Today my therapist told me she thinks I have ADHD in addition to schizoaffective and PTSD. She wants me to talk about it with the nurse practitioner next time I see her. A part of me is angry because it seems like they're just piling diagnoses on top of each other, but a part of me is excited because what if I do have it and can get help for it and things become...easier?

Thoughts? Experiences?

I have both.

ADHD meds do help me with concentration, but some of my "bigger" ADHD issues are: (1) pacing, (2) distractibility, and (3) forgetfulness. Meds don't really help with those things for me. (Though, sometimes I do wonder if I have akathisia or RLS that's exacerbating the pacing. I've always been a pacer, but it's definitely gotten worse over time.)

I think you should work with your therapist in identifying which aspects of ADHD she thinks you have so that you can come up with therapy goals or a targeted plan for helping you cope with those symptoms. I mean, medications do help, but like I implied, they don't help with everything. Thus, I think ADHD treatment is part therapy and part medication... although medication is not a "must," as some people can't tolerate the meds and can lead successful lives via coping mechanisms they've learned in therapy.

Feel free to ask me any specific questions you have, though, and I'll try to answer.

[Sometimes psychotic]

I have both, but they won’t treat the adhd because of my psychosis. However fish oil really helps me.

[sarahsweets]

Hey @spikes: I am very passionate about adult ADHD and the comorbid conditions that accompany it. I am very passionate about treatment and adhd awareness. I have done all I can to learn about adult adhd and understand it and what available treatments there are. Below is my favorite symptoms and treatment list. Its from the Mayo clinic. Do not google 'adhd test' or anything like that because so many bogus/loosely based info is out there. Also when looking at medications when you come across blogs and articles with wild claims of stimulants killing their children, causing drug addiction, or other outlandish claims keep in mind that those stories are often exaggerated and if true pretty unusual. Part of the issue with adult adhd and something like bipolar (which is me) is deciding how to diagnose the two and which one to treat first. In my case and opinion the bipolarII had to get treated first- it was the most life threatening and life altering. Also, stimulants can flip someone manic if they are not properly monitored and there are some bipolar people who cant tolerate meds for adhd. Another issue is the stigma. It absolutely makes me nuts when I hear people say its "legal speed" or just call it speed. It isnt. chemically it is similar for sure but if these people bothered to look up the molecular components and even the actual diagram of the structure there is a clear difference. Besides, street speed it made with toxins like pain thinner which are never supposed to be ingested. The stigma of drug abuse and addiction also is rough. They are controlled substances, schedule II. Thanks to the 90's college kids who were popping adderall for finals it became its own epidemic. And doctors freaked out. And the opiate epidemic swept up us adhd patients as well since they all fall under the narcotics umbrella as schedule II meds. Some doctors refuse to prescribe it, some require pill counts and drug testing. Some only send in e-scripts. And because you cant offer refills if you get a paper script you have to pick it up once a month. People think stimulants are like the big boogeyman and that people that take them are doing so to get an advantage, as a performance enhancer. No, thank you. We are trying to level the playing field.

The symptoms are often dismissed by people who say things like " everyone gets distracted" "I forget things all the time" or "you have adhd? How come you arent bouncing off the walls?" There is so much misinformation. The other thing is which treatment is best. The number 1 first line treatment option that is best are stimulants. If anyone tells you otherwise then they havent read the science. I dont mean a google article, I mean the actual science- peer reviewed studies and evidence. There are non stimulant options that can work. But IME they are best used as a second line treatment for people that cant take stimulants. I can say more but I dont want to bog down your thread. Feel free to pm me if you would like.

Originally Posted by spikes

Today my therapist told me she thinks I have ADHD in addition to schizoaffective and PTSD. She wants me to talk about it with the nurse practitioner next time I see her. A part of me is angry because it seems like they're just piling diagnoses on top of each other, but a part of me is excited because what if I do have it and can get help for it and things become...easier?

Thoughts? Experiences?

Overview
Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems.

Though it's called adult ADHD, symptoms start in early childhood and continue into adulthood. In some cases, ADHD is not recognized or diagnosed until the person is an adult. Adult ADHD symptoms may not be as clear as ADHD symptoms in children. In adults, hyperactivity may decrease, but struggles with impulsiveness, restlessness and difficulty paying attention may continue.

