ashley6

Sebastian, It sounds like things are really not looking up for you right now. A lot of this is normal, but I really think you should see a professional and really consider antidepressant medication. Some might disagree with me, but I've been in that dark place, and I truly believe I needed antidepressants to get back to where I could even start taking care of myself again to get back to feeling functional. They helped me, and I don't know how I'd be if I hadn't gotten on them. This sounds like more than anhedonia to me, it sounds like a deep depression. Please take care of yourself.

News Last Updated Changes to psychiatry's 'bible' could widen definition of ADHD By Serena Gordon HealthDay Reporter FRIDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- When the latest version of what is considered the "bible" of psychiatry is unveiled in May, experts believe several changes in it will broaden both the definition and diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder -- or ADHD. But experts also differ on whether the shifts in thinking about this neurodevelopmental disorder will be a good thing. Dr. James Norcross, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, outlined the major changes that should be coming in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. "One is the latest age that someone can have the onset of symptoms," Norcross explained. "In the current version, it's seven years. That will be changed to 12 years in the DSM-5, which may make things easier for adults and adolescents, because they'll be able to better recall some of the challenges that may have occurred." Another big change that Norcross expects is that those over 17 will only have to meet five criteria, instead of six, to be diagnosed with ADHD. "This could increase the number of adults [who] are diagnosed because the criteria were largely developed for children, and they're not necessarily things we see in adults," he explained. For example, one of the criteria for hyperactivity has been squirming in your seat. The last significant expected change is that ADHD will no longer be grouped with conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. Instead, it will be grouped with neurodevelopmental disorders. "They're trying to group disorders by similar pathology, and this is a better description of ADHD. More and more, it's being shown to be a biological process," Norcross explained. Overall, Norcross said he thought the changes were positive and that they might remove some of the stigma that's been attached to an ADHD diagnosis. However, another expert said the changes could lead to overdiagnosis of the disorder, and a subsequent jump in the prescribing of stimulants to treat the disorder. "In trying never to miss a case, they may mislabel millions of people with a disorder they don't have. Everyone has problems with distractibility, but when ADHD is real, it starts early, it's intense and it's unmistakable," said Dr. Allen Frances, chair of the task force for the DSM-4 and former chair of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C. The fourth edition of the DSM has been in force since 1994. "We're already overdiagnosing ADHD. Almost 20 percent of teen boys get the diagnosis of ADHD, and about 10 percent of boys are on stimulant drugs. We don't need to make it easier to diagnose ADHD," Frances said. His biggest concern is that by expanding the diagnosis of ADHD, more children and adults will be put on stimulant medications, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta and Vyvanse. "In the short-term, performance is improved, which makes it highly desirable. In the long-run, there's a risk of addiction. Would you think it's OK for people to take steroids to improve their tennis game? It's pill-pushing," Frances said. "If we decide as a society that the use of stimulants is good, it shouldn't be done through a fake medical diagnosis. Making it a medical diagnosis is what's wrong here," Frances explained. "I'm not against these drugs being legal, but I'm against the backdoor medical diagnosis." Another concern is that people who have other psychiatric disorders may be wrongly classified as having ADHD. "Every single psychiatric disorder has distractibility as part of it. If you misdiagnose someone with bipolar disorder as having ADHD and put them on stimulants, you'll throw them into mania," he cautioned. Norcross agreed that ADHD diagnosis in adults needs to be done very carefully. But, he said the traits of inattention and disorganization often do continue into adulthood. And, for teens and young adults, ADHD can have an impact on education and employment opportunities. More information Learn more about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health News Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Agreed. I was blown away with that response. It's almost like you have experience in this area Your husband is lucky to have YOU back, because you are da bomb. (Ya, I said it)

LilTex, I started reading this as I lit one up. WOW. The psychology of this is so spot on, and I really believe is sort of a resulting addiction from adderall addiction. I loved smoking on adderall, but now I don't love it. Sometimes I think, "this is just gross," and now I know why I do it. It's so much like adderall....the overlaps are really significant. I love and hate smoking at the same time. I've been thinking about smoking cessation classes, because I know it kind of goes into why people smoke, besides the addiction part of it. Thank you so much for posting this. I know you intended it for adderall, but it was eye-opening for me on both levels. You always have the most insightful information, woman!

