Posted by 10derHeart on August 19, 2005, at 12:32:01
In reply to Re: Need advice re: son with ADD » Dinah, posted by Sonya on August 16, 2005, at 13:38:51
Hi SOnya,
Maybe not. I won't comment on his competance - or lack thereof - but what you described is a little alarming.
From another angle, and from an adult diagnosed with ADD (my own self-assessment was right on) 3.5 years ago at age 42, I have a special interest in posts re: adult ADD.
My two cents on ADD evaluations is to have him go to someone who specializes and/or is VERY experienced in diagnosing ADD in adults. Seems to me overall, psychologists are best, but that's just my impression, not based on anything scientific, just lots of chatting with other ADDults online and lots of reading.
I think pdocs...unless they have trained and educated themselves in this (and some certainly have) can really fall into the habit of diagnosing-by-medication. You knoe, give the drug, patient feels better = they have ADD. <sigh> This happened to me, but in my case, all worked out for the best. I did/do have ADD, started on a low dose of Ritalin, and started to respond right away. Voila. BUT, that's fairly backwards. There are detailed questionnaires for your son, and close friends and family members, as well as some other tests (e.g., look up TOVA, if I recall correctly, on the Web) that should be done, prior to prescribing. Not to mention a thorough interview with the provider (not 10 minutes!) in order to observe your son's demeanor, body language, speech pattern, etc.
I've found a combination of medication, education and therapy for the ADD symptoms that interfered with me accomplishing things at home and at work, and caused me to feel inadaquate, frustrated and hopeless about *being* an adult, are reduced by about 75%. Not a bad result. Some people never feel the need for any meds, as things like meditation, relaxation techniques, life-coaching, etc. can work amazingly well alone.
Maybe search out someone who specializes in this? I've found online resources are abundant, for self-tests, lists of providers, support, information....
I'll just to throw this in, too. IF he has ADD, and IF he ends up trying meds, there is Strattera, which is not in the stimulant class. It's only been around for less than 3 years, so I understand some people are afraid due to lack of available studies re: safety from LT effects, etc. Also, even on the main PB board here, there are those who felt bad on it, or more often, found it useless. But for me, it's been a mini-miracle and I swear by it.
Some folks with mild ADD, or certain forms, have been helped by a low dose AD alone, too, even though that is not the first choice for ADD. I was on Prozac for depression prior to diagnosis. It helped with some symptoms by itself, and was a good combo with Ritalin. I just discovered later that, for me, Strattera alone was/is even better.
It's wonderful you're out there caring and helping out your adult son. I have a 23-year old daughter, so I can relate :-) Hope it all works out for him - getting understanding and relief from ADD can be a wonderful thing.
poster:10derHeart
thread:541946
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20050817/msgs/543872.html