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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2004, at 19:31:11
Hello!
I've noticed that a lot of p-babblers describe themselves as having pure inattentive ADD. I don't think I've ever heard any babblers describe themselves as being hyperactive.
Personally, I'm not in the slightest hyperactive although I'm often very inattentive. Most of the time I live 'inside my own head' without taking the slightest bit of notice of what's going on around me. I find myself answering 'yes' to people without having heard a word that they've just said. I sit staring at the TV without actually watching it.
The diagnosis of inattentive ADD doesn't appear to 'exist' in Europe, where the ICD is commonly used. The terms 'ADD' and 'ADHD' are not used in the ICD, the closest diagnostic category is called 'hyperkinetic disorder.'
Under the heading 'hyperkinetic disorder' the ICD says....
'In recent years the use of the diagnostic term "attention deficit disorder" for these syndromes has been promoted. It has not been used here because it implies a knowledge of psychological processes that is not yet available, and it suggests the inclusion of anxious, preoccupied, or "dreamy" apathetic children whose problems are probably different. However, it is clear that, from the point of view of behaviour, problems of inattention constitute a central feature of these hyperkinetic syndromes.'
When I was little I was certainly very dreamy and absent-minded.
To those babblers who have been diagnosed with AD(H)D...........
Have you ever been hyperactive?
Have you found stimulants to be effective for your 'pure inattentive' ADD?
Since I have many inattentive ADD symptoms in the absense of hyperactivity my doctor simply tells me that I don't have a problem.It would be interesting to hear your input.
Ed.
Posted by thinkfast on December 31, 2004, at 22:43:36
In reply to Pure Inattentive AD(H)D, posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2004, at 19:31:11
Hey ed! We have some similarities. In your other post I read that u had OCD...I also have it...I am also inattentive as you are. My head is always somewhere else. I fit most of the ADD dx but I lack the hyperactivity..so I'm told. I feel hyper all the time, so who knows. I don't agree with all their criteria on this junk as u will see in your other post. :-) There seem to be some similarites in OCD and ADD. There are some old posts here that have a ton of info but I'm too lazy to look for them. I don't give a crap what my dx is as long as I am clear headed. If a stim helps with most of it then why is it such a bad thing? Still no answer for that one. lol..here I go again on a rant...ahhh..pisses me off
Posted by Cairo on January 1, 2005, at 0:17:58
In reply to Pure Inattentive AD(H)D, posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2004, at 19:31:11
My teen daughter used to be VERY hyperactive (I could regale you with stories about her swinging from the chandelier...) and exhibited inattention and impulsivity. As she grew older, her hyperactivity decreased, but the inattention remains. All the psychostims helped her attention, but at a price of side effects. Her tics increased, most noticeably finger picking, with Ritalin being the worst offender. As long as the tic is not ruining their personal life, you weight the cost/benefit. Of course, docs warn you about stims unmasking Tourettes. I personally think that OCD overlaps with ADD/ADHD quite a bit as most of the kids I know with ADD exhibit tics and some sort of compulsive behavior. Maybe that's why you hear about ADD kids not being able to pay attention to schoolwork but often hyperfocusing on things they enjoy.
My daughter has mixed attentive/ADHD. We're trying Provigil now, but it's too early to tell the effect on attention. She seems more attentive at home during the holidays, but going back to school next week will tell. The biggest plus for Provigil so far is that it makes her definitely more pro-social whereas the stimulants all caused social withdrawal and increased anxiety.
Having hyperactivity makes a diagnosis easier as people can SEE the problem. Inattentiveness, even in the States, still is hard for doctors and parents/family to accept as not being normal. Sounds like you suffer from medicus obliviosum and should seek a new doctor. You are the best judge of the degree of your impairment.
Check out www.CHADD.org
Happy New Year and think positive about 2005!
Cairo
>
> To those babblers who have been diagnosed with AD(H)D...........
>
> Have you ever been hyperactive?
> Have you found stimulants to be effective for your 'pure inattentive' ADD?
>
>
> Since I have many inattentive ADD symptoms in the absense of hyperactivity my doctor simply tells me that I don't have a problem.
>
> It would be interesting to hear your input.
>
> Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on January 1, 2005, at 16:57:28
In reply to Re: Pure Inattentive AD(H)D, posted by Cairo on January 1, 2005, at 0:17:58
Thank you both for your replies :-)
Good luck with the Provigil!!
>that's why you hear about ADD kids not being able to pay attention to schoolwork but often hyperfocusing on things they enjoy.
That was/is me! I'm getting a new doctor soon. I've got exams in January, I think it might be too late :-(
Does anyone else have problems with inattention?
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by KaraS on January 1, 2005, at 21:24:44
In reply to Pure Inattentive AD(H)D, posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2004, at 19:31:11
> Hello!
