Adult ADD/ADHD? Anyone got it here?

**laulau** · 09-13-2010 06:02 PM

I am 26 and I have ADHD and only found out a year and a half ago. I started my medication but true to ADHD that lasted for about a month.

My mother noticed a change in me but I got lazy and decided not to worry about taking it as I didn't think it was a big problem.

I watched a documentary off the BBC - living with ADHD- I think that is what it is called it was an eye opener.

What I am asking I guess is how do you manage it? Meds? CBT? No Meds?
Also...
Have you read any books on the subject that were really helpful? Any info would be super?

**ItsASecret** · 09-13-2010 06:15 PM

It depends on how severe it is. Some cases are manageable with only minimal medication some with minimal CBT. Your best bet would be to check it out with a psychologist since they will talk with you about several options. If you go to your GP doc they will quickly write off a prescription to control the behavior because they know it works in other patients and they do not feel like playing psychologist. There is going to be CBT therapies that obviously do not require medication but there is no way to know 100% how long it would take to make them work without talking with a psychologist.

**laulau** · 09-15-2010 03:25 PM

Yeah. I guess it's pretty bad myself. I have had a lot of troubles over the years. I am going to Dublin this week and I am looking for some good Doctors. CBT is an option I am looking into. Thanks for the advice.

Can anyone else add anything?

**Agony_Aunt** · 09-15-2010 03:38 PM

I have a brother who was diagnosed with it at the age of 7. He found school very difficult and simple learning was very hard for him.
He was put on medication at the age of 7 to help with it, because he was very hyper and active.
Over the years he continued to take the medication but doctors said it is a permanent condition.
The only thing was that as he got older he would gradually be able to control it himself. and that then meaning there would no longer be a need for medication.
He was on ritalin and concerta. Both a 36mg and 18mg dose of each.
Now he is fine and has more a less grown out of it.
This is what i know from seeing a child grow up with it, but gradually as you get older with maturity you will be just fine.

**laulau** · 09-15-2010 09:11 PM

Unfortunately not everyone grows out of it. Though this is the case for some people... Lucky people! the ratio is about half and half and they usually grow out of it by the time they reach 20. I am 26 still got it and always had it and I am sure it's no going to go away just like that.

Your brother is lucky! My brother takes concerta and I am supposed to take ritalin

I work with children and have looked after some children with behavioral problems, I must say I love them the most!

**Agony_Aunt** · 09-15-2010 09:29 PM

I don't know what it would be like for you at 26 because I only know what it was like for my brother.
How does it affect you?
Yes i have a younger brother now who is only 8 and diagnosed with it a few months ago.
He has a twin brother, where as one is quiet and the one with adhd had a cheeky sense of humour and is a smart little fella!
Though he can be so smart about things!
He has this rule that everybody must knock before going in to his room. Nobody does.
So he said to my mother one day " I can't live in this house if people don't go by my rules"!!
Hard to imagine he's an 8 year old sometimes!