Adult ADHD

[garyb01]

To all the naysayers out there: ADD /ADHD in adults is not an excuse or a figment of the imagination! Its does exist! Suffered from this all my life! Reports at school always were something along this line: "Gary is a gifted and highly intelligent pupil, if only he would learn to apply himself, if only he would learn to concentrate etc etc". Those days of course, the "Medication" was six of the best and a teacher who felt satisfied with himself having beaten the crap out of an "ill-disciplined young Sh*t causer, without manners"! Still disgusts me!

Last year when I was finally diagnosed at the age of 40, my life changed completely! My Mom watched the episode last night and knowing my diagnoses, actually called me last night to apologise to me for all those years that I went undiagnosed and what I had to go through up until I finally received help.

Starting projects with such vigour and then losing interest is a common problem, feeling depressed because you feel misunderstood all the time, relationship issues and arguments, divorces, grumpy and low all the time, unable to finish even the smallest and easiest of tasks some times, not being able to read and finish a book, study at school, low marks when you know for a fact that you know all the work and if they would just ask you to do an oral exam and tell them about them the work instead of having to write it down, because you really just cannot write it down, you would get 100% etc etc...Lost keys, lost phones, car accidents,

Then concerta / ritilan entered my life and changed it more than I can say. So, my point in telling you all of this? If you read all of the info and articles around and feel that you may be suffering from this, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!! Go and see your Doc, get referred for tests.... Don't accept the comments of those who have never suffered from this but have the gall to say it does not exist!

 

[garyb01]

I get mine from the public hospitals Its very expensive otherwise.

Normal medical aids like Discovery Im told wont cover it as chronic medication unless you are under the age of 19. Apparently they dont have to cover you as an adult So if you are on Discovery it comes out of your savings.

I'n not on medical aid and its hellish expensive each month, especially on the concentration (excuse the pun ) that I'm on. How do you get it right to get it at the public hospital?

 

[undesign]

It came to a point where the SO was referring to recent conversations of which I had no collection and this almost always boiled to a conversation where I never listened to him etc.

Hehe, I get that a lot.

Good advice in this thread, thanks. I'm going to make an appointment today.

 

[w1z4rd]

I'n not on medical aid and its hellish expensive each month, especially on the concentration (excuse the pun ) that I'm on. How do you get it right to get it at the public hospital?

Ideally you want a hospital with a psychiatric department. You stand in a cue to see a doctor. He then gives you a script, then you stand in a cue for the hospital pharmacy and they give you it.

Thats about it.

Another way of saving a bit of money.. is there are generic for Ritalin as well. Your regular pharmacist should be able to offer you the generic ritalin at about half the price.

 

[Venom Rush]

Ideally you want a hospital with a psychiatric department. You stand in a cue to see a doctor. He then gives you a script, then you stand in a cue for the hospital pharmacy and they give you it.

Thats about it.

Another way of saving a bit of money.. is there are generic for Ritalin as well. Your regular pharmacist should be able to offer you the generic ritalin at about half the price.

So roughly how much does it cost? I'm assuming the generic is "over the counter"?

 

[garyb01]

Ideally you want a hospital with a psychiatric department. You stand in a cue to see a doctor. He then gives you a script, then you stand in a cue for the hospital pharmacy and they give you it.

Thats about it.

Another way of saving a bit of money.. is there are generic for Ritalin as well. Your regular pharmacist should be able to offer you the generic ritalin at about half the price.

Thank you very much for the reply.........will try that.

 

[w1z4rd]

So roughly how much does it cost? I'm assuming the generic is "over the counter"?

At the public hospital its free.
The generics for 120 pills is around R320
Ritalin for 120 pills was close on R700

Yes, its over the counter with a prescription.

 

[Nocturnity]

Yeah, this is a very real illness. I don't have it but I have an absolutlely horrid time communicating with people who do. My ex had it and she could never focus on a conversation she didn't find interesting and she was unable to listen at all. Talking wasn't much of an issue though. My trainer at gym must have it too. She'll start off with something and lose interest about halfway through, or she'll be telling me something and as someone walks by, she'll start talking to them, until something else distracts her.

This definitely isn't something that only affects the individuals suffering from it.

