Do I have ADD?

[warrior queen]

I don't think you mean "under-utilisation" either. You have no idea whether I'm utilizing my talents or not. Just a random shot in the dark on your part, it seems.

And if being in grad school isn't utilizing my intellect, then I'm not sure what counts.

let me clarify....
you're obviously a reasonably intelligent person.
you write somewhat well.
yet you come across as an idiot - firstly, by asking non-professionals to help diagnose what could be a serious illness (and then cancelling a dr appt based on the responses of those non-professionals!), and secondly, by peppering your responses with insults and anger.
i say that's 'under-utilisation'.

as for your grad school comment.... if you're being so lazy (your comment) that you're not paying enough attention, what good will it do?

 

[SpiritRider]

Huh?
I wasn't paying attention...what was the question?

 

[Haterade]

let me clarify....
you're obviously a reasonably intelligent person.
you write somewhat well.
yet you come across as an idiot - firstly, by asking non-professionals to help diagnose what could be a serious illness (and then cancelling a dr appt based on the responses of those non-professionals!), and secondly, by peppering your responses with insults and anger.
i say that's 'under-utilisation'.

as for your grad school comment.... if you're being so lazy (your comment) that you're not paying enough attention, what good will it do?

I told you that I asked people with ADD, who know the major symptoms of ADD for their opinion. I had a doctor's appointment. What part of that don't you understand?

Okay, so there's something you don't understand - ADD won't kill me. It's not a life-threatening illness. And even if I do have it, people who have experienced it here obviously don't believe it's affecting my life significantly. So why bother?

I asked a question. That's all. It's a question. What the fuck does it matter to you whether I go to the doctor or not? My post was directed to those who have experience with the condition. No, this post didn't cost me money. It didn't alter my life. It's not going to ruin/fulfill my life. So why are you so adamant about bashing it? It is a free, no charge, no $$$ question.

And I've also pointed out that I might reschedule. Just right now, I don't see it a top priority. So do you still have a problem with the original question?

You're acting as if I posted a thread asking if I had cancer or something. Damn...

 

[toshiskitten]

I told you that I asked people with ADD, who know the major symptoms of ADD for their opinion. I had a doctor's appointment. What part of that don't you understand?

Okay, so there's something you don't understand - ADD won't kill me. It's not a life-threatening illness. And even if I do have it, people who have experienced it here obviously don't believe it's affecting my life significantly. So why bother?

I asked a question. That's all. It's a question. What the fuck does it matter to you whether I go to the doctor or not? My post was directed to those who have experience with the condition. No, this post didn't cost me money. It didn't alter my life. It's not going to ruin/fulfill my life. So why are you so adamant about bashing it? It is a free, no charge, no $$$ question.

And I've also pointed out that I might reschedule. Just right now, I don't see it a top priority. So do you still have a problem with the original question?

You're acting as if I posted a thread asking if I had cancer or something. Damn...

You have to be really careful with what you post on this site. People here with pick you apart.

 

[rbone04]

I know what I am going to say has been touched on here and there, but this thread is too cluttered with negativity for me to want to continue sorting through.

As a sufferer of ADD for nearly 20 years, I can tell you that the only person who can tell you whether or not you have some form of it would be a psychiatrist/psychologist. I have seen a doctor nearly once a month since I was in my early teens and have been on every medication imaginable. I personally have the inattentive form of ADD with no hyperactivity and that for me it is debilitating.

I am incapable of harnessing a continuous train of thought for more than a brief span of time. I constantly "squirm" in my seat and "fidget" with small items when seated quietly for long periods of time. When I read, I just see words and very rarely do I retain what I read the first several times through. When I am off my meds, I am downright dangerous behind the wheel. When it comes to social settings, I am actually afraid to hold conversations with strangers because I am certain I will offend them by asking redundant questions, forgetting names, etc. I have bombed job interviews as a result.

As for the "emotional issues" coastal boy mentions, I have none and they are by no means indicative or commonplace in people with ADD/ADHD. They may well exist and become exacerbated by the frustrations associated with ADD/ADHD tendencies, but emotional instability is not necessarily a result of the condition. It is considered a comorbidity in persons with anxiety and/or depression.

ADHD is quite possibly the most over-prescribed condition out there. While cases span the spectrum of severity, most cases are easily dealt with by simple lifestyle changes. As I have gotten older I have realized that a good diet, regular exercise, and leisure activities are the best medication out there. It is amazing what healthy lifestyle choices will do to balance dopamine levels and subconsciously motivate you to get your shit together.

As I said, only a doctor can diagnose you but that should be a last ditch effort... especially with adults. Our society is full of distractions and has and will continue to grow worse over the years. I'd say it's safe to bet that adult onset ADHD can be directly related to increasing responsibility and the stress associated with it over the years.

