Adult ADD Perhaps

ABSOLUTELY!!! about 6-8 months ago i was diagnosed with having ADHD - and i am 30 years old. I actually went to a counselor and a psychologist/psychiatrist - they are the only ones that can prescribe the medication for it... i have not had a baby since - and i don't plan too - i am on concerta each day and its been great!! everyday life seems overwhelming and i couldn't concentrate on anything and i couldn't remember stuff and i couldn't get motivated and well the list goes on.

there is a GREAT book out - its called "driven to distraction" and in that book there is a questinaire to try to "self" determine if you have adhd - it was very very helpful... i would strongly suggest reading it!

please feel free to email me directly - i would loove to help you! ____@____.com

S. w.

I think it may just be stress. I felt really scatterbrained and when I talked to my doctor about it, he said that our bodies have physical responses to stress, and that our bodies react to emotional stress the same way they would respond to an actual physcial threat. One of them being that we forget the "little" things so that our body/mind can focus on the "threat" facing us.

See if it's all the time or if it correlates to a stressful period.

I'm sure other moms reading your ? are nodding & saying "that's me". Dementia or ADD are most likely not the culprits. Low thyroid function can cause inability to focus or concentrate, stress (but I don't think us moms have any of that), depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue caused by elevated liver functions or other abnormal blood work. It might do you good to see your Dr. and ask if some things can be ruled out. My hubby is in Iraq and I am disabled--I already have the thyroid & liver thing on top of trying to juggle all the things he helped with. I do take an antidepressant (Cymbalta)but the feeling of never being focused and forgetting so much finally got to me. I spoke w/my therapist about possible anxiety and asked for a mild, low dose, short term usage of an anti-anxiety agent. I am now taking Buspar & it helps me focus/not forget somewhat better. You're not crazy--when humans--especially women, it seems, are uber stressed, our bodies go a little haywire sometimes. Doesn't mean we're weak--just means we juggle so much emotionally & physically that sometimes something has to give. Hang in there--I speak from experience when I say things always get better--maybe not as quickly as we like, but bouncing balls do just that--bounce up and down and the further they go, they tend to lose momentum--meaning as life goes on the bouncing is easier to manage.

Mae,

I have hypothyroidism and what you have discribed is what I experience when my TSH is too high. You may want to have it checked out. It is a simple blood test at your doc's office. If you do have it, the medication is inexpensive but you must take it everyday without any food for it to work properly.

God bless you and your family.

D.

Hi Mae! I can relate-TOTALLY. I have ALWAYS been very organized (and little O.C.D I have to admit) I've also had a Memory like a CHAMP!!! I had a baby 15 Months ago and I heard the term "Mommy Brain" before BUT I never thought it would happen to me. Not with my Memory!!! It got so bad and I was so sick and tired of everyone attributing it to the fact that I had a baby (and also moved into a new bigger house)...Long story short, I went to my Primary and after some blood work... I was diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency. Which, if you do your research (Google Away) you will find among other things you need Vitamin B12 for... you need it for your MEMORY!!! All I have to do is take 1000mcg of B12 a day, you can buy it ANYWHERE, GNC, etc...I have been taking it for 3 months and My Memory has SIGNIFICANTLY improved. Good LUCK! I also agree with getting your Thyroid checked while you are at it too...

you sound just like me, I walk into a room, and forget why I was going in there, I drive right past streets I'm supposed to turn on. I have five kids and two jobs. I'm stressed out alot, and my mind wanders. When things calm down, I feel better and concentrate better. I do worry sometimes, because I know I'm not stupid, but I'll forget what I'm saying in the middle of a sentence. But like I said when my life calms down I'm fine again. I also try to play silly little games like solitare or word puzzles, just to exercise my brain. It does seem to help, and gives me some quiet time to focus on one thing. Good luck to you, and I hope this helps.
S.

I don't think that's ADD, I think that's just being a mom. lol I felt the same way after I had my son...I always joke that my son stole my memory. I used to be able to remember things from years ago, now I can barely remember to pack my son's lunch for school everyday. I think what you are experiencing is just part of normal motherhood. We are everything to everyone and it's a stressful job. You should talk to your doctor but I think it's probably normal.

Some things that may be causing your troubles are allergies, anemia, dehydration, etc. Dehydration causes me to become fatigued and foggy all day. It's such a simple thing. Also, try getting exercise, it has helped me to focus more and feel better. I don't know why it helps but it does. Try a class like Baby Boot Camp where you can bring your baby with you. www.babybootcamp.com

I agree with the other posts about getting your thyroid checked, not just TSH, but the whole panel and antibodies. Having trouble concentrating, fatigue, hair falling out are some signs of hypothyroid. I (and my doctor) kept blaming how I was feeling on having my kids and the lack of sleep, etc. that comes with it. Only to find that my thyroid levels were way off and I was grossly undertreated.

Check with your doctor to rule out any other medical reasons, but I would discuss the thyroid issue with him/her.

Jen

Stress does that. Of course if you ask a doctor they will push their drugs, they are as bad as a drug dealer on the streets. I have seen many people that don't need them get them with no problem. They are handed out like they are candy or something.
I have seen too many addicted to them. I have seen alot of people that were taking them that were worse off. They make you tired and numb. Some are worse then others. I would try to set a time where you can relax and have some time to yourself, or to do something that you enjoy, without interruptions. It is typical when you are under stress to have short term memory loss. Exercise and meditation are great too.

Don't panic or feel you are alone with these issues. There are tons of us out there.

I would definitely get an appointment with your primary physician first, they can certainly prescribe medication for you to help focus and talking to a counselor is a great option as well.

Many life changes as well as having a baby can certainly bring on the symptoms you are dealing with.

I had a baby 9 months ago and continued taking my meds the entire time (Prozac and Buspar). The doctor said that the risk of getting off them were far worse for me, especially post partum, then there were to the baby.

I wish you lots of luck, things will get better, sometimes we just need a little assistance!

Definately get your thyroid checked! I was so incredibly forgetful and absent minded when my throid is low. I have Hashimotos disease....hypothyroid. It affects may things! Amazing how OFF you can be when your thyroid acts up. I take synthroid now and I am doing great. Its easy to treat.

Have you had your Thyroid checked? Memory issues was one of my major issues before I was diagnosed with Hypothyroid. I even notice now if I forget my medicine or don't pick up my refill on time (a few days) I forget words,etc.