Do any of you have or know anyone who has Adult ADD? I just recently found out that I have it and now, certain things make sense to me. The inability to focus or super-focusing, starting projects and not finishing them, etc..., are some of the symptoms I have. Now, I have to see about treatment and I'd like to know what others are doing/taking and if it helps, or what the side effects are and if they have seen a difference and how big of a difference. Any advice would be helpful.

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 10:46 am:

No personal experience, but this web site may be helpful. They have support groups around the country.
CHADD.org

By Tink on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 12:36 pm:

My dh has been diagnosed with it and it made things about him easier to understand, too. He was put on Strattera and another med, Adderall maybe? Both of the medications he tried made him irritable and completely removed his appetite. Since my dh has trouble keeping at a normal weight already, we decided that it was easier to deal with some of the ADD symptoms than to deal with his lack of appetite. He did say that he had a much clearer thought process and it slowed down the "channel changes" in his head. Good luck!

By Insaneusmcwife on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 01:42 pm:

I have ADHD. I'm taking Concerta and Ritlan. It helps tremendously when I take it like I'm supposed to. The doctor also gave me Celexa and Buspar to counter act the side affects.

By Anonymous on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 01:53 pm:

I was recently DXed as well, and tried Strattera (didn't work, and made me sleepy), then Concerta (worked, but I was awake for 3 days), and now am trying Ritalin. Like Kristie, I take Buspar, I was prescribed it for unrelated anxiety, but my doctor increased it to help with side effects. I can completely relate on the inability to focus and the hyper-focusing. I would find that I would sit down at my desk at work, set out to do something, and 2 hours later I've done a bunch of random tasks, but haven't finished the original task. Meetings were miserable, I'd be cramming to meet deadlines, and nothing seemed to get done.

By Nymom on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 08:35 pm:

MY husband is on Wellbutrin XL. He says it helps him think more clearly, because his head would be so inundated that he couldn't sort through them. He's had ADD since he was a child. Wellbutrin is an anxiety drug, but it rally helps him! Don't worry too much about it. At least now you know, and you're doing something about it. My husband laughs about it. He recently just bought a t-shirt that says,
"They say I have ADD, but they just don't understand... oh look, a chicken!"
Good luck in all you do!

By Anonymous on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 09:07 pm:

I understand that there are a lot of side effects to these medicines and I'm a little scared about that. I have been told that they still don't know what these medicines do to your intestines and kidneys. I already take other meds for other health problems and I'm just tired of taking pills. But, if it's necessary, I'll do what i have to do. Thanks for all the info.

By Unschoolmom on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 - 08:14 pm:

I have ADD as well and I'd really advise you to talk to your doctor about concerns with your meds. With the drugs used to treat ADD there's a terrific amount of misinformation out there and you have to be really careful about finding out where specific concerns are coming from to be sure that sources are reputable.

The other thing is that the meds are good but you still need to find methods of planning and building structure that work for you. I have a planner I always carry, a wipe-off calender on the fridge and calender software just to keep me on track. I also found a fantastic budgeting program that's great for folks who are visual learners and don't have patience.

Eating right is REALLY important as well as regular exercise and daily routines.

It may be possible to build a lifestyle and a structure that will help you as much as ritalin will but one thing I find is that I need to take the ritalin to really build that structure and understand what I'm having trouble with in the first place. It can really help put a firm foundation under you, even if you don't want to stay on it longterm.