Adult ADHD - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Astrocloud · 02-28-2006, 07:48 AM

I think that I have Adult ADHD. I was diagnosed with this disorder when I was a child... but nothing was done. Way back in 1983, (even then they thought that this disorder was overdiagnosed) and put me on Ritalin for a trial run. The conclusion was that Ritalin did nothing for me.

As an adult, I find that it is difficult finishing things. I have started many paintings which I just get board with after a while and don't finish. When having discussions with people -I often jump from topic to topic -which others find irritating.

On the positive note -I have the ability (at times) to hyper-focus on a task. Everything else drowns out and I can show immense concentration on a single task. This doesn't last long and sometimes I can't concentrate -especially if the task is boring.

Even while writing this -you will see that I spend one or two sentences on a particular point and move on. I usually can't expound on something more than this. I am off to my next point and forget what I was thinking anyways.

I've heard great things about Adderal. Does anyone have experience with this drug?

I am also interested in hearing from others who may have experience with this. Will treating my ADHD effect my personality and change who I am?

Perhaps I should just adapt to my problem. I did this in College with a choice of majoring in Applied Mathematics (Statistics). The problems changed with every problem set and I found that constantly changing homework (ie problem sets) were easier to focus on than completing one major paper over the course of a semester.

Jinn · 02-28-2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Perhaps I should just adapt to my problem. I did this in College with a choice of majoring in Applied Mathematics (Statistics). The problems changed with every problem set and I found that constantly changing homework (ie problem sets) were easier to focus on than completing one major paper over the course of a semester.

Here's my no-nonsense no-padding opinion. ADHD, and Adult ADHD especially, is a cop-out. It's a way for people to say "yep, I can't commit to doing anything completely, so it must be a disorder." I'm not saying that you're like this at all, but everyone experiences the "symptoms" of so-called ADHD. We're not focal beings -- we dont focus on one thing, because it gets us killed. We have predator eyes, and we see movement in our peripherals. There's about 100000 things biologically that dispose us for multitasking -- its more efficient. If you find yourself being "unable to focus" on something, it's likely because you're bored with it. If you're not bored with it, why didn't you lose focus an hour prior? Focus is a concerted mental effort that every person makes, and it won't be cured by drugs -- as you saw.

This is supported by your own assertion:

Quote:

On the positive note -I have the ability (at times) to hyper-focus on a task. Everything else drowns out and I can show immense concentration on a single task. This doesn't last long and sometimes I can't concentrate -especially if the task is boring.

What you're describing is BOREDOM. When doing tasks we do not enjoy, or are bored of, "focus" is something that we learn to do. You either need to find things you ALWAYS enjoy (unlikely) or learn to focus during the parts that you will find boring.

That's my opinion. Focus is a learned skill, and you should practice it more.

skier · 02-28-2006, 10:36 AM

Damn, my big reply got lost in the nethers

The way you describe your ADHD, it is very mild if present at all. You've taken and succeeded at a college major, in Maths no less. You're highly functional and able. You cope very well with the ADD you have and it has little effect on your life.

If you're sure you have ADHD, learn about it and understand it. That will benefit you infinitely more than taking a drug to try to "treat" it. If you fight it, you're just fighting yourself. Perhaps if your life was an uncontrolled trainwreck of being fired, messy everything, hundreds of incomplete projects around the house, late for appointments, forgetting dates, piles everywhere, etc etc etc then maybe drugs would be a good option to try for coping with ADHD.

Astrocloud · 02-28-2006, 12:40 PM

Okay, I took the test here:

http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm

And scored at a 72. I suppose it could be one of those quizzes where that everyone "passes". Perhaps it's bullshit.

Anyways, I didn't start this thread because I wasn't concerned about this issue. I think the issue may be milder in me than in some other people. However, when it's stopping me from accomplishing things which I want to do -then there is a problem.

I am quick to jump on the medication bandwagon because it's easy and quick. However, certain people have suggested that changing my diet may work better than any medicine.

skier · 02-28-2006, 03:28 PM

It's not stopping you. It just makes certain things difficult.

