Cecil Mariepsychiatrist next week and would appreciate any advice or opinions. Obviously this is a self diagnosis and I don't want to come across as being a big know it all. Apparently I have issues that i feel need to be addressed. I have been doing quite a bit of research on many disorders because of a few reasons. Unfortunately I have been a drug user since i was 14 years old. I come from a huge and close family and both of my parents have anxiety disorders. My older sister was recently diagnosed as bi-polar. Though, my parents are old fashioned and don't believe in medication. Therefore I didn't see many doctors growing up, let alone a psychiatrist. I went through a problem with opiates about 3 years ago. I've always had back problems and so I thought of it as self medicating. I am a hair dresser and on my feet all day 6 days a week. Anyhow, I finally realized I couldn't stand being controlled by roxys anymore so I went to see a suboxone doctor. I was immediately put on the medication and have been on it for 6 months. I have always wondered why I have been a drug user.. from cigarrettes to weed and my phases with other substances. I never did well in school due to lack of interest and difficulty with comprehension. I cant tell you how many times i get lost in my sentences and completely forget what I was talking about. I have severe seperation anxiety and am super emotional. I think my mother
also shows many signs of adhd as well. Anyways, I won't drag this on any longer but I suppose I just wanted to reach out and get a little input from anyone that may have something to say or how to approach my shrink when I have a hard enough time talking about my feelings and staying focused on what I'm trying to say. Thankyou to anyone that takes the time to read this.
I'm a 30 year old female and believe I may have adhd. I have my first appointment to see a?
- Posted:
- 18 May 2012 by Cecil Marie
- Topics:
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd)
Responses (5)
pledge18 May 2012
Hello Cecil Marie. Welcome to the site. In regards to the part of your question regarding your shrink, just be who you are. Be yourself. Answer the questions best you can. Its that simple. Then, she/he will decide on a diagnosis, and how to treat it. Psychiatrists have in many ways, a hugh responsibility and often very little time to make often major descisions on people, through various reasons, they might see once every month or two months. Psychiatrists are peopll and there are those that are considered to be fair, or good, or great and even super. Regards, pledge
18 May 2012
Hi! I come from a family that has at least 5 people with ADHD, and various other disorders. I happen to have a few myself, and I also used to be a drug user. What I have found to be the best approach is to go into the doctor's office without a pre-concieved notion of what they should fix. Be open to whatever they begin to suggest. However, don't waiver in what you know not to be right. I remember being a guinea pig for medications, and it made my life worse than just dealing with the problem I had. I do know there are some types of food that make ADHD worse; hot dog weinies, anything with red-coloring, caffeine, and foods that contain alot of processed chemicals. Also, I found it hard to admit that rather than trying the non-drug suggestions to fix my problem; due to my addiction I wanted the drugs. I hope this all helps for what its worth. Good luck.
Cecil Marie
19 May 2012
Hey seven124.. Appreciate the advice. I have to admit, i recently tried adderall and felt only positive effects. I smoked much less. I was able to read and actually not want to put down the first book ive ever got through completely. I felt more alert and able to listen to my clients without being distracted. Idk. Guess we'll see what doc says. .
18 May 2012
Dear Cecil Marie
Welcome to the site!
My eldest son had adhd, I picked up on it and took him to a therapist. He was on ritalin/concerta from 7 until 11. There was a noticeable difference in him. He just grew out of it and got through his schooling with qualfications. He is pretty grounded. If it was not for the hyperactivity and the whirlwind he created around him I would never have gone down or saw the need for amphetamines. My daughter exhibits signs of ADD but I see absolutely no need for medication, she is doing fine at school (could do better but I know her problems) and fortunately has a creative/artistic flair. I too know that I had ADHD as a child aligned with dyspraxia which caused me not to achieve my potential and be a social outcast. As I've got older though I am more able and have achieved ( probably got OCD as a result of the above). What an achiever in mental disorders though lol.
How does your possible ADHD affect your life today?
Cecil Marie
19 May 2012
Greetings Aud.. Thankyou for your response and helping me feel not so alone. I appreciate you sharing your personal experience as well. I too have read about psych's not prescribing substance abusers and am not surpised. Although I have also read about people being prescribed meds on top of what they currently take. I have read that substance abuse and addiction is something that could stem from adhd. I can't know what would be best for me since i am not a professional. At 18 i had to see a doctor (military because my father was in the navy).. I was having severe pain in the upper stomach and was told i had an ulcer. I was also given zoloft and was on it for almost a year, but i never felt it did anything to improve my depression, energy level, nothing at all. So as far as possible adhd affecting my life, i feel like im a constant spaz sometimes. I stress very easily and become very frustrated when i cant get things in order in my head.
