If you have not been diagnosed by a psychologist, psychologist, neurologist, or other physician...

would you share with us the reason you have chosen not to do so and how you are managing your symptoms?

Thanks

Yes and no artsmartbabe. My psychiatrist gave me quiz and put me on strattera. I am going to be formally tested at the end of April. I do have alot of the characteristics of ADHD according to my former therapist. My Neurologist is having me tested soon. I am going to see a neuropsychologist and they are going to do it all in one day. Yikes. Will let you know how things go.

Not official but I have/am seeing a Dr

A psychologist talked to me a bit first (nothing in depth, kind of disappointing). Then I saw my regular doctor who asked more/better questions and called the psychologist. So now he's treating me for ADHD until I can get into a psychiatrists office.

I had an appointment with someone known to work with Adult ADHD for mid-May, but they called me and cancelled. They said they weren't accepting new patients. :( So when I remember at the right time I'll call my doc for a referral.

I just was tested today. I talked to the neuropsychologist for 2 hours after the testing wont knwo anything until may 24th. OH help. More later.

I diagnosed myself and then got officially diagnosed by a physician. That was the most feasible route towards diagnosis and getting medication. My symptoms are pretty obvious by others around me, and the medication has made a difference.

I have always had adhd symptoms but was not officially diagnosed and medicated until recently. My son has been medicated for adhd for over 9 years. I work in the Systems Department and didn't want to take medication that would prohibit me from being creative and an outside the box thinker.

I am the official adhd poster child. That is one test that I have always excelled on. Off the chart. Didn't even have to cheat or study.

I have always been very active, creative, artistist, fun to be around, talkative, and energetic. I have always gotten up several times during the night, even as a child, to get something to drink, look out the window, etc.... Definitely not a sound sleeper.

I have always talked super fast. When I was younger, my sister translated for me. Plus I had to go to special school district on Saturday mornings and sit in front of a big mirror and practice my R's. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

I always wet the bed. (adhd related). I was always the leader who was in charge of finding something for everyone to do. I was always full of ideas.

In March 2005, one day at work I decided that on my spring break vacation, I was finally going to get medicated. I mainly wanted to do this because I wanted my husband (who is add) to get medicated and I thought that we all might as well. We would then be able to live happily ever after as an add/adhd family.

So, I looked up a psychiatrist in my hmo book, called her, made an appt, faxed her a 4 page note on my life and symptoms, and showed up for my appt. She asked me a ton of questions, and she knew immy that I was definitely, no doubt about it, ahdhd.

She put me on Adderall XR 10 mg once a day. It was increased to 20 mg once a day. At my next visit, she added regular Adderall 10 mg at 3pm because it was wearing off sooner than my work day ended and I had to go home to the "add house".

This combination of Adderall XR and Adderall regular is working.

I have been less stressed and less pms'd. I usually had to take tranxene for my pms stress each month. I only had to take 1 recently when my son got a 2 day suspension, during the full moon. Other than that, my pms wasn't that bad.

I am really glad I finally got medicated. It has not stopped me from being talkative or creative. My roommate at work did not know I was medicated until recently. He said that he noticed a difference in the last month, but he wasn't sure what it was. I had been nicer to him he said:)

I have been on Atkins for quite a while. I had lost weight but then was on a long plateau of not loosing. Adderall has definitely jump started my metobolism and I am again loosing. As usual with Atkins, you don't see it on the scale but you definitely see it in how your clothes fit. I have finally gotten back into the jeans that I have held on to for years and years. I am by no means thin but I am feeling alot better about myself. People are definitely noticing and being the adhd'er that I am, I love hearing it.

I am going to call and make my husband an appt next week. I told him that hopefully he will be able to stop medicating himself once he is properly medicated.

He has seen a difference in my stress level also. I am not as moody as I have always been. Plus I have been cleaning the house (which I hate to do and wish I could afford a maid but would be too embarrassed to have a maid come in my house.)

Anyway, if anyone is undecided as to whether or not they should get diagnosed and treated, I say "go for it". It can only get better.

Thanks you guys, for bringing this thread back up. Since I posted that, I have been diagnosed officially and gone on medicine- strattera.

I was very, very similar to what you describe about yourself adhdxyz. So many of the personality qualities you describe of yourself. It feels so good to have feedback and advice from the people who live it.