 

[w1z4rd]

Yeah, this is a very real illness. I don't have it but I have an absolutlely horrid time communicating with people who do. My ex had it and she could never focus on a conversation she didn't find interesting and she was unable to listen at all. Talking wasn't much of an issue though. My trainer at gym must have it too. She'll start off with something and lose interest about halfway through, or she'll be telling me something and as someone walks by, she'll start talking to them, until something else distracts her.

This definitely isn't something that only affects the individuals suffering from it.

Its no longer classed as an illness but as a personality type. Its also a very powerful tool if you are aware of it and know how to use it.

 

[Sensorei]

I've got ADHD and I'm 31. Diagnosed when I was 9. Exercise and diet keep it in check. I've always struggled with authority (because I always reckon I know best and concentration is a bitch) which caused problems at work quite a few times. My concentration goes from superhuman to retarded randomly. My solution was to be my own boss where I can work my own schedule and now I make more money than all my old ******* managers doing half the work. ADHD will only get you down if you let it. Its easier as you get older and know yourself better.

 

[w1z4rd]

I've got ADHD and I'm 31. Diagnosed when I was 9. Exercise and diet keep it in check. I've always struggled with authority (because I always reckon I know best and concentration is a bitch) which caused problems at work quite a few times. My concentration goes from superhuman to retarded randomly. My solution was to be my own boss where I can work my own schedule and now I make more money than all my old ******* managers doing half the work. ADHD will only get you down if you let it. Its easier as you get older and know yourself better.

Lucky bugger. My moms church just told her I was possessed and I didnt need Ritalin (as a kid). I was only diagnosed with it several years ago when I was 28. I really really wish I had had it at school. My mom tried the "prayer+health diet" route while I was a kid. It did not work.


ADHD is not a disability people. Its not an illness. Its a personality type. Well thats my definition. Famous people had ADHD .. like Einstein (now you know why he dropped outta school). People with ADHD are generally more intelligent than their normal counterparts. If you have ADHD you can multi task like theres no tomorrow. When I take Ritalin I see a massive drop off in my ability to do many tasks... but I do get up to date on account keeping and such

If I had a choice to be born with it.. or without it. I would still chose to be born with it

 

[HyperBudgie]

I've got ADHD and I'm 31. Diagnosed when I was 9. Exercise and diet keep it in check. I've always struggled with authority (because I always reckon I know best and concentration is a bitch) which caused problems at work quite a few times. My concentration goes from superhuman to retarded randomly. My solution was to be my own boss where I can work my own schedule and now I make more money than all my old ******* managers doing half the work. ADHD will only get you down if you let it. Its easier as you get older and know yourself better.

I only got diagnosed when I was in my 20s....As a kid I got beat senseless for being "scatter-brained" and "forgetful"..."not listening"..."day-dreaming"...Now I take Concerta every day and am functioning quite well...i skip the meds on weekends and drive my wife nuts but she gets it and has learned to live with a guy who brings back water instead of tea...

 

[garyb01]

Lucky bugger. My moms church just told her I was possessed and I didnt need Ritalin (as a kid). I was only diagnosed with it several years ago when I was 28. I really really wish I had had it at school. My mom tried the "prayer+health diet" route while I was a kid. It did not work.


ADHD is not a disability people. Its not an illness. Its a personality type. Well thats my definition. Famous people had ADHD .. like Einstein (now you know why he dropped outta school). People with ADHD are generally more intelligent than their normal counterparts. If you have ADHD you can multi task like theres no tomorrow. When I take Ritalin I see a massive drop off in my ability to do many tasks... but I do get up to date on account keeping and such

If I had a choice to be born with it.. or without it. I would still chose to be born with it

That's actually a very good way of approaching it....well put...gave me some food for thought....

Had a good chuckle at the prayer thing you mentioned...same my side

 

[HyperBudgie]

When I take Ritalin I see a massive drop off in my ability to do many tasks... but I do get up to date on account keeping and such

The main thing I notice when I take Ritalin/ Concerta is that my creativity disappears and my sense of humor dissipates slightly...I'm way more fun without Ritalin (Or at least I think so).

 

[Nanfeishen]

I'll definitely give it a try. Been battling with concentration since varsity - never went to class, because I simply can't concentrate (used to fall asleep ). Same today with business meetings.

I also have this tendency to fire away at new projects/ventures at a maddening pace - I literally go into this hyper-focus mode that is very intensive - only to lose interest when it gets near completion. Then the serious procrastination kicks in, until I start something new that excites me. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

My short-term memory is also a big problem.

