I am very happy that I've found this site. I've been reading on add/adhd and am feeling that I exhibit the symptoms. My history is:

from kindergarten to grade 8, I had terrible grades, a horrible attention span, problems with discipline, problems with drawing all over my desk etc. My teachers have written in progress reports that I had the potential to do good, but didn't. At the time, I just thought that that was an easy cop out for them.

From the ninth grade on, my parent literally said that either I do good in school, or I get sent back to my home country and have to stay with my very strict uncle. I forced myself to study then. But my problem was I just couldn't sit through school. I had 30+ absences average through all semesters.

In the 12th grade, I finally snapped. My teachers stopped being so accomodating when my absences reached obscene amounts. My parents took me to a psychologist who made me take a test and diagnosed me with anxiety disorder. According to him, I couldn't sit through school because I had anxiety.

Well, that took care of my school problem as my psychologist wrote to them saying that my anxiety was out of control and I should have home classes. AT home, I could sit, study and walk around when I lost concentration.

When I left for university (with a full scholarship), I flunked out of all my classes. All of them. I had no concentration and told my psychiatrist so. He just expanded on the anxiety theory and prescribed tranquilizers and SSRIs. That made me flunk even more.

I've moved back with my parents, stopped all mind altering medications cold turkey, and started university again. Last year, I had to walk on the treadmill when I studied. I know that this is not normal. I had to be walking on the treadmill and reading my book at the same time to be able to fully concentrate (something I figured out through trial and error). While doing mathematics related work, I had to turn on music in a language I couldn't understand.

I can't study in a library. I can't keep a part time job (I've recently quit two).

Regardless of all this, I'm very afraid of getting diagnosed with ADHD. I believe that my psychologist misdiagnosed me with anxiety disorder when I was 17. I have an appointment with my family physician on monday, what do I tell her? I just don't want to go up and say 'hey i think i have adhd' or she might think I'm a hypochondriac or just some idiot looking to get easy controlled substances.

This is beoming a real concern for me. I would really appreciate some help, especially if anyone has been through anything similar. :o

Kaye,

This is only my personal opinion: what you describe is consistent with ADD.

You need to locate a psychiatrist or psychologist who is familiar with adult ADD or you might continue to be misdiagnosed (if you truly are). If you are unable to locate those professionals, try calling a child psych or a hospital psychiatry department for a referral.

If you are in fact ADD and are treated, your anxiety will likely go down.

Let us know!

Hey Kaye! Welcome to the Forums!:)

The walking during studying doesn't seem weird to me at all -- that's how I got through school, either pacing the halls between doing assignments or pacing while I was studying for a test.

Your first psychologist may not have misdiagnosed you. Anxiety is a common companion of ADHD. I was first diagnosed with Anxiety about 15 years ago. I still have that diagnosis but it is secondary to my ADHD (it's primary cause). A lot of the traits you describe certainly fit with ADHD and it's great that you're getting it check out. Be sure you check out your doctor too, to be sure he is familiar with Adult ADHD presentation. Not all practioners are yet. If not, ask if he can refer you to someone for testing who is familiar. Have a list of your symptoms with you (you might even down load a checklist from on line (Web MD has one on Adult ADHD) that compares your answers to those given by other ADHD folks and rates them from mild to severe. Or get one of the books on ADHD - many of them have check lists which are a good place to start and bring that along. I definately told my doctor that I was concerned I might have ADHD, he ran some medical tests (like Thyroid, etc.), offered to let me try Strattera or to be assessed by a clinical psychologist. I went for the assessment and ended up on stimulent medication. Good luck to you -- you're not doing anything wrong by pursuing an avenue that looks like it might help you improve your life and functioning. If the doctor treats you like you are it's time to look for a new doctor.

Scattered

As a special Ed teacher, and one who has ADD, I actually have the research that proves EVERYBODY learns better with movement. it helps the person stay invoved in the tasks because it raises the dopamine and adrenalin levels.

