A.D.D

[diggerdickson]

After my missus convinced me to go to the doc to see if there was something wrong with my memory and mind it turns out that I have a.d.d. He tested me by asking multiple questions while at the same time trying to do multiplications. I failed bloody miserably, couldnt even remember the street I lived in or the house no after a while, got lost on other really simple stuff as well, so bloody embarresing and made me feel like a dumbarse. In the end couldnt even remeber where I was up to on simple tables, so confusing

Now at work Im trying really hard not to forget things more than normal and that makes it all the more worse. **** me. I feel like crawling in a real big hole and hiding. Cant see a physc to get more help untill sept and I know I shouldnt worry about it but it has really shaken me up and explains a lot of things, and all the other bloody symptons I tick every bloody box, not just some but the whole kit.

Its been a relief for my beautiful wife but its just me me feel shit, Im angry about it and I wish I could make it just go away as I thought the way I am was normal, but not the case and I can look back and see how it has really **** me up.

Trying to accept it and I will get help, in whatever form that is, hopefully I can settle down and start believing in myself a little bit better, my work has suffered even worse this last week and I know it has cost me for shore the move to tassie and Im shattered about it. **** it all, suppose I really wouldnt want it anyway as I love life here and Im just going to go into my shell at work to protect myself as I feel all mixed up and useless.

[Cpt.Caveman]

Sorry to hear about the trouble you're having mate.

Theres a good chance that taking regular fish oil will help. Try a high concentration version (e.g. 50-60% of the capsule containing EPA and DHA, e.g. 600mg of 1000mg), and give it some time to work once you have been taking it regularly.

Its not certain how much it will help, but if you are not doing that already then its a good bet in my opinion. The brain needs full nourishment to function well, and omega-3 is needed in the brain like the beach needs sand.

[otway1949]

Sorry to hear about the trouble you're having mate.

Theres a good chance that taking regular fish oil will help. Try a high concentration version (e.g. 50-60% of the capsule containing EPA and DHA, e.g. 600mg of 1000mg), and give it some time to work once you have been taking it regularly.

Its not certain how much it will help, but if you are not doing that already then its a good bet in my opinion. The brain needs full nourishment to function well, and omega-3 is needed in the brain like the beach needs sand.

Hi digger I feel for you!
Good info here from the Captain, and a few thoughts for you

It's shit when someone or something takes you to a point where you get a label like this laid on you! Usually the people who lay it on hardest is the person just diagnosed.
Big label to start stress.
First off you haven't been a failure, tote them up, married to a beautiful supportive wife, a job with opportunities, a home and you surf + all the other good things you've done to get you to the spot you are now
Scratch any of the RSers an you will find an interesting set of issues amongst them, some are succeeding in working with them, others well they have yet to get to that point.
Digger you've done great things here just in recognising that there is some work for you to do, that fact you face it means you can fix it
I have ADD too in an interesting form, I get too interested a walk to the shop for example would catch me with many many things to be interested in as I went there, often to the point of forgetting what I was going for.
Ok so I write a note for myself , I forget where I put the note. Try to remember what I wrote ???? nuh.
Interestingly the more I stress the less I remember and the less I remember the more I stress. FFS.
Tried to ritualise my life my life to have a place for car keys etc does not work as I forget the ritual.
I noted too that if I had anything that made me allergic my distractedness would increase along with ADD.
Research I did for myself and my patients showed that allergies affect the whole body not just skin and gut and sneezy stuff. Inflammation could occur in nerve tissue and disrupt function as if in ADD.
So for me, the diet/ fishoil and not eating chemically enhanced food made my ADD almost disappear! Worked for a load of patients too.
After ADD almost going I could make some undistracted behavioural changes, and I'm good to go all down the line
If you want I can advise you via PM but as I am not practicing anymore I am giving you general advice I believe would help, without getting a deeper review.

[daryl]

It sounds a bit like you got railroaded.

Sometimes a doctor figures out a way so that he has all the answers, and sometimes he hasn't got it right at all,

sometimes he's got it right just a bit.