Banana, I too, diagnosed myself and found out later that EVERYONE I knew thought I had it too. What is wrong with these people????
I went to my appointment to get my medicine and the doc told me...." I always felt like you probably had it..." ?????????? I am crazy about my doctor, but sheesh. Some friend :)

My strattera has helped me also..... my moods, pms, morning awakedness (sp)
AND yippee.....I've lost 10 pounds:) We're going to be righteous at the beach.

I would always encourage anyone to go for a formal diagnosis particularly to check out treatment options.
Treatment is already making a tremendous difference in my life.....hey, does anyone remember me telling about all of the partially painted walls in my house? I have divided

and conquered the foyer, which was in the process of ceiling mural, faux experimentation, and stenciled floor and still had blue painters tape on the trim......what a relief!!!!!

What kind of fool sets up a project at the entrance of their home the week before Christmas? What......don't look at me..........look at adhd

No diagnosis here and I am 43. I know that I am ADHD but I doubt that I would fit the critera of impaired. I'm happily married and hold a good job which I do well at.

Could I be a more productive and social person? I sure could be. Do I waste countless hours on the computer and do little around the house, yup.

I do self medicate with coffee. The inattentive subtypes or Spacy adhd'ers don't have as many social problems as the true ADHD'ers do..anyways.

What kind of fool sets up a project at the entrance of their home the week before Christmas?
It probably seemed like a really good idea at the time? :D

I am giggling myself siillllly, Imnapl,,,,,that is the absolute truth!!

Scuro, I haven't had any coffee tonight, although I did used to do that too! Right now I'm too interested in this bottle of merlot the hubby pulled out....what does that do to an inattentive subtype??? ;)

I think I was dxed by a psychologist, but I am not for sure on that. If I was offically dxed it was when I was in 7th grade or so. I know however that both of my brothers are on meds for ADD, but neither one of them was offically dxed by a psychologist. They were dxed by their family doctor.

I haven't been diagnosed yet, I don't have health insurance to pay for a doctor's visit and a specialist too, plus the scripts would also come out of my pocket. I've been self-diagnosed for about 6 months, have probably been self-medicating with caffeine for years. Oh, I'm 54 and so relieved to finally know what is going on with me. I've found an ADD support group and attend faithfully every week. I suspect that my granddaughter has ADD as well.

Hi Lunacie. Welcome :) I am glad you know about your ADD and have found a good support group. I have only known for sure a couple of months, and you are right ...it is a relief to know what's been up. I hope you continue to do well.
Annie

My husband is add and 45. He went to the doctor on June 2 and started Adderall XR. It's made a big difference.

I immediately noticed on his first dose that he is much more even as far as his moods. He finishes projects that he starts. He is much more outgoing and talkative. He usually self medicated with smoking pot and last week I heard him tell 2 of his friends on 2 separate occasions that he quit smoking pot. He told me that he doesn't feel like he needs to any more.

Last night we were talking about medication and he wishes he would have gotten diagnosed properly when he was younger. Maybe he wouldnt have flunked 2nd grade. Maybe he wouldnt have gotten into the wrong crowd. Maybe he wouldnt have started drinking and doing drugs. Maybe he would have went to summer school for that 1/2 credit he needed to graudate. Maybe maybe maybe....

I would HIGHLY suggest that anyone who is wondering whether or not they should go to the doctor, to definitely do so. You don't want to go through your whole life "wondering" and thinking "maybe if I would have....".

