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8 years ago 0 223 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Amilcar
 
How you doing?
 
I'm up and down (a bit more down, truth be told) at the moment. Getting overloaded and burnt out at work which doesn't help, making me tetchy and tired all the time, feeling like I'm a lazy, useless piece of s***. Doing lots of aimless staring into space these days.
 
I've got a couple of weeks off the last two weeks of September, and I'm just trying to get to that in one piece, try and chill out a bit then.
 
Very happy to listen and support, by the way. That's why us folks come here, isn't it? Both to give and receive some of the good stuff. 
 
Take care of yourself now - I hope you get your medication balanced sooner rather than later. And I, too, haven't managed to engage with the program here in any consistent way. I'm too much of a free spirit (man!). Or maybe just too lazy... 
8 years ago 0 11215 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Amilcar,

From what I have heard it can take awhile to get the right medication and dosage for any mental health condition. Medication can help but it will not "fix" all your symptoms and it will likely come with side effects. Many people use ADHD medication temporarily, they use it to help them set up healthier life patterns and once those are in place they stop. Other people stay on the medication. Keep your doctor informed about all your side effects and responses and I am sure you two will determine the best approach. In the mean time keep researching alternative ways to help yourself. The more you know about this the better able you will be to control it.You have a long journey ahead but I am looking forward to reading about your progress!
 
Take good care of yourself.
 
 

 

Ashley, Health Educator
8 years ago 0 4 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thanks guys, thank you both.
 
I'm really sorry I didn't reply sooner, becuase of my nature, I find it really difficult to bring myselfto do things I want to do, and what's worse actually enjoy. But for what it's worth, I read you posts every day. I can't explain why but I felt inconditionally supported. Makes a world of a difference, 
 
I hardly ever experience that in real life. I remember not long ago, I had an affaire with a very special woman. Ten years my elder. She got me. She was sensitive. Like an empathic sponge. Last words on one of our dates, "thanks for sharing". I don't obviously expect this from the world, I know how difficult it is for others but I know their are carers out there. Scarce, for sure, so just meeting you two helps a lot. Thanks.
 
Ashley, I'm interested in the program but as you've well imagined, I'm very inconsistent. I hope to get round to it.
 
Anyway what really prompted me to write today  was that I had a break down today. A really bad one. I think this is due that I've been toying with Ritalin the last few nights. I really want it to work for me.  And in a way it does. I can feel the focus but it gives me physical side effects similar to cocaine. As I mentioned before, I screwed up with that drug and I believe it's conditioned me, therefore the use of Ritalin. Anyway, the day finished well, hanging some art with my girlfriend and I cheered up. So I'm giving it another shot to see if it kicks in and I can get the right effect. I'm dosing very low and it seems ok at the moment. Maybe it's a question of slow rolling and getting used to it. It's happened with other medication before. Step by step.
 
Anyway, cuz I'm finally staying in my hometown and not going back to the capital to work this year, I called up a psychiatrist  who seems to have a reputation here. So I'll be getting my reports from my other doctor and see how it goes here. 
 
I'm actually quite focused as I write this,  and not as raced as I usually am. Almost fun.
 
Again, Thanks guys.
 
How's it going Pete? Bring it on man.
 
And "thanks for sharing".
 
Lots o' love. 
 
 
8 years ago 0 11215 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Welcome,
 
Thank you for your honesty. I am sorry to read all the difficult emotions you have been going through. It is very common for individuals with ADHD to also have co occurring depression, anxiety, OCD and substance misuse. It is important for you to seek treatment for the ADHD alongside treatment for the other conditions. To me, it sounds like the depression would be your first focus. Completing this program which is based on CBT would likely be a huge help to you. Are you able to focus on a written program like this? If not, I encourage you to seek out a therapist who has experience working with ADHD and depression. Also, please do as much research as you can on ADHD. The more you know the more likely you will be able to cope with the symptoms. Delivered from Distraction is a great book that you will likely find helpful. Also, this website: http://www.additudemag.com is full of information and has a support group you might find helpful. I encourage you to ask your partner to check out these resources as well. Having a partner with ADHD can be very challenging and it is common for partners to misunderstand symptoms and take certain actions personally or as character flaws when they really are just unmanaged ADHD. It will take time and a lot of research before your partner will be able to fully grasp what you are going through.
 
I have faith that with the right info and your consistent effort that you will start to feel  better soon. We will be here to support you every step of the way.
 

Ashley, Health Educator
8 years ago 0 223 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Amilcar
 
Don't worry about how much you wrote - that's what this here place is for. Like I said in my introduction, I've written quite a lot of lengthy stuff on these forums over the years. And nobody ever told me off. Just the action of writing I find helpful, nailing them demons down, walking round them from every angle till I find their weak points....seen them in profile, head-on, from below and behind ...
 
(ah spit, off I go now, wording all over the place again...) 
 
