Second Entry, Progress.

[Sara Unterriner]

I haven't been very active on the site, even though I wanted to be. I've been really occupied with school and trying very hard to keep interest in... Well, anything. From my last blog entry, a lot has changed.

I've been diagnosed with severe General and Social Anxiety, Depressive Disorder and Panic Attack disorder. When the new Diagnosis information/book comes out on ADHD my psychiatrist and therapist would also like to discuss that possibility, since the majority of symptoms for the inattentive type seem to fit like a puzzle piece. (Also have to wait for the insurance to mail in our new cards. > n >)

I've also lost my boyfriend (not too terrible of a loss, we were growing apart anyhow and also he's decided he's more comfortable batting for the other team... > - >) and started antidepressants. Now school's over and I've passed my classes, though I didn't excel to my wishes, I'm still very proud for sticking it through despite the many absences from illness, doctors appointment, reaching the lowest point on my depression and heightened anxiety, along with side effects from antidepressants. I'm also very proud of myself. Even though before medication I had suicidal thoughts, I stayed strong and fought them along with many urges to self-harm.

As for daydreaming, there's anything but a lack of it. I've created many more scenarios and even decided to turn one into a story. I've also though about how entertaining it might be to write a one sentence description of every different daydream scenario or story I've ever had that I can remember in a notebook. I probably won't do it though since I'm the type to follow through on too much.

Back to the Inattentive ADHD though, I'd like to ramble some thoughts that may be a fun discussion topic. Since ADHD occurs because of a lack of stimulation in the brain, it makes me wonder if my daydreaming happens because its an entertaining, easy way to add extra stimulation? The Maladaptive part would make a lot of sense then. I'm sure this has been talked about before, but I'd still like to put it into a physical being here to quiet curious the noise in my mind.

I'm also considering talking about MDD with my therapist on our next visit, just to know her opinion on the subject.

Thank you very much if you've read this,

love Sara.

Xoxoxoxo.

[Faye]

Hi, there I understand what you are going through, although I've never been diagnosed with ADHD I've had my fair share of struggles with depression and anxiety, and I think that I am finally on the right anti-depressant.

I actually recently tried that technique of writing my MD's down, so I can review them from a different angle (instead of constantly just reliving them in my head). What I found was that it was a bit like watching yourself on tv. What you assume is familiar is shockingly embarrassing, I never really thought of my daydreams as all that "wild" and "imaginative" but when I re-read some of them I could not believe that I could make something up like that elaborately and so effortlessly as well. The process has also made me feel a great degree of shame.

I've never once thought of approaching my therapist about the MD problem, though I have spoken about all my other issues, mainly because I know that my therapist is relatively young and inexperienced and I know that she will not be able to grasp the MD issue.

But perhaps in your case, its worth a try and its worth explaining that you've looked around for answers to this issue and mention that there have been studies done on it.

If you're interested in the writing technique, it doesn't hurt to try, when I first started I was also convinced I wasn't going to stick to it, but I think the aim is to remind yourself that you are not trying to chronicle and document every single one of them as a archivist. Just write down one or two odd ones as you go along, or perhaps limit yourself to 15minutes at the end of every week. It'll probably gather momentum if it works for you. And you're be surprised that it might provide you with a different perspective on your MD's. 

I guess because there is no formal treatment for this the most we can do is share our own individual methods for dealing with it.

[OhMyMagenta]

Sounds like you've had a long journey Sara. Glad to hear your symptoms are a bit more manageable & you're receiving treatment. Congrats on finishing up school.
It's been said that people with ADHD have a low arousal threshold, & will seek out both mentally & physically stimulating activities to compensate. I was diagnosed ADHD Inattentive Type Adult Onset 5 yrs. ago. Makes me wonder how many other people with MDD have that diagnosis.