Does anyone have any experience with being diagnosed and treated with ADHD as an adult?

I have always had trouble focusing in school, and well, everything. I was told that they tried to diagnose me with ADD when I was in kindergarten, but my mom refused the diagnosis because I was super high scoring during testing, and being the 80's every kid was diagnosed with ADD. (Then I was held back a year)

I find that I can focus when a new subject is broached, but once I have mastered the basics I can no longer focus on it, even if I want to.  Work, school, and pleasure activities all fall into this pattern. I am high functioning enough that I can always pull off what I need to at the end near a deadline, but I know it was not my best work and I should be able to do better. I want to do better, but cant seem to focus for more than 15 min.

It concerns me because I just started a 4 year college, and I know that I cannot rely on the same "chunk and test" method that got me through JC. In fact, it already is catching up to me in the first two days of class. My wife and I am making huge ($$$) sacrifices to be there, as well as several donors (scholarships) and I realize things have to change.

I am nervous about altering my brain chemistry, but am unsure that the management techniques will be be enough.

Any advice on who I should see first? Any experience that you wouldn't mind sharing? 

I'd really appreciate it.

not that I have it, I'm bored all the time and can't focus at all,

but my son does. and one of the first things we did is refuse medicine.
he goes to a therapist that works on focus skills and he also does Karate to help build focus and self discipline.
it helped to a point. he eventually did go to a low dose med only for the school day.
but in conjunction with the therapy, his attention span, self discipline and grades all increased.

I've had it since I was a kid.  The only thing that helped me focus was xanax but that shit gets addictive so I resorted to smoking (both 420 and regular cigs  ).  I no longer participate in the pot movement but have had a hell of a time quitting smoking, now on three days clean.  If you don't smoke DO NOT START!  The best thing you can do is work out, ride a bicycle or motorcycle to clear your mind.  I found that if I was tired form exercise I could focus better in the class room or while studying.  I've heard that Paxil control release works well on some guinea pigs but have never tried it.  Make sure you take classes you like or you'll pay the price of wandering.

wellbutrin helped me focus and concentrate

I have it as well.

Tried all kinds of things when I was younger (including wellbutrin) but had no luck with any of it.

I have to agree, take classes you are interested in or you are F'd.  I find that I can throw myself completely into something I find interesting but once it's mastered it's onto the next thing.  If the mental stimulation is gone I can't stay with it.

I also side track easily, forget things and barely graduated high school despite testing at above a 140 (for whatever those numbers are worth) IQ.

Find ways to keep yourself focused.  I find making lists of things I need to do is a great thing.  Once it's written down I seem to not feel as overwhelmed when I have a lot to do.

^ if only that were possible.... i take a lot of classes i am not intrested in at all.

Drugs are great for the short term to show u what ur goal is, but its no way to live life. Theres a book called driven to distraaction which is a great read for anyone who has adhd. its got some great tips.


there was a recommendation for taking 4,000mg of fish oil a day. it defintely helps i think. It can be easy to depend on meds to get through college though. because once u start on them, its a night and day difference. but like i said, its great to show u what ur goal is, but its no way to live your life hopped up on that stuff.

Quote from: Monsterlover on August 25, 2012, 11:51:12 AM
I have it as well.

Tried all kinds of things when I was younger (including wellbutrin) but had no luck with any of it.

I have to agree, take classes you are interested in or you are F'd.  I find that I can throw myself completely into something I find interesting but once it's mastered it's onto the next thing.  If the mental stimulation is gone I can't stay with it.

I also side track easily, forget things and barely graduated high school despite testing at above a 140 (for whatever those numbers are worth) IQ.

Find ways to keep yourself focused.  I find making lists of things I need to do is a great thing.  Once it's written down I seem to not feel as overwhelmed when I have a lot to do.

Me too, except the meds and school. Never tried medication and I used a written schedule in HS to help keep me focused. I turned my schedule into a game. I still use this today.

I used this when I was a kid and it helped.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylphenidate

^

Tried that too.  The best it did was get me about an hour of focus before it wore off.  Tried all kinds of dosages and frequencies to no real benefit.

I have it as well.  I found out last year.  At this point I have not tried any of the various drugs.  Reading as much as I could about it helped me greatly--as someone else mentioned, 'Driven to Distraction' is great.  I find this list from the authors to be helpful: http://www.addresources.org/?q=node/253.

What time of day are you the most focused?  I would try to take the classes then if possible.

+2 for driven to distraction.

they have alot of meds in XR now with time release so they last about 5 hours.

they are a hassle still. mosts people react differently, but its all worth a try to see the difference.

+11tyb on making it a game.

Quote from: He Man on August 25, 2012, 01:14:29 PM
Theres a book called driven to distraaction which is a great read for anyone who has adhd. its got some great tips.

Quote from: He Man on August 26, 2012, 07:20:27 AM
+2 for driven to distraction.

ADHD mu... 

Wait, what were we talking about?

My brother has ADD, so I'm not sure if it's the same situation. He's basically drinking caffeine all day, be it by energy drinks or coffee. He's super intelligent, but school has been one of his least favorite things in the world.

Quote from: DRKWNG on August 26, 2012, 10:05:23 AM
ADHD mu... 

Wait, what were we talking about?

SQUIRREL!!!