Looking for some personal help
 

Many times in the past I've seen this community really come to someone's aid when they have personal problems so I'm hoping you guys and gals can offer me some advice and maybe point me in the right direct here.

So here's the deal, no matter what I do I am almost totally unable to focus and motivate myself on anything important. Now before you dismiss this as a problem most everyone has, understand that what I'm talking about is an almost pathological inability here. Unless something is of extreme importance or concern I simply can't focus on it. If I really push myself hard I can sustain a good level of drive for a day or two, maybe a week if I'm really lucky. Beyond that has always been out of my reach.

I've spoken to a psychologist about it and at our first meeting he diagnosed me with ADHD. I took three different meds and two different combos of two the three for 6-12 months none of which made any difference whatsoever. I met with him three more times and we never once talked about this for more than a few minutes no matter how I tried to bring it up so I stopped going.

I've bought more planners than I can count, I've gotten organization, focus, and staying on task tips from anyone who will listen, I've read books, done research, bought gadgets or software and tried everything I can find but nothing works for more than a few days or so.

This isn't just something at work either; at home my wife is constantly frustrated because I forget to do things or wait until the last possible minute. It's not just things I don't care cause this even happens with things I'm very interested in. Finally over the last year or so it's really started to get to me. I'm getting very down on my self and that's causing me to start getting a little depressed at times. Also I'm really starting to feel like I could get into a lot of trouble.

Anyway, sorry to go all emo LiveJournal on you guys but I'm out of ideas. Anything you guys can offer would be appreciated, even if you think I may have heard it before.

Ask a doctor if you might have Asperger Syndrome. It shares a lot of the same symptoms with ADHD, along with a few social disabilities of varying degrees which may or may not go away. A big one is a limited ability to lie. This is one that sometimes lessens or vanishes, but a lot of times, kids with Asperger's just can't do it, especially on the fly. Another big one is a lack of social skills or social awkwardness. This often manifests in having few friends, being abrasive without meaning to, or just not getting it in social situations. There's also a strong association with animals in some people, and in some cases, they associate better with animals than humans. Lastly, there's emotional deficiency. A lot of times, people with Asperger's just don't get the full range of complex emotion that normal people do in varying degrees of severity.

If any of these sounds familiar, ask a different doctor about getting tested for it. The first one probably has a preconceived notion and doesn't know you well, judging by your post. Or if you're comfortable going back, it couldn't hurt to ask. Asperger Syndrome responds better to different medications than ADHD. ADHD meds can compliment them, but they don't the the job on their own.

I've never heard of Asperger's so I'll definitely look into it. Would you recommend seeing a psychologist again or maybe a therapist or psychiatrist (I know there's a difference but I don't quite understand what it is)? I'm certainly not comfortable going back to the previous doctor so I'll have to find someone else.

None of those symptoms really sounds like me. Definitely not the lying; that's one thing that's probably helped this go on as long as it has. Whenever someone asks me about it I can usually put them off it very quickly.

My father, my brother and myself have all been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD; the thing that I've found is that many people take longer or respond to different medications, and finding the right ones can take a really long time. I'd suggest getting back to your doctor and trying to get back with the meds.

Is this a recent thing, or something that has developed over time, or something you've had pretty much as far as you can remember?

Do you know what kinda time I might be looking at? 6-12 months seems like a pretty good length of time with no discernible improvement. Also what meds would you say I should ask about? I tried Strattera, Aderrall and Concerta in different combinations and dosages. With the exception of one (Aderrall or Concerta can't remember which) I never noticed anything. The one time I did notice it was only the first day.

Something that's been a problem as long as I can remember. Honestly, I can vividly remember problems that would be related to this school wise as far back as kindergarten.

That still leaves Dexedrine (in Adderall), Cylert, Clonidine (which may knock you out), Wellbutrin, and good old coffee and soda (caffeine).


Sorry, I guess Cylert was discontinued, at least in the US. :sweatdrop

There are also alternatives to synthesized drugs. A blend of echanacia, ginsing, guarana, and milk thistle, does about the same thing as adderol, (phsically speaking). You might want to ask your doctor about alternatives to pharmaceuticals. There are options out there for you. Including medicinal Marijuana, Which a friend of mine in California controls his ADHD with. Atypical medications seem like they might be the best option since the syntesized drugs don't seem to be helping.

Also, I suggest talking to your wife and having her help you get on a scheduele. I can be a bit absent minded, and it really helps when your partner gets you back on track. She might even be willing to help you research alternatives, such as accupuncture, meditation and other holistic medicines. Also, it really helps to have a positive outlook, as the placebo effect is the strongest form of medicine. If you think that you are beaten by the disease, then you are. There are always treatment options.
Always.

Good luck!

I wouldn't consider what you've been describing as a disorder at all. It sounds much more like a behavioral pattern than anything else. I would try and see a behavioral psychologist if there's one in your area.

It'll be hard work, even if you get a good behavioral psychologist. There's no magic pill to cure problematic behavior.

I have a suggestion.

Read "The Art of Chi Kung" or "Chi Kung For Health And Vitality" by Wong Kiew Kit, and practice Lifting The Sky 30 times per session, 2-3 times daily.