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http://www.GinaPera.com
http://ADHDRollerCoaster.org
I'm sorry that you find yourself in this situation.
There are many issues here, and I'm having trouble making sense of some of them.
1. Why do you think you have only a "very mild" case of ADHD?
2. It sounds like you had abused Adderall. I won't use the word "recreationally" because stimulant abuse is not recreational, it's drug abuse.
3. You were prescribed Ritalin, which does not have the same "kick" as the amphetamine class of stimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse, etc.). So, you kept taking higher and higher doses to chase that effect. That is a problem for people who do not approach their ADHD comprehensively, with an emphasis on organizational strategies, healthy habits, and good sleep.
4. You were later prescribed Vyvanse and you say you have been abusing that as well. Not taking as prescribed.
5. How have you continued to work and take care of a baby? You must be functioning pretty well?
6. What is the effect that you feel when you take more Vyvanse than you should?
7. How many milligrams daily were you prescribed, and how many are you taking?
7. Do you live in a major city, where there are sophisticated psychiatrists?
Most people with ADHD do not abuse stimulants. But some people get the idea that the "super focus" or slight "tingling" feeling they get from the amphetamine stimulants is proof that the medication is "working." It's not.
The proof should come in the doctor monitoring symptoms visit after visit to gauge progress. If you go just by that "superfocus" or "tingling" feeling, you're going to need more and more to get that effect. And that's when drug abuse starts.
In my experience, the people who most tend to abuse the stimulants have bipolar disorder. Has that been ruled out for you?
Unfortunately, it is very hard to get expert care for ADHD and the commonly co-existing conditions (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc.). Much relies on the patient being pro-active.
If you seek typical substance-abuse treatment, the risk is that the underlying psychiatric condition (whatever it is, bipolar, ADHD, etc.) will be missed.
If you consult an average psychiatrist, without knowledge of ADHD, the risk is that you will be labeled a "drug seeker" without much effort to understand the underlying psychiatric condition. Yet, a new study confirms what many ADHD experts have observed for years: that the people who "abuse" stimulants (meaning, not having a prescription) probably have ADHD, too.
https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/people-who-take-adderall-without-a-prescription-might-actually-have-adhd
If you truly have ADHD, it will be that much harder to quit the stimulants entirely, because your thoughts will be more disorganized and lacking focus. Yet, from what you relate, if you continue having the stimulants on hand, you will be unable to resist abusing them.
Much will depend on the level of care you have access to. My best suggestion would be to try tapering off slowly. And talk to your doctor about an older formulation used to treat ADHD, Nortriptyline. I've never heard of it being abuseable; it has a different mechanism of action.
But, if you can undergo a thorough psychiatric evaluation, you might find that you have bipolar disorder alone, or combined with ADHD. In the latter case, treating the bipolar first is what's recommended.
I wish you luck.
Gina Pera, Adult ADHD expertView Thread

http://www.GinaPera.com
http://ADHDRollerCoaster.org


http://www.GinaPera.com
http://ADHDRollerCoaster.org
I'm sorry to hear of your struggles.
You sound as though you have much to offer, but ADHD symptoms might be sabotaging your best efforts.
Are you pursuing any type of medical treatment?
Behaviors such as "blurting" and "interrupting" and "missing social cues" are classic ADHD-related challenges, and they typically respond well to medication.
A pep talk can go only so far—and will not prevent this from happening to you again. If nothing changes, and you keep receiving such feedback, you might become increasingly pessimistic about your job and work prospects.
I encourage you to look into medication treatment. It could just be the strategy you need to continue doing work that you love.
Good luck!
GinaView Thread

http://www.GinaPera.com
http://ADHDRollerCoaster.org


http://www.GinaPera.com
http://ADHDRollerCoaster.org
Are you sure the other "psychiatric problem that is not ADHD" is actually not ADHD?
Many treating physicians do not realize that ADHD itself is associated with mood challenges and irritability. Additionally, ADHD is often co-existing with depression and anxiety.
The stimulants are the first-line medication for ADHD. Often, a second medication will be helpful in treating the full range of symptoms, such as from the depression and/or anxiety.
Risperdol is an anti-psychotic with a high side effect profile.
It is not considered a first- or even second-line treatment for ADHD.
I hope this helps.
Gina Pera, Adult ADHD expertView Thread

http://www.GinaPera.com
http://ADHDRollerCoaster.org


I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that! It is a testament to others that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
As always, keep us posted.
Remember that you're not alone and we are here for you ((hugs))! View Thread



This is a good question for your doctor, as he/she would know the best approach possible for ADD testing for your son.
If you are looking for more information about ADD, then I highly suggest reaching out to the organizations listed at this link: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-resources .View Thread