Treatment for adult ADHD is similar to treatment for childhood ADHD. Adult ADHD treatment includes medications, psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and treatment for any mental health conditions that occur along with ADHD.

Symptoms
Some people with ADHD have fewer symptoms as they age, but some adults continue to have major symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. In adults, the main features of ADHD may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Many adults with ADHD aren't aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge. Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger.

Adult ADHD symptoms may include:

Impulsiveness
Disorganization and problems prioritizing
Poor time management skills
Problems focusing on a task
Trouble multitasking
Excessive activity or restlessness
Poor planning
Low frustration tolerance
Frequent mood swings
Problems following through and completing tasks
Hot temper
Trouble coping with stress
What's typical behavior and what's ADHD?
Almost everyone has some symptoms similar to ADHD at some point in their lives. If your difficulties are recent or occurred only occasionally in the past, you probably don't have ADHD. ADHD is diagnosed only when symptoms are severe enough to cause ongoing problems in more than one area of your life. These persistent and disruptive symptoms can be traced back to early childhood.

Diagnosis of ADHD in adults can be difficult because certain ADHD symptoms are similar to those caused by other conditions, such as anxiety or mood disorders. And many adults with ADHD also have at least one other mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety.

ADHD can make life difficult for you. ADHD has been linked to:

Poor school or work performance
Unemployment
Financial problems
Trouble with the law
Alcohol or other substance misuse
Frequent car accidents or other accidents
Unstable relationships
Poor physical and mental health
Poor self-image
Suicide attempts
Coexisting conditions
Although ADHD doesn't cause other psychological or developmental problems, other disorders often occur along with ADHD and make treatment more challenging. These include:

Mood disorders. Many adults with ADHD also have depression, bipolar disorder or another mood disorder. While mood problems aren't necessarily due directly to ADHD, a repeated pattern of failures and frustrations due to ADHD can worsen depression.
Anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders occur fairly often in adults with ADHD. Anxiety disorders may cause overwhelming worry, nervousness and other symptoms. Anxiety can be made worse by the challenges and setbacks caused by ADHD.
Other psychiatric disorders. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of other psychiatric disorders, such as personality disorders, intermittent explosive disorder and substance use disorders.
Learning disabilities. Adults with ADHD may score lower on academic testing than would be expected for their age, intelligence and education. Learning disabilities can include problems with understanding and communicating.

Diagnosis
Signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults can be hard to spot. However, core symptoms start early in life — before age 12 — and continue into adulthood, creating major problems.

No single test can confirm the diagnosis. Making the diagnosis will likely include:

Physical exam, to help rule out other possible causes for your symptoms
Information gathering, such as asking you questions about any current medical issues, personal and family medical history, and the history of your symptoms
ADHD rating scales or psychological tests to help collect and evaluate information about your symptoms
Treatment
Standard treatments for ADHD in adults typically involve medication, education, skills training and psychological counseling. A combination of these is often the most effective treatment. These treatments can help manage many symptoms of ADHD, but they don't cure it. It may take some time to determine what works best for you.

Medications
Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of any medications.

Stimulants, such as products that include methylphenidate or amphetamine, are typically the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD, but other medications may be prescribed. Stimulants appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Other medications used to treat ADHD include the nonstimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. Atomoxetine and antidepressants work slower than stimulants do, but these may be good options if you can't take stimulants because of health problems or if stimulants cause severe side effects.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

I have both, but they won’t treat the adhd because of my psychosis. However fish oil really helps me.

What is the rationale for that?

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

What is the rationale for that?

Not treating? Basically APs and stimulants act in opposite ways in the dopamine pathway....they were afraid of making me psychotic again but there are people on both for sure it depends on the individual.

I have a question: what should I expect when I ask my NP about the possibility of having ADHD?

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by spikes

I have a question: what should I expect when I ask my NP about the possibility of having ADHD?

You’ll probably be referred to a clinical psychologist who can test you with various pen and paper tests and some on the computer....it feels like doing brain games that’s all.

[yellow_fleurs]

Not sure if I have it, but it's one thing my therapist and I discussed and that I might get tested for. I will be seeing my psychiatrist this week and see what he thinks about my symptoms.