I am 58 and, following 2-3 weeks of various tests administered by a psychologist app. 10 years ago, was diagnosed with Adult ADD. In my heart I knew that was finally the explanation for a lifetime of frustration and depression with schooling, jobs, friendships and managing my home and family...Sari Solden's Women with Attention Deficit Disorder is literally the story of my life.
The psychologist referred me to the #1 psychiatrist in the town where I live. Through the years, beginning in my early 30's, I've seen many doctors, always checked out in good health, but usually either prescribed tranquilizers or antidepressants. The psychiatrist listened, he took a personal interest, agreed 100% with my diagnosis and prescribed Adderal, which brought a calmness to my thinking and order to the chaotic way my world seems to me. For the first time I could remember I was paying attention, focused, and completing tasks. I've never known such inner peace and happiness.
After 18 months, the psychiatrist closed his private practice and went to work for the VA Hospital. He referred me to another psychiatrist who spent MY office visits telling me HIS problems...the last time I saw him he was upset because someone had forgotten that that particular day was his birthday. I left with an unsettled feeling that before long I'd be right back where I'd started...and I was.
Over the next several years, actually up to only a few weeks ago, I've seen one physician after another and 2-3 other psychiatrists - ALL say they do not believe in Adult ADD. The last psychiatrist I saw practically insulted me saying that practically every week someone came in his office claiming to have ADD and wanting amphetamines. I told him I didn't want amphetamines, I wanted help. He handed me a prescription for Welbutrin and said, "You can take it or leave it."
I am not a dope addict - I've lived in the same town for almost 50 years and never had so much as a parking ticket. I am bitterly depressed, angry and frustrated that no physician recognizes what I'm positive is the cause of my problems. The last internal medicine specialist told me that ADD-sufferers are "bums in the gutter - people who cannot hold jobs or fit into society."
There is not ONE ADD symptom that I do not experience every single day of my life and I am physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted from trying to manage...and I'm also falling further and further into depression. I know in my heart that I would never commit suicide but I can certainly understand how a person could reach that point...when you've conscientiously tried to get help for 10-12 years and are all but ridiculed by health care professionals who "do not believe in Adult ADD" you run out of options and I feel like I reached that stage several months ago.
Any advice or suggestions would be deeply appreciated. I am currently taking only one prescription, Welbutrin (prescribed by the internal medicine specialist and also the ONLY antidepressant that has ever helped whatsoever and I'm not even sure it actually helps). My physical health seems to be better than most people my age but I feel my physical health hides the mental and emotional anguish that is dragging me down to a dangerous level.
Thank you.
The psychologist referred me to the #1 psychiatrist in the town where I live. Through the years, beginning in my early 30's, I've seen many doctors, always checked out in good health, but usually either prescribed tranquilizers or antidepressants. The psychiatrist listened, he took a personal interest, agreed 100% with my diagnosis and prescribed Adderal, which brought a calmness to my thinking and order to the chaotic way my world seems to me. For the first time I could remember I was paying attention, focused, and completing tasks. I've never known such inner peace and happiness.
After 18 months, the psychiatrist closed his private practice and went to work for the VA Hospital. He referred me to another psychiatrist who spent MY office visits telling me HIS problems...the last time I saw him he was upset because someone had forgotten that that particular day was his birthday. I left with an unsettled feeling that before long I'd be right back where I'd started...and I was.
Over the next several years, actually up to only a few weeks ago, I've seen one physician after another and 2-3 other psychiatrists - ALL say they do not believe in Adult ADD. The last psychiatrist I saw practically insulted me saying that practically every week someone came in his office claiming to have ADD and wanting amphetamines. I told him I didn't want amphetamines, I wanted help. He handed me a prescription for Welbutrin and said, "You can take it or leave it."
I am not a dope addict - I've lived in the same town for almost 50 years and never had so much as a parking ticket. I am bitterly depressed, angry and frustrated that no physician recognizes what I'm positive is the cause of my problems. The last internal medicine specialist told me that ADD-sufferers are "bums in the gutter - people who cannot hold jobs or fit into society."
There is not ONE ADD symptom that I do not experience every single day of my life and I am physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted from trying to manage...and I'm also falling further and further into depression. I know in my heart that I would never commit suicide but I can certainly understand how a person could reach that point...when you've conscientiously tried to get help for 10-12 years and are all but ridiculed by health care professionals who "do not believe in Adult ADD" you run out of options and I feel like I reached that stage several months ago.
Any advice or suggestions would be deeply appreciated. I am currently taking only one prescription, Welbutrin (prescribed by the internal medicine specialist and also the ONLY antidepressant that has ever helped whatsoever and I'm not even sure it actually helps). My physical health seems to be better than most people my age but I feel my physical health hides the mental and emotional anguish that is dragging me down to a dangerous level.
Thank you.
