Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had any particular advice about approaching my psychiatrist about getting some treatment for ADD.

I'm diagnosed as BPII and am on Lamictal for that, but my attention span is that of a fly. Even writing this post I have flicked between two other websites and had to come back to it. My lack of attention is having a serious affect on my work (I'm writing my thesis) and I'm so behind it's unreal. I actively look for other things to do. Even when I'm watching TV I get bored after about 10 mins.

About two years ago I did approach my old psychiatrist where I lived before I moved to my current Uni and he flat out refused to even talk about it. He said that attention problems and BPII cannot be treated with any of the regimes normally used for ADD (Adderall, etc.). However, it is getting to the point where I am getting into a spiral of not being able to do work, getting depressed and annoyed with myself about that, the depression getting me down, affecting my attention even more, then trying to do work, getting depressed about it and frustrated, and it goes on.

Given my previous experience, I was wondering how best it is to approach my psychiatrist and offer a sound, critical argument to consider the possibility of ADD. I just don't want to be shot down and be seen as a drug-seeker, which I am afraid that I will be. I just want some help :(

All best,

J

[quote name='Joshuaaa' date='Aug 17 2008, 06:43 AM' post='440002']
Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had any particular advice about approaching my psychiatrist about getting some treatment for ADD.

I'm diagnosed as BPII and am on Lamictal for that, but my attention span is that of a fly. Even writing this post I have flicked between two other websites and had to come back to it. My lack of attention is having a serious affect on my work (I'm writing my thesis) and I'm so behind it's unreal. I actively look for other things to do. Even when I'm watching TV I get bored after about 10 mins.

About two years ago I did approach my old psychiatrist where I lived before I moved to my current Uni and he flat out refused to even talk about it. He said that attention problems and BPII cannot be treated with any of the regimes normally used for ADD (Adderall, etc.). However, it is getting to the point where I am getting into a spiral of not being able to do work, getting depressed and annoyed with myself about that, the depression getting me down, affecting my attention even more, then trying to do work, getting depressed about it and frustrated, and it goes on.

Given my previous experience, I was wondering how best it is to approach my psychiatrist and offer a sound, critical argument to consider the possibility of ADD. I just don't want to be shot down and be seen as a drug-seeker, which I am afraid that I will be. I just want some help :(

All best,

Hi Joshuaa ,

Getting a diagnosis in the UK isn't easy for Adult ADHD as there has been considerable resistance on the part even of paeditricians that is was a valid diagnosis for hyperactive boys . However this seems to be changing and Nice is due to publish a report in September which for the first time will acknowledge that Adult ADHD exists .

In your case the key is what was your child hood was like ( unless caused by a head injury a diagnosis of adult ADHD will require some symptoms to manifest in childhood ) were you hyperactive /impulsive or more an Inattentive .Hypomania can look like the hyperactivity associated with ADHD and in the past ADHD has been misdiagnosed as bipolar . The american conventional wisdom seems to be that in children at least when bipolar occurs in largely all cases ADHD is comorbid but I doubt this the opinion in the UK . However I do know that when the two are comorbid in children
aggression and anger are usually issues . I know nothing about how symptoms might show when bipolar developes in adulthood for a ADHD child .

As you talk about a thesis it suggests you did reasonably well in school in which case was study motivated by a lot of anxiety associated with procrastination and left to the last minute with a lot late night sessions . This might suggest you were inattentive ADHD . Of course your old doctor may be right in his implication that bipolar is just the issue and is probably considering that stimulants might worsen your hypomanic symptoms . Have you and your doctors considered that the lamictal might be affecting your attention span .

A new website for those with Adult adhd in the UK recently started up google Adult Attention Deficit Disorder UK where you'll find a lot of information about obtaining a diagnosis in the UK ,

Good luck

cheers eddy