What to Do If You Think You Are Addicted
If you've realized that your drug or alcohol use is getting out of control, contact your doctor or a mental health professional and tell them about your drug and alcohol use. It is important that you let them know what drug you are using, how much you are using, and how often you use it. Your prescribed medications may interact with your "self-medications." You especially want to talk to your doctor if you are cutting back on your drug use or stopping altogether, due to the possible withdrawal effects.
In the case of alcohol, if you are a long-time abuser, stopping abruptly can lead to confusion and even seizures. There are treatment programs available that can help you safely come down from your use. Be honest with yourself and others about your use. Remember, you are not alone - many people with ADD have had issues with addiction.
COMORBID DISORDERS
Comorbid disorders are disorders that a person experiences concurrently. It is very common for people with ADD to have difficulties with depression, anxiety, and even eating disorders as well. It is not clear whether ADD shares some genetic factors with depression and anxiety, if people with ADD are just more prone to depression and anxiety because of the increased difficulties they have experienced, or if the explanation is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Depression and Anxiety
Experiencing depression and anxiety is fairly common when you have ADD: about 25 to 50 percent of people with ADD also have difficulties with depression or anxiety. Symptoms of depression and anxiety can be very similar and can occur at the same time.
How many of the following possible symptoms of depression and anxiety do you experience?
- Not enjoying activities like you used to (this is not the same as experiencing boredom)
- Having crying spells or feeling teary
- Withdrawing from social activities
- Having trouble being cheered up
- Dreading getting up in the morning
- Being easily irritated
- Losing or gaining a significant amount of weight
- Feeling panicked for no reason (such as in panic disorder)
- Fearing going out in public (such as in social phobia or agoraphobia)
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Becoming increasingly worried
- Waking up too early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep
- Pacing or hand wringing
- Moving or talking more slowly than normal
- Feeling like you would be better off dead or wishing you could disappear
DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
Depressive disorders include major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder I, and dysthymia (mild depression). Sometimes a milder form of bipolar disorder, called bipolar II, is mistaken for ADD, and vice versa. This is because the hypomania (mild mania) in bipolar I and II can be mistaken for the impulsivity and distractibility found in ADD. One difference between bipolar disorder and ADD is that sometimes people with bipolar disorder can stay up for nights on end without needing any test. In addition, people with bipolar disorder have high highs (mania) and low lows (depression). In ADD, mood swings may occur, but they are usually not as extreme. Medications called mood stabilizers are usually prescribed for bipolar disorder, while antidepressants are usually prescribed for major depressive disorder and dysthymia.
People can also have ADD and depression at the same time. As mentioned above, it's not clear whether people with ADD are more genetically predisposed to depression, or if the frustrations and turmoil of having ADD result in depression, or if depression is caused by a combination of these factors. Medication and counseling can help treat depressive disorders.
ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder. People with ADD tend to have more of these anxiety disorders than the general population. Sometimes people with ADD have developed social phobia (extreme shyness) due to constantly being told to stop talking to their classmates, having a bad-habit of interrupting, and also making social mistakes.
Some people with ADD may experience symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder due to trying to compensate for ADD behaviors. If you've left the front door unlocked before, you may now check it a few times before you go to bed, or you may even turn around and drive home to double-check the lock. Antidepressants and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications) are commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders. Counseling can also help in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Treatment For Depression And Anxiety
Treatment is available for depression and anxiety, but it may be difficult for you to summon up the energy to get help. If this is the case, ask family members or friends to make an appointment for you with a mental health clinician and have them take you to your appointment. Counseling and medication can help you start feeling like you are part of life again. Remember, no one needs to feel this way. There is help available - why not take advantage of it?
In severe cases, feelings of depression and anxiety can cause people to feel suicidal. If you have thoughts of hurting yoursdf or feel that you would be better off dead, call your local crisis center or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also call 911, As mentioned above, be aware that if the police, medical personnel, or mental health professionals feel that you are a danger to yourself or others, they may involuntarily hospitalize you. But the alternative, hurting yourself, is far worse.
Eating Disorders
Women with ADD are four times more likely to have an eating disorder, such as bulimia and anorexia, than non-ADD women. In fact, one study found that more ADD adults had an eating disorder than any other comorhid disorder. When you have bulimia, you make yourself vomit or use laxatives in order to purge yourself after bingeing on a large amount of food. When you have anorexia, you severely restrict your intake of food and calories. If you suspect you may be bulimic or anorexic, make sure you tell your doctor so you can get the treatment you need.
Medications such as Welibutrin (bupropion) are not recommended to people with eating disorders, due to an increased risk of having a seizure. To find out more, you can check out Adhd Social Anxiety Disorder.
