'm all on that mixed bag train. Adderall + wellbutrin + abilify + amitryptiline + hydroxizine. Yes.
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| # ? May 13, 2013 23:51 |
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I was diagnosed with ADHD (minus the H) when I was in sixth grade and have taken various stimulants like methylphenidate and dexedrine since. I have found that pot helps with the non-cognitive effects of my ADHD, like the restless feeling that manifests from not being able to sit down and loving enjoy something. However, it wrecks my concentration and memory while Im on it. I am going to start practicing mindfulness exercises, but what are some other non-chemical ways I can help train my brain to not crave instant gratification? Movies can be a bit challanging to finish and almost everytime I will get the urge to do something else during it. Books are even worse for that. It is near impossible for me to do one singular task, even if it isnt monotonous and menial, for an extended time.
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| # ? May 14, 2013 03:32 |
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I tend to advocate riding bikes. There is something about the movement speed that is stimulating, and the concentration that physical exertion provides that has a massively notable positive effect on my life- with or without medication. I have done several tests where I would read textbooks while on an elliptical trainer, versus in the best study circumstances (quiet room without distraction for set periods of time). I score 12 points higher on average when simply 'downloading words' while on the elliptical. For pleasure reading, I found that I can loving read the Game of Thrones series if its on a kindle. There is something about not having a mountain of pages in the immediate future that allows me to just read for pleasure- something I'm sure is completely foreign to you at the moment. We're talking the e-ink kind. It lowers eye strain. It has limited capabilities. Also you can plug in head phones and use the text to speech to have it read to you as you read the words. (Saves on buying unabridged audio books to do this same exercise on). Having two senses consumed with story can help you learn to focus enough to not need the audio eventually. Exercise and strengthening your willpower with small successes is key to doing the impossible.
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| # ? May 14, 2013 05:28 |
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Thanks, will definitely ask about that at my next appointment. Already my brain is racing around thinking of reasons to drop everything, dump my boyfriend, cut off my friends, and run away from society to live as a train-hopping hobo, but your plan sounds better. The boyfriend had been commenting lately how chilled out and flexible I'd seemed in the last few months. I thought I was becoming more awesome as a person but it was probably the ADHD drug. Man, Strattera is so subtle it's hard to tell it's doing anything when you're on it, but boy can I tell the difference when I'm off it! This Sunday was the first time my mom had seen me unmedicated since January, and without me telling her, she remarked "Oh, our Xibanya is back!" and said she missed my liveliness and that I'd seemed too aloof in the last few months. So even without meds my base personality is not completely without merit. According to my mom. 
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| # ? May 14, 2013 06:19 |
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I would sort of describe my early subjective experience of the positive effects of Namenda as similar to the positive effects I experienced with Strattera but with less terrible side effects so far while titrating up. Of course I've only been on it a week, ymmv, etc.
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| # ? May 14, 2013 13:37 |
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Xibanya posted:Thanks, will definitely ask about that at my next appointment. Already my brain is racing around thinking of reasons to drop everything, dump my boyfriend, cut off my friends, and run away from society to live as a train-hopping hobo, but your plan sounds better. Wanted to toss Tenex/Intuniv in the mix as well, it did wonders for my depression, and the above problem (which was my life). Seriously, it's nice to read other people feel the same way, try explaining this sentiment to a significant other - enjoy what feels like a break up talk when you aren't trying the exactly break up, just clarify that you want to tell everyone to get out of your life...