I've been dealing with ADHD my whole life. I've tried the drug route and rejected it. Maybe you will find the benefits outwiegh the downsides, but at your level of competency I doubt it. There are serious side effects to ADHD oriented medication, and it is pricey. You'll have to give up a large amount of control over your condition to the medication. It has a suprisingly large psychological impact on your life, taking medication to be "normal", and knowing that in order to do so you need to keep taking them the rest of your life. Expect mood swings, bad breath, insomnia and drowsiness, unusual changes in libido, etc, and so on.

Changing your diet will not "work better than any medicine". Taking in a large amount of omega-3,6,9 fatty acids will help, as will taking magnesium (but make sure you take calcium with it too) but they do not even come close to matching the effect of a 100mg tablet of ritalin.

Astrocloud · 02-28-2006, 03:32 PM

Many many moons ago I was given a "mega dose" of ritalin for over a month. The goal was to see if ritalin could be used to help me. The outcome of this live medical experiment was that ritalin has no effect on me whatsoever.

skier · 02-28-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astrocloud

Many many moons ago I was given a "mega dose" of ritalin for over a month. The goal was to see if ritalin could be used to help me. The outcome of this live medical experiment was that ritalin has no effect on me whatsoever.

alright....
more does not mean better. If you take more ritalin than your body can handle all you get are the side effects. It all has to be calibrated. This whole "mega dose" thing sounds very strange to me, did you volunteer to be part of a experiment? It doesn't sound like an ethical thing to do

Radiospank · 02-28-2006, 09:50 PM

wow i scored a 77 and i feel u astro cloud its super difficult to finish things i jsut lose the motivation... however i get really focused and go all out when its something thats really exciting, but that too soon gets put down to a new thing or task.

yellowchef · 03-01-2006, 12:59 AM

those are basic questions. ADD testing is quite involved... and you just sound bored. if youre functional let it be.

Astrocloud · 03-01-2006, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skier

alright....
more does not mean better. If you take more ritalin than your body can handle all you get are the side effects. It all has to be calibrated. This whole "mega dose" thing sounds very strange to me, did you volunteer to be part of a experiment? It doesn't sound like an ethical thing to do

Well actually it was 1983; my mom was doctor hopping and found a special team of doctors specializing in adolescent behavior. There was a psychologist, a psychiatrist and someone else that I don't remember their title. They would interview my mother and I as a team -while we sat in a large conference room. It was suggested that ritalin might not be effective and that the dose I was on was way too low (I didn't want to take it anyways). So they put me on a much larger dose to see if it had any effect on my behavior.

As far as ethical; I think that issue that I was facing would've been more appropriately handled by some sort of afterschool homework program. Insurance wouldn't pay for that though.

Astrocloud · 03-01-2006, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowchef

those are basic questions. ADD testing is quite involved... and you just sound bored. if youre functional let it be.

It fucks with me because prevents me from doing things like finishing a book, organizing my day, and sometimes I forget things I am saying in the middle of a sentence. For example: I take too long in bad traffic because I get impatient and try alternative routes that don't always go to where I'm going.

Impulsiveness is one of the traits that we are talking about.

VitaminH · 03-01-2006, 01:04 PM

Jumping in kind of late here, but here's my "Medical Professional" opinion.

Most adult ADHD is crap, it boils down to, as JinnKai said, bordem or just general disinterest in things you are doing. Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise are going to help you more than any drug as well.

If ritalin does nothing for you, odds are you're not really ADHD. Adderall is essentially the same thing, they're both amphetamines, so I wouldn't suspect that it's going to help you any more or less than ritalin.

As for these tests, people, especially educated adults often tend to subconsiously answer them with what they think will give them the results they want. So I wouldn't put to much stock in it.

Oh, I took it and answered as honestly as I could, and I got a 78. I don't have ADHD.

