Could It Be?...Did I sign a new lease on my life???

As many folks know, I have been fighting the good fight with a serious mental disorder called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It is a disorder that is very often made into comic relief, but nonetheless is very serious. The medications many folks with the disorder need alone should signify this!

Well, I am in constant search and constantly filling myself with hope that there may be helpful answers out there somewhere. Not answers that will cure the OCD, I am well aware this will never happen - it is incurable. But answers to help me better tackle the Tiger that is my disorder, answers to help me choose the best path.

Recently I was able to visit an OCD specialist in Portland, OR and I feel with all of my heart and soul he handed me at least one of those answers, if not 5 million of them. Taking what he told me I have been able to return to my home and discuss things with my primary physician and finally get on some more appropriate medication. With his help I have finally got a better picture of what is going on inside my brain, why I think the way I do and why I have such a hard time with certain things. It has been miraculous!!!

And for those of you wondering what he said...well...He finally confirmed a diagnosis of ADHD. It is a diagnosis that has been discussed in both my physician's and counselor's offices. And little did I know how important that diagnosis was!!! Apparently, for those of us with both ADHD and OCD, without conquering one's ADHD symptoms, one will find it highly difficult, if not impossible, to battle their OCD symptoms. ADHD and OCD are commonly related and highly inheritable (which means I likely inherited both from someone in my family and the likelihood of me passing them on to my son is rather high). ADHD acts as a kind of megaphone to the OCD symptoms. So, until the ADHD is dealt with, the OCD symptoms will be broadcast at mega-volume throughout my brain and life no matter how hard I fight them.

So, what does this mean regarding medication? I will stay on my current SSRI to help me continue battling my OCD symptoms. But I am also adding an ADHD medication, Ritalin. Already I have seen the improvement. Already it has made a difference in my OCD. Already I know I am moving forward on the right path!!!

I feel like I made such a fantastic decision to visit the doctor in Portland and I feel like things are finally looking up for the first time in a very, very, very long time!!! (And, yes, I did just right "very" 3 times...the OCD isn't cured, folks...LOL)