Anyone dealing with adult attention deficit disorder?

Okay, I have to ask, what is BUMP? Thanks. :happy:

I assume this comes under the same symptoms of ADHD? I suffer from ADHD. It may affect my mood to exercise or to be motivated without realising as it changes your mood a lot so it may affect weight loss.

Try reading 'Driven to Distraction'. When I read it, it was an AHA moment for me. Of course I never finished it, because I never finish any self help books. Or any projects... :-)

ADD/ADHD absolutley can have an influence one's exercise and nutrtion. More to follow...

I was wondering if anyone out there is dealing with adult attention deficit disorder. What are your symptoms? How are you dealing with it? What are the treatments? Does it impact your health and fitness goals and activities? How does it impact socially? I can't focus or concentrate on anything for long periods of time, and have difficulty completing tasks. What to do what to do???? I have an appointment with my family doctor in a few days, but I'd like some input.

Thanks!!

There are all sorts of treatments, Amphetamine Salts are the most common Rx treatment, you ease into it beginning with a low dose, and see how you do, then increase if needed. They have instant release and extended release, which would help you get through the school/work day.

My son has ADD, he's treated daily, with an extended release for school, and an instant release after school to get him through his after school activities. He does well with it, but it does effect his eating, he's already a small guy, and definitely has appetite issues on it. It's especially difficult getting him to eat lunch at school when I'm not there to nag him to finish in the allotted time.

I'm undiagnosed, but as far as symptoms go, and my son's evaluations lighting lots of red flags for me, I believe I do have it, mildly. I get engrossed in things so heavily that they take over my life obsessively, for a couple years, then I drop interest in them. Countless activities, crafts, hobbies and interests etc. I know work needs to be done but I just sit there and stare at the wall. As for dieting, if I didn't have MFP to keep me on my toes, there would be no weight loss, and heck no to exercise, aside from being a karate student. I was kind of amazed that it lasted this long, but now I want my black belt bad enough not to quit or lose interest like so many other things. I could snack mindlessly, play video games for hours, mindlessly, I have a hard time with classes unless it is something that REALLY interests me. I have all the exact symptoms as my son.

There are therapeutic strategies for treating it, talk therapy and behavioral modification etc. Exercise is an amazing treatment especially if it's something you enjoy.

Check this out, and any time it says 'your child' substitute 'you' instead. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_treatments_coping.htm

Good luck.

I finally went to my family doctor after having an office job for almost a year. I was having a lot of trouble concentrating. My mind would wander & I would get so frusterated I would almost be in tears sitting at my desk. I was trying so hard to concentrate and finish my tasks, but I could not get my brain to focus. He did prescribe me Adderall along with a low dose anti-depressant/anxiety medicine. So far, it has helped a lot. I have about the same amount of distractions, but I can definitely concentrate on the task at hand a lot better, without thinking about and planning everything else in the world. Socially, ADD has not had too much of an impact. Other than driving my boyfriend crazy because I can not sit still. I can not watch an entire movie, it's too boring and I can't concentrate. I think you should definitley give it a shot and talk to your doctor. There are a variety of different medicines used to treat ADD depending on your symptoms. I take the generic Adderall and it is still somewhat expensive. But, if you have having as hard of a time as I was, it is definitely worth it. Also, when I first started taking it, if I would run after work my heart rate was elevated. Now, it has no side effects at all. Good luck!

I took Wellbutrin for Adult ADD for a long time. It mostly helped, but I worked very hard to learn non-medication coping skills and tools. Now I have to-do lists and calendars and alerts and 'notes to self' to try to stay on track. It doesn't always work and I often find myself spaced out and not doing what I'm supposed to.. but I've decided to own my ADD in a different way than most people. Instead of considering myself afflicted with a disease, I consider it a lack of skills. I do not yet possess all of the necessary skills to be consistent, on-task, and organized. The more I work toward gaining those skills, and the harder I apply myself to getting better, the less and less my ADD affects my life.

