I wanna know if ANYONE was ever treated for OTHER things...before they discovered they had ADHD? -I am 44yr old woman who has been  treated over the years for depression and anxiety with Zoloft, Paxil, Prozax, Xanax, ect. I also suffer from an eating disorder called Bulimia.

In the meantime... I as a mother of three children I have been proactive over the years in ongoing test and studies to see if maybe my son had ADHD. -He is now 15yrs old and Vyvanse has changed his life! He says it even relieves his depression like symptoms. He has only been taking it for about 4mo.

I have been compelled to fight for adequate testing for him since he was in the 3rd grade, but ONLY because I seen myself in him! He struggled and behaved JUST as I did as a child...and as I watch him growing into a handsome young man...I see his behavior remains to mirror mine! My other two children are girls, and I continue to be shocked that my girls dont seem to have the same "syptoms" as my son and myself.

Over this Christmas vacation while my kids were home on break...my son asked me why didnt I ever get treated for my ADHD. What?! I never ever thoughtof myself as having ADHD...and I honestly thought it was JUST for kids. This was a HUGE light bulb MOMENT for me! I took the online test for Adult ADHD and a HIGH score was considered 70, and I scored 103!!

I would like to know if anything simular has ever happened to any of you?

Hello, I too have anorexia and bulimia.  I was treated for ADHD/ADD as a child and then became a know it all teen and dropped the meds.  I am a mom of a daughter with ADHD.  My eating disorders was taking over my life.  I couldn't be around my family, I was so depressed, I weighed myself everytime I even took a sip of water.  My BMI is a 14.  Recently, after having a horrible breakdown, I decided to seek help and I had read that they have linked a higher incidence of eating disorders in untreated ADHD/ADD people.  So I went to the doc and he agreed that there was evidence in the treatment helping.  I have been on the meds for a short time and my life is turning around so much.  So yes I believe you could have it and that it could be fueling your eating issues. 

May I ask what meds they put you on? I have tried alotta of different ones. Zoloft is what I am currently taking. On January 18th the are going to begin testing me for ADD/ADHD...as I understand it is a three part testing series. I have been on Well-Butrin and it seems to be my favorite...but they go crazy when they find out I have ED and I am taking well-Butrin. Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, all make me feel so FLATLINED! I appreciate your reply so very much! It means alot to me! Do you remember where you read the article on ADD/ADHD & Eating Disorders? I am gonna try and do some research on that. Thanks again. Sincerely, TaMy

Interesting.  I too am 44 y/o female that has been treated for an eating disorder for many years.  The depression and anxiety have always been treated with medication and assumed it was co-morbid with the eating disorder.  Recently my doctor put me on Vyvanse as a suppliment to my depressiono med, pristiq.  It was originally intended to boost the anti-depression effect of my medication regime however, we found that in addition to improvement in my mood and anxiety, I could focus much better, my memory improved and I am much less distracted during my daily professional and home activities.  Could I be ADD and is it related to the other symptoms or just a another piece of the puzzle?  Who knows, chicken & egg question I guess but I'm very happy we found something that works.

I never realized I was ADHD until my son was diagnosed. I sought out treatment and was amazed how much better I feel. I never knew my life was filled with so much aniexty. I can remember having nightmares and not being able to complete projects in a timely fashion before treatment.

I also suffer from a chronic pain condition and have told my doctor I would give up my pain meds before I would give up my Adderall. It has improved my life that much.

Reta

I was treated with Zoloft for 'generalized anxiety'.  I tried it twice, for two years non-consecutively.  I stopped the after the first year because I couldn't tell a bit of difference and the side effects weren't worth it.  (Seriously, I'd rather be anxious and sharp than less anxious and foggy brained.)  Fast forward a couple of years, tried it again (I really hate panic).  And stopped again after a year.

Then we took my son in to be tested for ADHD with a positive diagnosis but before jumping into meds for him, I wanted to make sure he didn't get it from me (there's no way he got it from Dad).  Sure enough, I'm ADD.  So I started the meds first.  Even on 20mg of Vyvanse, my anxiety VANISHED!  It actually freaked me out.  But it makes perfect sense...when everything attacks your nerves simultaneously (sights, sounds, smells, thoughts) and your brain can't process things in what should be a logical order, it's overwhelming.  Enter panic attacks.