I'm sorry to hear of your struggles.
You know, a study just came out recently showing that children with ADHD who are medically treated early and continually have less chance of developing a substance-use disorder.
In other words, ADHD itself can present a greater risk of "self-medicating" with marijuana and street drugs. So, this is not personal failure of yours but a biological vulnerability.
It might have been that the Concerta was at too high a dose. Or, even too low a dose. It's impossible for me to say.
Hard-to-control anger can have many causes. Some are "psychological" and will respond to "anger-management" classes or therapy.
But with conditions such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, and even depression/anxiety, the anger has a biological cause. And, it's best to focus on that first. Especially if other attempts to control temper seem fruitless.
You have a little baby, and that means your hormones might still be affected from the pregnancy. But of course a little baby places demands on one's "focus" and patience.
ADHD itself is associated with "emotional dysregulation." That is, anger, temper, etc. The stimulants (such as Concerta, Vyvanse, etc. ...I don't know the choices in Scotland) can often help the person to better control emotional reactions.
Perhaps the Concerta was not the right stimulant for you; there are other choices you can try. Perhaps you needed a different dose. Or, you might have needed a second medication to address depression/anxiety.
Many adults with ADHD do best on two medications -- one for core ADHD symptoms (a stimulant) and one for the co-existing conditions such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia (typically Strattera or an antidepressant).
Perhaps you can connect with a Scottish support group, to get some tips on finding medical care, etc.
Here is a link:
http://www.adders.org/scotlandmap.htm
Good luck!
Gina PeraView Thread







It's important to remember that ADHD is a variable syndrome, with many co-existing conditions. So, there are no cookie cutter answers about ADHD, in any direction.
Motor coordination is one of the many physical systems affected by the dopamine pathways. Dopamine is the molecule we talk about most prominently with ADHD, though of course other brain chemicals are associated with the condition (e.g. norepinephrine, serotonin, etc.).
Some children with ADHD have difficulty playing sports or even riding bicycles because of this.
If you have not considered medical treatment, I encourage you to do it now.
Good luck!
Gina Pera
http://www.ADHDRollerCoaster.orgView Thread

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First, you should know that Adderall does NOT work well for many people with ADHD.
Until you decide that Phentermine works best for you, you should work with a competent prescriber who can provide a trial of several choices of stimulants. Your individual neurochemistry great affects which will work best for you.
Good luck,
Gina Pera
http://www.ADHDRollerCoaster.orgView Thread



Either it focused solely on helping the Adult with ADHD, recruiting the partner as "helper" or it depicted the adult with ADHD as the problem who wouldn't cooperate with therapy.
A new model was needed.
ADHD experts Arthur L.Robin, PhD, and Gina Pera have produced a new model for ADHD couple therapy. In their new book "Adult ADHD-Focused Couple Therapy," they educate clinicians on how to best help these couples.
Contributors to the book include J. Russell Ramsay, known for his work in adapting CBT to ADHD. He developed a CBT-based model for these couples.View Thread



I think your insight into your students' needs is wonderful. I would urge you to find a way to communicate it to parents because so many have no clue. They are likely frustrated with the poor child, who is developing a lousy self image. In my personal experience, it is often the teacher who brings it to the parents' attention first. Be prepared for rebuff: "Not my child, no way." It is the second or third time, each from a different source, that the parents begin to look and see for themselves and have the child tested. So if they don't buy what you tell them from you, at least you've introduced the idea and started the countdown until they accept and act.
I think those of us who recognize we have it can be pretty good at spotting it in others. It seems to me to be a composite of many behaviors that alone mean nothing, but taken together seem clearly ADHD. Most often, I kind of resonate and that is what causes me to examine the behavior more attentively.View Thread











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I am a 35 male, diagnosed with ADHD, for 4 months ago. I do work as a doctor, taking my residency in Orthopedic surgery. Due to the stress at work, my symptoms were aggraving, and i was at the point of loosing my residency. Thats why i seeked help, at a psychologist and a psychiatrist, who diagnosed me with ADHD.
1) i startede with 5 mg Ritalin, increasing to 20 mg x 1, which was the optimal dose. then i started to took it 3 times a day. It was very good. but i was interessted in taking a drug that lasts a long time so i do not need to take it many times.
2) My psychiatrist, changed me to Concerta 18 mg x 2, and then increased 36 mg x 2. But i could feel nothing at all. i felt kind of depressed.
3) My psychiatrist changed me back to Ritalin long long lasting, this time, 50 mg x 3 a dag. i had no sideffects, and it was working i got more productiv, and the inner and outer restless disapeared, so i could sit and study quitly and focused. the problem is that i have to take it every 3,5 hours, which is not optimal at work, and after 3-4 weeks i startes to get ticks in my eyes and takycardia.
4) lately my psychatrist changed med to Vyvanse 50 mg x 1 and Ritalin 10 mg as a supplement as needed. the problem is i cannot feel any changes with Vyvanse, other than no apetite, i feel alot of inner and outer restless, i cannot sit and study, i start procrostinate. but as soon as i take 20 mg Ritalin. after like 25-30 min. my body quites, no resless legs, no inner anxiete.
My questions are:
- should i increase Vyvanse to 70 mg ?
- Is it better to go back long lasting Ritalin ?
- i have night shifts sometimes ( 15:30 - 09:00) ... who should i take medication there ?
Sorryl, but i feel kind of lost, kind of desperat, because i know that the medication works, i just cannot fint the right way to take it, and my psychiastrit are not that much help.
I hope you can give me some suggestions.
Thank you.View Thread