>
> I've noticed that a lot of p-babblers describe themselves as having pure inattentive ADD. I don't think I've ever heard any babblers describe themselves as being hyperactive.
>
> Personally, I'm not in the slightest hyperactive although I'm often very inattentive. Most of the time I live 'inside my own head' without taking the slightest bit of notice of what's going on around me. I find myself answering 'yes' to people without having heard a word that they've just said. I sit staring at the TV without actually watching it.
>
> The diagnosis of inattentive ADD doesn't appear to 'exist' in Europe, where the ICD is commonly used. The terms 'ADD' and 'ADHD' are not used in the ICD, the closest diagnostic category is called 'hyperkinetic disorder.'
>
> Under the heading 'hyperkinetic disorder' the ICD says....
>
> 'In recent years the use of the diagnostic term "attention deficit disorder" for these syndromes has been promoted. It has not been used here because it implies a knowledge of psychological processes that is not yet available, and it suggests the inclusion of anxious, preoccupied, or "dreamy" apathetic children whose problems are probably different. However, it is clear that, from the point of view of behaviour, problems of inattention constitute a central feature of these hyperkinetic syndromes.'
>
> When I was little I was certainly very dreamy and absent-minded.
>
> To those babblers who have been diagnosed with AD(H)D...........
>
> Have you ever been hyperactive?
> Have you found stimulants to be effective for your 'pure inattentive' ADD?
>
>
> Since I have many inattentive ADD symptoms in the absense of hyperactivity my doctor simply tells me that I don't have a problem.
>
> It would be interesting to hear your input.
>
> Ed.
Hi Ed,
Are you familiar with Dr. Daniel Amen's work at all? He claims to have identified 7 different types of AD(H)D. He also proposes various treatments based on which group he thinks you fall into. (This is the same doctor who does the brain imaging work.) I just tried his website to see if I could find a synopsis for you on each of the 7 categories but he didn't have it on there - wants you buy one of his books, I guess.Maybe a more thorough web search would bring this info up if you're interested.
K
Posted by TheOutsider on January 2, 2005, at 9:15:31
In reply to Re: Pure Inattentive AD(H)D » ed_uk, posted by KaraS on January 1, 2005, at 21:24:44
For what its worth I used to have bad OCD, and still exhibit minor features.
I also exhibit some symptoms of inattentive ADD.The private doctor I saw said that I couldn't possibly have ADD because I didn't exhibit any signs of hyperactivity, he added a directive to my notes stating that I should never be given any type of stim. Thats what I payed £315 for (whoops).
Sorry about rant.In short I think its perfectly possible to have OCD and inatentive ADD.
Also some people find stims actually help with compulsion apparently.
Posted by ed_uk on January 2, 2005, at 11:37:50
In reply to Re: Pure Inattentive AD(H)D, posted by TheOutsider on January 2, 2005, at 9:15:31
To TheOutsider....
>The private doctor I saw said that I couldn't possibly have ADD because I didn't exhibit any signs of hyperactivity, he added a directive to my notes stating that I should never be given any type of stim.
Most doctors are far too arrogant! Did you ever try a stim? I think that you said that you did.
To Kara.....
Thank you :-) I will have a look at the website.
Best,
Ed.
Posted by KaraS on January 2, 2005, at 14:25:17
In reply to Re: Pure Inattentive AD(H)D, posted by ed_uk on January 2, 2005, at 11:37:50
Ed,
Actually, Dr. Amen claims that there are 6 (not 7) different types of AD(H)D (which are listed below). He came up with these categories based on his brain scan images. I found a review of one of his books on Amazon.com. It talks about the Amen's view that you don't need to be hyperactive to have ADD. Here's part of the review and then I'll give you the link to the book and the full review:"Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Hard, visual data make a compelling case for the existence of attention deficit disorder (ADD) in this pioneering work by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. Using a nuclear medicine technique called "single photon emission computed tomography" (SPECT)--a controversial step, according to some of his peers--Dr. Amen scans patients' brains to identify various abnormalities. From more than 8,000 such studies and more than 12,000 patient evaluations, Dr. Amen concludes that six--not the formerly presumed two--different types of ADD exist. This book encompasses the full spectrum of Dr. Amen's work: from symptom identification to clinical evaluation, to diet and medication recommendations, to everyday strategies for living with ADD (whether the reader is a parent of an ADD child, or has been diagnosed with the disease.)