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| # ? May 14, 2013 15:14 |
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Will it spoil me posted:I was diagnosed with ADHD (minus the H) when I was in sixth grade and have taken various stimulants like methylphenidate and dexedrine since. I have found that pot helps with the non-cognitive effects of my ADHD, like the restless feeling that manifests from not being able to sit down and loving enjoy something. However, it wrecks my concentration and memory while Im on it. I am going to start practicing mindfulness exercises, but what are some other non-chemical ways I can help train my brain to not crave instant gratification? Movies can be a bit challanging to finish and almost everytime I will get the urge to do something else during it. Books are even worse for that. It is near impossible for me to do one singular task, even if it isnt monotonous and menial, for an extended time. I am exactly the same way. If you figure something out, please post about it, haha. I drive myself crazy when I'm not high. The restlessness is the worst. It's so hard for me to do anything, even fun stuff. I'm not really big doing physical stuff due to some health problems I have that make doing anything active feel awful. I do actually exercise almost everyday in spite of that to keep from becoming de-conditioned, but it is far from recreational. Fluorescent fucked around with this message at May 14, 2013 around 15:28 |
| # ? May 14, 2013 15:25 |
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I should have just lied. Got put on Abilify and Seroquel like some depressed 50 yo woman 
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| # ? May 14, 2013 15:25 |
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2 things 1- Anecdotal stuff here, but I am on a variety of antidepressants as well as adderall and as much as I'd love to say something like "if only I didn't have this ADHD problem my depression would go away" or smoething like that, chalking it all up to symptoms of the ADHD, I really hope people aren't just jumping straight there. Having been more successful in high school would not have solved all my problems. If I never made a bad decision, and if I was never late for anything, I would still have the things that gnaw at me. Please evaluate your situation and see how much you think ADHD is really causing all your problems. If you don't agree with your psych when they give you antidepressants but no cat drugs, feel free to tell them that you believe you have issues with both (because you're going to go to a different doctor until you get what you want anyway, right?) because that will net you a better chance at them working with you. I believe that level of honesty is important. At the same time just because you disagree with your doctor about that, doesn't mean you should discount their opinion that you might do well on some kind of happy pills. I'm one example, at least, of someone whose life has turned around since they got on medication for everything. Give it a shot. What have you got to lose? 2- I just recently started using Google Calendar and I'm sharing it with my wife and father in law so we can all see when we have things planned. The plan here is to automate reminders for me to study and all that. I used astrid tasks before, but GCalendar has just gotten that much better. Anyone else have any tools they use for life automation? I think there was some discussion a while back about this, it's time to revisit that topic I think. I have GCalendar synced across my phone, tablet, and PC with reminders all over the place. I want more. Anyone know of a good keychain locator device thing that is tiny??
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| # ? May 14, 2013 19:59 |
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signalnoise posted:1- Anecdotal stuff here, but I am on a variety of antidepressants as well as adderall and as much as I'd love to say something like "if only I didn't have this ADHD problem my depression would go away" or smoething like that, chalking it all up to symptoms of the ADHD, I really hope people aren't just jumping straight there. Having been more successful in high school would not have solved all my problems. If I never made a bad decision, and if I was never late for anything, I would still have the things that gnaw at me. Please evaluate your situation and see how much you think ADHD is really causing all your problems. If you don't agree with your psych when they give you antidepressants but no cat drugs, feel free to tell them that you believe you have issues with both (because you're going to go to a different doctor until you get what you want anyway, right?) because that will net you a better chance at them working with you. I believe that level of honesty is important. At the same time just because you disagree with your doctor about that, doesn't mean you should discount their opinion that you might do well on some kind of happy pills. I'm one example, at least, of someone whose life has turned around since they got on medication for everything. Give it a shot. What have you got to lose? Oh I'm sure I have other things going on, but the disregard for what I walked in there for (attention issues affecting my home life, work, and personal development) got me thinking I'm talking to the wrong person. I'm going to give it three months and see what happens to me, but I after a few weeks here I don't feel any better, and I sure as hell haven't seen any improvement in my attention issues (because I'm not on any ADHD medications,  )I'm giving it a shot. If it doesn't work out, doc-shopping I a-go.
