ADDitude?

Yesterday I was diagnosed with adult ADD. Huh?????? Now, I've self-diagnosed myself with quite a few illnesses, but this is certainly one I hadn't considered. I took a test at my psychiatrist's office, he told me it is very likely that I have it, and was given a prescription for Ritalin and Adderall, both of which I am to try to see which works best. I am currently trying Ritalin. I started it yesterday. I was also given the web addresses of several ADD sites and some ADD authors to check out, so I've since been doing some research. I learned that I pretty much meet all of the criteria on the self-tests for ADD. I've been reading about what it looks like in children also, and yep, I probably was ADD then too.

I've long suspected that I have a dopamine deficiency, and have tried herbs for this, but nothing has worked. Ritalin may be just the thing I've needed for a very long time.

So this is very new and strange for me. I feel good with the Ritalin so far - it seems like I can focus a little better, and I don't feel as stressed out as I normally do. I feel an overall sense of peace and level-headedness. I also feel like my moods are a bit more in check, which is why I see a psychiatrist in the first place. It turns out that ADD can be the root of many other problems like depression, anxiety, mood swings, and motivational problems.

I've never believed that medications are the end all and be all, but I certainly see the benefits of starting with medication to even out the neurotransmitters, and then working out the other behavioral/emotional issues associated with the problem. I figure that if Ritalin or Adderall don't help to the extent that I think they should I am willing to try other approaches - Strattera (another med.), behavior modification, beating my head against the wall, etc. If all else fails I can certainly request a lobotomy.