Got any further drug questions? Send 'em my way.

yellowchef · 03-02-2006, 07:28 AM

if its fucking with your daily life, as in causing you serious issues(not finishing a book for leisure does not count) then speak with your primary care physician. They can suggest things such as therapy, behavior modification techniques and other methods for you to try. You have mentioned that you completed high school and college. For persons with true ADD neither of these would be possible without meds or behavioral therapy and modification. You just have a short attention span for things that are of little to no interest to you and this is perfectly normal. You seem to be doing ok, youve not mentioned one thing that points towards a disjointed, panic filled life.

I hate traffic, Im always looking for shortcuts, alternate routes and speeding. Im also known for changing topics mid sentance, walking 10 feet at work and forgettng what I needed and not finishing books. This doesnt mean I have ADD it means I have no interest and a lack of patience.

Ive had doctors try and tell me I have OCD, I dont. My handwashing rituals are for sanitary purposes. So what if Ive been known to wash my hands 90 times in a 24 hour period. I dont like stuff on my hands, it grosses me out 300%. I work in a kitchen I dont want my dirty hands on someone elses food. Im not late to work or school because I wash my hands too much, I havent been in trouble at jobs(even non kitchen related jobs I wash my hands at least 3 times an hour) I dont recieve any problems(ok dry skin) for it. Im a total neat freak too.. but Im not having any issues in my life with it.

the key with psychological diseases is they have to cause you MUCH distress in your life and you have to prove that to most doctors.

Like vitaminH said, if you've had amphetamines before and they didnt work, you dont have add or adhd.

yellowchef · 03-02-2006, 07:32 AM

impulsiveness could also mean youre a kleptomaniac, schizo, bi-polar, or a number of other psychological imparatives...are you any of these things, probably not..

Jinn · 03-03-2006, 09:12 AM

I started reading the replies after mine but my attention started drifting off and I went to read another post.

I must have ADHD.

I'm not dogging on you Astro.. but have you ever tried filtering your actions in your brain.. when you see the "I'm bored, let's do something else" action, pause and decide if its a worthwhile decision. Do you want to continue doing something that bores you, for long-term fulfillment? Or would you be more immediately and longitudinally happy by continuing to do it? If you'd be more happy doing it, continue doing it.. but realize that it will take consistent monitoring (polling) for the "imBored" event.

I liken it to a computer program, as I'm a computer scientist; maybe this metaphor will help you.

Code:

Main Loop // This is what your brain should ALWAYS be doing, repeatedly.
{
 AnalyzeEvent();
 PerformAction();
 AnalyzeInterest();
 If (Necessary == true)
  Repeat (Loop);
 Else
  Break (Loop);
}

Function AnalyzeInterest()
{
// Bored, and thing I'm doing isn't important
 If (imBored AND actionNotImportant) 
    return (Necessary = False);


// Bored, but thing I'm doing IS important, so I should stay focused
 Else if (imBored AND actionImportant) 
   return (Necessary = True);


// I'm not bored, and the action IS important -- I should keep doing these actions.
 Else if (notBored AND actionImportant) 
   return (Necessary = True)

}

Everytime you're doing something, analyze what you're doing and perform the necessary actions. Every loop, analyze if you're enjoying what you're doing. If you're bored and the thing you're doing isn't important, break out. If you're bored but the thing you're doing IS important, repeat the Analyze/Perform loop. And finally, if you're not bored and what you're doing IS important, repeat the Analyze/Perform loop.

This is what your brain SHOULD be doing. I think your problem is that you aren't "analyzing your interest" every time you do something, until the point where you do something you hate. Remeber to analyze whether it's (a) worth doing and (b) exciting to you. If it's neither, don't do it. If it's both, do it, and do it often. If it's either 1 or the other, consider whether it's important enough to cause boredom.

Radiospank · 03-03-2006, 03:53 PM

dang yellow chief thats alot of hand washing... well i agree most things come down to the mental strength of a person.. i am weak, but im not blaming it on anything but myself. its just disciplne, and ones desire to accomplish something to the end.. i also agree with jinn kai.... analyzing and decide if its worthwhile or not.... kinda like people who are fat and obese.. people who are fat want drugs to make it easier for them to lose weight. yea they help but the real people who need it are those obese people...

yellowchef · 03-03-2006, 06:45 PM

Its CHEF.. like I cook. I like to wash my hands, so what? After today I cant wash my hands and whole body enough.

