ZigZiglar

In my opinion you have Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) These kinds of debilitating and frightening conditions will naturally lead to stress (-> anxiety). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SLm76jQg3gThe above is a link to a video demonstrating the exercise to treat to Treat BPPV Vertigo called the Epley Maneuver. The exercise itself will DEFINITELY cause vertigo and be unpleasant, but with some perserverence, you will clear the calcium crystals out into the outer ear where they have no impact on you. I recommend building the speed and intensity of the maneuver up over a week or so. In your situation, I'd recommend considering an anti-nausea medicine to alleviate the symptoms a little while starting the exercises. It could also be prudent to try an "anti-stress" supplement blend, like Source Naturals, Hi-Stress B&C or Now Foods, Cal-Mag, Stress Formula. These formulas combine vitamins and minerals that are typically deficient in persons with stressful lives or sufferers of anxiety etc. as well as herbs that have natural calming affects, and some contain amino acids and other essential brain/metabolism fuels. Or just seek the guidance of a qualified professional. Best of luck!

An ADHD child can easily appear to be ASD/Autistic to a certain extent. Think about the similarities in impulse control and emotional overreaction, in particular to STIMULI (such as noises "normal" kids wouldn't even take notice of). Sensory Processing Disorder symptoms are clearly present in children of both ADHD and Autism diagnoses. The impulsivity and emotional labiality can generate negative social interaction feedback leading to social anxiety and other similar anti-social behaviours. Also think about this. Low dopamine levels are present in both types of disorders. Low dopamine is known to chemically steer a person towards an egoistic rationale and drift them further away from altruistic than the typical child. Additionally, be aware that there are three main sub categories of ADHD: Hyperactivity, Impulsiveness, and Inattentiveness. Many people (including some professionals!) are fixated on the "hyperactivity" symtpoms and seem to not comprehend that there are in fact ADHD sufferers who have minimal hyperactivity and majority inattentive symptoms. Supplements that assist with the natural production of dopamine will help both diagnoses, simply more significantly so with ADHD.

It may be worth noting that there is also a correlation between BPD and ADHD too. Worth investigating while you're researching. I saw a psychiatrist on Monday and was formally diagnosed with Adult ADHD. I've been on Ritalin 10 since then and have noticed a significant improvement in all symptoms. ADHD meds are inherently diagnostic, as they will act like a stimulant (think of what Speed does) if you do not have ADHD physiology, and if you do, well ... they slow your world down and allow you to calmly respond to stimuli with a controlled approach, that is if you even notice said stimuli anymore. I can totally tune in and focus on what I'm doing now and none of the noises coworkers are making get my attention anymore. Feel free to ask me any questions if you feel I can help! Cheers

It is very unfortunate. Especially when you consider all the private AND Government campaigns to improve public understanding and awareness of mental health issues. It's much like holding out an apple, but never letting anyone take a bite. It also irks me to see how ineffective the public hospital system is in supporting patients with mental health based admissions. They simply sedate, monitor until acute symptoms are manageable and homicidal or s*****al concerns are reduced, then they eject the person back out into society with little further assistance. The community mental health networks on offer are budget-limited and staff are often bitter and don't bother putting in an effort because they have been a part of the futile cycle for too long, so they really only further the patient's impression that they're on their own. This cascades even further for parents with mental health disorders. Where parenting concerns are raised by struggling mental health patients, assistance is extremely limited - unless there is enough evidence to support an official assessment of "NEGLECT" or "ABUSE". I'm preaching to the converted here by stating that mental health issues may make a person struggle with their parenting responsibilities, but it certainly doesn't inherently imply that they aren't trying their hardest and that they must be bad people ... (what my wife has been through, among many others I speak to daily). When I've got more time (currently on a short break at work), I'll write up a post on some support that is available in Australia in a degree of detail that might enlighten some members here to services/funding they may be missing out on. Regarding low dopamine ... I'm sure it can be tested pathologically somehow, given its role in plasma production, but it's probably not necessary given the symptoms - like low energy, lack of motivation (even s*****al ideation etc.), difficulty getting up in the morning etc. It can also be a tell tale sign if someone has Restless Leg Syndrome, or reduced secretion of Insulin and its associated affects. Deficiency of magnesium, zinc, iron and vitamin B3, B6, C and D can contribute to dopamine deficiency, but most here would be familiar with the relationship between mag and zinc and mental health, as well as the B groups for cognitive function and D for well, I'll leave it at that!

Thanks, Julia! Definitely happy to share! Presently I work for Medicare, so I'm fairly on top of what's available - at least what Medicare assist with (financially) anyway. The job itself keeps me in the loop, as I'm constantly trying to help people with illnesses of all kinds. In particular, I go above and beyond when it comes to mental health (as the information is often difficult to find and financial assistance very limited). Presently I'm looking into the link between iron and dopamine deficiencies ... (my wife). It seems that her endocrine system is out of whack and she both loses a lot of iron through bleeding and seems to not re-absorb it too well. Diet plays a role here, but I'm more interested in the connection to hypoactive dopamine. Ascorbic acid (Vit C) is my first port of call to improve metabolisation of iron, along with deliberately selecting foods that increase absorption (or don't decrease it!). I've been logging in a bit more detail in "notepad" while at work. The over-caffeinated symptoms worsened yesterday, but I still drank 2 cups of instant coffee (at triple strength), while also increasing my Ritalin dose. So this morning, I'm starting with a small teaspoon of coffee (rather than a tablespoon) and blending in some decaf for strength of flavour. I'll try to avoid having more coffee today and see how things go.