Was wanting to ask yall a question... Me and the g/f went down to Cincinnati for a little vaction... We got to the hotel(double tree hotel, 4 star hotel!) Anyways... We deicided to go driving around a bit, and all of a sudden I was like... It's like I couldn't remember where the hell I was... I started to get scared like wtf ? My g/f looked at me and was like jeremy you just missed the turn... I was like I'm sorry wasn't paying attention... I tried to blow it off not to make it seem like i'm forgetful... So, we stopped at a wal-mart down there, and we got into an arguement... So we got mad at each other and kinda walked away from each other in wal-mart... lol Once we got out I swear I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHY WE STARTED TO FIGHT lol... OMG I felt so stupid... After that she made fun of me saying I'm retarded or something... heh that hurt badly... We went to the mall and she just started talking about her childhood and stuff... and she asked me about mine... and I couldnt really remember alot of my childhood :( I only remember bits and pieces... It made me feel so dumb again... I talked to her about it... I started to cry cause I felt like I was loosing my memory, and like I'm hopeless... She came over and said that she can't imagen how it feels... After that we went back to the hotel... She started talking to me about getting checked for ADD since I was told I had it back when I was in 1st grade. We went back out to the mall and we went to GNC and she showed me these vitamins and such... it's suppost to help with memory... It had a bunch of Vitamin B's Gingsen and these Amino acids in it thats suppost to help... Does this sound like ADD or am I just going insane ? Think the vitamins will help ? :/ It's like I'm having a hard time remember alot of things... like directions, places i've been to, I forget where i put my keys, I forget little things, I'll look over a whole chapter and forget everything I just read...I'll go to class for 50 mins and just remember 1 stupid fact... Does this sound like ADD ?

Sounds like to me you are more distracted than forgetful:) ADD trait. It makes you seem very forgetful.
Drawing blanks, not being able to remember where you parked your car and other stuff....some things in common with ADD.
Maybe you should go get diagnosed again and look at your options for treatment. :)

I don't know much about vitamins...but I know some claim to enhance memory. But I'll bet it is distraction that is making lose track.....YOu are not insane :)


~gourmet~

I am not officially diagnosed. I do not have health insurance right now either. I believe that I am ADD Inattentive (per on going behavior). My aunt has been officially diagnosed with the inattentive type, along with something else that I cannot remember. I had been to a psychiatrist at the ages of 3 and 6, but all they had to say (according to my mother, that is) is that I was "developmentally behind". I was taken again at age 14 (for depression), but nothing much was said or done (probably on part of my resistance to open up).

For those who aren't medicated, I have tried methylphenidate and it is much more effective than any amount of caffeine, as far as attention anyway. Caffeine still works well to wake me up.

As far as managing symptoms:

I take the following: Ginkgo Biloba, 5-HTP, Gotu Kola, Omega 3 Fish Oil, and, of course, some caffeine throughout the day.

I use a PDA to remind myself of due dates, bills, etc.

I reserve Sunday to clean (or at least try to) my appartment. It needs to be done on the same day each week to be effective.

I use my problem with habits to an advantage sometimes. I always take the keys out of my vehichle after shutting the motor off. No exceptions in any instances (even at home). I purposely starting doing this from the beginning as I knew I would likely lock myself out of my vehicle.

I am a perfectionist. I check and revise my work constantly.

Work is rather difficult. I can write as many programs as I'd like to do the boring work that needs to be done, but the telephone ringing and socialization will still cause problems. I do listen to music while working (and use my own computer for work as well), but that does not help completely. Fortunately, I've been assigned some more R&Dish tasks lately.

Currently I am trying to get organized enough to go back to school.

I was told that I'm mentally slow to... heh they put me on a IEP and everything... They didn't know what was wrong with me... But getting beaten everyday... and watching your mom cheat on ur dad and having your mom call you at school threating to kill herself is alot on a 10 year old :) I honestly do think that I'm a bit slow in the aspect of writting, and maybe reading... but everything else I'm the best :) I tried learning HTML but, the way the teacher taught with was pretty much throwing a book in your face and be like have fun... Same thing with getting my CCNA... They just throw a book in your face and tell you to memorize it... Hell maybe I am mentally slow, who knows... But I always go back to the point... I see people spending 5-6 hours studing and reading the book at school, and heres me looking over the notes and getting a A-C on the test :) I know whats wrong with me... I can't pay attention... Like right now I'm suppost to be writting a paper but I keep putting it off... I can't help it, it's like I wanna do it but my body tells me not to... I found out why my g/f is so good at what she does... she has OCD, and everything she does... she has to Master and be perfect at it... lol Give me OCD over ADD anyday :)

Thank you everyone. High functioning.....your answer was exactly what I was looking for. You have given me some great ideas on managing symptoms beyond medication :)

I was told that I'm mentally slow to... heh they put me on a IEP and everything... They didn't know what was wrong with me...