I think I'll always be a little flighty and excitable, but I won't let that stop me from being successful. I just get up in the morning and stick to my routine, and seek help from others when I know I need it. (for example, I asked my BFF to go wedding dress shopping with me because I get in a big store full of dresses and can't focus to save my life. She helped me keep my thoughts on track and stay in the zone.) I had been dress shopping three times previously without her and had much less success than when she came. She's one of my tools some times.

As far as working out goes, it just had to become another To-Do that I have to check off my list. It was no longer negotiable, and it is another step in my daily (and very set) schedule.

Try reading 'Driven to Distraction'. When I read it, it was an AHA moment for me. Of course I never finished it, because I never finish any self help books. Or any projects... :-)

LOL - absolutely me to a T, I generally need to gleen whatever great wonderful knowlege within a short period... if someone writes a book and saves the best to last, I literally will never know.

ADD can be balanced by diet and exercise... I do not use medication, but I'm very aware of my issues, and usually can bring myself back around. I don't notice if it deters my fitness... I've always found it to be very helpful, tho' as with everything else, if it doesn't capture me early on in the 'interesting/fun' department I trail off quickly. For exercise I usually have to trick my brain into thinking it's just having fun. Machines like the stationary bike/elliptical etc. don't last long... actual biking and swimming, kayaking, cross country skiing etc... where the scenery changes I perform very well.

I took Wellbutrin for Adult ADD for a long time. It mostly helped, but I worked very hard to learn non-medication coping skills and tools. Now I have to-do lists and calendars and alerts and 'notes to self' to try to stay on track. It doesn't always work and I often find myself spaced out and not doing what I'm supposed to.. but I've decided to own my ADD in a different way than most people. Instead of considering myself afflicted with a disease, I consider it a lack of skills. I do not yet possess all of the necessary skills to be consistent, on-task, and organized. The more I work toward gaining those skills, and the harder I apply myself to getting better, the less and less my ADD affects my life.

I think I'll always be a little flighty and excitable, but I won't let that stop me from being successful. I just get up in the morning and stick to my routine, and seek help from others when I know I need it. (for example, I asked my BFF to go wedding dress shopping with me because I get in a big store full of dresses and can't focus to save my life. She helped me keep my thoughts on track and stay in the zone.) I had been dress shopping three times previously without her and had much less success than when she came. She's one of my tools some times.

As far as working out goes, it just had to become another To-Do that I have to check off my list. It was no longer negotiable, and it is another step in my daily (and very set) schedule.

Post-it notes and the buddy system to stay on track!!! OMG, my life would be a disaster if I didn't do this. At work, if there isn't a checklist it disappears from my brain and never is finished. If I go grocery shopping without a list, even if I'm only there to pick a couple things up, I will be "distracted" within minutes, not pick up what I needed, and a hundred bucks and grocery cart full of 'other' items later and I'll be done. It drives my Husband insane to shop with me.... it's always "OOooh shiny' *runs away**

We need a special forum for those with this condition as it can have a unique influence on our fitness goals. There are some great responses here from people who clearly deal with the issue and are finding their own solutions. The lack of motivation you describe is a common element, plus ADD could be co-morbid with some level of depression. Consider these ideas for a good starting point-
Intense exercise is critical for health and 'sanity' (whatever that means to you). To counter the lacking motivation keep activities you love available. When you feel like you just don’t have the will to do anything trick yourself by saying you’ll just do it for 5 minutes. Once you get moving that will act like blowing on the tiny ember until it becomes a flame.
Experiment with fish oil supplements.
Nutrtion…in simplest terms people with ADD have a unique relationship with serotonin. Unfortunately food produces serotonin, so sometimes I feel like I have to eat something stimulating (well beyond a craving). My brain wants that serotonin rush and food is the easiest source, but I can learn to provide that from other sources. 5-htp can help alleviate this cycle for many people.
Check out the books on the subject by Dr. Daniel Amen. Required reading!

It’s a journey. Unfortunately few doctors truly understand the full scope of this condition. Educating yourself and experimenting is the best way to find your own solutions. Good luck to all!!!