Thank you.View Thread








especially terrible. The smaller grandchildren are often afraid of him when he is having these fits. His parents are working on getting him into counseling. He tested negative for ADHD and Defiant Disobedient Disorder, but I don't believe it. I have read many books on these conditions, plus almost everyone on all sides of my family has ADHD or OCD. He wants to control everything, including his parents, me and my husband, and the other kids. I have had no way to stop his bad behavior as he refuses to listen to me or obey aanything I say. Finally I asked his mom for permission to take activities or things away from him if he refuses to stop his bad behavior or goes on a screaming, throwing hitting fit. This has helped. I can take away his phone, TV, tablet or XBox One. I can also stop him from participating in an activitiy he wants to participate in. Usually a warning is all it takes to stop his behavior. I don't actually take these items away, but tell his when his parents get home they will follow through with what I have chosen to do. They are 100% willing to back me up. I usually say something like, "I'm going to have to use my phone (or tablet, or activity, etc. card) and tell your parents you need to lose your whatever for a day. He's not happy about it, but he does stop his bad behavior. I usually give him a warning about which card I'm about to use first, to give him one chance to change his behavior on his own. These is a lot of information and tests to take to determine if your child has ADHD, ADD,
OCD or many other disorders. Sometimes it is just an attention getting, controlling behavior, but if there is a cause for it, The child is really not able to control his behavior. Bipolar Disorder is also an option for this type of behavior. I would also like to point out that it isn't too hard for an older child to figure out the test and answer the question correctly as he knows what behaviors are acceptable or crossing the line, so of course he would choose the acceptable behavior., thus showing he does not have a disorder when he clearly does. That is where you need to speak up and point out he is smart enough to pass a test and give a report of what you witness on a daily basis yourself. I know the stress that is related to caring for children with these behaviors. Keeping his busy with things he likes to do can help. I also know how it feels to love a child and resent his behavior at the same time. I think this is fairly normal, so don't waste time feeling guilty about these feelings. In the end, love wins out. It's those in between times that are hard to tolerate. I also find that if I can manage to keep my voice low and unemotional it helps, as they feed off your reactions. Good luck, and please seek some help for your son and support for yourself. VickieView Thread

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But I feel that my input will be of use. Adderall is a combo of 4 forms of amphetamines.
2 forms of D-amp acts on the CNS & 2 forms of L-amp acts on the PNS . The one to look at is L- cause its job is to manage peripheral structures of the body.
The PNS may trigger responses such as tension, muscular rigidity, dry mouth/eyes/skin your body goes into energy conservation mode turning features on or off depending on its importance.
example: your sphincters are signaled to stay on which is in the clenched position of the anus muscle. Removing the need for the brain to receive and transmit messages of instructions for certain functions of our system.View Thread











I was then prescribed amphetamine/dextroamphetamine 10mg to be taken twice a day. I have been feeling fine, that is till today; while working on writing some complex computer code my head had a kind of tight or heavy sensation...it's not real easy to define.
But for this sensation I feel that the medication has improved my daily life significantly so I don't want to worry my Dr and risk being taken off the one thing that has made a positive change. A quick Google search related the sensation to possible anxiety, but I do not feel anxious or worried at all...but for what this sensation may be (the reading about heightened anxiety fed my anxiety that was otherwise prior to that reading not an issue). Another forum talks about it possibly being the 'euphoric' buzz felt when taken for recreational purposes...but I don't feel like 'dancing' or anything either.
It's not bothersome but I want to be sure it is not a potentially dangerous side-effect.
Can someone tell me, is this normal for this medication when deep in concentration or is it something else?View Thread



Another thought:
It is really helpful to chart your daughters mood/behaviors, then when you meet with the psychiatrist, you can look back accurately and let him/her know what each day was like for your daughter. Charting can tell a Dr. a lot!
You don't have to write a lot, just each day note the highs/lows.
Like:
"Sydney had a really good day at school, but when she came home, was easily angered and hit her sister"
Slept well.
Just something brief, but informative. I know it's hard to remember from one day to the next, so charting for a consistent period of time is really helpful.
When my daughter was young, I charted every-time we changed meds or doses.
It can be confusing when you have a few good days, then whamo, a horrid day. So much depends on they sleep, how they eat, how school went, etc...etc....
Take care!
-KathleenView Thread



I am 39 years old male ......non smoker...about 20 pounds over weight for my height. But my feet really really are cold and my legs seem so heavyView Thread

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