Astrocloud · 03-04-2006, 06:59 AM

Here's what I got:

Code:

Main Loop // This is what your brain is ALWAYS  doing, repeatedly.
{
 DetermineMentalState();
 AnalyzeEvent();
 PerformAction();
 AnalyzeInterest();
 
 If (Necessary < 100 )
  Repeat (Loop);
 Else
  Break (Loop);
}

Function DetermineMentalState()
{
//Determines level of distraction
 If (outsideStimulus = true && unknownFactor = true)
    return (State + 100)
 else IF (outsideStimulus = true && unknownFactor = false)
    return (State + 10)
 else IF (unknownFactor = true && outsideStimulus = false)
    return (State + 50)
 else IF (unknownFactor = false && outsideStimulus = false)
    return (State  = 0)
}



Function AnalyzeInterest()
{
// Bored, and thing I'm doing isn't important
 If (imBored AND actionNotImportant) 
    return (Necessary = 100*State);


// Bored, but thing I'm doing IS important, so I should stay focused
 Else if (imBored AND actionImportant) 
   return (Necessary = 1*State);


// I'm not bored, and the action IS important -- I should keep doing these actions.
 Else if (notBored AND actionImportant) 
   return (Necessary = .5*State)

}

This is kinda my analysis of the condition that I have. I believe that in the past my doctors might have misdiagnosed me with having an Anxiety disorder. My "anxiety attacks" although justified by fear -was nothing more than the outside stimulus and the unknown factor wreaking havoc on my mind. I think that this outside stimulus might be some sort of food allergy because it comes and goes. (On a lovely note: my father is diabetic.) I have no control over when I am highly distracted and when I am not.

The food allergy theory isn't off the wall. There are many inconclusive studies relating food to behavior. One diet in particular (the feingold diet) suggests that there is a direct link to certain chemical dyes in processed food and ADHD. All I do is avoid certain additives and eventually I will be allright. I haven't tried this yet and I have no idea how hard it will be to avoid chemical dyes... Has anyone else tried this?

My other theory is that I am distractable because there is a lot to be distracted by. Right now for example -I came into work to get work done... yet I click on the internet and am typing away. (Work... on a Saturday... you've got to be kidding). TV, radio, Alternate routes while I'm in a traffic jam -these are all distracting ideas that pull away from my focus.

thingstodo · 03-05-2006, 07:52 AM

Many children are diagnosed with ADHD - and that can be very wrong. The actual problem might be depression or bi-polar, or manic depressive - I could go on for quite a while. As such, no ADHD drug will help. Therapy and possible anti-depression drugs might help but certainly can't be diagnosed nor dismissed by the medical/psychological "experts" posting on this board. I mean, I haven't seen MD in anyone's signature posting on this board (no offense intended, VitaminH).

This is a very complex arena and shouldn't be taken lightly.

All that said, once someone is past adolescence, a good diet, excercise and a focus for life certainly can establish a basis and balance for good mental health. If you have that wortking and there are still problems impacting your life, it's time to seek professional help!

02-28-2006, 07:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Astrocloud Apocalypse Nerd	Adult ADHD I think that I have Adult ADHD. I was diagnosed with this disorder when I was a child... but nothing was done. Way back in 1983, (even then they thought that this disorder was overdiagnosed) and put me on Ritalin for a trial run. The conclusion was that Ritalin did nothing for me. As an adult, I find that it is difficult finishing things. I have started many paintings which I just get board with after a while and don't finish. When having discussions with people -I often jump from topic to topic -which others find irritating. On the positive note -I have the ability (at times) to hyper-focus on a task. Everything else drowns out and I can show immense concentration on a single task. This doesn't last long and sometimes I can't concentrate -especially if the task is boring. Even while writing this -you will see that I spend one or two sentences on a particular point and move on. I usually can't expound on something more than this. I am off to my next point and forget what I was thinking anyways. I've heard great things about Adderal. Does anyone have experience with this drug? I am also interested in hearing from others who may have experience with this. Will treating my ADHD effect my personality and change who I am? Perhaps I should just adapt to my problem. I did this in College with a choice of majoring in Applied Mathematics (Statistics). The problems changed with every problem set and I found that constantly changing homework (ie problem sets) were easier to focus on than completing one major paper over the course of a semester.

