ADHD Treatment

Hi,
I am a 31 years old male (Computer Professional). A year before I put following symptoms in from of a psychiatrist:
• Fatigue (Physically Tired All Day)
• Poor Concentration or Attention
• Sleeping Problem
• Decreased Speech, Emotion, and Movement
• Poor Memory or Learning Ability
He diagnosed a Minor Depressive disorder and prescribed Flouxetine 20 mg/day. I am taking the medicine since last 12 months regularly. But most of the above mentioned symptoms are still prevailing. Then I came to know about ADHD and found that I have signs in me of this disorder. Following are the symptoms I have among the standard ADHD diagnostic measures:
a. often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
b. often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
c. often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
d. often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
e. often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
f. often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
g. often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
h. often forgetful in daily activities
I don’t have much symptoms of hyperactivity. In the light of above stated situation can you please suggest me some treatment.

Regards,

Tariq Sulta

Dear Tariq!

You quoted some of the criteria for adhd according to the psychiatric classification system DSM-IV TR, but this is not enough to make the diagnosis ADHD.

ADHD is a neurobiological based disorder with impariments starting in childhood. To consider the diagnosis you have to have impairments in different areas of life (e.g. school, interaction with peers and parents, social life, education and work) which are much stronger than similar problems of children or adults without this syndrome.

There is a type of ADHD without hyperactivity. But it is not enough to have symptoms of inattention or distractibility and impulsivity. You need to consider the normal developlement of the individual´s life and ressources.

I cannot rule out ADHD in your case nor proofe it. But if your problem started just a year ago than you do not have adhd.

Symptomlists or questionaires published in books or on webpages are only a first screening instrument (http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/64/72340.htm?z=8200_00000_2207_hm_03) . With these results you might go for a proper psychiatric evaluation of your problems.

Depressive disorders (or other psychiatric disorders or sleep disorders) can have very similar symptoms. So it is important to consider other causes or comorbid disorders.

Nevertheless : I know many computer experts with ADHD... So do not rely on symptom-lists. Go for a professional evaluation.