Do I have ADD?

[Haterade]

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

 

[coastal-boy]

Sorry, I vote a resounding no.

 

[Haterade]

Why are you sorry? I asked for your opinion, didn't I? If I expected only 'yes' answers, I wouldn't have asked.

But thanks for the sarcasm, asshole.

 

[coastal-boy]

you don't talk about any of the emotional issues that come with ADD; you don't talk about the relationship difficulties; you don't talk about the impulsive behaviors; you don't talk about the frustration or anger; you don't talk about the mood swings; you don't talk about the self-esteem issues; you don't talk about a feeling of underachievment even if you are recognized by your peers; you don't talk about the inherent craving for excitement and how you will push the limit of acceptability; you don't mention the problems with organization skills; you don't talk about not opening your mail; you don't talk about trying to clean the house and moving from one task to another without ever finishing any of them; you don't talk about being cronically late or completely missing appointments; you don't talk about the need to make lists; you don't talk about being hyperfocused; you don't talk about searching day after fucking day for your keys; you don't mention about getting a pair of scissors out a drawer, using them and then not putting them away even though the drawer is open cause your mind has already moved on; you don't talk about getting a new interest, investing all sorts of time and money into it, and then never doing it again...but you do mention you hope your doctor will give you a low-dose stimulant...

but I am a sarcastic asshole...I can live with that. My wife has ADD and has been under treatment for over 10 years and the symptoms you listed do not in of themselves even come close to defining ADD.

 

[KoPilot]

Seems to me like you've just got an average case of laziness. Possibly some mild immaturity as well. My recommendation? Skip the pills (sorry if your intent was to sell them) and start meditating. Or at least start eating more fish.

 

[swtrthnhoney]

you don't talk about any of the emotional issues that come with ADD; you don't talk about the relationship difficulties; you don't talk about the impulsive behaviors; you don't talk about the frustration or anger; you don't talk about the mood swings; you don't talk about the self-esteem issues; you don't talk about a feeling of underachievment even if you are recognized by your peers; you don't talk about the inherent craving for excitement and how you will push the limit of acceptability; you don't mention the problems with organization skills; you don't talk about not opening your mail; you don't talk about trying to clean the house and moving from one task to another without ever finishing any of them; you don't talk about being cronically late or completely missing appointments; you don't talk about the need to make lists; you don't talk about being hyperfocused; you don't talk about searching day after fucking day for your keys; you don't mention about getting a pair of scissors out a drawer, using them and then not putting them away even though the drawer is open cause your mind has already moved on; you don't talk about getting a new interest, investing all sorts of time and money into it, and then never doing it again...but you do mention you hope your doctor will give you a low-dose stimulant...

but I am a sarcastic asshole...I can live with that. My wife has ADD and has been under treatment for over 10 years and the symptoms you listed do not in of themselves even come close to defining ADD.

Wow - I think I have ADD/ADHD. I am taking a low dose anxiety/anti-depressant that is supposed to treat ADHD as well. It seems to help when my mind does not want to focus. Made a big difference in college courses - overstudied and barely passed; took meds, studied average amount, passed with an 'A'.

 

[newlegz]

You're not going to be able to figure out if you have ADD or AD/HD here. I know that there has been a lot of talk lately about women being diagnosed in their early 20s. I've wondered about myself. But its not something you can figure out from a quiz in a magazine or online. More importantly, if I were to stereotype, I'd assume you're a college student who is watching everyone around them abuse these drugs to pull all nighters and cheat their way through college. In the end, you'll be proud of yourself for doing things the right way. (This in no way is meant to be negative toward people who actually struggle with this issue, its simply acknowledging the trend of abuse on college campuses)

 

[SweetErika]

Wow - I think I have ADD/ADHD. I am taking a low dose anxiety/anti-depressant that is supposed to treat ADHD as well. It seems to help when my mind does not want to focus. Made a big difference in college courses - overstudied and barely passed; took meds, studied average amount, passed with an 'A'.

Then again, a lot of those symptoms coastalboy listed are also indicative of anxiety and depression. I have many of them, but I'm sure I don't have ADD.

 

[Haterade]

you don't talk about any of the emotional issues that come with ADD; you don't talk about the relationship difficulties; you don't talk about the impulsive behaviors; you don't talk about the frustration or anger; you don't talk about the mood swings; you don't talk about the self-esteem issues; you don't talk about a feeling of underachievment even if you are recognized by your peers; you don't talk about the inherent craving for excitement and how you will push the limit of acceptability; you don't mention the problems with organization skills; you don't talk about not opening your mail; you don't talk about trying to clean the house and moving from one task to another without ever finishing any of them; you don't talk about being cronically late or completely missing appointments; you don't talk about the need to make lists; you don't talk about being hyperfocused; you don't talk about searching day after fucking day for your keys; you don't mention about getting a pair of scissors out a drawer, using them and then not putting them away even though the drawer is open cause your mind has already moved on; you don't talk about getting a new interest, investing all sorts of time and money into it, and then never doing it again...but you do mention you hope your doctor will give you a low-dose stimulant...
but I am a sarcastic asshole...I can live with that. My wife has ADD and has been under treatment for over 10 years and the symptoms you listed do not in of themselves even come close to defining ADD.