02-28-2006, 10:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
skier Rawr! Location: Edmontania	Damn, my big reply got lost in the nethers The way you describe your ADHD, it is very mild if present at all. You've taken and succeeded at a college major, in Maths no less. You're highly functional and able. You cope very well with the ADD you have and it has little effect on your life. If you're sure you have ADHD, learn about it and understand it. That will benefit you infinitely more than taking a drug to try to "treat" it. If you fight it, you're just fighting yourself. Perhaps if your life was an uncontrolled trainwreck of being fired, messy everything, hundreds of incomplete projects around the house, late for appointments, forgetting dates, piles everywhere, etc etc etc then maybe drugs would be a good option to try for coping with ADHD. __________________ "Asking a bomb squad if an old bomb is still "real" is not the best thing to do if you want to save it." - denim

02-28-2006, 03:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
skier Rawr! Location: Edmontania	It's not stopping you. It just makes certain things difficult. I've been dealing with ADHD my whole life. I've tried the drug route and rejected it. Maybe you will find the benefits outwiegh the downsides, but at your level of competency I doubt it. There are serious side effects to ADHD oriented medication, and it is pricey. You'll have to give up a large amount of control over your condition to the medication. It has a suprisingly large psychological impact on your life, taking medication to be "normal", and knowing that in order to do so you need to keep taking them the rest of your life. Expect mood swings, bad breath, insomnia and drowsiness, unusual changes in libido, etc, and so on. Changing your diet will not "work better than any medicine". Taking in a large amount of omega-3,6,9 fatty acids will help, as will taking magnesium (but make sure you take calcium with it too) but they do not even come close to matching the effect of a 100mg tablet of ritalin. __________________ "Asking a bomb squad if an old bomb is still "real" is not the best thing to do if you want to save it." - denim

03-01-2006, 12:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
yellowchef Addict Location: Shalimar, FL	those are basic questions. ADD testing is quite involved... and you just sound bored. if youre functional let it be. __________________ the voices in your head are not real--but they still have some really great ideas. always remeber you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. But..you CAN choose the insane asylum where you have them all put away!

03-01-2006, 01:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
VitaminH An embarrassment to myself and those around me... Location: Pants	Jumping in kind of late here, but here's my "Medical Professional" opinion. Most adult ADHD is crap, it boils down to, as JinnKai said, bordem or just general disinterest in things you are doing. Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise are going to help you more than any drug as well. If ritalin does nothing for you, odds are you're not really ADHD. Adderall is essentially the same thing, they're both amphetamines, so I wouldn't suspect that it's going to help you any more or less than ritalin. As for these tests, people, especially educated adults often tend to subconsiously answer them with what they think will give them the results they want. So I wouldn't put to much stock in it. Oh, I took it and answered as honestly as I could, and I got a 78. I don't have ADHD. Got any further drug questions? Send 'em my way. __________________ "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever." - Napoleon Bonaparte

02-28-2006, 12:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Astrocloud Apocalypse Nerd	Okay, I took the test here: http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm And scored at a 72. I suppose it could be one of those quizzes where that everyone "passes". Perhaps it's bullshit. Anyways, I didn't start this thread because I wasn't concerned about this issue. I think the issue may be milder in me than in some other people. However, when it's stopping me from accomplishing things which I want to do -then there is a problem. I am quick to jump on the medication bandwagon because it's easy and quick. However, certain people have suggested that changing my diet may work better than any medicine.

02-28-2006, 03:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Astrocloud Apocalypse Nerd	Many many moons ago I was given a "mega dose" of ritalin for over a month. The goal was to see if ritalin could be used to help me. The outcome of this live medical experiment was that ritalin has no effect on me whatsoever.