I just heard a clip about it, but they were talking about expanding the criteria to prescribe ADHD meds in children....like it's not easy enough. I didn't see the whole thing, so I can't speak a whole lot on if. The link didn't work for me. I'll have to pull it up again later. Thanks

Krax, What an excellent point regarding the desire for amphetamines. It might not ever go away, but will get easier the further you get from it. Like I've said before I view it as ending a bad relationship. A part of me remembers the good with adderall, just like I have with past relationships, and since it really became my significant other, I think that's logical. But not ever forgetting how it stole my soul, made me crazy, and changed my life in so many negative ways reminds me of why I don't want to go back and why a life off of adderall is so much more fulfilling and not fake. This life is a billion times better, even if missing stimulants is a part of it.

Serena, Like LilTex said, so proud of you! That's your sober brain fighting the addiction, and sobriety from adderall won! I'm sure it was hard, and maybe you won't feel super excited about it now, but you will! You're back on track, and you should be so glad you did it!!! Seriously, seriously happy for you.

I need to try this.

So, that was from Ritalin? You took adderall after rehab? Thanks for sharing. So weird I missed that part or maybe I just forgot? And I'm curious. Was the person recovering cocaine at all similar to you recovering from Ritalin?

Brag away. That's awesome! That is a looong run. I do notice I feel better if it's a longer period of time. Never heard the 30-45 minute thing.

Inrecovery, I don't think I knew you went to rehab. How did I miss that?

I ate everything in sight when first quitting. If I would've felt guilty for that, I would've had a hard time. 5 minutes at a time is awesome. It was too much to think of a month or a week or a couple days for that matter...for me anyway. Hang in there!

I have to agree with you, quit-once. I see both sides for sure, but when I started abusing adderall, it was holding me back from accomplishing anything worthwhile, but I felt like I was doing so much! That's why adderall is such a manipulative asshole.

I don't own a bike Maybe I should look into it. I do enjoy swimming a lot, though!

I'm glad you're feeling positive, and I'm glad you've slowed down, but you would be the exception to the rule if you're able to maintain taking it here and there once you've crossed the line into addiction. I really don't believe there are exceptions when it comes to addiction. It's hard to let go, I know, but taking some here and there is only prolonging the quitting process and letting your brain heal. I'm not trying to be a negative Nancy, but I'm giving you my opinion. I hope you find the strength to flush those evil pills. You will when you're ready, but being ready is what it's all about.

Mikey, Where did you get this "CEDSA" done? Very interesting.

I got on here and was so confused as to why everyone was animated. Aha!

Oh yeah, I get what you're saying. That makes complete sense, and I agree with you.

MFA, That's great! I know if you decide to, you'll just do it, because motivation follows action, right?

I haven't cared about privacy at all through this stuff, and I suddenly did for like a week. I'll put one up again soon, because my profile is seriously boring.

I changed dramatically. I haven't even taken the test since I quit, but I don't need to, because I know I'm a totally different person without adderall...thank goodness.

I've noticed I seem to have a hypersensitive radar detector when it comes to noticing people with addictions and when they're under the influence. I guess 7 years of living it teaches you how to spot it. I hope your friend is okay.

InRecovery, I'm seriously thinking about starting to train for a half-marathon. You should think about it too, when school gets out. I would have a loooong way to go, but I think accomplishing something like that would feel ahhhhmazing!

It kind of sounds like he just doesn't give a shit if it's happening...like you said, he can't be that dumb. Do what you gotta do...no judgement here...just curious.

Good for you for doing the right thing! These peoplw could get kicked out of school dor this, right? What is your solution?