Myomancy ADHD, Dyslexia and Autism

41 Year old with ADHD and Tourettes - considering entering program

Hi,

Diagnosed with ADHD in May 2007 and have been on Concerta and Citalopram since. I
recently found out that I have Tourettes (never spotted as like most people
with the condition I learnt to hide and disguise the symptoms very well. I have
had ADHD issues all my life and it was never spotted until I was attending a
mood disorder clinic. I was tested and referred to a specialised ADHD clinic
here in Holland.
It is great in the sense that they offer coaching, but the focus is Medication 1st
and help with behavioural/coping mechanisms 2nd. I am British and my Dutch is
not good enough to attend the groups that are offered so my development has been quite slow. 

I have had other issues (most likely as being ndiagnosed with ADHD and Torettes) all my life and recently faced up to a few of them.
I am clean from Drugs, Alcohol and Cigarettes now for three months. I have
greatly reduced other stimulants (coffee, sugar, etc). Am having regular
exercise and gym workouts. Am feeling good in many areas. However - My body is
full of tension - my tics are worse than they have been for many years. My
attention and capacity to focuss and multitask are all over the place I can't plan, I am chaotic and my messy desk every morning really demotivates me. I am
getting closer and closer to loosing my job. My work Doctor (we have an active Occpational Health service) told me recently that ADHD is a myth and that I jst need to grow up. Something familiar I have heard on and off for many years. If only…I am desperate to do this growing up…It's just that I have not been capable. I  just feel in my bones that the
Concerta I am taking, whilst helping in some areas is having lots of negative
effects. I have spent all my life being either unaware of what I was putting
into my body or not caring. This is a life or death situation for me and I am at a crossroads in my life. I want to
become a healthy person in mind and body. My commitment in the NA program is to
not take any mind altering substances…and here I am 10months later -
dependent powerful psychological drugs that are very powerful stimulants (and I
have Tourettes and am an addict) that no one really knows what the long term
damaging effects there may be. I can't just stop this medication but I do want
to be free of it ASAP. I am still making my mind up about whether to enter Dore
- it is a big commitment (financially and logistically) to come from Holland every six weeks
for at least the next twelve months.

I would like to speak to other adults in similar circumstances - ADHD, over
35 (possibly with Tourettes) about your experiences  and recommendations.

Cheers,

Marko