Learn to cope with your stress as opposed to stockpiling it. Face life's tough issues and realize you're issues probably aren't as bad as others' and make an effort to handle them calmly yet assertively. Eat right, exercise, take a multivitamin, relax on weekends, write important things down in a regular location. Look people in the eye and be an active listener. When you meet Bob for the first time, repeat his name after his introduction ("nice to meet you Bob"). These little things cost far less than doctor's bills and prescriptions that you may or may not need. Try dealing with it yourself first. You have already begun by listing your concerns and asking what we think. I would not recommend even scheduling an appointment with a doctor until you have made the absolute decision that this is affecting you on a level that decreases your quality of life.

 

[nightengale69]

Try getting rid of dairy from your diet (in all forms). It can contribute to a "brain fog" (the allergists words, not mine). It worked for my son.

 

[Que]

I'm 22yo, and I have never even considered that I might have ADD. But today I was thinking and there are several signs that I might actually have it.

1.) I've never listened in class. Now, that's just out of laziness. Don't get me wrong. But what bothers me is that I can't pay attention to instruction. For instance, if there's ever an assignment, I'm always left at my seat asking everybody around me, "What are we doing?" And I've always been like that. Just thought it was the way I am.

Classic sign.

2.) People oftentimes ask if I paid attention to what they were saying. I used to attribute this to SA. It made sense. But people always tell me they're surprised I'm an introvert because I seem so funny and off-the-wall. Perhaps I don't have SA but instead just think I do because I have a hard time paying attention?

no idea

3.) I can't watch a full movie nor can I pay attention to story lines of games/movies. This isn't just class lecture or Sunday church that we're talking about. My mind wonders while watching my favorite shows, movies, etc. I have an on-going joke that I have the attention span of a 3-year-old. Now, I'm starting to wonder if it's true.

See the thing here it isn't dependent for you on whether you desire to pay attention or not whether the subject on its surface is engaging and seemingly interesting you are multi-tasking with your mind and in fact the brain processes one item at at time. some of us more quickly than others (see above) but only one item. if you are thinking about oranges you aren't thinking about apples for at least that split second.

So what do you think? I have an appointment to see my doctor about it. I don't really have the money to get testing done or anything like that. I'm just hoping he'll try me out on a low-dose, weak stimulant and see if it helps at all. I hope it will.

See the doctor and be prepared for him to know about as much as some of the above. But its helpful to bounce the idea off a sort of trained professional. I have one Doctor that I see..mind you i don't bother seeking advice one will say drug holiday is good - tend to agree- one says every day consistency is key) anyway where was I ~grin~ so he admits to having early on had a dx for add himself, he is not adhd so he fails to grasp the social consequences of the h component and our tendency to miss social cues. he has never been medicated and admits that that is because he married well as far as compatibility and she organizes out of work life and his staff organizes at work life this works too if you are prepared to rely on others your whole life.

And playing Devil's Advocate, here are some reasons I think I do NOT have ADD/ADHD:

1.) I can read a book with no problems if everything around me is quiet. Yes, this does contradict #3 up top. I don't really know how to explain it.

This is called hyperfocus and it does not contradict. Many hyperintelligent people with ADD and its variants are bookworms for this reason. Doesn't have to be a book any self directed focus intensive activity is the same way. When we read we are free to pause mid sentence consider other thoughts and resume. when a lecture is going on there is no pause button for the class.

2.) I've never been hyper in my life. And as a child, I was never even considered to have ADD/ADHD.

I would have been diagnosed differently as a child as a child whatever they called DSM-I,II,III,IV would have called for a dx of MBD..minimal brain dysfunction. Why the hell would medical professionals use the words dysfunction to describe neurons firing in more concentrated more efficient ways? Is an athlete with superior vertical leap have dysfunctional legs? FUCK them...Which later pet scans proved is simply ADD or ADHD in a person of high IQ...just because I have the mental horsepower to achieve top grades without the benefit of medication has fuck-all to do with whether i should have a couple of hundred horses pull up lame hamstrings in the process.

3.) I do have good grades in college... so I can focus enough to pull that off, at least.

see above...this becomes a personal choice. more likely than not you do already use stimulants. Caffeine much? Just not ones that specifically target nor-epinephrine

Late to the party and would have resurrected the thread if it was 10 years old. This thread is only a few posts long and I lacked the attention span to read it all. Its late i'm a little manic and havent had an adderol in over 24 hours including on my follow visit today for my adHd (required nearly monthly for life by our fine government)

First no one who does not themselves benefit from the condition inaccurately named attention DEFICIT disorder has any fucking business having an opinion at all. Maybe and that's a maybe those that have very closely observed loved ones with this condition i believed shared by leonardo da vinci, edison, and lots of wonderful creative minds.