At least twice I've been through this, no, a number of times, and time tells...
on at least 2 fairly important diagnoses, the medical advice hasn't stood up well over time,

so stick it out, check it out, and go with a second opinion if you have to.

[jimmy1501]

Sage advice Daz... There are so many examples of mis diagnosis when it comes to mental health...

Get a second opinion and if at all possible go see a forensic phsyc..

I really wish you all the best..

[oldman]

I have a lot of doubts about the whole ADD, ADHD, ADDHDDDHDDDD phenomena. OK, I made that last one up.

It didn't exist 30 years ago. I'm not sure that they are diagnosing something real, or just finding a name for aspects of the human condition.

On the other hand, peanut allergies were virtually non-existent 30 years ago. Now every 5th kid seems to suffer from it.

Caveman's advice about the fish oil is well worth following, (it's the omega oils, not the fish part that is important, you can get it from other sources). It cannot hurt, and is likely to help in one way or another.

The other thing to consider is that the brain is amazingly flexible and can learn new stuff. When you get older it gets lazier, and the neural pathways are more deeply ingrained, but new pathways can be developed. You will need to seek specialist advice to help you there, and second opinions are never a bad idea.

Based on my observations of people in general, and road users in particular, your condition is shared with about 97% of the population.

[marcus]

good luck with it diggerdicko
nothing to be ashamed about
good onya fellas for helping the bloke out

[mical]

I thought the way I am was normal

What the fcuk is 'normal' Digger? Honestly, think about that for a minute.

Daz is right, get a second opinion.

I was diagnosed as Bipolar years ago, been told by 2 other docs recently that the diagnosis was incorrect after a lot of discussion and testing. Made me feel pretty shit for a few years until I was told I didn't actually have it, I just had some stuff to sort out in my head.

Either way mate, you're still the man you were before you walked in the doctors door.

Nothing's changed, you've just a label to focus on that's making it feel like the end of the world.

You're still you, all the best sorting through it.

[alakaboo]

I have a lot of doubts about the whole ADD, ADHD, ADDHDDDHDDDD phenomena. OK, I made that last one up.

have to second that. I think it's a bit of a catch-all diagnosis.
There's a pretty easy way to test if you've actually got the chemical imbalance/receptor uptake difference that was used as the original diagnostic tool....
and of all the things it could be, true ADHD is one of the ones which can be treated medically with good results, so it could turn out to be a blessing.

There are so many examples of mis diagnosis when it comes to mental health...

absolutely. there's bound to be a few on here...judging by some of the posts!
i got diagnosed with ADHD, epilepsy and tourettes (separate diagnoses), and turned out to have none of them...
people process information differently, and I'm not sure that the tests conclusions are necessarily always backed up by the results.

Caveman's advice about the fish oil is well worth following, (it's the omega oils, not the fish part that is important, you can get it from other sources). It cannot hurt, and is likely to help in one way or another.

second (third? fourth?) the recommendation for fish oils.
olds, recent work has suggested the different sources might not get metabolised the same way. I'm not across the science, I was just talking to a food scientist who's been testing the Omegas from flax/linseed.

I feel like crawling in a real big hole and hiding.

Im just going to go into my shell at work to protect myself as I feel all mixed up and useless.

mate, don't do that. the best thing you can do is talk it through. even if it is with total strangers on the interweb, in fact that could even be better?

Cant see a physc to get more help untill sept

if you're really feeling ordinary, go and see a GP. they are the front line in medicine, they deal with a lot of psych issues everyday. my mum's a GP and she reckons a third of her appointments are for people who just need to talk to someone...

[Cpt.Caveman]

olds, recent work has suggested the different sources might not get metabolised the same way. I'm not across the science, I was just talking to a food scientist who's been testing the Omegas from flax/linseed.

Thats a good point, the best is from fish-oil from what I understand. Flax and linseed only metabolise to one type of omega-3, where you need both EPA and DHA to get the most benefit. Cod-liver oil contains too much vitamin-A to be taken in the doses that you need for the omega-3 benefit, risking vitamin-A toxicity.

