View Full Version : Diagnosis advice...


d2004
08-07-05, 09:19 PM
Hi all,

I would like some opinions on whether or not you think I might have add (inattentive type) before I go to a dr...

I realise this mite be a little long, esp for an add forum :)

Heres a list of my problems/possible symptoms:

When I was around 11, everyone seemed to turn against me at school, and I had very few friends. This was because I never said anything - I was known as the guy who never said more than four words at a time. Is this a symptom of ADD?

At school I did very badly at english simply because of the group discussions. I never ever participated in group converstations. The only way I got through it was because there was an group exam at the end, and I just blurted out preconveived responses in semi-coherent places! But in the end I got an A.. Even today I find it difficult to keep track and particpate in group conversations...

I nearly flooded our whole house one time because I turned on the facuts, went downstairs to do something, got distracted and totally forgot about the bath!!

I kinda tend to switch off in conversations, and not really listen to what people are saying - i tend to start thinking about something else while still prompting the other person with Uh huh, mmm, sure... even though im not actually listening to what their saying..

When talking to someone, I find that I typically break eyecontact and look up to the left, but this is only ever occurs once in an interaction, because i realise what im doin and then focus on not doing this, although its hard.. I sometimes find it hard to maintain eye contact with people..

People say that I am in a world of my own...

Some people percieve me as not being very intelligent due to my difficulties with communication, although I have a BA, an MA and a PhD!! This is always a problem for me with an new job - it always takes me around a month to settle in..
b
Sometimes I can focus on a task for hours, eg on a computer game, ut i find it hard to complete tasks - i always start off very quickly, but i soon loose interest.

I find it impossible to cope with multiple tasks - if im doing one task, i will think about another task and leave the current task, then i totally forget about the original task and it goes untouched for hours until i realise that was what I was meant to be working on!

I find informal social interaction difficult - I enjoy talking to people for around 5-10 mins, but then after that my mind kinda switches off.. So I hate just sitting around with no purpose other than chatting.. I always feel as if i should be doing something with a final goal in mind..

btw ive never had a proper gf, although I can talk to a girl for around 10mins and they always seem interested, but it NEVER goes further..

Thanks for the advice,
Dave

jim44
08-07-05, 09:54 PM
If you have not already done so, I would highly recommend reading two books, both by Edward Hallowell & John Ratey : Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction. I've read several others, but these were the best. There are some questionaires that will lead you to a decision about seeking medical advice. I have some of the symptoms you describe and some others that you didn't mention.

Best to you....

jim-

timh
08-08-05, 01:33 PM
Welcome to the best ADHD resource on the net.

I second "JIM44". These are two of the best books on the market for ADHD. Then meet with your GP and explain what you have discovered. Ask for a referal to a psychiatrist. I feel this will be the best way to come to an accurate diagnosis. I think a lot of people have been posting recently with stories about their GP diagnosing and prescribing medication. They then feel the GP is not working closely enough with them when they experience side effects or difficulties with medication. This is just an observation. Please don't take this the wrong way. I am not saying a GP wouldn't be responsive to a patients needs. The psychiatrist is a specialist that is trained to diagnose and treat ADHD.

Good luck and keep us posted.

crater#1
08-10-05, 09:47 PM
1) take a test here: http://add.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=add&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amenclinic.com%2Fac%2Faddtests %2Fadult1.asp (http://add.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=add&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amenclinic.com%2Fac%2Faddtests %2Fadult1.asp)

2) go see your dr with the results

good luck:)