Questions and Answers

Dogen · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 11274 Location: PDX

Was this your regular doctor? Because they're not really qualified to diagnose mental health issues (no more than they're qualified to implant a pacemaker). I'd recommend getting a referral to a psychiatrist and seeing what they have to say. You can always cross reference it with what she said, to see if they match up. The psychologist may be able to give you the same info, especially if it is ADHD, but may end up referring you to a psychiatrist anyway (for treatment).

This is not my area of expertise, obviously, but physiological withdrawal from nicotine does take a long time. I've heard different estimates, but the notion that your brain chemistry isn't 100% even if you don't feel cravings isn't off the mark. One symptom of withdrawal is depression, which can be expressed through avolition (lack of motivation), increased motor activity (restlessness), and lack of focus. You'd know better than I would if that were a possible diagnosis for you, but certainly the psychologist can help figure it out.

It sounds like you're doing the right things. I know how frustrating it is to have things thrown at you for the sake of saying you're being treated. When I was diagnosed with MS I told my neurologist I felt anxiety and she said, "we can get you something for that." All I really needed was time to get used to the diagnosis, being anxious was totally appropriate.
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trustedfaith · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:03 am Post subject:

Dogen · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 11274 Location: PDX

You're right, your symptoms shouldn't be getting worse. There's a lot of information about nicotine as a form of self-medication for adults with ADHD. It makes sense, the drugs they use to treat ADHD are also stimulants.

Anyway, best of luck, Jen. At least you're doing it right, so if there's an answer you should find it.
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mouse · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 20767 Location: under the bed

i'll agree with dogen, and congratulate you for not accepting the idea of using the patch. and especially congratulate you for the quit!

but yeah - if you were showing symptoms of ADD as a child, sounds like you need to talk to someone qualified to diagnose it.
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Usagi Miyamoto · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 2259 Location: wish I was here

I'd say, don't be too down on your doctor, Jen. It's just a good object lesson that doctors are human and that you are your own best advocate when you deal with them. Also, it's probably rare for a non-pediatrician to have someone come in and present with ADHD symptoms, so it's reasonable that it's not the first diagnosis to come to mind.

When I go to my doctor, I always make a list of the things I want to bring up, and I keep my pencil handy to check things off and note what the doctor has to say, because otherwise I'm likely to forget. (I have a mind like a steel trap... door.) And I try to follow the doctor's reasoning, and ask for clarifications when I need them, so I can understand what's going on and develop my own insight and judgment, because nobody cares about my wellbeing the same way I do (or can do as much about it, for that matter).

I think you should feel good that you recognized some suggestions as suspect or inappropriate for you, and that you're being proactive about it. And it sounds like you're doing well on follow through, with the psych appointment, since as those of us with ADD know, the toughest part of doing something is fini
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Lasairfiona · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:15 pm Post subject:

Usagi makes me giggle.

Sooooooo I was talking about my bipolar disorder with my boyfriend. He seems to be of the opinion that now that my mind has been medicated, it knows what not being broken feels like and can hold on to that. So, if I miss my medication for a couple days I should still be able to function (much of this is what I heard - his main point is that I rely too much on the drugs). I think of the bipolar disorder more of a physical ailment with mental symptoms -no medication and my brain melts down: lack of focus, verbal filters shot to hell, depression, mania, etc. I find it insulting that he even approaches the idea that this could all be in my head (the discussion started when I talked about a former friend that asked me if I had even considered praying away the bipolar disorder).

My question is this - he isn't advocating that I get off the medication (not at all in fact) so should I really care if he is mildly insulting with the whole medication thing? I'm leaning toward no since he has always made sure that I get my medicine on time and reordered as necessary. I guess I am just concerned that if I am ever off the medication (for trying to get pregnant or something) that this will become a problem.
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Mr Gary · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:49 pm Post subject:

When he's done questioning the efficacy of said medication can he finish David Foster Wallace's last novel please, 'cos I really miss that guy.

trustedfaith

Dogen · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 11274 Location: PDX

Oneponytoruleall · Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Posts: 3114

Vox Raucus · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:28 am Post subject:

What Dogen said. If he wasn't your boyfriend, what he said could have come off as fairly offensive to anyone dealing with a mental health issue. But it is concerning and sounds like he doesn't understand it - and if you were to go off your medication for an extended period of time (getting pregnant for example) he would need to be *more* understanding and compassionate for what you would be going through than when you're on medication.
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sporko · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 2900

Sam · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 11150

Oneponytoruleall · Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Posts: 3114

nevermind

DeD CHiKn · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:04 am Post subject:

Depends who they are.

Might sound insensitive. Let me explain. If my best friend told me I'd be genuinely concerned. If it was my grandmother, thats a different story.