I have been reading a lot here on the forums again lately. Trying to find ways to help my 12 YO son. He has been diagnosed with ADD Inattentive type. I have just recently started looking at the adult issues, trying to get a head start on ways to help him in adult life if needed. I realized that I have most if not all of the symptoms of adult ADD. I started thinking back to when I was in school and remember being called a daydreamer, never paid attention in class and all of that. I never really struggled in school. I did ok, I was an average student, so that would explain why nobody picked up on this. I never did my school work at school, I waited until I got home and went to my room where it was quiet and no distractions and did my school work. I was forgetful and did not do well with testing in the classroom. Now I am 34 YO tomorrow and I am realizing that I too may have ADD and it is impacting my life. My house is always a mess, I am still forgetful, need a lot of reminders, can't do anything that does not interest me. I have blamed a lot of this on depression but now I realize there may be more to it. I am so unorganized and in chaos all the time. I have a hard time falling asleep at night (mind wants to keep going). The list could go on and on. What I am saying is I realize now I have the same problems as many of you do.

I have not worked out of the home in about 7 years. I am afraid to, afraid that I will start and then can't do the job. Have anxiety issues too.

How do I go about finding out if ADD is the culprit of my problems? I took the 101 questions at the Amen site and it came back with a high probability of ADHD Inattentive type and also limbic system hyperactivity and basil (something else) hyperactivity. Not sure what the last two are. How do I find a doctor to diagnose this?

I am very excited in realizing all this but also a little nervous.

addparent

hi addparent
It's very common for a parent to be diagnosed after there child has been.
You are so use to the way you do certain things.
That it doesn't occur to you that these are ADD symptoms.
Most of the daydreamers find out later on they have ADD.
I think its great you want to find out for sure.
Don't be nervous you have all of us here for you.:)

addparent;

From what I've been reading here and elsewhere, a lot of people make the same discovery as you when they start reading about ADD. Some parents discover it by trying their kid's medication and then realizing they can focus better....

Go see your family doctor and see what he/she has to say. Many general practitioners are qualitifed to diagnose and treat ADD. At some point you may wish to consult a specialist, but your GP is probably a good place to start. Don't be nervous, be proactive.

Welcome to the club. It is not exclusive, not fancy, but it has a lot of members...

Me :D


I have been reading a lot here on the forums again lately. Trying to find ways to help my 12 YO son. He has been diagnosed with ADD Inattentive type. I have just recently started looking at the adult issues, trying to get a head start on ways to help him in adult life if needed. I realized that I have most if not all of the symptoms of adult ADD. I started thinking back to when I was in school and remember being called a daydreamer, never paid attention in class and all of that. I never really struggled in school. I did ok, I was an average student, so that would explain why nobody picked up on this. I never did my school work at school, I waited until I got home and went to my room where it was quiet and no distractions and did my school work. I was forgetful and did not do well with testing in the classroom. Now I am 34 YO tomorrow and I am realizing that I too may have ADD and it is impacting my life. My house is always a mess, I am still forgetful, need a lot of reminders, can't do anything that does not interest me. I have blamed a lot of this on depression but now I realize there may be more to it. I am so unorganized and in chaos all the time. I have a hard time falling asleep at night (mind wants to keep going). The list could go on and on. What I am saying is I realize now I have the same problems as many of you do.

I have not worked out of the home in about 7 years. I am afraid to, afraid that I will start and then can't do the job. Have anxiety issues too.

How do I go about finding out if ADD is the culprit of my problems? I took the 101 questions at the Amen site and it came back with a high probability of ADHD Inattentive type and also limbic system hyperactivity and basil (something else) hyperactivity. Not sure what the last two are. How do I find a doctor to diagnose this?

I am very excited in realizing all this but also a little nervous.

addparent

A GP is a good place to start - but I highly suggest you ask for a referral to a specialist. I have found that a lot of GP's just don't know enough about ADD.
I, personally, think a psychiatrist, specializing in ADD, is the way to go. The tend to know more about the meds and are more knowledgable about other ways of dealing with ADD (life coaching, coping strategies, etc).

here is a good directory:
http://www.addconsults.com/directory/index.php3

or ask your GP if they know of anyone. Someone in your state's forum could probably give you names and numbers, also.


Best wishes

there is no one else in my state forum. I am the only one :(
I also went to the link you provided and there is no one in Maine. Thank you for trying though.

addparent

"I have been reading a lot here on the forums again lately. Trying to find ways to help my 12 YO son. He has been diagnosed with ADD Inattentive type. I have just recently started looking at the adult issues, trying to get a head start on ways to help him in adult life if needed." ~quote addparent


I wanted to say something about this statement.
My son has the inattentive type and is a senior in college. He struggled in high school, but because he got treatment as early as he did, he is not in the same spot some of us newly diagnosed adults are.

His life is easier in comparison because he has been allowed the education, awareness,and structure that is so important for ADD. He learned to adapt earlier....whereas his mother, ahemm, has just known officially about hers for the last two months. I am still trying to make sense of mine, so my son is leaps and bounds ahead of me. It will be exciting to finally know, you are right.

Good luck to you and your son :)


~gourmet~

Thank You Gourmet. I sure hope he don't live a life like I do now. That would be the last thing I would wish for him. He is learning, slowly. Finally had a good teacher and school that was willing to try and understand and try to help him. Up until this year, it was a battle with his teacher to help him in any way to learn. I have 504 in place for him but teacher he had for 3 years would not implement it. Last year she just totally gave up on my son. This year he has had a wonderful teacher that is doing all she can for him. Teaching him organization, lots of praise and extra time to get things done. So I am hoping we see more teachers like her for my son. If so, he will do great I am sure. If not, I don't know how to teach him the organization skills he needs, because my life is in chaos. Just praying and hoping he gets what he needs in the next few years.

Addparent

I, too, was diagnosed in my mid-40's after my son's therapists repeatedly suggested I get help for my own "ADD". I found my psychiatrist/neurologist through my son's doctor. It's a good place to ask if they know of anyone who treats adult ADD. Otherwise talk to your family doctor.

Welcome to the forums and congrats on being the FIRST from Maine!!! I'm sure you're not alone there, though. Looking forward to hearing more from you!

Kim

I can sympathize with this and strongly encourage you to seek out help as my mother has SEVERE ADD and it really made my life chaos. Now I find out I have it too but not to as severe a degree. I have an 8 year old but see no signs yet...well, maybe there are a few but not sure.

I expect I'll be diagnosed officially in a couple of weeks.

"A discovery is an accident meeting a prepared mind" (unknown author)