Vyvanse changed all that.  I see a logical order to things, I'm so CALM! I don't feel pulled in 20 directions (ok, maybe now three..but much better).

I'm up to 50mg and must admit, I think it may be a bit too high for me.  I get really, really cold when it hits my system.  And you HAVE to stay well hydrated or the headache is a killer.

But what a life changer...If I'm still doing well by Christmas, then we'll consider putting my son on Stratera (per suggestion of psychiatrist).  I wouldn't want to deny him this ability to function 'normally'.

Wow, I can relate to you so much. I am 41 and have been off/on bulimic since I was 16.  I also have 3 kids.  My oldest is 17 and was tested for ADD and he has a pretty serious case of it.  I also see myself in him when I was that age, especially in the past year.  The doctor put him on Adderall and he is doing a little better, but has a little depression as well.  After reading the books, Driven by Distraction and Delivery from Distraction, I realized that I definitely have serious symptoms of ADD, and have had my whole life.  I was like you, thinking it was a childhood disorder and was pretty skeptical of the whole diagnosis of ADD. I've always been so hard on myself and resorted to an addiction to being thin and food...lots of food...and exercising excessively...and the list goes on.  It's a relief to know that I'm not alone in this ADD and eating disorder issue.  I saw my doctor and am taking 20mg prozac and 40mg of vyvance.  Sometimes I feel like my hearts going to jump out of my chest, but I am not obsessing over things as much.  It's only been 4 days, so hopefully it will help tremendously along with therapy.

I am a 28 year old female and literally am going through the same thing! My problems were motivation, focus, concentration, saying things that shouldn't be said...etc. 

I was diagnosed 4 years ago with depression. I did some research online and found that depression is commonly misdiagnosed and the underlying problem is ADD.  ADD can cause depression if it is not treated but depression does not cause ADD.  After I found this out and did my research I fit the criteria of ADD a lot more than depression so I went to my doc.  I never felt like I was truly depressed and felt like I just couldn't put my finger on what was wrong. THink about your past as a child...this disease does not start later in life, it starts in childhood.  My plan is to start getting off the depression meds once we get my dosage right. 

Also, I just started taking Vyvanse 8 days ago.  It has seriously changed my life.  I am so motivated and I have completed about 3x's as much during the week as I usually do.  I feel like it helps me complete projects and stay focused.

It has done wonders for me so far. I hope this info helps. 

Hi, I am 48  yr old woman, and for years I was cast off by all doctors as a chronic alchohoic with childhood trauma and deppression.  Given all the anti-depressants, nothing helped, had to medicate myself with alcohol..I didn't understand what was wrong with me. Had to turn todrugs,when alchohol killed me a few time, (street drugs). Then I moved out of town, and I found a doctor who actually listened and helped me..diangosed me with bi-polar, and adhd...FINALLY I had found some answers for my health. I have been on seruquel for bi-polar but turns me into a zombie, can't get out of bed, fainting spells, ets. so I take 3 x 20 mg adderall for adhd concentration and work, and the side effects of serequel. It is good to have a doctor to help you and treat you. This is all new to me and it mades me sad, I have to live with this forever...changing meds, mood swings, fear, panic...got to educate yourself on how t handle this now at this stage. I her its possibe...good lucK! I am now trying small dose of vivance and don't see any difference, not helping, got to go see doctor...increase  dose I guess!

Hi, I am 48  yr old woman, and for years I was cast off by all doctors as a chronic alchohoic with childhood trauma and deppression.  Given all the anti-depressants, nothing helped, had to medicate myself with alcohol..I didn't understand what was wrong with me. Had to turn todrugs,when alchohol killed me a few time, (street drugs). Then I moved out of town, and I found a doctor who actually listened and helped me..diangosed me with bi-polar, and adhd...FINALLY I had found some answers for my health. I have been on seruquel for bi-polar but turns me into a zombie, can't get out of bed, fainting spells, ets. so I take 3 x 20 mg adderall for adhd concentration and work, and the side effects of serequel. It is good to have a doctor to help you and treat you. This is all new to me and it mades me sad, I have to live with this forever...changing meds, mood swings, fear, panic...got to educate yourself on how t handle this now at this stage. I her its possibe...good lucK! I am now trying small dose of vivance and don't see any difference, not helping, got to go see doctor...increase  dose I guess!