Expert: Christine D. DeLoatch, MA CCC-SLP - 3/8/2005

Question
Hi,
I have so many questions about Adult ADD! I'm 26 and I was diagnosed as a child with ADD, but not hyperactivity. In fact, I have the opposite. Most of my distractions are internal and I tend to space out a lot, forget things, lose everything, and have trouble getting motivated or following through with anything. When I was in grade school I had the highest IQ of my age group and although I had a lot of axiety as a kid and no friends my age, I was doing well in school. I just barely graduated from high school, however. I did really well in Art and English (although I rarely finished assignments) and since I have a photographic auditory memory for vocabulary and speech, I highly excelled in different lanugages. After graduating, I wanted to go to college but never could finish the monumental task of filling out the forms. Instead I left home and moved to NYC where I thought I'd become an actress or a painter or a writer. Instead I was a full time temp with a very messy apartment and overdue bills. I noticed my anxiety level building and also the fact that every sound and color seemed too loud and too bright that I felt I'd go into a sort of "sensory overload" and just need to shut down.  
I ended up moving to small town in Washington state after 7 years in New York. I've been on Paxil for the anxiety, but it made me so spacey that the ADD got way worse. Years later, I tried Strattera for a few months and felt the way I did on Paxil. I'm now on Ritalin and have been for about a month.
The only thing I've noticed is my anxiety getting way worse and the ADD symtoms still there. Also, I still have trouble going into a store like Target.  I feel like there is way too much going on and every color gives me a headache.
My question is, what are the other drugs available for treating someone like me who is ADD, rather than ADHD, but who also has a lot of anxiety?
Thanks!
(sorry for such a lengthy email)
-Cait


Answer
Dear Cait,

Thanks for asking me your question.

I want you to look into a few things.  What it seems to me is happening is your sensory system is being overloaded.  I have tons of suggestions for you.  

Number 1,  If you are not exercising regularly -try to start.  

Number 2, see if you can go into the grocery store early in the morning or late at night wearing sunglasses and putting a little cotton in your ears.  You may find that this helps some.  You may also find that you are avoiding places with flourscent lighting and with that are open like a warehouse with poor acoustics. You may have to plan your shopping accordingly.

Number 3, About medication - if Paxil and the anti-anxiety/depression tablets are making you feel bad, Depending on the severity of you anxiety, considering whether or not you are having panic attacks, heart palpatations, etc. you may need to discuss more powerful medicaions like Klonipin.  Unfortunatly these medications can be difficult to discontinue of due to dependence issues.  

Number 4, If you aren't seeing a counselor, or a join a support group - I suggest you do.  Anxiety needs to be dealt with cognitively as well as medically so that you will know your level of anxiety at any given moment, strategies to help like Square or Belly breathing (or blowing bubbles), and what events or situations trigger your anxiety.  

With more control cognitively and strategies you may feel better off without as much medication.

Number 5, Keep talking with your doctor.  The side effects you described are not ones that are a good trade off for releif of anxiety symptoms.

Last thing.  Number 6.  You may want to investigate Non-verbal Learning Disability.  This is a newer diagnosis, but you have some signs of this condition as well.  You may find additional suggestions for your signs & symptoms from individuals treating this condition as well.  

Blessings & Good Luck.

Christine