Re:Interesting (Score 1)

Hey, I just wanted to reply straight to you, I've been following this thread some last night and a little this afternoon. I should be studying for my Calc II test right now, but I have this extremely distracting urge to respond to you. :)

First I have to say 'Congrats' on getting a diagnosis in the first place. You've probably heard it before, but it's the hardest step (being the first) and the most cathartic, enlightening, and helpful treatment available for ADD; everything afterwards is just details. ;) Second, beware the bullshit. As with anything, people who have no perspective on the subject can't understand it, but it is human nature to formulate and disseminate opinions, regardless whether or not we understand the topic. This is not to say that all of the "AD(H)D is a myth" replies are totally invalid on their face -- they often are based on very real issues concerning ADD -- but you know it, and I know it; something is bad wrong and you're fed up with it. Until November of last year, I myself believed that AD(H)D was primarily an invented condition, and I have always held psychiatry and psychology in a view of inherent distrust. It's hard not to, being a student of popular culture and urban myth.

Of course, what turned me on the notion of AD(H)D's validity was actually having the facts concerning it thrust on me -- primarily from the book "Driven to Distraction" (http://www.drhallowell.com/driven.htm), which I then followed up with my own research from Google, the DSM-IV, and the library at the university I attend. Coupled with psychotherapy, I came to accept the diagnosis of ADD as the primary cause for the depression I was suffering at the time. I was prescribed Adderall, and was amazed at the clarity of thought I had, and after playing with the dosage some (15 mg in the morning, around 8:30 am, and then 15 mg again 6 hours later, then between 5-10 mg around 5 to 6 hours later if I feel I really need it, usually not though) I found a schedule that minimizes side effects and lends me the focus I need to do... well anything.

Many people have pointed out that Ritalin and other stimulant meds "cause" tics in some children. A more informed industry now knows that this is because the symptoms that comprise ADD are often accompanied with several symptoms of Tourette's Syndrome (TS), and the same stimulants that suppress the chaotic mindfuck of ADD can exacerbate the symptoms of TS. Similar observations have been made regarding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The cloud of uncertainty that surrounds ADD is especially obnoxious here; some professionals I have talked to think that OCD and ADD are symptoms of Tourette's, or that they are all three part of a larger syndrome that simply hasn't been named yet. My personal take on this notion is that human mental traits are a continuum, and can be represented on a two-dimensional chart of sorts. Where this chart indicates abnormally large spikes, are where you usually find mental disorders such as ADD, OCD, Bipolar syndrome, and so on. I think either ADD, TS, and OCD are either close enough that they can all be augmented by a single "spike", or that these spikes in the graph are accompanied by "harmonics" like in acoustics -- when one trait spikes, another one further down the line may also have a spike, and another one, on some periodic interval. Of course, it's entirely possible that this is my contribution to the bullshit pile in this topic, but what the heck.

I am affected by all three of these conditions, however I only treat the ADD, since it is socially and effectively disabling for me. The TS and the OCD I accept, exploit, and generally enjoy. Several of the OCD traits are especially useful when part of your job includes computer security. Indeed, Adderall intensifies the symptoms of TS and OCD in myself, but not to the point where I consider them disabling in any degree.

I have only tried Adderall so far, I have put off trying other meds until later this summer, when I am not in classes. I intend to shop around when I have a month or two later this summer when I can afford to not concentrate, and I suggest the same to you. Find a medicine or combination of medicines that works for you; play with dosages, and get it right. Take occasional "drug holidays" so you can evaluate the effectiveness of the drug, and to remind yourself of what you are treating.

Most importantly, however, is what many ADD'ers tend to forget -- drugs aren't the solution. You will always have ADD, for the rest of your life, and you, like me, need to learn how to live with it, drugs or not. strategies, schedules, routine, reminders, friends and "coaches" all can be helpful, and like drugs, the strategy differs for each person. You seem to have no problem letting others know about your condition, and that's a good thing -- it's a personal matter, but it is often necessary to let others know about it, most notably your boss. If your boss/manager can't accept then tendencies an ADD'er will exhibit in a work situation, then you may need to search for a different employer. Of course, try to find a line of work that is compatible with your disorder.

As for your question regarding working with ADD'ers or non-ADD'ers, here's my personal experience; I tend to avoid working at particular times (thanks to my flexible schedule, a must for me) because some of my co-workers simply don't behave in a manner considerate to me. We all work in a single room filled with desks and computers, and in particular, one co-worker turns on the TV (why we have a TV in there, I'll never know) and he leaves it on, loud and distracting and obnoxious in a particularly American manner that I expect is either entirely unknown to you or at least otherworldly, and you should be thanking your lucky stars that you don't get American television programming in your office. I am particularly prone to get irrationally angry when I am especially focussed on a task and my focus is interrupted by a coworker, a common occurrence, and I have to count to 10 and allow myself to realize that I'm not angry at the coworker, but rather I am just having a reaction to my concentration being broken. I have to assume that my coworkers don't have ADD, or they wouldn't be so dopey and obnoxious to me. :)

My experience working in groups of ADD'ers is better, but sometimes not as productive. You have to watch out and make sure you actually get something done, all to often I have been in such a group, and spent several energetic hours in amazing, stimulating thought and discussion, only to realize a few hours after having gone our seperate ways that we hadn't actually done anything. On the other hand, with a strong leader, this creative energy is (to use a cliche') easily harnessed and can yield astounding results.

As to whether my ADD contributes to my abilities technically, I've already commented on this to some degree in addressing OCD, but to elaborate, I'd have to say yes. Especially when problem solving or optimization is involved, I would venture that my condition allows me to see problems from several figurative or literal "angles" at once. Of course, you've probably heard this before, but I feel, and have been told by others, that the solutions I tend to come up with are unconventional and especially creative, almost always in a manner that is advantageous. "I never thought of looking at it that way!" is the catch phrase here.

In pointing out these advantages, I don't mean to be tooting my own horn; I am the typical late-diagnosis ADD sufferer, my academic history is dismal at best, along with many of my personal relationships, all apparently the casualties of some neurotic self-sabotage until viewed through the lens of ADD. That is, the relationships, not the people involved. ;)

Anyway, this reply is becoming increasingly incoherent and long, when the gist of it was supposed to be "Don't let the fuckers grind you down, and watch out for TS and OCD, Bud."