No stranger to the skepticism surrounding this topic, Dr. Amen begins with a list of dead-on myths (including "ADD is overdiagnosed") and surprising facts ("Many people with ADD are never hyperactive"). From this intriguing beginning flows a highly readable chapter on the signs and manifestations of ADD in all ages. Dr. Amen's full description of SPECT imaging includes multiple brain scan photos that nicely support his theories. But the most satisfying element of this well-researched presentation occurs in the final half of the book; here, Amen thoroughly explores the biological (diet, exercise, medication), psychological (from personal coaching to psychotherapy), and social support (parenting and school strategies) needed to heal each type of ADD. This book will prove a valuable tool for parents, adult sufferers, and medical professionals seeking practical support for managing this increasingly recognized condition. --Liane ThomasProduct Description:
Commonly perceived as a flavor-of-the-month diagnosis, ADD is, in fact, an enormous health problem that will only continue to grow. It affects six percent of the population, yet less than one third are taking medication. Why? According to Dr. Amen, attention deficit disorder is underdiagnosed, often incorrectly treated, and poorly understood.
Dr. Amen, board-certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and licensed in nuclear brain imaging, has discovered that there are six types of ADD- not just the commonly known two. Moreover, the most frequently prescribed treatment- Ritalin- makes four of these types worse. Dr. Amen's discovery results from an intensive, years-long study of brain imaging that has identified the distinctive brain dysfunctions characterizing each type of ADD.
Dr. Amen's arresting brain images found throughout these pages leave no doubt that ADD is a real, biological, and ultimately treatable disorder. These dramatic images help sufferers and their families realize this is a medical problem that can be helped with proper intervention.Until now the psychiatric community has not done enough for people with ADD. The disorder does not disappear after adolescence, and it is much more complex than we have been led to believe. With Dr. Amen's revolutionary approach, readers will learn the full scope of the disease and its management. Finally, in this book, he identifies six types of ADD:
* Type 1 - Classic ADD* Type 2 - Inattentive ADD
* Type 3 - Overfocused ADD
* Type 4 - Temporal Lobe ADD
* Type 5 - Limbic ADD
* Type 6 - Ring of Fire ADD
Complete with recommendations for prescription drugs, nutraceutical therapy, cognitive reprogramming, parenting and educational strategies, biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and more, Healing ADD provides readers with a comprehensive treatment program that can lead to a normal, peaceful and fully functional life. This proven program greatly enhances brain function for each of the six types of ADD and presents the state-of-the-art treatment for adults and children alike."http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/039914644X/002-2525992-4694451?v=glance
Posted by banga on January 2, 2005, at 17:44:31
In reply to Re: Pure Inattentive AD(H)D » ed_uk, posted by KaraS on January 2, 2005, at 14:25:17
I will be evaluated for ADHD in March(inattentive/limbic type would be the possibles) by a person who studied under Dr Amen for many years. I definitely have never exhibited hyperactivity, nor any specific difficulties in learning--the two symptoms that used to be the hallmarks of ADHD. I still doņ't know what to make of such a diagnosis for myself, --but two (US) clinicians independently came to believe I may have ADHD, inattentive type, taking hints from lifelong spaciness, forgetfulness, extreme disorganization, clumsiness iand inattention to detail,--and extreme overuse of coffee; and a family history of ADHD with positive response to stimulants. But then again my family history is also significant for bipolar, unipolar depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse.....
It remains to be seen whether I have this disorder at least according to Dr Amen's scheme. Once I have the eval I will certainly post my experiences and impressions. I am actually avoiding getting too much into researching this disorder before the eval other than general knowledge. I already may muck up testing validity due to my educational background. Ill research more after the results are in.
Posted by KaraS on January 2, 2005, at 18:42:08
In reply to Re: Pure Inattentive AD(H)D, posted by banga on January 2, 2005, at 17:44:31
> I will be evaluated for ADHD in March(inattentive/limbic type would be the possibles) by a person who studied under Dr Amen for many years. I definitely have never exhibited hyperactivity, nor any specific difficulties in learning--the two symptoms that used to be the hallmarks of ADHD. I still doņ't know what to make of such a diagnosis for myself, --but two (US) clinicians independently came to believe I may have ADHD, inattentive type, taking hints from lifelong spaciness, forgetfulness, extreme disorganization, clumsiness iand inattention to detail,--and extreme overuse of coffee; and a family history of ADHD with positive response to stimulants. But then again my family history is also significant for bipolar, unipolar depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse.....
> It remains to be seen whether I have this disorder at least according to Dr Amen's scheme. Once I have the eval I will certainly post my experiences and impressions. I am actually avoiding getting too much into researching this disorder before the eval other than general knowledge. I already may muck up testing validity due to my educational background. Ill research more after the results are in.
Thanks. It will be interesting to hear what the results of your evaluation are. Will you be getting the brain scans done too?
Posted by banga on January 2, 2005, at 22:08:11
In reply to Re: Pure Inattentive AD(H)D » banga, posted by KaraS on January 2, 2005, at 18:42:08
> Thanks. It will be interesting to hear what the results of your evaluation are. Will you be getting the brain scans done too?
>
>
>
As far as I know, brain scans are not part of it. But I actually am not sure. That would be amazing.
This is the end of the thread.
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