HST13

Hi
I'm trying to find some well reasoned discussion/debate about the group of organic brain "abnormalities" that manifest themselves as a set of symptoms that modern medicine chooses to identify as "Attention Deficit Disorder". I have found a lot of discussion and debate on the issue, but much of it is so extreme and hysterical that it's a waste of time for anybody hoping to get some serious answers.

quick background. I was diagnosed 4 months ago, at the age of 45. The diagnosis at this point is, "Severe Combined type ADD with multiple piggybacking syndromes". The other syndromes center around Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and include Trichotillomania , Narcissism, and Tourettes-which manifests in self-injurious behavior(SIB), physical ticks, and private verbal ticks. The ADD was diagnosed first, and the only medication I am on is Adderall, a stimulant medication to treat the ADD. It has been an incredibly successful treatment for me in countless ways, but it also has some effects that manifest themselves in socially challenging ways. I talk way too much. I play with my thumbnails obsessively(I suddenly stopped biting my fingernails and cuticles when I started the Adderall, but now the SIB seems to be hyperfocused on my thumbnails). After a long term six hour a night sleep cylcle, I am down to 3 or 4 max.

Okay, well, that's enough info for me to see what sort of discussion I get. I am pretty new to the whole message board thing beyond "lurker", so don't beat me up to bad please. I'm not afraid of hard facts, and strong opinions, but frankly I am looking for experential advice above all....There's gotta be somebody out there who's brain is "different" in a similar way.

Thanks