Hello World!

I'm new to PsychForums and haven't been formally diagnosed with ADD. My therapist seems to think I fit the profile:

(1) varied interests but no finished projects,
(2) forget to clean rooms when I'm not in them,
(3) can't focus on one stimulus with others present,
(4) can't sit still and think about nothing for a CAT scan

As a child, I tried to keep my hyperactivity bottled up, but I don't feel that hyperactive anyway now that I'm an adult, my hormones have leveled out and I know what to avoid. I've been told stimulants are the only option for treatment, but I don't like the kind of person I become with a stimulant. I'm very sensitive to any drug that affects my nervous system (except, unfortunately, most OTC painkillers), plus I have an addictive personality (thank you, selfish genes.) Has anyone here been successful with drug-free attention improvement methods?

Hi, Twinkling_Butterfly! Welcome to the forum! I hope you find the answers you need here. How are you doing?

I don't know what you just said because I was thinking about Batman. (Thank you, Internet.)

Well, as long as it's George Clooney...

Hi Twinkling Butterfly!

I'm new here as well and did a similar introductory message. I just answered your last question and I believe you answered the one I asked there. I'm inclined to somewhat be proud of what I wrote, but you don't have think its interesting, but if you think it resonates, tell me so.

Anyway, one thing I asked in my intro message to the forum(they seem to actually cope well with those here!! unlike some forums) was general things to help me know how to use this forum. An answer told me that it would serve to explore the different categories and get comfortable here, and the tone of the message helped me to believe that bit of common sense.

Well, about drug free attention-improvement methods. I have very strong opinions about this as well, but drugs aren't all bad either. The best for me are the old fashioned stimulants. The most reliable thing for us humans though is good habit and practice. The drugs may help give you the boost to practice so you can eventually get off them. That is one way to look at it. I'm on ritalin right now and I'm not day dreaming but typing messages here that are therapeutic for myself and fun and possible of use to others. Should be doing my paper though.

But you did say something about your addictive personality and bodily aversions to drugs; I was just informing you of my strategy for myself. I did notice that you used the word selfish gene. I personally don't like leaving things up to my genes entirely, and I believe that brain chemistry can change for the better. Cognitive behavioral therapy kind of stuff like this can be difficult, and I'm not entirely sure about what has happened with me as I still have a lot to work on, but I believe in it nonetheless.

But maybe your issue is relatively milder than mine. There are many professions in which the traits you described are actually advantageous if adapted correctly.

Probably just tired old thoughts that I'm turning out here, but I thought I'd try. I think this forum is great so far but I have not begun to explore it to its extent yet. Hope you like it.

ravenseldoncat wrote:I'm inclined to somewhat be proud of what I wrote, but you don't have think its interesting, but if you think it resonates, tell me so.

I'll have to look further into the frontal lobe issue.

ravenseldoncat wrote:Anyway, one thing I asked in my intro message to the forum(they seem to actually cope well with those here!! unlike some forums) was general things to help me know how to use this forum.

I doubt I would have done this at another forum, where it would be bad netiquette to behave like I'm ready for psychotherapy.

ravenseldoncat wrote:The drugs may help give you the boost to practice so you can eventually get off them.

That's what my psychiatrist said, but I'm scared. I also have OCD, and I fear the drugs would make it worse.

ravenseldoncat wrote:I personally don't like leaving things up to my genes entirely, and I believe that brain chemistry can change for the better.

I came of age during the Human Genome Project, so I know well I am not my genes, but they get to me sometimes. Also, my selfish gene remark may have been misleading. A selfish gene promotes itself at the expense of other genes, not necessarily its host, so for all I know it may be a cooperative gene that's the culprit here.

ravenseldoncat wrote:There are many professions in which the traits you described are actually advantageous if adapted correctly.

I know, but as I said on another thread, my disorder mainly disrupts my home life, which brings down every other aspect of my life because it's where my basic needs are met.