Aa
New to this forum and seeking resources
Hi I'm already an active member of the Addiction/Drug Abuse forum. My underlying issue is ADHD and I believe a was self medicating myself with hydrocodone. I'm clean now and am in counseling with a licensed pshchologist. We are working on my ADHD issues. This is what we've been doing and where we're headed:
1) ADHD self test
2) ADHD test administered by psychologist
3) I found four report cards from my childhood that my dear mother happened to keep. All of them have written notes about how bright, how cooperative, and all straight A's (until middle and high school)...and they say I can't sit in my seat, I purposely don't apply myself, and one teacher fell just short of saying I was lazy.
4) My counselor and I are planning to have me go to a psychiatrist and ask about Adderall. I've taken both Stratera and Vyvanse in the past, and several anti depressants, etc. I don't think I realized my symptoms were caused by ADHD. Because I have childhood documentation, I may be able to get on a controlled substance. Doctors hesitate to put people on controlled substances for obvious reasons. I'm not worried about it, in spite of the addiction I just kicked. I think if you're medicating the real issue then it's fine. I'm not a lifelong abuser. It kinda happened by accident. But, I'm also wanting to avoid them if I can. Taking Adderall for the next 50 years doesn't sound like fun. If I can help it, I don't want to depend on anything.
I'm looking for resources to help me manage time and my tendency to jump ahead in conversation because my brain is going toooo fast. I want to do this with some training of my brain. Is there some kind of exercises I can do to learn to listen and absorb information that way? What about calendaring? Any ideas? I'm an adult female. I have the attention deficit thing mostly in the listening department. The hyperactivity is unusual in a grown woman, from what I've been told, you're kinda supposed to outgrow it. lol. Right.
If it means I have to learn to run marathons I will, as much as I hate running. I will do what I need to do to be well and drug free.
The most convenient thing of course are online resources and maybe apps for my Android. Anything you can suggest would be appreciated.
1) ADHD self test
2) ADHD test administered by psychologist
3) I found four report cards from my childhood that my dear mother happened to keep. All of them have written notes about how bright, how cooperative, and all straight A's (until middle and high school)...and they say I can't sit in my seat, I purposely don't apply myself, and one teacher fell just short of saying I was lazy.
4) My counselor and I are planning to have me go to a psychiatrist and ask about Adderall. I've taken both Stratera and Vyvanse in the past, and several anti depressants, etc. I don't think I realized my symptoms were caused by ADHD. Because I have childhood documentation, I may be able to get on a controlled substance. Doctors hesitate to put people on controlled substances for obvious reasons. I'm not worried about it, in spite of the addiction I just kicked. I think if you're medicating the real issue then it's fine. I'm not a lifelong abuser. It kinda happened by accident. But, I'm also wanting to avoid them if I can. Taking Adderall for the next 50 years doesn't sound like fun. If I can help it, I don't want to depend on anything.
I'm looking for resources to help me manage time and my tendency to jump ahead in conversation because my brain is going toooo fast. I want to do this with some training of my brain. Is there some kind of exercises I can do to learn to listen and absorb information that way? What about calendaring? Any ideas? I'm an adult female. I have the attention deficit thing mostly in the listening department. The hyperactivity is unusual in a grown woman, from what I've been told, you're kinda supposed to outgrow it. lol. Right.
If it means I have to learn to run marathons I will, as much as I hate running. I will do what I need to do to be well and drug free.
The most convenient thing of course are online resources and maybe apps for my Android. Anything you can suggest would be appreciated.
Thank you for the support. The sites you sent will be one of my weekend projects...if I can remember to write them on my list.
lol
lol
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Addiction wise, its impossible if you stick to the prescription. And its pretty classic for ADHD/ADD ers to self medicate.
Well, the good news is that you don't have to run marathons.
http://articles.philly.com/2011-05-05/sports/29513112_1_ritalin-medicating-high-school-level
Any thing that makes you sweat for a period of time will get the dopamine flowing. Go to a gym. Warm up for 5 to 7 min and then start high intensity repeats on a treadmill, bike, or Precor elliptical. Go 30 seconds as hard as you can then relax and let heart rate recover - maybe take 90 to 120 seconds depending on the shape you are in. Then repeat. By the 3rd or 4th one you will be sweating. Shoot for 8 to 10 reps. Its painful, but addicting and you will notice the results.
This site has a ton of tips on ways to work with AD/HD.
http://www.additudemag.com/topic/adult-add-adhd/life-organization.html
My favorite adult ADD site is - http://jeffsaddmind.com/for-first-time-visitors it will keep you occupied for a long time.
This site covers Complementary and Alternative Treatments
http://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatme/complementary/WWK6
As far as listening to people. Just be honest. My last principal had ADHD. We would start conversations and they would spiral everywhere. I learned to keep bringing her back. But she was an highly effective person because of her energy and talent. Plus, she understood her limits and made sure that others were aware (if necessary). In an official setting, taking notes of what is being said is useful and impressive. But that doesn't work so well in an informal talk.
Well, thats it for now. Take some time to digest some of these sites. I've got more. No apps unfortunately. If you find any please let me know. Best wishes.