In my case, the development lag refered to would be late speech and immaturity. I was in a speech class for a year, but beyond that, everything else turned out normal. I performed rather well on paper in school (which is pretty bad since I didn't have a pencil to write with 75% of the time and lost papers constantly).


But getting beaten everyday... and watching your mom cheat on ur dad and having your mom call you at school threating to kill herself is alot on a 10 year old :)


I'm sorry to hear that. Aspects such as these don't contribute to a good family relationship. Hopefully you can get past this. :)


I honestly do think that I'm a bit slow in the aspect of writting, and maybe reading... but everything else I'm the best :) I tried learning HTML but, the way the teacher taught with was pretty much throwing a book in your face and be like have fun... Same thing with getting my CCNA... They just throw a book in your face and tell you to memorize it... Hell maybe I am mentally slow, who knows...


The key is self education (at least with learning markup/programming languages). I don't have any certifications myself, but I have read several practice tests and I agree with the memorization aspect being rediculous.


But I always go back to the point... I see people spending 5-6 hours studing and reading the book at school, and heres me looking over the notes and getting a A-C on the test :) I know whats wrong with me... I can't pay attention... Like right now I'm suppost to be writting a paper but I keep putting it off... I can't help it, it's like I wanna do it but my body tells me not to... I found out why my g/f is so good at what she does... she has OCD, and everything she does... she has to Master and be perfect at it... lol Give me OCD over ADD anyday :)

If you think you have ADD, have you classified yourself with respect to the official ADD subtypes (inattentive, combined, etc.)? There are various questionaires in existence that may help guide you in the right direction. While none of such are not meant to be used as diagnostic tools, they may put you in the right direction. Procrastination != ADD, but procrastination is usually present with ADD, so you may want to investigate (read about) ADD more. No one here can give you a definite answer.

i was wondering if anyone can tell me the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. any information would be great

If you had ADD as a child, you have it now.

I've done a lot of the things you have described. Usually it is not so bad for me as what you depicted. I suspect that you were under enough stress to make it worse than what you usually experience.

The B complex will help a little. Vitamin E will also help a little. You have to take the vitamins every day for quite a while to get much benefit. Be careful taking ginseng or St Johns Wort. Plants can have some bad long term effects, so you might want to talk to your doctor about it first.

Get plenty of fresh air and exercise, that helps quite a bit.
Find creative ways to decompress and burn off excess energy. Also, make sure you get plenty of sleep. Learn to identify and manage things that stress you.

In any case, do see your doctor and discuss apppropriate strategies and medications.

Good Luck!

Me :D

Was wanting to ask yall a question... Me and the g/f went down to Cincinnati for a little vaction... We got to the hotel(double tree hotel, 4 star hotel!) Anyways... We deicided to go driving around a bit, and all of a sudden I was like... It's like I couldn't remember where the hell I was... I started to get scared like wtf ? My g/f looked at me and was like jeremy you just missed the turn... I was like I'm sorry wasn't paying attention... I tried to blow it off not to make it seem like i'm forgetful... So, we stopped at a wal-mart down there, and we got into an arguement... So we got mad at each other and kinda walked away from each other in wal-mart... lol Once we got out I swear I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHY WE STARTED TO FIGHT lol... OMG I felt so stupid... After that she made fun of me saying I'm retarded or something... heh that hurt badly... We went to the mall and she just started talking about her childhood and stuff... and she asked me about mine... and I couldnt really remember alot of my childhood :( I only remember bits and pieces... It made me feel so dumb again... I talked to her about it... I started to cry cause I felt like I was loosing my memory, and like I'm hopeless... She came over and said that she can't imagen how it feels... After that we went back to the hotel... She started talking to me about getting checked for ADD since I was told I had it back when I was in 1st grade. We went back out to the mall and we went to GNC and she showed me these vitamins and such... it's suppost to help with memory... It had a bunch of Vitamin B's Gingsen and these Amino acids in it thats suppost to help... Does this sound like ADD or am I just going insane ? Think the vitamins will help ? :/ It's like I'm having a hard time remember alot of things... like directions, places i've been to, I forget where i put my keys, I forget little things, I'll look over a whole chapter and forget everything I just read...I'll go to class for 50 mins and just remember 1 stupid fact... Does this sound like ADD ?