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| # ? May 14, 2013 20:26 |
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I'm modifying a Hal 9000 replica to light up when my task list has an overdue item, but its a pure vanity project. As for the keys... Its lofi but this is the best solution - http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3744301
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| # ? May 14, 2013 20:29 |
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So, please excuse the long post, I know in this thread that it's probably a bad idea. I was diagnosed ADHD (inattentive) in university, when after failing a bunch of stuff due to lack of focus / inability to sit through classes without daydreaming I finally went to a learning specialist who referred me to a physician. Started out on stratera, no luck. Was given Ritalin XR, and it was quite literally a HOLY poo poo THIS IS HOW NORMAL MINDS WORK?! kind of result. After a while though, I kind of came to the conclusion that I didn't like the way I thought when I was on it, it wasn't 'me', so I stopped taking it around 4th year of university. Thankfully by this point my classes were interesting enough that I could actually stay sort of on task, and I did very well. Queue me thinking that I could deal with this without meds. I have my methods (20 mins work 5 mins whatever the gently caress I want, listen to music while working, etc.) that generally work pretty well, but now that I'm out in the working world my job (while awesome) does at times involve mundane bullshit that isn't all that interesting. While my performance reviews have all been very good, I know I'm not getting as much done as I could. The other area that I haven't really thought about in a while is the social effect. I have trouble paying attention when something isn't directly interesting, I get stuck on one train of thought and can't move on to something else, etc. I also am horrible at meeting new people, because my thoughts are so jumbled I can never seem to say what I actually want to say. I guess my first step is finding a family doctor in my area that's actually taking new patients, but after that, what should I do? I'm nervous about medications that will result in me not being myself, but would also like to improve at work (and it'd be great to not get half the lawn mowed, realize there are some weeds in the garden, start pulling those, oh look the garden is kinda dry, guess I'll water it, oh I have the hose out and my car is dirty.... 5 hours later and the lawn still isn't cut). Is it possible to have meds that can be taken on an as needed basis? Are there other things I can do to help with stuff without medications?
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| # ? May 14, 2013 22:43 |
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OmNom posted:Wanted to toss Tenex/Intuniv in the mix as well, it did wonders for my depression, and the above problem (which was my life). Seriously, it's nice to read other people feel the same way, try explaining this sentiment to a significant other - enjoy what feels like a break up talk when you aren't trying the exactly break up, just clarify that you want to tell everyone to get out of your life... Thanks, gonna look into it for sure! My appointment is on the 28th, so until then I think I'll cut open some of my 80mg capsules (I have like 27 left, I'm glad to use them as even with Cigna, I pay $100 per 30 strattera pills.) and sprinkle like half into some orange juice and take it til then for the antidepressant effect I was getting. Hang the ADHD, when I first started taking Strattera I felt happier within days. Will report back to thread on results! The scary thing is that on Strattera I finally felt capable of truly loving and empathizing with others. And seconds ago I caught myself thinking the thought "gently caress everyone, nobody understands meeeee!" What a thing to be affected by chemicals running around in my brain! EDIT: 西班牙's Guide To Ingesting Strattera Powder! So here's the present situation:  Things had to change, so for the first time in my life, I cut $3 in half.  This brings me back to the halcyon MDMA nights of my college years.  And here's tomorrow's dose, if this one doesn't make me puke.  The internet told me Strattera powder was bitter, and the manufacturer says DO NOT ingest the powder, so surely this will go right down with a glass of apple juice!  Wow, that REALLY brought me back to my MDMA nights. Strattera and Molly are both bitter as all get out. Strattera might even be worse, I don't remember gagging at the bitterness of Molly. But a few spoonfuls of sugar ought to set things right.  Still horrid, but maybe heating it in the microwave will make the sugar dissolve. In the meantime, some relevant reading while I wait!  God, it's horrible! How do I mask this bitterness?  Note to self: parachute with wax paper next time. EDIT EDIT: Hours later and no side-effects observed, so I guess it wasn't all out of my system yet! Also, to TrueChaos, the stimulant meds can be taken just as needed. As far as alternate remedies, vigorous exercise releases endorphins, which can temporarily stimulate your brain enough that it's not constantly seeking out new stimulation (eg causing ADHD symptoms). Others swear by fish oil pills. I've been taking melatonin before bed. Allegedly this can help because it makes your sleep more high-quality or something, and missing out on delta-wave sleep makes symptoms worse or some such thing. Xibanya fucked around with this message at May 15, 2013 around 03:47 |