Aud1
19 May 2012
Hi Cecil Marie
Let's hope you get a good psych who really listerns and wants to make a difference to your life. I do tire of the old school approach of a guy sitting behind a desk, asking questions, taking notes with one eye on the clock, tick tock.
If you feel that you may get muddled or forgetful, something I tend to do specifically for medical appointments is jot down significant symptoms (as you have here) and what I actually want dealt with otherwise I just go out the door having not said what I came to say.
Yes, you are quite right ADHD/ADD is linked to acohol/drug abuse but if a child is not understood and confused then they will try to escape to numb the pain. Its painful to realise now that many of my classmates who were cruelly labelled "stupid" had dyslexia, ADD, ADHD and possible autistic traits. It destroys confidence that even as an adult is hard to rebuild.
Delila19 May 2012
Hi, i read your question and had to answer... I am the same age as you and have come across many similar issues as you have. I have ADHD, have a history of (prescription) drug abuse, as well as alcohol. I also have Borderline Personality Disorder. When i first started seeing a psychiatrist i was very nervous, as you are, and got myself really stressed out about it. It was no where as bad as i had expected though. The psychiatrist led the appointment, so i didn't have to worry about not knowing what to say. You have to remember that you are there because the psychiatrist wants to help you, so you must be honest about everything; how you feel, your history... And there is nothing you can say that will shock the psychiatrist, through patient history and training, they will have heard/experienced most if not all things. Your meeting will be confidential and they won't judge you! If you want help with anything else, please ask : )
Cecil Marie
20 May 2012
Hey there Delilia :) thanks for your comments.. I was hoping u would answer a couple questions for me. I feel terrible that I've been a substance abuser. I just know for a fact that i could be a better person, its a depressing thought. It's not particularly the 'drugs' that are an addiction because I was drugfree for almost 3 years... But quitting drugs just led to another disguisting addiction.. Bulimia. I was completely obsessed over food. I thought about food 24/7... I was a workout freak and felt that whatever i ate I HAD to exercise it off. The bulimia just became a way for me to induldge on cake and icecream and anything for that matter.. To then find the nearest toilet and well, u know what happens next im sure. Anyhow.. I wanted to ask you how long u have been seeing your doctor? Are you prescribed meds for all of your other symptoms and if u dont mind me asking, which types? What is borderline personality disorder...
Delila
20 May 2012
Hi, i have added you as a friend, so if you add me too we can talk more privately... I have had my fare share of substance abuse too, don't feel ashamed, you did something about it and to overcome it is a huge deal, you should feel proud! Borderline Personality Disorder has many common characteristics, but can vary in severity. If you search it on Wikipedia, or on this site maybe? I haven't tried... you should get a pretty good description. My main personality disorder is that i am "emotionally unstable" according to ,my psychiatrist. Many things i have experienced can be attributed to this disorder, such as my drinking, (prescription) drug abuse, self harm, eating disorder, etc, etc. If you suspect you may have ADHD then definitely ask your doctor/psych about it. I was evaluated by an independent assessor when i was at college. We had a few meetings before she was satisfied of my diagnosis. I learnt ways of dealing with it without the need of medication.
devgun0130 May 2012
Hi,
I am 26 and I have just been diagnosed with ADHD. I agree totally with what some of the other members of this site have said, just be yourself when it comes to seeing your mental health professional, if they know what they are doing then they will be able to see the traits within your normal conduct.
I have not been involved in narcotic drugs, but I have always been a huge drinker. Up to around five to six bottles of whisky a week, this is very common amongst adults with ADHD, as their brain continually seeks stimulation to counter act the effects of low Serotonin and Dopamine. I am involved in a nuerological study at the moment, the lead researcher has found numerous research articles that suggest adults with ADHD are three times more likely to be alcoholics and twice as likely to be drug abusers.
Delila
31 May 2012
Hi, really interesting what you have stated about statistical research indicating the likeliness of people with ADHD becoming involved with drugs and/or alcohol. I must share this with my support worker! : )
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Thanks for the response pledge. Its nice to hear from people that care.
Good luck on your upcoming appointment!