02-28-2006, 09:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
Radiospank Upright Location: LA	wow i scored a 77 and i feel u astro cloud its super difficult to finish things i jsut lose the motivation... however i get really focused and go all out when its something thats really exciting, but that too soon gets put down to a new thing or task.

03-02-2006, 07:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
yellowchef Addict Location: Shalimar, FL	if its fucking with your daily life, as in causing you serious issues(not finishing a book for leisure does not count) then speak with your primary care physician. They can suggest things such as therapy, behavior modification techniques and other methods for you to try. You have mentioned that you completed high school and college. For persons with true ADD neither of these would be possible without meds or behavioral therapy and modification. You just have a short attention span for things that are of little to no interest to you and this is perfectly normal. You seem to be doing ok, youve not mentioned one thing that points towards a disjointed, panic filled life. I hate traffic, Im always looking for shortcuts, alternate routes and speeding. Im also known for changing topics mid sentance, walking 10 feet at work and forgettng what I needed and not finishing books. This doesnt mean I have ADD it means I have no interest and a lack of patience. Ive had doctors try and tell me I have OCD, I dont. My handwashing rituals are for sanitary purposes. So what if Ive been known to wash my hands 90 times in a 24 hour period. I dont like stuff on my hands, it grosses me out 300%. I work in a kitchen I dont want my dirty hands on someone elses food. Im not late to work or school because I wash my hands too much, I havent been in trouble at jobs(even non kitchen related jobs I wash my hands at least 3 times an hour) I dont recieve any problems(ok dry skin) for it. Im a total neat freak too.. but Im not having any issues in my life with it. the key with psychological diseases is they have to cause you MUCH distress in your life and you have to prove that to most doctors. Like vitaminH said, if you've had amphetamines before and they didnt work, you dont have add or adhd. __________________ the voices in your head are not real--but they still have some really great ideas. always remeber you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. But..you CAN choose the insane asylum where you have them all put away!

03-02-2006, 07:32 AM	#14 (permalink)
yellowchef Addict Location: Shalimar, FL	impulsiveness could also mean youre a kleptomaniac, schizo, bi-polar, or a number of other psychological imparatives...are you any of these things, probably not.. __________________ the voices in your head are not real--but they still have some really great ideas. always remeber you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. But..you CAN choose the insane asylum where you have them all put away!

03-03-2006, 09:12 AM	#15 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	I started reading the replies after mine but my attention started drifting off and I went to read another post. I must have ADHD. I'm not dogging on you Astro.. but have you ever tried filtering your actions in your brain.. when you see the "I'm bored, let's do something else" action, pause and decide if its a worthwhile decision. Do you want to continue doing something that bores you, for long-term fulfillment? Or would you be more immediately and longitudinally happy by continuing to do it? If you'd be more happy doing it, continue doing it.. but realize that it will take consistent monitoring (polling) for the "imBored" event. I liken it to a computer program, as I'm a computer scientist; maybe this metaphor will help you. Code: Main Loop // This is what your brain should ALWAYS be doing, repeatedly. { AnalyzeEvent(); PerformAction(); AnalyzeInterest(); If (Necessary == true) Repeat (Loop); Else Break (Loop); } Function AnalyzeInterest() { // Bored, and thing I'm doing isn't important If (imBored AND actionNotImportant) return (Necessary = False); // Bored, but thing I'm doing IS important, so I should stay focused Else if (imBored AND actionImportant) return (Necessary = True); // I'm not bored, and the action IS important -- I should keep doing these actions. Else if (notBored AND actionImportant) return (Necessary = True) } Everytime you're doing something, analyze what you're doing and perform the necessary actions. Every loop, analyze if you're enjoying what you're doing. If you're bored and the thing you're doing isn't important, break out. If you're bored but the thing you're doing IS important, repeat the Analyze/Perform loop. And finally, if you're not bored and what you're doing IS important, repeat the Analyze/Perform loop. This is what your brain SHOULD be doing. I think your problem is that you aren't "analyzing your interest" every time you do something, until the point where you do something you hate. Remeber to analyze whether it's (a) worth doing and (b) exciting to you. If it's neither, don't do it. If it's both, do it, and do it often. If it's either 1 or the other, consider whether it's important enough to cause boredom. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel Last edited by Jinn; 03-03-2006 at 09:17 AM..