| # ? May 15, 2013 01:23 |
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Hello all, I posted a couple years ago asking if I should go on Adderall for my ADD (not ADHD). So I'm looking for some advice. Warning, small personal issues dump. I was tested in college for ADD, and even though I think those test results were compromised because of my active drug addiction (opiates), I definitely went for a reason. I never got prescribed Adderall or whatever, and the past few years have been devoted to me getting off drugs and dealing with a bunch of other poo poo in my life. But enough of that, I'm here to talk about my ADD. Through college and until recently I've been able to mask a lot of the issues I face because (a) I'm smart, and (b) I can work fast even if I'm neglectful, procrastinating, and distracted 90% of the time. However, I'm now trying to balance a focus-intensive job (I'm a grant writer) and focus-intensive personal work (I'm a creative writer and preparing to apply for an MFA), I'm finding that my ADD symptoms, nascent before, masked by my drug use, are really coming to the fore. I find myself (I think) self-medicating with caffeine and nicotine, now. I'm also 3.5 years sober so any of these attention issues which I might have attributed to drugs or my home life are obviously not related to that. Even if the amphetamine medications are more attractive to me--I have had positive experiences with them when I took them responsibly--let's face it, they're an awful idea for a recovering addict, I've abused stimulants in the past, I already suffer with a great deal of anxiety and have trouble sleeping. So to my mind, this leaves Strattera. From what I've been reading, Strattera (of course) works for ADD, and the other potential off-label uses for anxiety, depression, and compulsive eating would also help me directly, if it works. I just wonder if I'm just normal and being hysterical. Do any of yall find these symptoms jive with what you experience?
I'm not looking for a diagnosis (I've got that, officially & personally). I just want to know if I'm being ridiculous. I have appointments with my therapist and my internist on the 29th, during which times I plan to discuss these issues and (hopefully) get a Rx for strattera.
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| # ? May 16, 2013 18:37 |
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No not ridiculous. Jury is out on the effectiveness of stimulants after age 19 clinically speaking, and they are a really bad idea for addicts. So you seem like you're on track with managing your condition. Keep us posted.
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| # ? May 16, 2013 21:12 |
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Sounds incredibly similar to me before Adderall, minus the charts/lists business, because, yah, there's no way that was happening. It was great at helping me with the obvious symptoms that I initially went in for, but I was really blown away by all the other stuff(anxiety, racing thoughts, getting in stupid fights with people) that it alleviated, and which I had no idea were a part of it. So, not only do I think that you are not hysterical, but that there's a good chance that it may help with stuff that you may not even realize is connected. For instance, I would be surprised if the "other poo poo in my life" didn't sound very familiar to a lot of us. TheBigBad posted:Jury is out on the effectiveness of stimulants after age 19 clinically speaking, and they are a really bad idea for addicts. Clinically, I don't know, but as a sample of one stranger on the internet, I'm in my thirties and it's been incredibly effective for me. If there's a non stimulant solution that works for you, and you're worried about addiction, obviously err on the side of caution. But if a non stimulant version doesn't work for you, and you're still self medicating with nicotine, it may be worthwhile to discuss with your various supporting parties what the actually addiction risk is for you with a mild stimulant, versus the multitude of risks associated with nicotine, and which has a much higher addiction rate anyway.
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| # ? May 17, 2013 17:48 |
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Yeah I think the main issue with stimulant treatment in adults isn't that it doesn't work, but more that there's a lot of adults who get their GP to diagnose them with "ADHD" who don't really have it or need the adderall they take. About 75% of the actual adult ADHD cases I know would be a wreck if it wasn't for stimulants (and the other 25% either self medicate with nicotine and caffeine or are lucky enough to have strattera or wellbutrin work for them.)
