Expert: Sarah-Jayne Caroline Bass from www.adders.org - 2/16/2009

Question
I am 29 years old and currently in the United States Navy working as a military police.  I am sure that I have ADD.  My mother and my grandmother both have strong symptoms and there is a massive history of family diabetes which I understand can also be related.  I have seen several Navy doctors and they always want to give me antidepressants like zoloft or Lexapro.  I even had one doc tell me that he doesn't believe in Adult ADD.  I am constantly forgetful, spacy and intimes of stress it is even worse.  The more I try to pay attention to something difficult the harder it is for me to do so.  I would really like to try a drug like Ritalin to see if it helps.  How should I approach a doctor about this and what are some other non medical ideas for dealing with the problem.  Please help.  It is a tremendous source of anxiety for me.

Answer
the best thing i can suggest is to get in touch with a local support group as they are best placed to advise what the local situation is and be able to put you in touch with the right folk to help with assessment, diagnosis and treatment

if you check out my main website at www.adders.org then click support groups then USA you should be able to find a contact local to you