I have yet to be formally diagnosed. I had been going to 'shrink' ( I cant spell the other word) for depressionand she put me on Zoloft. I started doing some research on my own about ADD,went to the library,and found a book by Sari Solden. The book had opened my eyes but also started the endless desire to find someone else like me. Getting back to to the question. I asked her if she knew much about ADD and she said no. I was amazed at her response because I thought that she would know. I asked about testing and she had said that they didnt do that there. So now I am tring to find a therapist that knows about ADD Well, in defense of the shrink, she did put me on Startera. Anyway i still keep dancing

Fog,

I have been trying for quite some time to get myself diagnosed. I, too, read Solden's book and thought she must have been writing it about me. I was recently referred by my daughter's therapist to another psychologist and that was an awful fit! So, at the last appointment for my daughter I told her that I needed to find someone else. She suggested that she see me also so I will be seeing her for a diagnosis and perhaps more in depth therapy - we still haven't discussed that yet.

Someone here suggested finding someone who usually works with kids and see if they can see you for dx or refer you, and that's what I suggest, too.

I've been tentatively diagnosed by my physician. I've struggled with fatigue, memory problems, concentration issues, tuning out, etc. for what seems like years.

After doing some medical tests, we discovered that I am hypothyroid (which is now regulated) and that I have sleep apnea (I use a CPAP for that). Both of these things helped some with the fatigue....I used to have drop dead fatigue, the kind where your limbs feel like lead and you can't even hold your head up.

I realized that although I'm not fatigued like I was before, I still can't concentrate, my brain feels like it's filled with cotton, I mix up words when I try to talk, I'm always forgetting stuff and tune out still. I called my doctor and told him what's going on and asked him to review my records. He called the next day and told me that everything looks great and based upon my memory probs, etc he said I may very well have ADD and decided that I should try Ritalin 2x daily.

I've been on medication for 4 days now and I can tell a difference. My colleagues have noticed that I'm more alert, more talkative than I used to be. I feel more motivated than before, but I still don't get anything done (usually because I just hate housework).

Okay...I've rambled long enough for now.

I've been calling around, and trying to find a doctor, that can test me for it. I was tested when I was 14, and was dx'd, so I am sure the diagnosis will stand.

I'm glad I saw this thread. It's reminded me of a phone call I need to make. I called up to make an appointment for an assessment in May but I got a message that said the waiting list was full and they wouldn't take anyone new until June. I meant to call back at the beginning of June....

I've never been 'officially' diagnosed. I showed my dr. the list of symptoms that ADD/ADHD has, but he said that that list was like a horroscope - possible, but not neccessarily true or something to be considered as fact. But I told him I've been reading this book (can't remember now what it was) and it sounded page-for-page like me. So he prescribed Cylert (Pemoline). It has definitely helped, but I still have my hyper-focus days, especially when it comes to detail-oriented work that has to be out NOW, and lots of it out NOW, but for now during our slow time in the summer, I do just fine. The funny thing is, when I'm most pressured and most stressed, THAT'S when I want to do my slowest, most/best work, when I don't really have the time for detail and precision. Perfectionism - a definite ADD symptom. I'm still glad I'm on meds; it has helped. I'm a lot calmer around people who get on my nerves, and don't trip over my words so much, and don't interrupt ast much. I also pay closer attention in a conversation.
Scuro - how do YOU know what problems Inattentive Type ADDers have? I guess ADDers don't even fit in with "true" AD/HDers? Figures. Maybe that makes 'us' even more 'misfit'? Guess 'we' aren't even good enough to be 'real' ADDers.
Jeremy - vitamins etc. always help. B-complex and B6 do wonders, plus Omegas (3 & 6). There are other forums on this site that speak of this very thing, especially if you are hesitant to take prescribed medication. Memory is big issue with ADD/ADHDers. You aren't insane, but do some reading/research and you will find answers. Good luck!

[I]

I havent been 'officially' diagnosed and am just now trying to find a reputable specialist to give me a more offical diagnosis and treatment. However that is proving to be easier said then done as I have found out that there are a lot more people with ADD then specialists who know how to treat it.

I hope I find someone soon, because honestly I have been living with this disorder untreated and for the most part undiagnosed for a very long time and the cost of me not being treated is rising exponentially