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Help with ADD

Right now I am in the process of getting officially diagnosed for ADD. I have been told my the disability expert (I'm disabled? :frown:

) that i may have the mostly inattentive type. That means that I don't run around like a brat so it is harder for me to get diagnosed. If i didn't visit her I would have never found out that i have ADD. The problem is that this year is very difficult. All of my previous years I managed just to scrape by with a C. But this year i want to get As. All of my teachers are disappointed at me. They keep telling me that I can be an A student easy if i put more effort to studying. I haven't told them that I have difficulties reading books. I can only learn in bullet points. Unfortunately the subjects i take can't be summarised that easily. Also since I am an adult. I won't be getting any help tills i am officially diagnosed. Since I am an Adult i have been told that it can take from 1-2 years.

Please can anyone help me combat it? I did research on wikipedia. ADHD medicines are usually stimulants. I tried legal stimulants like Coffee but it hasn't worked. I just ended up nervous. The only other stimulant is Nicotine. But I don't want to go near them even those patches. I don't want to get addicted. Is there any other way to combat ADD? I have changed my diet from an unhealthy one to a balanced one with some Fish Oils. I have started to walk to college has a form of exercise. That is the only thing i can think of to do. But they don't help.

Anyone got ideas?

Reply 1

L0RA

Do you need an official set-in-stone diagnosis in order to get a little extra help from school? I didnt think you did, but i could be wrong.

Teachers are normally very supportive of students they can see are in need of a little help to get high grades, you could try and talk to them and see if they're willing to help?

Apart from the obvious of making sure your notes are simple and working in a place where theres not loads of distactions i dont really know what to suggest :s-smilie:

Reply 2

shewantstobeme

I don't know too much about it, but my ex had ADD, and he found that it lessened with age, so symptoms could lessen over time.
He spoke to his GP who prescribed him with a drug (not sure what though), so maybe you could speak to your GP about possible treatments. That way they'll be able to find the one most suitable for you.

I presume your still in high school or college? When you apply for jobs or uni you'll probably be able to register for having a disability. Some admin processes with being officially diagnosed can be sped up for certain reasons, such as you being a student.

Good luck :smile:

Reply 3

Anonymous #2

ADD? Is this where you want more attention? Why do you want more attention?

Reply 4

shewantstobeme

Anonymous

ADD? Is this where you want more attention? Why do you want more attention?

it's a disorder. don't be so insensitive.

Reply 5

Anonymous #1

My notes are unreadable. I have poor handwriting and i managed to lose a chunk of notes i made from October to December. I would normally substitute this by reading texts but that is really hard.

Reply 6

Llamaaa

could you photocopy notes off a friend? Perhaps a teacher could give you some time after class or after school to help you get an A. Or how about a tutor? One thing that may work is if you set yourself goals. Like, when I finish reading this book I will reward myself with...well whatever it is you like best! Also, are there study guides for the subjects you take? The ones by Letts especially put everything into bullet points. you should definitely mention to your teacher or head of year that you are in the process of being diagnosed with ADD and say that you are finding certain things difficult so that they can help you and provide support

Reply 7

saturn

shewantstobeme

it's a disorder. don't be so insensitive.

Why the hell where they being insensitive, they were just questioning it don't be a geek.

Reply 8

hippieglitter

Anonymous

ADD? Is this where you want more attention? Why do you want more attention?

ADD is attention defecit disorder, its the same as ADHD but without the H it just means you have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time, it doesn't mean you want more attention.

Reply 9

danesh

the drugs doctors precribe for ADHD (with or without hyperactivity that is!), are methylphendiate (ye olde Ritalin) and dexamfetamine (Dexedrine).

There is a newer drug on the market (atomoxetine), but it never really caught on and is not as effective as the older stimulants.

Caffeine is not a stimulant that works in the same way as the drugs dexamfetamine and methylphenidate (which prevent dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake / block MAO temporarily [for those that want to know!])

caffeine does not work in the areas of the brain that are targeted by the two drugs for use in ADHD. Nicotine will not help!

You should speak to your GP.. in most cases he will refer you to a specialist who is familiar with the diagnosis and use of drugs. If it is serious enough (which i think you agree it is), then you may be put onto a low starting dose of methylphenidate (about 20mg per day) which can be adjusted to you according to your response.

let us know how it goes!

Reply 10

Anonymous #1

I spoke to the GP (he doesn't really care and feels that i am a non urgent case. Tell that to Edexcel :rolleyes:

) and he said that it being diagnosed with ADHD officially is hard if you are an adult. I'm 19 this march. So i can kiss drugs good bye this year. Unless i managed to find a online pharmacy that don't need a prescription.

Reply 11

danesh

you cant get dexamfetamine or methylphenidate online (they are both CD2 drugs in the UK AND they are class B!)

Adolescents are normally treated with drugs (there are some people around 19 on methylphenidate in my area). If you feel that you need the drugs (and yes they work from 30 minutes after you start taking them!), then get a referral to a psychiatrist..

its in your best interest of course!

Reply 12

Anonymous #3

What's the difference between just having low attention spans, lack of concentration etc, and having ADD? Is there even one? (Apart from a diagnosis.)

Reply 13

danesh

ADHD (the attention defecit part) is characterised by the lack of concentration/attention span that interferes with everyday life etc.

someone with a low attention span might be able to get on with things - but some find it difficult.. it is then when they might be diagnosed with ADHD.

Reply 14

shewantstobeme

Anonymous

ADD? Is this where you want more attention? Why do you want more attention?

it's a disorder. don't be so insensitive.

cheers for the neg rep whoever it was :smile:

Reply 15

Anonymous #4

Anonymous

What's the difference between just having low attention spans, lack of concentration etc, and having ADD? Is there even one? (Apart from a diagnosis.)

ADD is ADHD minus the hyperactive part. The difference between people like me who have it and those who don't is that our problem is severe. Caused by something that happens in our brains. We generally have lower dopamine levels then most. So even if we try really hard to concentrate it can be impossible where as a kid who is lazy and doesn't have adhd can work hard if he wants to. ADHD is different for everyone though. There are some hyperactive children out there who can concentrate normally like everyone else once they calm down and there are others who aren't hyperactive but generally lazy but can't concentrate no matter how hard they try.