Hi there:

Welcome to the ADDitude forums and thanks for posting your questions. In short, ADD (attention deficit disorder) is a neurological condition that is most commonly associated with lack of focus, inattention, time-management deficits, social challenges, and disorganization in children and adults. ADHD is all of that, plus hyperactivity thrown in. That's a gross simplification, but hopefully it helps clarify. You can learn more ADHD basics on additudemag.com.

As for ADHD treatment options, you have a ton.

In addition to medication, there is a host of alternative ADHD treatments out there including fish oil, neurofeedback, behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition, and more. I'd start with ADDitude's free downloadable report: Alternative ADHD Treatments to learn more and gather information for a conversation with your doctor.

I hope this helps!

Quote

i checked out the free report. was kind of lame. besides i cant afford all those fancy alternative treatments. guess i will just go unmedicated.

Quote

besides it seems like most of this stuff is for kids...

Quote:

Anni said: Hi there:

Welcome to the ADDitude forums and thanks for posting your questions. In short, ADD (attention deficit disorder) is a neurological condition that is most commonly associated with lack of focus, inattention, time-management deficits, social challenges, and disorganization in children and adults. ADHD is all of that, plus hyperactivity thrown in. That's a gross simplification, but hopefully it helps clarify. You can learn more ADHD basics on additudemag.com.

As for ADHD treatment options, you have a ton.

In addition to medication, there is a host of alternative ADHD treatments out there including fish oil, neurofeedback, behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition, and more. I'd start with ADDitude's free downloadable report: Alternative ADHD Treatments to learn more and gather information for a conversation with your doctor.

I hope this helps!

Quote

Blond37,

The official term is ADHD regardless of the type you have. Some use the term ADD to indicate those who do not have the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Others use the term interchangeably or because it is shorter and rolls off the tongue easily. My children and I have the inattentive type of ADHD and my husband has the classic ADHD with the hyperactivity and impulsiveness. You mentioned you didn't like the effects of Ritalin. There are other medications available that might work better for you. My husband takes Adderall XR and my children and I take the newer medication, Vyvanse. Individuals respond differently to different medications, and children, teenagers and adults may respond better to one type of medication depending on their age, metabolism, etc. There are also books out that talk about the different needs of women versus men and how hormones may affect medication for women.

"Understanding Women with ADHD" by Patricia Quinn and Kathleen Nadeau, "Driven to Distraction" by John Ratey and Ed Hallowell, and "Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children, Adolescents and Adults" by Dr. Thomas E. Brown are three good books that focus on adults with ADHD, as compared to focusing on children exclusively.

Good luck, Elaine

Quote