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Me and ADHD

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Re: Me and ADHD

#431

Post by blueridge »

scottlamb wrote: post #426
blueridge wrote: post #422

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd suggest finding a doctor with the F.C.O.V.D qualification for the exam. In my experience, an exam focused on binocular vision issues is very different from standard eye exam. I had to do a few drawing exercises on paper while looking through a range of devices I had never seen before, along with all sorts of tests for eye tracking, visual-motor coordination, convergence, and perception. Hell, my imbalance was res…

Thanks for the advice! I expect my problems will just go away with general self-care improvements, but I'll try that if not. Hmm, is there any relation between this sort of problem and eyelid twitching ("blepharospasm")? WebMD doesn't seem to think so, but maybe you've heard differently.

Ah, no idea about that one. I am not a specialist or a doctor!

Re: Me and ADHD

#432

Post by emteycz »

nxc18 wrote: post #189

I didn’t see this addressed in other comments, but I thought the music part was interesting. Fast, driving, intense techno of some sort is a game changer for me in terms of focus. Not a replacement for medication, but a useful tool with or without. I also find bright, flashing lights useful for focus. Think those cheap led bulbs which a prism and motor. I think expensive night club versions would be better, but I’m n…

Yeah, nothing (well except for amphetamines) works better than a 260 km/h autobahn ride to work for my before-noon focus. I had absolutely no idea why I felt so pushed to drive fast for years before I got diagnosed... Nowadays I don't drive much, the amphetamines work better and I don't want to try driving while on them, that could end badly.

Re: Me and ADHD

#433

Post by rubicon33 »

afarviral wrote: post #413
rubicon33 wrote: post #292

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> occasional deep sense of calm and wellness I've always assumed that this is the "right" response? When people talk about stimulant medication and ADHD, the reactions tend to fall into two categories: Hypes you up, stimulates you, makes you talk fast and move fast, etc... Or calms you down, soothes you, allows you to think clearly, methodically, etc.... I bring this up because it's concerning to me that the "right"…

I think film and TV are partly responsible for this idea. From experience/observation euphoria (sense of wellbeing) is the primary effect of stimulants, not acting hyper. The rest are just a soup of possible effects that vary wildly.

That kind of makes me question the entire dogma of ADHD medication that stipulates a calming effect is indicative of a true ADHD patient, while a hyperactive effect is indicative of abuse / non-label use.

I’ve always assumed that because I receive a sense of calm, well being, and presence of mind that I must actually be ADHD since everyone else takes these meds and bounces off the walls.

Now I’m thinking maybe that isn’t true, and maybe I’ve rationalized taking meds because it’s easier than forcing myself to sit for hours and get quality work done. Uhg.

Re: Me and ADHD

#434

Post by pseudalopex »

emteycz wrote: post #432
nxc18 wrote: post #189

I didn’t see this addressed in other comments, but I thought the music part was interesting. Fast, driving, intense techno of some sort is a game changer for me in terms of focus. Not a replacement for medication, but a useful tool with or without. I also find bright, flashing lights useful for focus. Think those cheap led bulbs which a prism and motor. I think expensive night club versions would be better, but I’m n…

Yeah, nothing (well except for amphetamines) works better than a 260 km/h autobahn ride to work for my before-noon focus. I had absolutely no idea why I felt so pushed to drive fast for years before I got diagnosed... Nowadays I don't drive much, the amphetamines work better and I don't want to try driving while on them, that could end badly.

Driving while on them is safer probably.[1]

[1] https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20140129/drivers-with-ad...

Re: Me and ADHD

#435

Post by wk_end »

heavenlyblue wrote: post #396
wk_end wrote: post #190

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My personal experience was that dextroamphetamine helped my (pretty severe) social anxiety by calming me. I don't know if I'd call it "partying", but I've functioned much better at social gatherings when taking therapeutic doses of it. I've been considering trying to get a prescription for years, but I don't present most typical symptoms of ADD (maybe some inattentive ones?) so I suspect psychiatrists would be reluct…

> My personal experience was that dextroamphetamine helped my (pretty severe) social anxiety by calming me. This is what Cocaine, MDMA or alcohol in reasonable doses would do to you. Stimulants generally do this to everyone.

Yeah, that might check out too.

