short attention span

[pcrissy]

I have a hard time focusing on anything for long,I'm not sure if bipolar and adhd have some similarities,as far back as a child I couldn't sit for long,I wanna watch tv but unless I'm on my lamactil I can't focus for long and get irritable and distracted, I'm so disappointed with my brain,.I was told I was a smart girl but I can't remember the day repeatedly check the time,everything is a big deal,going into a store is a panic attack,I'm scared I lost my keys,did I lose my purse,then I forget why I'm here and wander around, I get flustered, grocery shopping is a nightmare ill go in with a list everything I bought was not on the list. I hate leaving my apt. Because it's always my brain ruining my day,I cNt seem to be happy for one day without my mind either racing or messing up my thoughts.Its like I'm watching perfect people going about there day with seemingly no intrusive thoughts,And I secretly hate them because I'm trying so hard to be normal but everyone I pass the train tracks I just want to die.and I don't know.how to feel normal.any help

[weaver71]

I find that journaling is soothing and I can refer to it later as well. My perception of time is nonexistent. The journal helps me keep my mind in order a little. As far as add/ADHD, i. I could be both, and throw on OCD, BPD, probAbly most acronyms could apply at various times. I never hear voices other than mine, but my thoughts are yelling sometimes, so I ruled out Shinzo, that's about the only one. Point is, I think it's all BP1 to me. Labels haven't helped me a bit. Getting my mood stable on the other hand, has put things in perspective. With a stable mood I feel I can tackle some of my natural causes of anxiety, stress, etc... I don't have any answers for anyone else, so I wanted to share what I am trying. I am adjusting my meds too, until I feel as good as possible.

[thatquietgirl]

There are definitely overlapping symptoms; however, this is due to the nature of depression and mania both affecting attention spans (and manic energy can definitely add to the "can't sit still").  Until your mood symptoms are relatively under control, it will be difficult for your psychiatrist to properly assess for ADHD.

I agree with Anonymouse that a med change (whether dose increase or new med added, etc.) might help you since your medication does not seem effective.  If you are missing pills, which can have a huge effect on how well they work, be honest with your psychiatrist and be sure to note how often you forget as this will factor into the psychiatrist's decision.  If you are missing pills, I would set a cell phone reminder to go off daily and take your pills then.

I also agree with Anonymouse that you should write down what you want to cover.  It's hard even in a regular doctor's appointment to remember what your secondary concerns are to that major concern that drew you in, so I always make sure I make note of my most recent symptoms, current sleeping patterns, etc., and bring it on a piece of paper when I see my psychiatrist.  I'll also write down what the psychiatrist says as a reminder to myself.

[Anonymouse88]

There's a lot of overlap in symptoms between ADD/ADHD and bipolar.  Most clinicians go for treating the mood first, because mood problems can cause attention problems, and the treatments for attentional problems *can* be destabilizing, especially if the person isn't on a mood stabilizer.  It's quite possible to have both conditions, but you need to make sure your mood and anxiety are under control before going after the attention if you want to be sure of the diagnosis.

You sound like you need a med change, since you say you want to die every day, and you're certainly having symptoms.  What dose of lamictal are you on?  Remember that you have to take meds exactly as prescribed if you want them to work properly.  I take buspar for my anxiety, and it does what it needs to for me.  Some of the atypical antipsychotics are supposed to be very good for anxiety and irritability, but it's tough to say what will work for any one person, and your reaction to seroquel, which is in that class, was pretty bad.

You definitely need to make an appointment with your psychiatrist and bring up these concerns.  Write them down and bring them with you so that you don't forget what you wanted to cover (I find this very useful for myself).