hirikosaunders | (no subject)

I've been putting off actually addressing something in my life and I guess that I've just come to the point that I feel like I need to do something.

I've always been fidgety, hyper, etc... Lately, well for the past few years, I've begun to wonder how much of this is just my personally or if it might be something more serious. I find it difficult to sit still most of the time, it takes hours often for me to fall asleep, I don't have much of a problem with attention but occasionally it does come up, and I have trouble beginning things a lot of the time but once I get going it's better. It hasn't really effected my ability to do schoolwork, though there are a lot of times when procrastinating has added to my stress level.

So I am asking anyone who might know more about attention and hyperactivity disorders if this sounds like something that should be looked into. There isn't usually must of an interference in my day to day life, well that I've noticed. Of course we all know how hard it is to see from the inside out.

If you don't want to comment here I can be reached via email and several ims all on my info page.

Thanks.

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Why do you feel you need to do something, if it's not an interference in your day to day life? I mainly ask because I think, particularly in the US, that people are over-medicated as it is, and if it's not really causing problems, you're probably fine to not worry about it. So really, I'm just curious why you feel you need to do something about it now. Is it getting worse?

It's staying about the same really, but I've always wondered if it was more serious than just...well that's how I am. *shrugs*

I don't really think medication is the answer, but at the same time I don't know if it might mean there is a problem rather than my personality.

It might be something chemical, but again, it's the kind of thing a doctor would prescribe a sedative for and send you on your way, so if you've adapted to living a comfortable life around it, I really wouldn't worry. Technically, I could probably walk into any doctor's office, spend 20 minutes telling them my symptoms, and walk out with a prozac prescription for manic depression...but I have my own coping mechanisms in place, and I'd rather not go the drug route until/unless I have to.

So yeah, my advice is maybe do some research, google it and see what it might actually be, and if you're really interested in trying to treat it, start with a natural/herbal remedy. If it helps, you can either stick with that, or if it helps but not enough, then you can go the MD route and see what they say. At any rate, I've never heard of it as symptoms of an acutely serious problem, something you should get checked out right away before it gets worse, you know? It seems more one of those things you have lifelong, and you cope with it, or you treat it for the rest of your life.

But that's just my .02, fwiw. ;)

I've thought along those lines as well. I don't really want medication but I keep wondering if I would feel better in the end.

I'll definitely do some research and see if there's something natural I can do. Maybe I just need to plan things better so that my restlessness doesn't matter.

Thanks for your input *smiles*.

I take herbal supplements for my (recently developed, and most likely situational) ADD. It helps a LOT. Good luck!

My mom recommended rhodiola to me for mine, but if you figure out what is likely causing the symptoms and google it with 'herbal remedy' you'll find tons of information.

Thanks.

According to this page, it could very well be ADHD, even though you don't have the problems with inattentiveness as much. Rhodiola rosea is an herbal supplement you take once a day, first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach. I can find them in the nutrition section of my local grocery for about $14 for a 60-day supply. Maybe you should try them and see if it helps any.

Other herbs listed as effective in treating ADHD symptoms: ginkgo biloba, scutellaria (also known as skullcap), german chamomile, gotu kola, avena sativa (oatstraw), rooibos, lemon balm, valerian, lobelia, and hawthorn. A lot of herbal shops probably sell blends of some of the above, even.

Some of that is dead on...some of it well not so much. My attention as far as listening is okay, and I think I'm decent at conversations. Still, it was what was dead on about that had me wondering if I should do something.

It was the section on hyperactivity/impulsivity that made me link it. Because as it says, you can have ADHD that centres around those symptoms, rather than the not being able to pay attention part.

Symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity

People with hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of ADHD seem to be always in motion. Sitting still can be very difficult. They may dash around, squirm in their seats, roam around the room or talk incessantly. They may try to do several things at once, bouncing around from one activity to the next.

Some symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity are

* fidgety, squirmy
* difficulty staying seated
* in constant motion, often running or climbing inappropriately
* physical restlessness; difficulty with quiet, sedentary activities
* excessive talking; blurts out answers before questions are completed
* difficulty waiting; interrupts or intrudes on others

Those symptoms alone are a subtype of ADHD. You can be diagnosed with ADHD without actually having the blatant problems with focus and attention span.

Yeah, I also went down to the adult version and it mentioned having trouble starting and completing tasks and mentioned the fidgety again.

Also, I read somewhere way back I think that sleep can also be effected because the mind doesn't shut off as easily.

*nods* So maybe try some of the herbs, or go to a health/nutrition store and ask if they have a supplement blend for ADHD, take it for a few weeks and see if you notice a difference. Evaluate for yourself if it's worth the cost and effort, to reduce the symptoms, or if you'd rather just deal with the symptoms themselves.

For me, I was getting to the point where I was physically unable to do my job, and it was frustrating me to tears. The rhodiola has the side effect of making me tired, so I end up taking a nap pretty much every afternoon, but for me it's worth the trade-off.

Yeah, I'm getting to the point myself where I am like if I can do something maybe I should.

I know that the constant moving is the biggest one probably bugs the people around me so if there is something I can do I should probably look into it.

My husband has ADD, and has had it for pretty much his entire life. At this point, he's mellowed a lot (He's 36 now), but it still crops up here and there in his attention span and sleeping patterns (Sleep disorders run in his family.) I think everything that Jess suggested was really great advice, but I had one suggestion to make specifically about the trouble falling asleep that can actually be quite helpful for anyone who has issues with insomnia.

Start a routine where you do something relaxing (Drinking a cup of herbal tea, taking a warm bath, reading a book) before bed, and do that at the same time every night. You have to do it every night, or it won't work. But after a week or two, your body starts recognizing that activity as the signal that it's time to start winding down for bed. Also, avoid caffeine for 3+ hours before bed (depending on your personal tolerance, it could be as much as 5), and don't eat right before bed, as digestion is hard work.

Anyway, it might be something you want to try. Good luck with all this. :)

Thanks. That is good advice, and I know that I've heard it somewhere else. The only caffeine I really have anymore is sweet tea(it is my major weakness) and I try not to drink it before going to bed.

I've been hyper all of my life, and other members of my family do things like their legs are constantly moving so I know it's something probably in our family. I've thought on and off about doing something but I've never been sure it is was just me or if it was something that could be 'calmed'. I'm so used to all of it actually I probably don't even know all that I do.

Also, I have a slight obsessive/compulsive tendency too. It's not bad at all luckily but I think my roommate thinks I'm weird sometimes when it does come up.