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A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

nytimes.com

111–120 of 141 posts

Re: A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

#111
post #3

I'd say one of the causes for over-medication is the lack of willingness of both parents and children to work on ways to succeed without use of medication. I have (fairly bad) ADHD and my doctor did give me medicine, but only half the light dosage of Strattera, which isn't a stimulant. Long story short, I ended up hating feeling comatose from the medicine so much I began to work through my ADHD by structuring my life…

I'm not sure I agree with calling drugs a "crutch". Nobody in their right mind would tell me that Singulair or Dulera is a crutch for my asthma. Nobody would call albuterol inhalers overprescribed or asthma overdiagnosed either. My allergist always has to tell me not to work my life around my triggers past a certain point too. Yet I hear it all the time about the Adderall and Vyvanse I used to take, and about ADHD. A…

I suppose a "crutch" in that if you are ever forced to leave them, you can't function the same.

If you can control your ADHD off meds, then the meds would be considered a cruch (imo).

Not to slight you at all -- I wish I had meds even right now, because managing without them sucks. A lot.

But personally, I can't say I'd never want to be in a place where, as an adult, I have to learn to manage my life because I _can't_ take my medicine. I suppose I'm the opposite of you and am glad my parents had me learn to cope without medicine :-)

Good luck getting pregnant though. Why are ADHD meds considered unsafe when you're pregnant?

Re: A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

#112
post #91

I was diagnosed with ADHD at a very young age, and have been doing battle with my attention span for most of my life. I had only read a half dozen books all the way through when I graduated from High School, despite reading at a college reading level before I was out of elementary school and having started hundreds of them. The few books that I had read included Les Miserables and War and Peace, both of which I binge…

That's somewhat of a heartbreaking story. I wonder if your mind was calmed during those two years because you had found your calling and were happy with your situation, for the first and only time in your life? I'm not suggesting you change your life now, btw. Maybe you are, for whatever reason, unable to engage in things which you are not fully committed to.

[deleted]

Re: A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

#113

This article's premise is built on an incorrect understanding of "treating" or "fixing" or "losing" (symptoms). If: baseline x is underwhelming to the point of painful boredom Else: baseline y is higher and therefore satisfyingly stimulating Then the fundamental problem of a lacking reward system for "normal" (x) baseline activity remains unresolved. I have ADHD and decided to try medication for the first time only a…

That's the thing, I think. Treatment (both cognitive behavioral therapy and chemical) has enabled me to get on with my life in so many ways. It's not about getting rid of the symptoms - they're still there. It's about knowing when your symptoms are getting the better of you -- and taking agency over them. If my brain is a wall of TV's all tuned to different channels with the volume turned to 11, adderal finally gave…

I 100% agree. People think ADD/ADHD is "resolved" on meds, but it's not the case. They started me on 27mg of Concerta, then 54mg, then I was (thankfully) moved to Vyvanse and titrated my way up to 60mg. The story hasn't changed - it's still valuable to leverage the downsides into strength. An ADD/ADHD brain is certainly a chaotic one, but going on meds has enabled me to do better planning/execution and to actually complete tasks. Your wall of TVs analogy is great - I often describe my head as the similar murmur you hear from a crowd. Thoughts are like white noise where it's nearly impossible to pick the right one out, let alone stay with it for a while when it's so easy to hear everything else on top of it.

Not to sound skitzo, but I think the meds do a great job of quieting that noise. While medicated, I have the ability to plan a task or project, execute each step, and actually stick with it to the end. It's still possible to get off task, and perhaps worse if you do (since then you're REALLY focused on being off task), but the meds still help me think. But that is where it stops. They don't resolve problems - they provide most of the tools needed to change the way you think so you can work on resolving them yourself.

Now, to the popular point of diet and exercise; I'm sure it's a mix of improved medication delivery, the natural stress relief, and the endorphin benefit that comes with it - but eating well and regularly exercising seems to amplify the medication's benefit by 15-20%. Those two things are marginally helpful without meds, along with several other "natural remedies" that I have tried, but I think a combination of all of the above is key.

My original point was just that the article makes it sound like symptoms should be treated via introducing new parts to the equation which ultimate distract people from boring situations. Yet, ADD/ADHD in its TRUE FORM works 100% independent of one's desire to pay attention. The argument of "BUT VIDEO GAMES ARE FINE SO IT'S CLEARLY CHOICE" is 100% falsified by Dr. Thomas E Brown's research. He provides such excellent insight - I am so fortunate to have met him.

I'll close this novel of a post with an analogy made by Dr. Brown when we met:

"Picture a massive old wooden sailboat with dozens of crew frantically fighting to pull the sails, keep up with the demands of their job, etc. Non-ADD/ADHD folk can get a benefit from medication, but it just speeds up both the captain and crew. ADD/ADHD folk, on the other hand, are instead sailing through a terrible storm at a much faster pace than normal and can hardly see - but the crew still keep up with their jobs. The captain is the problem. In this case, the captain is the only one sped up by the meds, and suddenly, no matter how chaotic and messy that voyage is, it's all under control."

Re: A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

#114
post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Similar story here: early age, 0 or 100, high tests and little completion. The difference is I've been programming for most of my life (I'm not exaggerating; I started at 7y). It's likely because I started so young that I find that's my hyper focus outlet, though I still find that every time I try to learn Java it feels so painful I break something and run away (though I know C, C++, Obj-C, Swift, Python, PHP, Perl,…

The article insinuates that the core problem is the higher base line of stimulus required for motivation. How does Adderall fix this? Do you feel mundane repetitive tasks are more rewarding now? What about tasks that would feel great even without the medication? Do they overload your circuits then? Am curious as to how the drug manifests itself in your day to day routine.