Thanks! Will do. Today I have observed a greater than normal impact from drinking my usual 3 cups of coffee (double strength). The symptoms were exactly the same as too much caffiene. Subtle shaking, increased heart rate and a sense of a pressure like nervousness around the chest/heart. As such I will decrease caffiene intake immediately and stagger down until I can switch to a non caffeinated drink without withdrawals. Regarding my ADHD symptoms today. I was mindful to check myself regularly and was able to take note of the changes both as the drug begins working and then as ADD symptoms return The first time I noticed the drug stopping working was as I observed myself becoming increasingly restless. I started off relaxed and engaged and faded to hyperactive and lacking focus. Most obvious thing was that I went from sitting with my hands crossed while talking to clicking abd selecting nothing in particular at a rate of 200 cluck per minute or so. I was back to wired and attention deficient. Interestingly the hyperactivity didn't come with the usual cynicism and rumination of how boring and unstimulating work is. Instead I remained emotionally neutral for 2 hours after the 4 hour "end of dose". After that I became increasingly irritible and a bit gloomy and hyper alert. Just not as much as usual. So I took another at around the 6hour30min mark. Noticed I was back to focused and actually enjoying work again within around 20 mins. So I learnt a fair bit. Will document more observations if anything noteworthy happens. Always good to log the thoughts while they are explicit memories.

I had my initial consultation with a Psychiatrist yesterday. I received the diagnosis of adult ADHD. I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 14 or 15 and recall the use of Dexamphetamine making a significant improvement back then. Being a restless teen, I stopped taking it after I graduated and just ended up forgetting all about it. I've started on 1/6 full adult dose of Ritalin (Methylphenidate). Already noticed changes in my demeanor, concentration and self control. Seems to kick in within an hour, peak at about 2 and the "crash" is quite subtle (possibly my interpretation being used to the debilitating withdrawals of Pristiq). Also 2 tablets per dose is normal and I'm on one forvthe next couple of days. So far, so good. I'm quite excited to reach the appropriate dose and regime and really observe the full effects. The fact that Ritalin has a calming effect on me is disgnostic, so I feel I'm finally on the right path. Anxiety wise, the Pych expects inherent improvement from ADHD treatment. Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the warm welcome! I never really listened to or read much by Zig, but the name stuck with me from when I was a graphic designer for a personal growth and health based network marketing company! See you around the forums

They are referred to as intrusive thoughts and are commonly a biproduct of OCDs. Try to find a humourous side to them by depersonalising their origins from yourself. As in don't judge yourself. These kinds of thoughts don't make you the kind of person who would act on them. They are artistic exaggerations manifested by a combination of implicit memories and a reduced impulse control. Some of my intrusive thoughts have made me think I must be a psychopath. I understand how confronting it can be. Just remember who you are and disconnect from them as though they are not yours - really they aren't as they generally don't reflect any truth to your character. GL

Anxiety naturally swings your body into "fight or flight" mode, the opposite of which is the restorative mode that slows you down to create ideal healing and relaxation chemistry. So yes, anxiety exasperates and can even cause a myriad physical dramas, including negatively affecting the immune system - which could make you more susceptible to catch a cold in the first place, as well as putting more stress on your struggling body. The good news is that all these "inexplicable" issues have an explanation after all and they can be treated and symptoms will improve. The easiest strategy for me to try and balance my anxiety out is being mindful and using breathing techniques that force me into the present and also help slow my heart rate and lower blood pressure. It's as simple as breathing in deeply, then taking a short pause before breathing out, making sure the out breath is longer than the in. A way to add even more mindfulness is to concentrate on the breathes taking place either in your heart and imagine they create a path of healing light OR simply focus on your nostrils, which will improve your sense of smell and bring your irrational fears and ruminations back to earth. Take care

I've literally never received any guidance for CBT. My wife (who has BPD, Bipolar, ADHD, CPTSD and OCD) uses mindfulness techniques all the time to manage and I've picked up a thing or two over the years. I was a little too quick to dismiss the meditation side of DBT, but now the simple 7-11 breathing technique really does wonders for me in preventing panic escalation. In my resilliance training for work we are advised to count to 4 before allowing ourselves to respond to a challenging affrontation. It really works, if you can get the jump on the impulse. That's the hard part! It may be a while before I can justify having two hands out of action though, but I'll certainly chime back on how it does go. Cheers

Sounds like text book adult ADD to me, which I also suffer from (and I can definitely identify with the symptoms you've described). I was on dexamphetamines during the latter years of highschool and noted a significant improvement in both my academic achievements and my behaviour. I still had social anxiety and depression though, but the ADD medication results certainly reinforced the diagnosis. The impulsiveness ought to calm down as your mind does ... I have gotten myself in all sorts of financial pickles from the same cycle as you. What works for me is using a separate bank account to send an "allowance" to, which I can use guilt free at my own leisure - but I am not to use credit or touch other money. The temptations are still there, but they get less engaging over time.

So what has the psychiatrist said regarding managing the condition?

Likewise! Thanks, Alexandria.

I have "moderately severe" bilateral CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), which the neurologist said I should urgently attend to with endoscopic surgery. I'm petrified! And this is just keyhole surgery. I think your fear might very well rational! We just need our fear to be aligned proportionately with the risks. Being quite a literal and pragmatic person myself, my approach would be to get all my doubts off my chest with the surgeon during a pre-op consultation, then practice CBT to remain objective and positive leading up to the surgery. I also HATE the idea of "going under" - I've had a general anaesthetic before and if you allow yourself to panic leading up to falling unconscious it can be a terrible experience. I'd definitely recommend going in with a relaxation game plan. GL! Cheers