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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2010 22:51:23 GMT
Is it a chemical imbalance in the brain? Why do people say the pills don't always work and not alone? How come some kids grow out of it? I've lived with it for 38 years and only just realised I have it and that is because I feel as though I am deteriorating every day - is that normal? Will I keep deteriorating without medication? Why does it affect my concentration so badly? That is worsening daily - will I soon be unable to concentrate EVER? Why can I concentrate sometimes & not others? Why do I forget simple words when at other times I can be articulate - those times are becoming less & less. Self-esteem rock bottom. Is this ADHD?? God please help me. So many unanswered questions all in an unorderly queue screaming from inside my head.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2010 23:05:01 GMT
Lots of questions, lot of answers.
ADHD is more a collection of symptoms than a single issue. It can be seen as a chemical imbalance - dopamine and noradrenaline regulation and useage are deficient in ADHD brains. We have problems with the connections between bits of our brain, primarily the pre-frontal cortex - the executive function bit of the brain. Hence problems with impulsivity and activation.
There are differing views on the available medication. Prevalent, to my knowledge and my intention, is that the medication helps, but it's not a panacea. You need to have therapy and help to go with it, as with any psychological medication.
I don't think people really grow out of it - it comes in very varying degrees and impacts people differently - some people find coping strategies more easily, for whatever reason.
The depression and cumulative stress that can accompany ADHD has lead me to be worse than I have been previously - perhaps it's the same with you. ADHD, as far as I know, has no degenerative element.
Concentration impact is one of the greatest components - again, it's the pre-frontal cortex and dopamine. We lack the ability to regulate attention, in some way because of a lack of consideration for the future.
ADHD can make one very stressed and depressed. That's going to make things seem catastrophic.
Things forming in an unorderly queue screaming inside your head - yeah, that's ADHD...
Get some good books - Scattered by Gabor Mate is good. Plenty of others out there - some not so good - you could do with a good tome to help with you understanding...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2010 23:20:28 GMT
well thank you. That actually has made me feel a bit calmer. Bit more understanding, bit more depressed as I'm leaning towards me definitely having this.
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Post by magicnick1990 on Feb 15, 2010 0:32:05 GMT
Calling it a chemical inbalance I think is too vague.
It's a deficit Executive disorder. In the brain, you have motor functions and executive functions.
Executive functions deal with things like task to task memory, attention etc. - Now, in an ADHD brain, the executive functions are usually impaired / undeveloped by 2-3 years. And the motor functions are 2-3 years overdeveloped. Matured too quickly.
The motor functions help regulate the executive functions. So you've got a car with no brakes. You've got an immature section trying to control a mature section. Both are abnormally developed just in different directions.
Irregulation of dopamine. Dopamine is one of the main neurotransmitters which helps regulate mood and attention. Specifically internal attention. The attention you need to self-motivate to do tasks that aren't immediately rewarding to you.
This is why people with ADHD find it hard to do things that require sustained attention without payback, or things that aren't immediately and / or externally stimulating in some way. I also believe this is why ADHD people struggle to read, especially fiction.
Because words on a page in themselves are not stimulating. It's the ideas you create via feedback of those words to the brain. I find it very hard to read, again, especially fiction. Which would make sense if I do have ADHD since reading fiction would require you to self-motivate the story. You have the words there but you'd need to create mental imagery and make the story come alive in your own mind.
To me it just feels like starring at ink in a page.
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Lame44
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Post by Lame44 on Feb 15, 2010 0:43:58 GMT
Aside from ADHD for a min.....
Hows your sleeping Princess? Have you been to your GP about some of the things you mention. Sometimes some of the things you mention can be caused by other hormonal problems...Have you been checked out at all hon?
I am in the same boat n a GP I saw the other day suggested part was ADHD and part was a hormonal problem going on. I am seeing an endocrinologist in April now to get things checked. NOt said to worry you at all hon, and I have other issues where I collapse n keep getting low blood sugars n stuff, obviously you dont mention these things so it could just be the ADHD and depression for you!
Even not sleeping well can cause alot of problems with memory and aches n pains, n stomach acid probs n alsorts. Maybe it could be that, but who knows. Maybe you could get a full MOT at your doctors hon, even if it comes back all ok, at least you dont have to worry about it being anything else, and maybe they can help you in other ways, yes meds etc etc or possibly therapy!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2010 11:20:01 GMT
I sleep well Ryan, in fact can't enough of it, I have no problems falling asleep and usually need about 9 hours a night. Unless I am very stressed or worried I pretty much sleep through. Over many years I have been to the Dr. for what I thought was stress/depression/craziness. I went through a very short period of being on anti-depressants which resulted in an almost fatal suicide attempt. I've had 6weeks NHS counselling last year, where I felt better just through communicating some of my issues but they still keep rearing their ugly head, hence my own research on the internet. Not even sure how I stumbled across ADHD but I feel like this is the only place I am understanding right now. I've told 1 friend who doesn't think I have it, so I am confused I guess I should see a GP but I'm a bit fed up of it really. I'm definitelt going to get some literature but my friend is concerned I may read myself into it - which I can be prone to doing. Confused. com
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Post by twix on Feb 15, 2010 22:17:29 GMT
For me the drugs do work, its obvious the difference, I need strategies and stuff to go with them but I wouldn't say I need therapy (if it was on offer I would try it though) I find that my symptoms are far far worse under stress and if I have PMT. Basically because either of those remove my ability to cope as well as making the concentration and memory worse and making me feel worse about it. So it can be a vicious circle. Probably this is stressing you out and making it feel worse, you know its worse so you panic more. Thats what I do anyway. Try to take back control of one little thing at a time, and to be nice to yourself and keep calm This time of year isn't great either. Another thing that can help ease the symptoms is exercise. Often its the last thing you feel like when you are bad, but it does help a lot even if you just go for a walk. Its not just a placebo, as far as I know it does release good chemicals into the brain, and it does really help me, anyway, its worth a try.
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Post by twix on Feb 15, 2010 22:20:20 GMT
What I was trying to say and missed, its not deteriorating, its more that it goes up and down, for you its bad at the moment, but that doesn't mean its getting worse and will carry on getting worse, just that its bad at the moment and you have to ride it out, do your best to look afteryourself and take it easy on yourself, it will get better. Hope this makes sense.
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Post by andy12345 lazy git on Feb 15, 2010 23:40:19 GMT
Following on from Nick.....I think if anyone watches the film Crank and imagines that statham's hit man character has ADHD with regards to motivation and determination etc........ they may understand the efforts some people make to keep themselves going.
If you imagine that until statham starts his body dynamo up again.....he will fail to save himself. It's not exactly the same, but when I think what some people with ADHD type impulsivity, novelty seeking symptoms do to keep themselves going, I think it's like that, excepting that with a low dopamine you may never ever bother to get out of bed or off the floor in the first place, so maybe I'm just waffling.
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