03-03-2006, 03:53 PM	#16 (permalink)
Radiospank Upright Location: LA	dang yellow chief thats alot of hand washing... well i agree most things come down to the mental strength of a person.. i am weak, but im not blaming it on anything but myself. its just disciplne, and ones desire to accomplish something to the end.. i also agree with jinn kai.... analyzing and decide if its worthwhile or not.... kinda like people who are fat and obese.. people who are fat want drugs to make it easier for them to lose weight. yea they help but the real people who need it are those obese people...

03-03-2006, 06:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
yellowchef Addict Location: Shalimar, FL	Its CHEF.. like I cook. I like to wash my hands, so what? After today I cant wash my hands and whole body enough. __________________ the voices in your head are not real--but they still have some really great ideas. always remeber you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. But..you CAN choose the insane asylum where you have them all put away!

03-04-2006, 06:59 AM	#18 (permalink)
Astrocloud Apocalypse Nerd	Here's what I got: Code: Main Loop // This is what your brain is ALWAYS doing, repeatedly. { DetermineMentalState(); AnalyzeEvent(); PerformAction(); AnalyzeInterest(); If (Necessary < 100 ) Repeat (Loop); Else Break (Loop); } Function DetermineMentalState() { //Determines level of distraction If (outsideStimulus = true && unknownFactor = true) return (State + 100) else IF (outsideStimulus = true && unknownFactor = false) return (State + 10) else IF (unknownFactor = true && outsideStimulus = false) return (State + 50) else IF (unknownFactor = false && outsideStimulus = false) return (State = 0) } Function AnalyzeInterest() { // Bored, and thing I'm doing isn't important If (imBored AND actionNotImportant) return (Necessary = 100State); // Bored, but thing I'm doing IS important, so I should stay focused Else if (imBored AND actionImportant) return (Necessary = 1State); // I'm not bored, and the action IS important -- I should keep doing these actions. Else if (notBored AND actionImportant) return (Necessary = .5State) } This is kinda my analysis of the condition that I have. I believe that in the past my doctors might have misdiagnosed me with having an Anxiety disorder. My "anxiety attacks" although justified by fear -was nothing more than the outside stimulus and the unknown factor wreaking havoc on my mind. I think that this outside stimulus might* be some sort of food allergy because it comes and goes. (On a lovely note: my father is diabetic.) I have no control over when I am highly distracted and when I am not. The food allergy theory isn't off the wall. There are many inconclusive studies relating food to behavior. One diet in particular (the feingold diet) suggests that there is a direct link to certain chemical dyes in processed food and ADHD. All I do is avoid certain additives and eventually I will be allright. I haven't tried this yet and I have no idea how hard it will be to avoid chemical dyes... Has anyone else tried this? My other theory is that I am distractable because there is a lot to be distracted by. Right now for example -I came into work to get work done... yet I click on the internet and am typing away. (Work... on a Saturday... you've got to be kidding). TV, radio, Alternate routes while I'm in a traffic jam -these are all distracting ideas that pull away from my focus.

03-05-2006, 07:52 AM	#19 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Many children are diagnosed with ADHD - and that can be very wrong. The actual problem might be depression or bi-polar, or manic depressive - I could go on for quite a while. As such, no ADHD drug will help. Therapy and possible anti-depression drugs might help but certainly can't be diagnosed nor dismissed by the medical/psychological "experts" posting on this board. I mean, I haven't seen MD in anyone's signature posting on this board (no offense intended, VitaminH). This is a very complex arena and shouldn't be taken lightly. All that said, once someone is past adolescence, a good diet, excercise and a focus for life certainly can establish a basis and balance for good mental health. If you have that wortking and there are still problems impacting your life, it's time to seek professional help! __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.