Anything I have missed there?

[mical]

I feel like crawling in a real big hole and hiding.

Im just going to go into my shell at work to protect myself as I feel all mixed up and useless.

mate, don't do that. the best thing you can do is talk it through. even if it is with total strangers on the interweb, in fact that could even be better?

Agree, has worked for me.

Sometimes you just don't open up fully to people you know without realising it.

Cant see a physc to get more help untill sept

if you're really feeling ordinary, go and see a GP. they are the front line in medicine, they deal with a lot of psych issues everyday. my mum's a GP and she reckons a third of her appointments are for people who just need to talk to someone...

Also sound advice which worked for me recently.

Just be careful of being diagnosed as suffering depression because you're feeling low about the ADD diagnosis.

[alakaboo]

Thats a good point, the best is from fish-oil from what I understand. Flax and linseed only metabolise to one type of omega-3, where you need both EPA and DHA to get the most benefit. Cod-liver oil contains too much vitamin-A to be taken in the doses that you need for the omega-3 benefit, risking vitamin-A toxicity.

Anything I have missed there?

as i said, i'm not totally across the science, but that all sounds like what they were saying...
not sure what DHA is, but it was to do with the fact that most people are lacking the long-chain Omega 3 (EPA), whereas the flax gives you ALA

apparently it takes a few weeks for your body to turn ALA into EPA, even if it is in higher concentrations.

Just be careful of being diagnosed as suffering depression because you're feeling low about the ADD diagnosis.

+1!
there's a big difference between being depressed and having clinical depression.

[alakaboo]

Agree, has worked for me.

Also sound advice which worked for me recently.

not wanting the threadjack, but that's good to hear mical. was going to bump your other thread to hear how things were going.
glad to hear things are a bit rosier. maybe post an update on your other thread as to what worked? could be some lessons for others in there...

[mical]

^^
What's working for me may not work for anyone else unfortunately.

My problem was in how I reacted to things, interpet others words or actions and investing way too much of myself in what happens at work .. like an idiot. It's not my company!

I needed to be able to manage my emotions (see: anger, frustration, fear) to be able to realise the above. For years I wasn't happy, always angry and full of rage on the inside but had no idea why. Great feeling when you've got a little one on the way, really helped me enjoy the experience of impending fatherhood!

Then he was born and ultimate happiness ensued, briefly. I started heaping a lot of other pressures on myself, like panicking about supporting a family now, being the provider.

So far, what's working for me, is antidepressants. Not because I'm depressed, but to help keep my anxiety and emotions in check while I sort through it. When I took the depression test I rated off the charts in every category.

However, he pointed out that he does not beleve I suffer from clinical depression or bipolar, I get depressed as a result of massive stress and anxiety placed on and caused mostly by .. myself. Just needed to clear my head medicinally to be able to see clearly enough to begin working through it.

I also firmly believe that years of partying hard, consuming COPIOUS amounts of disco bickies and coke has impacted on my brains ability to produce, release and monitor seratonin levels. I think that it's all fcuked up now and everytime I get a slight buzz of happiness my brain fires it all out in one hit, thus depleting reserves and falling into a slump.

GP said it's a feasible idea, but that researchers probably won't know for another 10 years if I'm right.

Anyway, still working on it but fcuk life's a lot better since I took steps to actually make change.

Talking through it with someone is the best advice I can give.

Also think that part of my problem was a severe lack of water time due to the birth of our little man 4 months ago.

I'd only surfed 3 times in 3 months but the missus noted that it may be a cause and has ordered me to hit the surf daily again, just shorter go outs for a while. God love her!

Thanks for asking Alkaboo, the RS crew were really helpful through a really trying time and stopped me making some rash decsions and causing more issues for myself and my family.

Oh, I still want to move too

Sorry for the hijack Digger.

