Posted by laima on July 20, 2006, at 9:54:04
In reply to Re: Doc won't treat ADD » cloudydaze, posted by curtm on July 20, 2006, at 8:34:26
I was going to say, I've seen questionaires about ADD just as I've seen questionaires about anxiety disorders, depression scales, psychosis evaluations, etc. But the test you took sounds even more "official" or "unbiased" somehow than those. I do agree with the person who said that questionaires and tests alone are perhaps not the best way to make a definitive diagnosis, and also agree that it is important to consider factors such as how the disorder affects daily life functioning, etc.
A lot of "healthy" people might score high on the tests when in a poor mood, for example. (I imagine you know, as likely we all do, "feeling blue" or "disracted" once in awhile, doesn't make a clinical mood disorder. I get so irritated when happy, well-adjusted people say stuff like "I'm so depressed that there is nothing good on tv tonight", "I can't pay attention to this boring lecture- must be my add". etc., but I digress...) And then there is a lot of potential for overlap, as in the very unfortunate story shared by cloudydaze.But, is it true that adult add usually lacks "hyperactive or "racing" elements? Or am I wrong in thinking this? My own add is more spaciness, inability to concentrate, pay attention, or stick to tasks, easy distraction, etc.
I was thinking about your predicament, and it occurred to me that every psychiatrist I've ever met seemed to have a philosophy of "one thing at a time so we know what is affecting what".
Perhaps, plausabley, your doctor is understandabley reluctant to prescribe a stimulant to a person who expresses troubeling agitation, racing thoughts, and the like? A stimulant might make such symptoms much worse by increasing anxiety and agitation. Also, in my own experience as a patient, I noticed that there is often a mood lull or slight fall as they (stimulants) wear off. (Provigel the exception-but while not sure again, I think it is better for sleep and wakefulness troubles rather than ADD. (At least in my case.) And again, my doctor claims it can interact with many other substances, limiting overall treatment options.) Maybe that's why this talk of first "quieting" your mind came up?I'm still sorry your doctor seems so insistent on anti-psychotics.
What if you proposed that you wished to try something like klonopin or even one of those "mood stabilizers" like lamictal?
I myself found lamictal didn't agree with me, but it sure was a massive improvement over zyprexa. (And again, I know zyprexa works great for many people- and I envy those who can tolerate it- for it sure does seem to help with mood and anxiety!)I hope I didn't step on any slippery slope here with my thoughts or words in this post-I know we are all different and went through different trials and have had different experiences.
I'm no medical expert, I'm just speculating based upon my own experiences as a patient who over the years tried many different drugs, and and am sincerely wishing to be helpful and supportive. (diagnosed and being treated for mood disorder- resistant unipolar depression and anxiety-and add)> The ADD test was simple. I took it on a computer
> The screen was black with a 2" x 3" square in the middle. The computer would either display the number 1 or 2 in the box. The computer will sound a number 1 or 2 also. Each time you hear or see the number 1, you click the left mouse button. Somehow base on your reaction and accuracy it evaluates your "symptoms." My psychologist ran this test for me.
poster:laima
thread:664760
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060717/msgs/668560.html