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| # ? May 17, 2013 18:16 |
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TrueChaos posted:So, please excuse the long post, I know in this thread that it's probably a bad idea. Let me return the favor with a long response of my own  What aspect of you did you feel was not yourself, if you don't mind sharing? And is it honestly worse than your current concerns or inability to perform and interact in a way you know you are capable of and desire? Some stims do cause emotional issues for some people, but not necessarily all, and there's probably a good fit for you out there. And my Adderall IR(vs XR like you had) kicks in at about 1 hour on the dot, lasts maybe 3-4 hours of good productivity and calm thoughts, then fades away. Not sure if that's the "as needed" you were looking for, but there yah go. There are lots of techniques for helping yourself without meds, like diet changes, supplements, and exercise, and lots of tips on how to help keep yourself organized. But personally, I would have had a difficult, if not impossible time implementing those types of changes without meds first. My therapist put it really well, I feel: The condition is a boulder on your back, pressing you into the ground. You can't move, and you can't even see it for what it is. The right medication is leverage that allows you to get out from underneath it, assess it, and figure out the best way to chip it down to a manageable size. Once it's manageable, the medication can be more of a choice. I quit for a couple months to regain some weight I had lost, and even without it I was so much happier and retained lots of good habits I had built up while on it, so you don't need to necessarily look at it as a lifetime decision. Also, make sure you are honestly assessing if your desire to avoid meds is truly rational. I ask because my family has a huge stigma on using medication unless it is practically the only thing keeping your heart beating, and the idea of me being on Adderall really freaked them out. But they have few rational reasons for believing it. It's just a "gut feeling" or "everyone abuses it" or the general stigma for taking care of ourselves that seems to be rampant in the US. Also, ADHD often makes us fixate on strange thoughts, or to feel that we don't deserve to be better, especially if it's as easy as taking a pill. But really, if you truly have ADHD, then taking meds for it should be like me taking allergy pills to not be miserable with snot pouring down my face all day. Or like a diabetic using insulin. Or any other medication that people use when their body just isn't working the way it's supposed to.
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| # ? May 17, 2013 19:52 |
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I don't want to derail but he's presented as a recovering addict practicing rigorous honesty. Stimulants have the potential for abuse that nicotine and caffeine do not. It is a bad idea, but don't take our  for it- ask your sponsor.I'm sure the population of regulars in this thread- we would have a completely skewed statistic of "they work" in adults vs "they don't". If it was concrete- the new DSM would rely on scientific tests rather than the subjective judgements for diagnosis and treatment more so than it does or probably will in our lifetimes.
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| # ? May 17, 2013 19:52 |
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Re: stimulants for an ex-addict, I know this is anecdotal, but I spent about 5 months consuming 2 grams of coke per week (it calmed me down, much like actual ADHD meds, imagine that) and I'm having no temptation at all to abuse my Adderall or whatever. The following sounds like e/n, but it's not because it's about brain chemicals rather than my being stuck in a well: I've been having weeping spells for the last three days and I can't figure out if it's the Adderall making me upset or my underlying depression/anxiety making me upset. It's hard to separate the two because I had weeping spells pre-Strattera, but never three days in a row. I've been taking 5-htp instead of Stattera powder, but it seems placebo-ish to me. I guess it could be the amphetamine comedown getting to me, but I really never had bad comedowns from cocaine, which is supposed to be a much harder drug. More on my catdrug adventures, I'm also finding that when I have a task to do, Adderall helps me get to it no problem, but when people are talking to me, I have ADHD "blinks" just like I did pre-Strattera, and I'll totally miss out on 5 seconds of a conversation. Conversely, on Strattera, when left to an independent task I would quickly get distracted and off-track, but I had much better retention of stuff others said to me. It's like Adderall improves my attention to inanimate objects and Strattera improves my attention to people. Rrraaaaghh, my followup with the psychiatrist can't get here soon enough!