[diggerdickson]

mmm, took some advice here, have changed my diet after looking up some information on the net with my missus, ive been feeling depressed for a long time now and have not been finding much joy in life apart from the occiasonal surf but now no longer want to surf with people or leave the house. I know that aint normal feelings and are counterproductive to getting better. Went to see my gp and explained exactly what is happened to me, from crazy emotional tears at work when trying to deal with easy stuff to fear of forgetting things and trying to do two things at once. Ive not been able to sleep probably for some months now and have nothing left emotionally at the moment for my family and am a little short with my wonderful kids and cant control when I get angry and have to walk away before I lose it

He has put me on some depression and anxiety pills just for a little while and some valuim to give me a good sleep and keep my emotions in check, I fell a little flat with my emotions but am keeping a diary of what is happening to me emotionally at work as well. My australian manager wanted to sack me untill I had a talk with him and just broke down in front of him It turns out he has just recently come out of a big depression whole which his gp helped him through and he sent me to see my gp and know has more of a understanding on what is happening.so my position at work is safe for now but I feel like im starting all over again. I just want to feel normal again. Ive tried to fake it espically around my missus and kids and when surfing with fong but I now know that aint the answer.

Wether its clinical depression or just plain depression I aint got a clue, but Ive just got to get through this period and start to enjoy life agian. Im concentrating on the joy my family brings to me, also looking at the blank Ive got in my garage that aint finished yet and thinging of cutting channels into it, not because I wnat a chanbnelled board but because it will keep my busy and stop me dwelling on things, I dont care if I stuff the blank but I just enjoy mucking around with the blank. Thinking of trying some solo surfs just to be in the ocean with myself and nature.

Im lying in bed trying to find some enthusiam to do stuff and think when my missus and little girl gets home form the shops will go down to the beach for a walk.

I dont care about the A.D.D. thing at all, I just wanna shake myself free from this black cloud and see some sunshine that lasts longer than a day without the emotional rollocoaster feelings of highs and deep lows.

God help meI want to function normally for a change with all things not just for a few hours.

Mical thanks for your post but I think I know what you are trying to battle through

[alakaboo]

I also firmly believe that years of partying hard, consuming COPIOUS amounts of disco bickies and coke has impacted on my brains ability to produce, release and monitor seratonin levels. I think that it's all fcuked up now and everytime I get a slight buzz of happiness my brain fires it all out in one hit, thus depleting reserves and falling into a slump.

wouldn't be at all surprised if that turns out to be true. saw something similar in some friends who got heavily into that scene.
stress and injuries also affect neurotransmitter production and uptake.

Also think that part of my problem was a severe lack of water time due to the birth of our little man 4 months ago.

take advantage of it, their sleep gets less reliable as they grow up!

anyway, enough diversion. just glad to hear you found something that works.

[alakaboo]

digger, i'm sorry to hear you're struggling.

doing something that is technical but not too demanding can help. I'm no good with my hands and just get frustrated, so for me it's things like swimming training and paddling where i'm trying to concentrate on little things like the bubbles on the back of my hand.

this might sound a bit loopy, but when you go for a solo surf, just paddle out the back well past the break and sit up on your board.

stay there for a while, and just be. whatever that entails, be it splashing like a crazy person, having a quiet sob, looking for fish or birds.
come back when you're ready.

sorry if it's all a bit new-age, but it has helped me in the past. you're being very honest and open here and i think you deserve the same in return.

just don't do it near any lifeguard towers, they tend not to understand and try and rescue you

[jimmy1501]

I also firmly believe that years of partying hard, consuming COPIOUS amounts of disco bickies and coke has impacted on my brains ability to produce, release and monitor seratonin levels. I think that it's all fcuked up now and everytime I get a slight buzz of happiness my brain fires it all out in one hit, thus depleting reserves and falling into a slump.

Mical you don't mind the odd puff do you? I was diagnosed with depression a few years back and found that the happy pills didn't really do much at all.. The biggest change came when I gave myself a break from the weed.. Then I didnt need the anti depressants..