Thanks for sharing so frankly. Sorry I'm not a guy with a solution, but if knowing someone is willing to listen will help, even a little, then go for it,
 
(Any use to say I've been through a deal of the feelings you're suffering?  Probably not, probably sounds a bit lame from a total stranger. So take it if you want, leave it if you don't)
 
take care of yourself 
 
Pete 
8 years ago 0 4 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi, I guess there isn't much need to explain why I'm here. To be honest, I don't even know what's wrong with me or how to get over it. 
 
So, really sorry if I'm redundant in my topics but I'm desperate and sick of health care professionals/medications.
I'm just going to try to get it all out (this is so difficult for me, as I tense up and my body/mund starts racing out of control) and if anyone has any clue how to point me in the right direction, I will be eternally grateful.
 
It' been going on forever, since a child but my symptoms have caught up with me and are making life impossible.
 
As a child I was a difficult sleeper, often self-inducing minor panic attacks through thoughts reflecting on existence and nothingness. They would end up in fear and crying, and a visit to my parent's bedroom. I was considered way above average, perfectionist and competitive. I was always in need of recognition.
 
By the age of 17, I had developed a full-blown OCD (checking, counting, touching.., the works). I tried to get help for this but doctors simply didn't acknowledge it, so I had to deal with it on my own. I read about it and learned to cope. However, it persists to this very day in a sort of covert form. I keep it under control by reverse ruling but it's always fighting to get out and sometimes does.
 
During Uni, I had a conversation with a former partner which almost led to suicide. It started as a philisophical one but I went full-length and found I'd taken us to a nimbo of unreality where existence was meaningless. We didn't commit but sleeping that night was probably one of the worst I can remember.
 
My TMJ started at nineteen. During this period  I fantasised most about sexuality. I was liberal, open and brave about it. Happy about it.
 
Dropped Uni.
 
During my twenties I started my progress professionally. By 28, I had become very sucessful with a lot of public recognition. Up to this period, new symptoms emerged. As a child I was prone to sickness and pain, but I started experiencing severe back pains. And the worst thing; vertigo. It came suddenly, disappeared at 33. My success led to a period of excess night-life and drugs. Mostly cocaine. My prior attitude to sex turned sour and regretted most of my explorations and thoughts when sober. I developed a very different personality when I was high. I'm 40 now, and my night frolics ended 3 or 4 years ago. 
 
A failed miserably in my career in my thirties and didn't no how to get out but never really felt depressed but I was starting to tense up and never being able to relax. Nowadays, there is no relax. I'm perpetually tense and clenched up. The last time I woke up relaxed (two years ago), I cried of sheer joy. Never again.
 
My father died 7 years ago, and I don't seem to have cared enough and because of his economical problems, and those produced through inheritance, My relationship with my family is awful. I only hold love for my grandparents. I sometimes wish they were dead so I could run away from my nuclear family.
 
Doctor's started 4/5 years ago. Strangely with a specialized dentist in TMJ. Diagnostic: Central sensitivity. Diagnosis: Specialized fisiotherapy (including diet, exercises, and so on) and cognitive therapy. Diet discipline was ok, at least I lost weight. The rest was useless. Phisiotherapy was half placebo and the psychologist was all very standard and she basically gave up on me. "You're too intelligent for this and might need pills". Those were her last words.
 
Of course I've always experienced levels of unbearable anxiety but a few months ago I got a severe attack. Ended up in ER. Long story short, off to the psychiatrist. So, turns out I'm supposed to be ADHD.  I'm put on Lyrica/Sertraline for anxiety. Big dosage. Huge side effects at first but got used to it and was ok at the very beginning. Pointless now. Like popping Smarties. We tried, Ritalin to see its effects. Drove me up the walls, like taking cocaine. So, we've delayed AD treatment.
 
So here I am. A 40 year old on the verge of melting down. Not a single day that I don't wake up feeling terrible. It takes me ages to get up and running. And, sometimes I just want to lay down and sleep again.  I try to hold up.
 
Tense, always. Low, very Low. Fatigued, tired. But, restless. Wanting to do things but unable. Minor things seem like mountains. Something in my brain stops me from taking all those little steps that life needs to move on. So, I indulge in intensive internet reading or poker which helps me focus and helps me keep up. Or just procrastinate. 
 
I need work to be fast, verbal. Explosive! I  cant' face routine without feeling sick. 
 
I try to do the things I need to make a living in bursts but I can't be regular.  
 
I'm in a long-term relationship and she's not particularly good with the situation. I've come to understand how difficult it is for her.
 
Ok, I need to wrap this up. I would cry now, I know I should after my reflections but I can't bring myself to tears. Even past emotional outbursts are fading. Nothing. I feel nothing. All the things I used to love mean nothing. Not music, not film. Not even sex. I need to go into hypnotic states to survive. And, I'll have to reproduce ad infinitum repetitive thoughts before going to sleep. Sometimes even causing harm to others, to the world.  
 
Oh yeah, guilt, frustration. 
 
So much in the back of my head.
 
Is there a way out?
Is anyone experienced enough to go by my clues?
 
I need help. Truly. Not a lot of cards left in the deck.
 
Amilcar.
 PS. Really sorry for the length of the text. I'm aware this not be the right way to introduce myself. Sorry.  
 
 
 
 
 

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