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| # ? May 18, 2013 03:10 |
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Okay, so over the years, I've developed this "defense" against forgetting stuff. Which would be cool, except it makes me absolutely miserable. If there's ANYTHING I am planning on doing (this can be anything from looking up a test question to thinking about what clothes I am about to put on), I will zoom in on whatever it is I'm about to do and will constantly rehearse what I'm going to do. Like, I'll keep thinking over and over again about the exact steps I'm going to take to do whatever. For looking up that test question, I would go over which search engine I'd use, what exact query I want to use, and then I would just keep repeating that over and over again until it happens. I hate this so much. I tried writing down the stuff I want to do in hopes that would help, but instead I just keep thinking CHECK NOTEBOOK CHECK NOTEBOOK CHECK NOTEBOOK over and over again and I'll imagine like.. what exact time I will check it, which things I'll do first, etc. If I'm planning on going somewhere, I will keep reminding myself which things I need to take (like wallet, keys, etc.) until I finally leave. I used to not do this. Help. I am driving myself crazy. It doesn't even really stop me from forgetting anything. Does anyone else do this or am I just weird? Fluorescent fucked around with this message at May 20, 2013 around 17:38 |
| # ? May 20, 2013 17:36 |
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Fluorescent posted:Does anyone else do this or am I just weird? I don't do it all the time, but yes. I'm so bad my wife will ask me for something like a brush from the bathroom, I'll go in, see a towel on the floor, pick it up and hang it, then walk back out and sit down where I was. I have to go "Get brush, get brush, get brush" to actually do anything that has a space between starting and doing. Side note, I'm absolutely miserable. I can't even concentrate on the things I enjoy, let alone stuff I find less than pleasurable or work. Abilify sucks, I'm hellbent on trying catdrugs to see if they can do anything.
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| # ? May 20, 2013 19:08 |
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Sounds a little OCD to me. <-- not a doctor.
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| # ? May 20, 2013 20:41 |
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I just want to take the time to thank you guys for this thread. I've been recently diagnosed with ADD and depression after a life of wondering what the hell is going on (I'm 27), and it feels like I got a second chance in life. My life is in ruins at the moment, I'm a week away from being homeless (again!), but in big part because of you guys I found light at the end of the tunnel and this makes such a big difference! So again, thank you guys! 
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| # ? May 20, 2013 20:53 |
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TheBigBad posted:Sounds a little OCD to me. No, I mean just anything that gets my attention (a sound, one of my kids, whatever) will break my concentration. It's not the fact the towel is messed up, it's that I'm doing something other than getting the brush. I'd just pick the towel up (or flush the toilet, or wipe water off the counter, or whatever) because that's a thing you should do in your house, not because I have a need to clean.
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| # ? May 20, 2013 20:58 |
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Tricerapowerbottom posted:No, I mean just anything that gets my attention (a sound, one of my kids, whatever) will break my concentration. It's not the fact the towel is messed up, it's that I'm doing something other than getting the brush. I'd just pick the towel up (or flush the toilet, or wipe water off the counter, or whatever) because that's a thing you should do in your house, not because I have a need to clean. Oh I gotcha. That's what I was talking about earlier with the differ Ritalin manufacturers. The Target generic I do great on... The one from Medco... Makes that propensity to just be a total space cadet at a per task level so pronounced I would have to develop a mechanism like you're describing. Are you guys on meds and have they changed recently? Also @molentik- Congrats! Sometimes just having an explanation for why you are the way you are is such a relief!
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| # ? May 20, 2013 21:31 |
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Has anybody with non hyperactive ADHD found good solutions to the bored, restless feeling? I can sit still fine, but my mind can't. Multiple times during a movie I'll want to do something else. Other times, I won't be able to find anything that entertains me and I have this gnawing boredom. I have been prescribed various stimulants for add and it has been pretty effective but this gnawing boredom isn't fully eradicated by speed
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| # ? May 21, 2013 20:16 |
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So far I'm having a really positive experience with Namenda. Still titrating up, but I've noticed a real tangible improvement in anxiety particularly. This is helping me get started on tasks more easily and also interact socially. I still have a bit of brain fog side effect and I look forward to being done with the titration process.
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| # ? May 21, 2013 20:22 |
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Will it spoil me posted:Has anybody with non hyperactive ADHD found good solutions to the bored, restless feeling? I can sit still fine, but my mind can't. Multiple times during a movie I'll want to do something else. Other times, I won't be able to find anything that entertains me and I have this gnawing boredom. I have been prescribed various stimulants for add and it has been pretty effective but this gnawing boredom isn't fully eradicated by speed How are you watching the movie? Are we talking in the theater or are we talking on a computer or television screen?
