I read an article that stated that people with ADD have difficulty with losing weight due to their impulsivity and disorganization. It also stated that people with ADD tend to have eating disorders as well. They also tend to be addicted to carbs and binge on them. The unstable sugar levels cause their ADD to get worse. Low carb diets were recommended because it helps keep the sugar levels stable. They require alot of support during weight loss so that they can follow through (finish what they started). I have not been formally diagnosed with ADD, but I definately have characteristics of ADD. I just wanted to know other people's opinions of this.

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Suzanne
:butterfly

Suzanne, just search "Adderall" and scope out the threads there.....tons of opinions. I was diagnosed with ADD last Fall and have been taking Adderall for it. It seems to help for the most part.

I agree with the article.....when I am on the Adderall like I am supposed to be, I have alot more clarity about what I need to do to be on track, fitness wise.

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Thank you Maxibee. I am glad that it is working for you. I am also considering medication. I used to be on Paxil and Buspar for depression and anxiety. But now I am wondering if it is more of an ADD thing, rather than an anxiety thing. I know the two are interelated. But I think what I will do is schedule an appointment with a psychologist so that I can get a better an idea of what to do.

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Suzanne
:butterfly

I was just thinking when I started reading your thread, you have to ask Maxibee

I hope you find something that works well for you, Suzanne.

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Noël


Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strengths.

Thank you Noel. It's good to have a great advice (thanks Maxibee).

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Suzanne
:butterfly

It seems like a good nutrion program could only help.

You might look for this book - it's just out: Delivered from Distraction : Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder by Dr. Hallowell. It has a chapter on nutrition and ADD.

His prior book, Driven to Distraction is quite good, but it doesn't talk about dietary approaches to treatment.

Your doctor would be a good person to ask - if he's read any recent medical journals with information about diet and ADD?

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Thank you Teelbee, I will check it out. I know a few children who are on a special diet due to their ADHD and it helps them out alot.

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Suzanne
:butterfly

Not sure what to tell you, but my grandson benefits GREATLY from a more controlled, low sugar diet. Since coaching my step-daughter, he has improved tremendously. (Noel, I was going to recommend she talk with Max too!!!! ) I can see if what you said in your initial post is true, it would be a real vicious cycle. Can't control your eating until you control your ADD, Can't control you ADD until you control your eating. It's like which one is the tail wagging the dog? Yanno?

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For about 8 weeks, just like the doc said, the Adderall provided SOME appetite suppressant effect. Not alot, at least not for me. This wears off fairly quickly. One of the side effects is "possible weight loss". BUT, I have GAINED as well as lost taking it. The biggest effect if has one me is the way I am able to organize my thoughts. It's like tuning into a single frequency, rather than scanning the radio dial all the time.

SSSOOOOO, in that sense....I am able to cope with life's stressors better. I can think clearly and rationally. I don't have that whole despair about not having my act together. I still don't have it together entirely, but it all seems to flow better and I get more done since I am able to focus. Things are just easier. And the logic of eating right, taking my supplements (since I can remember!), and all the things I need to do to be healthier comes more easily.....so I am better able to react to temptations with rational thought rather than impulsive, fleeting, and desperate thoughts.

I'm not so sure you all will understand this if you have not experienced ADD. Finding out I've always had it has explained ALOT of how I came to be who I am. Trying to cope in a "normal" world when you're thinking "How can I be so smart and get good grades and not remember my lunch money or a TV show I wanted to watch?" It has nothing to do with intellect....and everything to do with thought processes. I had EXCELLENT ACT and SAT scores. I could've gotten some scholarships and gone to college, but I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to keep my act together. I was (am) a literate, intelligent person who struggles to live a world where "EVERYONE else" has a different way of thinking than I do.

I wonder how different my life would've been if I had been diagnosed as a child.

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Well, Max, no matter what journey you have been on in your life, I just know I am glad I "know" you!!!!! You mean a LOT to me!!!!

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Maxibee,
Thanks for sharing your story. How wonderful to feel that you can now tune into "a single frequency" instead of scanning the radio all the time. It must be easier to feel more focused and I can see how that helps with this WOE. Reading your posts gives me more motivation to see what I can do to help myself get better too. Thanks again for your stories and glad to hear the medication is working for you...

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Suzanne
:butterfly

Thanks, Suzanne and Barb. I appreciate the chance to not only help someone by giving my "testimony", but having a safe place in which to present my story without fear of judgment.

I feel like most of the people I "know" here are like cousins....they may not live next door, but we're still family.....related, ya know!

If either of you know of anyone who is smart, but "ditzy" or an "airhead"....they may have ADD.....I've been decribed as both of those in the past. Now I just get called Biotch! (just kidding....I think....)

Take care!

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So is ditzy or airhead, yet smart...........the definition of biotch??? If I ever heard anyone calling you biotch, well..........I'd just have to slap them. (And then I would be labeled that too!!!!)

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