I was sort of responding to the claims 1) that non-ADHD people "bounce off the walls" when using stimulants and/or 2) that ADHD people couldn't use stimulants socially because it calms and focuses them rather than amping them up. Either I'm in the former category, and then claim 1 doesn't really track because it genuinely is a calming sensation for non-ADHD people (sample size 1, myself), or I'm in the latter category and then claim 2 doesn't track because stims really can help ADHD sufferers (same methodology) with socializing.

Re: Me and ADHD

#436

Post by Y_Y »

at_a_remove wrote: post #302

I am going to mention something. In my distant past I worked for a psychology firm handling, well, everything to do with computers. That included some testing. In the United States, there are two tests for ADHD I would vouch for: Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). Both are computerized. Both rely solely on your reactions and your restraint, they are not questionn…

Is there an easy way to access these tests? Like a free clone or something?

I'd much rather not fork over my precious currency to some rent-seeker just so they can let me do the test on their computer and the give it their stamp of approval.

If there's nothing but a description then I'll go and implement it myself and release it on sourcehut.

Re: Me and ADHD

#437

Post by pseudalopex »

PragmaticPulp wrote: post #223
username90 wrote: post #213

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Contrary to what is often repeated online, it’s best to take the medication continuously rather than skipping days. I don't like being on stimulants though. When I'm on stimulants I can't just let my thoughts wander and do whatever feels right at the moment, and I really like that part. If I don't have work to do I greatly prefer not being on them. The only time I feel the need to abuse them is when I am over burde…

As always, the only real answer is to consult with your doctor. Taking breaks from medication isn't a terrible idea, especially if you hate it. The real problem is the people who associate taking the pill with getting work done, to the point that they forget how to accomplish anything without first reaching for the medication. The key is to break that connection before it becomes a craving for medication. > I don't l…

Guanfacine isn't as popular because stimulants work better for most people.[1]

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5532417/

Re: Me and ADHD

#438

Post by reducesuffering »

adhdthrowaway21 wrote: post #185
commandlinefan wrote: post #75

> hard time focusing on things that I don’t like or want to do Not trying to be insensitive, but doesn't that describe everybody? At what point does difficulty motivating yourself to do something unpleasant become an actual pathology? I identify with a lot of the symptoms he lists, but I've never thought that meant there was anything "wrong" with me, I thought everybody felt that way. Are there really people out ther…

> but I've never thought that meant there was anything "wrong" with me That's a good dividing line between 'actual pathology' as you say and normal experiences. I always felt like something was wrong with me. From childhood, I was different. Never could put my finger on it, but a lifetime of experiences gave me some intuition that I was different, in a bad way, and that was just my lot in life. Fast forward to my ear…

How did you find the right therapist? If you're in the Bay, do you mind dropping the name of them? Email on my profile if you prefer. I resonate with literally everything you're saying, I just don't have kids.

Re: Me and ADHD

#439

Post by pseudalopex »

sudosysgen wrote: post #72
imesh wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I don't feel strung out nor is it some addiction. Ignore the people screaming about Adderall being "literal meth" and how it will certainly kill you. Even with an addictive personality, it's very easy to avoid over-doing it (hint: only take it as prescribed). Low dose meth does work pretty similar to Adderall. Everyone who does meth does not become a meth addict. Most don't. But the people who become meth addicts a…

Low dose meth has a lot of similarities but quite a few, significant, differences to Adderall. The biggest are tropism and release. Statistically, because of the addictive effects of untreated ADHD, the likelihood of substance addiction with or without amphetamine treatment is almost equal. There is of course a risk of getting addicted to Adderall, but amphetamines with long releases are not very addictive as far as…

The likelihood of addiction without treatment is much higher as far as I know.

Re: Me and ADHD

#440

Post by pseudalopex »

sneak wrote: post #54
madamelic wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One requires getting diagnosed to get medication. I am not advocating buying Adderall from a dealer. I am encouraging people not to be afraid to pursue the medication route because it is so demonized. Medication helps a lot. You could struggle with no medication, trying to build a system to help yourself, possibly fail and never be who you can be or you can seek out professional help (potentially with medication) and…

> Would you say the same if I encouraged a depressed person to do their best to get diagnosed and get on 'anti-depressants'? I am doubtful. Don't be: many studies have shown CBT to be equally as effective for depression (for most people) as medication. If you are equally likely to cure your issues with a book on CBT versus a pill, that is something you should consider, even if you do end up deciding for the pill. I e…

Many studies have shown therapy and medication work better together.
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