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| # ? May 21, 2013 20:31 |
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Will it spoil me posted:Has anybody with non hyperactive ADHD found good solutions to the bored, restless feeling? I can sit still fine, but my mind can't. Multiple times during a movie I'll want to do something else. Other times, I won't be able to find anything that entertains me and I have this gnawing boredom. I have been prescribed various stimulants for add and it has been pretty effective but this gnawing boredom isn't fully eradicated by speed I get that feeling of being desperately bored quite frequently. I'll be dicking around on the computer even though it's horribly boring and the absolute last thing I want to be doing is wasting my time dicking around on the computer, all while mentally screaming at myself to stop dicking around on the computer. On the meds it happens plenty, but I'm better able to snap out of it and actually go do an actual thing I want to do. When I get in those funks and don't know what to do, I try to either do housekeeping (because at least I'm DOING something!) or leaving the house for an adventure collecting shiny pebbles or to seek out The Most Beautiful Perfect Leaf or something silly. Getting out of your immediate environment for a while is a good way to clear your head. Or, if you're in a place (like a theater) where you can't just up and wander around or go do something else, I just let myself disengage and daydream, because trying to stay engaged when I'm in a mentally restless state just makes my eventual patience level cliff-drop happen sooner, after which I get pissy and irate and probably needlessly stressed out too.
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| # ? May 21, 2013 20:58 |
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Authentic You posted:I get that feeling of being desperately bored quite frequently. I'll be dicking around on the computer even though it's horribly boring and the absolute last thing I want to be doing is wasting my time dicking around on the computer, all while mentally screaming at myself to stop dicking around on the computer. On the meds it happens plenty, but I'm better able to snap out of it and actually go do an actual thing I want to do. I'm glad we have similar experiences, well not glad because it sucks rear end, but it still helps. Going outside and on adventures is always fun, but that thought either doesnt come to me when I'm bored or sometimes Ill just feel too lazy or tired to do it. And to the previous poster, it happens at theaters, computers, tvs, etc.
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| # ? May 22, 2013 18:01 |
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I will echo that when I am feeling like that the #1 best way to fix it, which works 100% of the time, is to get out of the drat house. I also have trouble thinking of doing that at the times when I need to most, but once I finally make up my mind to do something instead of staying in that nether world of "hmm what should I do lets see I'll just sit here" I feel much better. I think that's why biking works so well for me, because it's an excuse to get out of the house and just fully connect with my surroundings, which satisfies my adhd and gives me time to think. I can feel myself getting calmer and calmer until eventually I'm feeling in control of my life, confident of myself and at ease with the person I am. If I go a few days without getting that kind of exercise (be it hiking, biking, skiing, whatever - just has to be exercise and have an outdoorsy exploring aspect to it), I start feeling crappy again. It's crazy, but also makes total sense on a chemical level.
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| # ? May 22, 2013 18:25 |
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| # ? May 23, 2013 19:54 |
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Will it spoil me posted:
I'd wager there is a significant difference between the theater and watching something on a computer or ipad. Maybe you're watching a bad movie- but I would bet on summer blockbusters in the theater as the best bet for engagement and satisfying entertainment. Its built around keeping our brains delighted in a format we're instinctively familiar and comfortable with. Dark theater, no options to distract us except kids and people rustling bags of popcorn into the second act. I came across a really helpful podcast this week that I found inspiring- http://adamcarolla.com/adamanddrew/ episode #044 The Entry Hall of Life. Sometimes Adam is just insensitive, sometimes he hits it right on the money. Sometimes Drew is just outside of his field particularly when it comes to ADHD so take some of their opinions with a grain of salt. This episode reminds me of the times when I have been successful, and felt like I could do anything it was after a long period of just disengaging and just doing the work that I had committed to. I think Adam's bit about just start being a get it done, do it now, I don't care just do it voice inside your own head is something we all have to eventually do particularly when you're bored. Give it a listen. This episode in particular really spoke to me.
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| # ? May 22, 2013 18:51 |
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