Right, low-dose. Strattera, anyone? It doesn't have to be Adderall or a C-II. Jesus.

Like I said, I have issues with communication. If I were to receive directions verbally, I don't follow. I used to contribute that to SA, and I have had more frustration with general anxiety than you know. It's just that all that emotional frustration has been labeled "anxiety." And medicines for anxiety has helped nothing. So, I was wondering if perhaps I had slight ADD and that might be causing my problems.

If it makes you feel better, ADD is not the first trip in this whole exploration.

That's why I asked. You don't have to be a complete fucking dick about it, and you could have explained all this originally. Why don't you quit thinking about living with yourself and think about those who have to live with and around you. Because God knows they mind. Get the fuck over yourself.

 

[coastal-boy]

Right, low-dose. Strattera, anyone? It doesn't have to be Adderall or a C-II. Jesus.

Like I said, I have issues with communication. If I were to receive directions verbally, I don't follow. I used to contribute that to SA, and I have had more frustration with general anxiety than you know. It's just that all that emotional frustration has been labeled "anxiety." And medicines for anxiety has helped nothing. So, I was wondering if perhaps I had slight ADD and that might be causing my problems.

If it makes you feel better, ADD is not the first trip in this whole exploration.

That's why I asked. You don't have to be a complete fucking dick about it, and you could have explained all this originally. Why don't you quit thinking about living with yourself and think about those who have to live with and around you. Because God knows they mind. Get the fuck over yourself.

You asked for an opinion.
I gave it.
You replied with name calling.
I clarified my belief.
You reply with more name calling.
Does it make you feel better?
Best of luck to you. You definately need it. There are several great books out there for people with "slight" ADD. Any google search will bring them up.

 

[Mrtouf]

What you have to ask yourself is whether you just can't get into whatever you're doing at the minute.

I like TV as much as the next person but even when my favourite programmes are on I'll often leave them to the recorder and watch them a day later or several days later. That said, I can't just keep filling up space so I have to watch them at some point - my favourite time to do this is when I'm having a meal, since it means my hands are occupied for at least the first fifteen minutes.

As far as listening is concerned, you might want to consider whether you have hearing loss. It's unlikely at your age of course, unless you've listened to a lot of loud music. Beyond that, it's quite possible that being distracted will quite normally result in you not registering what someone has just said. You really have to be engaged in listening to do it successfully.

For example if I'm watching TV or I'm on the computer and someone talks to me, I often can't follow both what they're saying and what I'm looking at. The result is that I sound distracted in my replies and/or I take my attention away from the TV or computer and miss something.

Obviously it doesn't have to be a TV or computer that distracts you, it could be another person besides the one you're trying to listen to, or it could be distracting thoughts. The easiest trick to deal with this is to echo some of what the person is saying, or take notes if you can.

It's normal for listening attention to wander and, even if you find yourself able to follow a given conversation, chances are you won't remember all of it an hour later.

You have good grades in college so you have no trouble applying yourself to the work. In my personal experience it has sometimes been easier to get on with work if I'm not having to concentrate on someone who witters on at the front of the class at random times during the hour!

It actually sounds like you're tuning out unintentionally, and if that's the case you just need to practise concentrating. For example, turn on a stereo on but leave the volume low. Then, provide yourself with a distraction like a TV at low volume, and try to stay with the song playing on the stereo.

 

[duke1421115]

you don't talk about any of the emotional issues that come with ADD; you don't talk about the relationship difficulties; you don't talk about the impulsive behaviors; you don't talk about the frustration or anger; you don't talk about the mood swings; you don't talk about the self-esteem issues; you don't talk about a feeling of underachievment even if you are recognized by your peers; you don't talk about the inherent craving for excitement and how you will push the limit of acceptability; you don't mention the problems with organization skills; you don't talk about not opening your mail; you don't talk about trying to clean the house and moving from one task to another without ever finishing any of them; you don't talk about being cronically late or completely missing appointments; you don't talk about the need to make lists; you don't talk about being hyperfocused; you don't talk about searching day after fucking day for your keys; you don't mention about getting a pair of scissors out a drawer, using them and then not putting them away even though the drawer is open cause your mind has already moved on; you don't talk about getting a new interest, investing all sorts of time and money into it, and then never doing it again...

Most of those happen to me. It's just about possible that I've got ADD, but since a close relative of mine is a psychologist she'd probably have noticed by now and told me...

 

[blade_rocknut]

Why do people ask and then shoot the messenger? Most of the rudeness in this thread comes from the OP

 

[Lady Reiha]

You asked for an opinion.
I gave it.
You replied with name calling.
I clarified my belief.
You reply with more name calling.
Does it make you feel better?
Best of luck to you. You definately need it. There are several great books out there for people with "slight" ADD. Any google search will bring them up.

