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Boondoggle -> RE: Disobedience from Your sub (1/19/2008 1:37:20 AM)
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I'm sorry, DesFIP, but I'm positive that your advice regarding caffeine is dead wrong. I have ADD, myself, in a big way (as evidenced by the fact that I finished this post more than six hours after I started it). Using caffeine to try to manage ADD is like using alcohol to try to manage chronic pain; self-medicating is always a bad idea. Yes, caffeine can be effective at helping reduce ADD symptoms, but it generally isn't as effective as drugs targeted towards ADD and tends to have more intense side effects. Furthermore, damn near everyone is able to focus better on a mild stimulant dose, but those of us with ADD tend to have stronger reactions, which is all the more reason to have the medication carefully controlled and not to self-medicate.
Caffeine does affect the the same receptor as adderall, but in a different way. Adderall will not curb her caffeine addiction. The combination does, however, have the synergistic effect of amplifying the affects of caffeine. In fact, I would strongly suggest talking to her doctor about her caffeine consumption, especially if she hasn't been taking her full does of adderall and is now returning to it. I'm quite certain that she will tell you that your partner's caffeine consumption, in combination with the adderall can lead to massive side effects and she will probably have advice on how your partner can better cope with the withdrawal symptoms from the caffeine addiction.
I also find it surprising and a bit disturbing that you've heard caffeine recommended by three different medical professionals. I, frankly, hope there was some miss-communication happening, because what they told you is untrue. All of the four psychiatrists I've had (one of whom was an expert in the field and developed the TOVA test and another of whom was president of the Minnesota Psychiatric Society and one of the most prominent psychiatrists in the state) as well as clinical psychologist (who was also specialized in ADD) with whom I worked to prepare for returning to college after several years have strongly advised against any sort of significant caffeine usage. (When your mother is a clinical social worker well respected in her field, you apparently get to see only the top-notch shrinks...)
As far as remembering to do something, I find that unobtrusive, gentle reminders work best for me: little notes in semi-prominent places, related items sitting out somewhere (not amongst clutter), emails, etc. Lists, I've found, are worthless for me. I either simply lose or ignore them.
There are many strategies to coping with ADD, but it takes a while to find what works and what doesn't. The key is to be patient and helpful and avoid being critical of things she can't help.
Ben
quote:
ORIGINAL: DesFIP
Is she on medication for the ADD? Because if not, then depriving her of caffeine will make the ADD much worse. Caffeine hits the same receptors in the brain as do Adderal, Ritalin etc.
Has she seen a doctor? Have you gone along and asked about caffeine usage for ADD people. Because it is recommended that ADD/ADHD people drink caffeine to help. I was told that by both a clinical psychologist and a pediatrician, and it was confirmed by an adolescent psychiatrist.
Telling something to an ADD person and expecting them to remember it is a lesson in futility. My ums have white boards on which stuff is written down.
Punishing her, claiming she isn't really submissive, and so on because of things she can't control is really wrong. What you're doing isn't working so find other ways that will work. There are tons of books about coping strategies for ADD. Read one or more. You might as well punish a diabetic for passing out because of their illness as do what you're doing. She has a disease, if you're going to be in control of her then you must educate yourself on her health issues.
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