Posted by hyperfocus on February 13, 2013, at 16:44:19
In reply to Re: ADD » hyperfocus, posted by ChicagoKat on February 13, 2013, at 11:05:45
>I find it impossible to focus on anything...it drives me insane, bc all I want to do is to be able to cncentrate better so I can read my books, and so that I can do more cleaning of the house.
>
I feel exactly the same way. When I did have periods of antidepressant response it was primarily my ability to simply do these things that benchmarked how my meds were working. It took me a while to realize that what my meds did was simply give me back the ability to cope with moderate-to-severe inattention that I had been working against my whole life.
ADD isn't a deficit in cognitive ability or motivation -- it many cases it's quite the opposite. People with ADD often just need to be doing more things simultaneously. All of us get taught at an early age about the value of discipline and habits like single-minded focus; we get told we shouldn't read or study with the TV on and to always finish one thing before starting another. Those rules don't apply to ADD people who often need desperately need to do more things simultaneously. Not being able to read a book chapter or fill out a simple 2-page form or vacuum the living room is not solely a symptom of severe depression if you can still mindlessly read Wikipedia articles for hours.
Simple habits to try like reading with the TV or radio going or reading three things at once or starting three housework tasks at once can make a significant difference. ADD can't be cured with meds alone so habits like these are ones you will have to cultivate over a lifetime. There's a lot of good stuff on adult ADD on the 'net if you search for it.
If you're able to do things that give you emotional fulfillment it will improve your depression, regardless of what may be happening at your neuroreceptors. If Ritalin primarily gives you the ability to do these things for a few hours it's possible you could learn strategies and behaviors that allow you to do these things and slowly build up an arsenal of small things to fight against the depression. It could turn out to be a positive thing if you are able to effectively address a life-long condition.
C-PTSD: social phobia, major depression, dissociation. 20 yrs duration.
Asperger's Syndrome.
Currently: 150mg amitriptyline single dose at night. 75mg Lyrica occasionally.
Significantly improving.
poster:hyperfocus
thread:1036953
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130205/msgs/1038018.html