Definately*

 

[Jackotheshadows]

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.

 

[Little Bird]

One: Psychological problems are always different for different people, so if your symptoms don't match up with those of someone else, it doesn't mean it isn't the same cause.
Two: It's not really that important what excat cause you're suffering from, but if you feel it's a problem for you and you'd like to have it treated. There are doctors who can find out what's the cause and how to treat it.

That said, I have very similar problems as described in the first post, and I think it also started to become a problem when I was about 22.
My father works in a psychiatric hospitals, and said that one of his coworkers is specilizing in cases that show some signs of depressions and ADD, but are not exactly either of the two. It's not that uncommon it seems and seeking out a specialized can never harm. So if it's possible for you to see someone for it, I strongly advice to do so.
I've been putting in off for years now, and it really is making my life worse.

And yes, reading for hours on end is also one of the things I can do without any problems.

 

[TypicalDeviant]

It sounds like you lack discipline rather than have ADD. You can focus on things you want to focus on, and simply choose not to focus on other things.

 

[Layne]

For what it's worth

I'd not leave that determination, even remotely up to people on this board. If you are the least bit concerned (and obviously you are), I'd seek a professional opinion and NOT by a general practicioner.

 

[KoPilot]

Why do people ask and then shoot the messenger? Most of the rudeness in this thread comes from the OP

He's not getting the validation he's looking for.

If he were truly worried about the disorder and it's impact on his daily life, he'd go see a professional about it instead of asking a bunch of strangers on a sex forum.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Back when I was a larval shrink I worked with battalions of ADD and AD-HD kids incorrectly diagnosed.

Real ADD and AD-HD is a wonder to behold; you cannot mistake it for anything else. Kids with ADD wander all over hell, following whatever impulse that controls them for the moment. They move around like a toddler with happy feet. Its normal in a one year old and bizarre in a preteen.

Kids with AD-HD have happy feet and happy legs and happy arms and happy hands. They run, crawl, dance, jump, throw objects, etc. with abandon. Thats why they call it hyperactivity.

People with ADD & AD-HD cant write bulletin board posts, they cant watch tv, they cant play computer games.

Most of the kids diagnosed with ADD or AD-HD have what we call developmental delays, or pervasive developmental delays if they last past adolescence. Theyre late bloomers.

 

[Haterade]

He's not getting the validation he's looking for.

If he were truly worried about the disorder and it's impact on his daily life, he'd go see a professional about it instead of asking a bunch of strangers on a sex forum.

I have a doctor's appointment. I had one when I asked. I just thought it might be helpful to ask on an online forum where there are people who potentially know more than I do about the condition, that's all. Do you have a problem with that?

Because you seem to have an agenda to beat this issue up. First, you accuse me of drug seeking, and now you're insulting my character.

Let me also note that you have not once given a single bit of good, solid information about ADD nor anything relating. All you can say is that I'm lazy, which I totally understand since I posted that in the original post.

As for everybody else, thanks for the advice. I am convinced now that I do not have any sort of ADD. Growing up, I never considered it and it just struck me as something that could be what's causing my lapse in communication. Apparently, that's not it at all. And I'm going to cancel the Dr.'s appointment.

Now, before I go, anybody else want to beat the internet-shit out of me?

 

[Haterade]

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.

And stories like this are the reason I asked. Apparently, I'm still the bad guy here, though.

 

[Cattypuss]

And stories like this are the reason I asked. Apparently, I'm still the bad guy here, though.

What you ARE is incredibly aggressive, with VERY little provocation.

 

[blade_rocknut]

Wonder if he'll act this way with the doctor?? Any of us can have ( and be entitled to) our moments of asshole-ish-ness. But why the pervasive need to argue every response, yet cry victim? Ask an expert-. If asking people ( as in here) in a volunteer manner, 'tis slightly more than rude to bait people with what sounds like an honest question, only to spew profanity at any response that doesn't agree with some preconceived notion. Regardless of topic.

 

[Haterade]

Wonder if he'll act this way with the doctor?? Any of us can have ( and be entitled to) our moments of asshole-ish-ness. But why the pervasive need to argue every response, yet cry victim? Ask an expert-. If asking people ( as in here) in a volunteer manner, 'tis slightly more than rude to bait people with what sounds like an honest question, only to spew profanity at any response that doesn't agree with some preconceived notion. Regardless of topic.

You see, you can't just get over it can you?

It's so bad that you didn't even notice that I took the honest advice I was given by the people on this board who know about ADD and cancelled the appt. with the doctor.

And again, the only people here who are arguing with me had nothing to offer as far as ADD is concerned. Nothing. Not one piece of info.

However, there were good, solid answers that helped me with my question. Yet for some reason, you continue to bash me because I'm not going to sit there and take the sarcasm and insults.

Irony?