It does not improve motivation past the first few weeks (the honeymoon phase). Once your body is used to it you have to still talk yourself into doing whatever it is you need to start. Or even better have a routine to get you started on things so you can do it on autopilot.

The only rewarding feeling that has manifested itself for me is having more pride in the code I write. Completing goals otherwise feels the same as before I medicated.

Without medication the best feeling was post exercise, but this feeling is and was short lived.

The feeling of the medication is totally transparent now. I do not feel any side effects, or feel anything that would suggest they are kicking in.

Re: A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

#115
post #4
post #3

I'd say one of the causes for over-medication is the lack of willingness of both parents and children to work on ways to succeed without use of medication. I have (fairly bad) ADHD and my doctor did give me medicine, but only half the light dosage of Strattera, which isn't a stimulant. Long story short, I ended up hating feeling comatose from the medicine so much I began to work through my ADHD by structuring my life…

I'm glad that worked for you. I was diagnosed with ADHD not long ago. Before my diagnosis, I was about to quit a job that I actually liked for the second time. I like my job. I liked my last job. I like programming, I liked my coworkers. Given a challenge, I was always able to rise to the challenge. Given something more mundane, I lost all motivation and capability. For years, I had blamed myself. I thought I was laz…

Are you managing with medication now? I wonder if those who are able to restructure are lower on a spectrum. Your situation sounds similar to mine and attempts to restructure have been difficult. I haven't used medication for years because I bought into the idea that it would limit me and I could overcome if I just work hard enough but finally I've realized it just feels like every single thing is harder than it needs to be. I feel like I've wasted a lot of time beating my head against the wall.

Re: A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

#116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How so? Watts doesn't deny the differences between those affected by ADHD and those who are not. He argues that these differences are best understood as personality traits and not products of an affliction. This isn't a matter of ignorance, but interpretation of and reaction to scientific discoveries.

There is no success because of ADHD. There is success despite having ADHD. It's not a personality trait that I cannot physically do something I want to do and need to do without medication and, frankly, I'm sick of people who don't experience it offering new theories on it as if they have some grand insight into it. Get a head injury that breaks your executive functions. Join us. Then try to offer it up as a personal…

Are you better off because of your diagnosis? And why?

Re: A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

#117
post #99

I've never been diagnosed but I'm bored all of the time. I'm almost 30. I've been fairly successful in jobs where I'm learning new stuff all the time. Is it possible I'm ADD? Edit: I got bored halfway through the article.

Do you find routines to be near impossible to establish / follow (eating breakfast, waking up within the same two hour period, taking a shower, etc.)? Are you unable to remember anything without a constantly visible list / alerting system? Do certain irrelavant noises cause you to instantly lose all concentration? Do you have a tendency to forget to pay bills for months while racking up several hundred or thousand dollars in fees? Do your relationships suffer as you often go months without remembering to talk to close friends? Are you usually 5 - 10 minutes late for all meetings and social functions due to an inability to accurately predict durations and intervals of time?

Maybe then!

Re: A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

#118
post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The article insinuates that the core problem is the higher base line of stimulus required for motivation. How does Adderall fix this? Do you feel mundane repetitive tasks are more rewarding now? What about tasks that would feel great even without the medication? Do they overload your circuits then? Am curious as to how the drug manifests itself in your day to day routine.

Sp3000 made a relevant comment in response to this but he may be hellbanned as it came up dead. The article cites research into dopamine receptor issues in those with ADHD and I believe adderall works to inhibit reuptake so you have more dopamine in circulation than you would normally. I can't speak for everyone but personally it is never a matter of "this feels rewarding and this doesn't". It's more being able to fu…

It's exactly the same for me.

The article seems to be making a case that people with ADHD should find things to do with their life that don't conflict with their condition.

I think "we have the technology" to give people the ability to alter their brain chemistry to let them do things they wouldn't be able to otherwise, and having that choice available or those who want to take advantage of it is better than not having it.

Re: A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

#119
post #93

I think I'm having the exact reverse problem. My focus at work is very good, but I feel anxiety levels going up during the day. Drinking coffee sends my anxiety through the roof. Also I'm often so concentrated on things happening inside my head, that I forget to pay attention to the outside world. This is especially problematic when talking to other people (that talk slowly), or in traffic. Probably these symptoms ar…

You may want to look into the PI variant of ADHD (primarily inattentive.) It's the "daydreamer" type, but you aren't hyperactive. See more details at http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_deficit_hyperactivi...

It isn't unusual to have generalized anxiety or a specific anxiety disorder in addition to ADHD.

Definitely see a psychiatrist to get an official diagnosis--it will help you feel better just knowing what you have. Also, I'd recommend seeing a doctor and getting a physical done too. You may have something physical that is causing the anxiety.

I have both ADHD and anxiety. I went to a psychiatrist and got an ADHD diagnosis. In addition, blood tests plus followup tests done by my doctor showed Graves' disease--a thyroid autoimmune disorder that causes anxiety.

Having both of these diagnosed and seeking treatment has provided me with a lot of relief. I strongly recommend you do the same.

Re: A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.?

#120

Well huh. I'd never thought I had ADHD, just a complete inability to motivate myself to do things. However, the descriptions in this article describe me perfectly! Everything seems dull, I'm constantly seeking new experiences, the idea of a daily routine terrifies me (even though my father keeps encouraging me to develop one), but I can play piano for an entire day.

Ask to see a psychiatrist. A proper diagnosis will require a history going back to childhood. I'm 33, I was diagnosed about a year ago. It's made a positive difference on my life.

>It's made a positive difference on my life. //

Because you're now under a regime of medication, or ...?

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