Not necessarily ADHD or medical, but definitely an issue in a life style/time management sense.

Just a thought before you go off and get medicated or possibly over-diagnosed for something that may not be a problem.

Have you considered the idea that you simply have a low boredom threshold ?

While getting bored easily may be a symptom of ADD or ADHD, it does not mean that you have it.

Mundanity and routine may simply bore the hell out of you. Tasks like new projects challenge one to find results, innovate new ideas, encourage creativity etc, etc, in other words stimulate and challenge you mentally, they are food for the brain.
There is no stimulation once they settle down and begin to function routinely, hence they become boring and uninteresting, you lose focus of them and get bored with the mediocrity until the next challenge arises.
Day to day little things become meaningless, and your short term memory takes a knock because you are more often than not focusing your mind on the next project or challenge.
Spending long hours in a classroom/lecture hall becomes a major feat just to pay attention, and normall daily routine duties become dull and bland.

The trick is to find a study course/job that gives you the most leaway and the freedom to explore your ideas and fullfill your needs.

Unfortunately society seems more prone to encouraging the opposite.

 

[HyperBudgie]

Just a thought before you go off and get medicated or possibly over-diagnosed for something that may not be a problem.

Have you considered the idea that you simply have a low boredom threshold ?

While getting bored easily may be a symptom of ADD or ADHD, it does not mean that you have it.

Mundanity and routine may simply bore the hell out of you. Tasks like new projects challenge one to find results, innovate new ideas, encourage creativity etc, etc, in other words stimulate and challenge you mentally, they are food for the brain.
There is no stimulation once they settle down and begin to function routinely, hence they become boring and uninteresting, you lose focus of them and get bored with the mediocrity until the next challenge arises.
Day to day little things become meaningless, and your short term memory takes a knock because you are more often than not focusing your mind on the next project or challenge.
Spending long hours in a classroom/lecture hall becomes a major feat just to pay attention, and normall daily routine duties become dull and bland.

The trick is to find a study course/job that gives you the most leaway and the freedom to explore your ideas and fullfill your needs.

Unfortunately society seems more prone to encouraging the opposite.

Ideally, no meds would be awesome...However, we all need to function in society and if it takes medication to help me excel at work, stay focused and thrive in our society, then so be it.

 

[undesign]

Just a thought before you go off and get medicated or possibly over-diagnosed for something that may not be a problem.

Have you considered the idea that you simply have a low boredom threshold ?

While getting bored easily may be a symptom of ADD or ADHD, it does not mean that you have it.

Mundanity and routine may simply bore the hell out of you. Tasks like new projects challenge one to find results, innovate new ideas, encourage creativity etc, etc, in other words stimulate and challenge you mentally, they are food for the brain.
There is no stimulation once they settle down and begin to function routinely, hence they become boring and uninteresting, you lose focus of them and get bored with the mediocrity until the next challenge arises.
Day to day little things become meaningless, and your short term memory takes a knock because you are more often than not focusing your mind on the next project or challenge.
Spending long hours in a classroom/lecture hall becomes a major feat just to pay attention, and normall daily routine duties become dull and bland.

The trick is to find a study course/job that gives you the most leaway and the freedom to explore your ideas and fullfill your needs.

Unfortunately society seems more prone to encouraging the opposite.

Definitely possible. But I had a good look at it a while back, and much of the descriptions were eerily similar to what I experience. No harm having it checked out - I will approach this with a very open mind.

 

[ToxicBunny]

There is def no harm in getting it checked out...

But if the medical practioner jumps on ADHD very quickly, just beware and maybe get a 2nd opinion from someone else.

 

[w1z4rd]

I just did this ADHD test: http://counsellingresource.com/quizzes/adhd/index.html

I scored 79 where apparently anything over 70 means you may have ADHD Some of those questions, like the television and channels one fit me 100%.

I have also being reading that if your mom smoked during your pregnancy, then you have a good chance of having ADHD for some reason.

 

[Venom Rush]

I only got diagnosed when I was in my 20s....As a kid I got beat senseless for being "scatter-brained" and "forgetful"..."not listening"..."day-dreaming"...Now I take Concerta every day and am functioning quite well...i skip the meds on weekends and drive my wife nuts but she gets it and has learned to live with a guy who brings back water instead of tea...

hahaha...my gf gets it as well. I don't know why she's stayed around for so long