DO I know something about diabetes? A condition of blood sugar regulation caused by the poor function of (pancreas?) in producing insulin that is the agent that does the regulation. People who have diabetes have at times to much sugar in their blood as it is not utilized properly typically hyper-glycemic...(just riffing here no idea don't you anal retentive types google wiki and take me to task this is for illustrative purposes) I on the other hand am hypo-glycemic. Why? Dunno, i eat something and it goes away i don't happen to need any medical intervention. Too much insulin maybe?

Would I presume to give any advice on the subject of should i see a medical doctor about my concern????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO, and hell no.

where the hell do you people get off telling people crap about how hes going to feel better about himself if he gets through college "the right way" FUCK YOU. I didn't even know i had ADHD and floundered badly despite being the smartest guy in the room. And no im not whipping out my brain-dick so we can compare sizes..Ive got a bigger one and i dont care fuck all who you are and who told you you are a genus.

Medication may or may not be appropriate...only trial and error will tell. ONLY that. Study after study after study says all that SHIT about well just get organized, try this system get a tutor, get coaching is SHIT and demonstrably so.

Either your version of ADD (and in your case probably not ADHD the H is hyperactivity you are missing and has nothing to do with the ADD part really it is a co-morbid component so it gets its own syndrome name.) is affecting you or it isnt in ways that disrupt life and relationships and learning and work or it isnt.

You try a small dose if it has the effect described you have ADD if it does not you don't. Or rent a petscan machine im guessing what $100,000 per hour or some such...and PROVE to the doubters you 'have it.

With the prevalence of ADD in prison populations alone you;d think we would learn as a society to keep our judgmental claptraps fucking shut about treatments that are efficacious for a major modern societal adaption problem.

keep in mind all you people that believe the drug company this and drug company that crap. The drug companies have currently a vested interest in denigrating mild stimulants that are now cheap, generic and at one time over the counter. (dexatrim anyone?) now that they want to sell you offshoots of SSRI research and it myriad of variants, you see a LOT of crap like the above.

Personally as an adderol user, i'd like a formal apology from any naysayers above that abuse their bodies with more than say two cups of coffee a day, two cokes, or one five hour energy drink a day. FUCK you. that is all.

 

[satindesire]

Wow, is this forum on their collective periods or what?

All of you need to seriously grow the fuck up, stat. I love you guys, you know I do, but this is ridonkulous.

 

[Berwyn]

Jackoftheshadows pretty much describes me there as well. I was also dx in my 20's, but by then I had learned enough coping mechanisms to get along well enough.
Like almost all psychological issues, there ais a spectrum of symptom expression. Some people are severe, like what Coastal-boy described, and some are mild. If you really wanna know...go see a professional that is experienced in diagnosing and treating adult ADD. Don't go to one of the psychiatrists that just throw pills at you...

I have it. I was diagnosed in my twenties, actually, when I went to see a p-shrink for my temper. Stupid, small things would set it off, but like a flashfire, it would flare then be gone. Tags in shirts, traffic, crowds.....and after a little digging, voila, ADD. Some things to ponder:

1. Not all ADD manifests as hyperactive. I have the "I" category, instead of the "H". Inattentive, easily distracted.

2. However, I am quite capable of hyperfocusing on things, to the exclusion of anything else. I can sit down and read a 300 page book in a matter of hours, and when done, wonder where the time went....

3. I always had good grades, because I test very well. Homework, hell no, but testing, yes. Which frequently gets one the label of underachiever or slacker.

4. If I'm having a conversation with someone, I have to purposely turn off the TV, radio, or whatever, turn and face them, and consciously focus on them, particularly if we're in a busy environment. Otherwise, I either miss the whole thing, or sound horribly disinterested, which is insulting to the other person to say the least.

5. If you're wondering, go see someone. There is a whole diagnostic workup they do, family history, etc. (particularly since some thing ADD has a genetic component). Sadly, there isn't a single test for it, but better to find out now, and take steps to get things in hand, then wait.

 

[1sexygal]

ok, i have a few things to tell you, as i have ADHD myself.
1. there are no tests for ADD/ADHD.
2. people with ADD/ADHD frequintly have good grades. i actualy skipped 7th grade. but if you have ADD/ADHD you will probaly use different meathods then the teacher tried to teach you.
3. People with ADD/ADHD can often focus on one thing extreamly well (i.e. reading books), but have trouble focousing on other things (i.e. watching movies). for example, Michal Phelps has ADHD.
ok, i think that is all i need to get straight. oh 1 more thing.
4. you have ADD/ADHD. trust me. go to your doctor and tell him/her that you think you have ADD/ADHD and ask for their profesinal opion. chanes are they will agree with me.