I have to agree that your symptoms do sound like they fall into the ADD category and that sometimes anxiety is a huge by-product of untreated ADD. My suggestion is to write down your concerns before you go into the doctors office, and by all means the ADD checklists found on varing websites are a good screening tool and helpful to your doctor.
You may also be able to go to a clinical psychologist in your area that can diagnose without a referal from your doctor and go from that angle. There are many that are using EEG or QEEG, PET or SPECT scans to help diagnose and settle on a treatment best for each person. Do a search and a bit of research if your interested in this type of diagnosis and treatment base.

Kaye,

I just noticed you said you were afraid of being diagnosed with ADD. Think about your situation, you seem to have been treated without success as it is - the diagnosis might make things better!

I was treated for 20+ years for anxiety and depression before I was diagnosed with ADD. I was so happy with my diagnosis: my symptoms and experiences had a name and a treatment. As Scattered said, many times ADD is the cause of anxiety disorders (and depression, etc.).

Only be afraid of being incorrectly diagnosed!

Welcome Kayle,

Hey you could have both! At least you should look into it and not be afraid. How can you be true to yourself, if you don't really know who you are?

Thank you for your support and suggestions everyone. I guess I am afraid because I had a horrible experience with psychiatrists in general. I have gone to the websites that offer checklists and printed them out. I read over them with my dad actually supports me this time.
I will talk about it with my doctor and take the printouts with me. I'm in canada and when I asked to see a psychiatrist, they told me that unless it was a very serious issue (like feeling suicidal), I'd have to wait for a very long time. I'll bring it up with my family doctor (who's my new doctor because I've recently moved) but I'm very unsure of how to bring it up.

I have an appointment with my family physician on monday, what do I tell her? I just don't want to go up and say 'hey i think i have adhd'
I did. :D
I was then referred to a very knowledgeable psychiatrist who assessed, diagnosed and prescribed meds. for me. It changed my life.

I lived up in Canada for a while, so I know what you're talking about. You may have to educate your doctor a bit. Bring your checklists and possibly your father too. It's useful to have a second person to verify what you're sharing with the doctor. SSRI meds frequently don't help anxiety when ADHD is behind it. It sounds like you're still pretty young, but try not to let the doctor intimidate you -- he works for you, not the other way around. I made more progress is six weeks with the right diagnosis than in years without it. Hang in there and let us know how it goes!:)

Interesting. Scattered, so there are no shortages of psychiatrists in the USA?

I was diagnosed eleven years ago and we were lucky to have two full time psychiatrists at our rural, regional hospital. Now, we have an itinerant child psychiatrist who flies in to see patients and a part time psychiatrist.

Kaye, your family doctor can also refer you to a psychologist who can diagnose ADHD. Then your doctor can refer you to a psychiatrist to prescribe meds., if needed.

Is your dad able to come with you when you see your doctor?

* * * * * * * *
We also have a shortage of family physicians, nurses and pharmacists here, too.

There probably are shortages in rural areas here as well, Imnapl. In the states, I've always lived near enough to a good sized city that there were plenty of doctors of all varieties around. I was just familiar with the problems of seeing a specialist in Canada.

I'm twenty years old, so I'm not so young. It will feel strange taking my dad to the doctor, but he has also said he wanted to come to talk about this. This way, she'll know that I'm being serious and am not someone looking for stimulants. He can also verify my medical history.
This is a pretty big clinic so I'm wondering that they probably have a adhd testing site on the clinic itself.
I moved here from the United States where I had a private psychiatrist and psychologist. It's been hard, but I have a good family doctor, so she'll make things easy.
Once again, thanks for the help everyone.

Twenty, eh? I had 22 or so in mind -- it's all very relative I suppose. Anyone young enough to be my daughter is young -- that's my rule!;) I hope things go great for you!

It looks like you've already received some great advice. This might be "duh" but if it was me, I'd prefer doing the consult alone and only bringing in the other person (father, mother, boyfriend, whomever) afterwards. I think we're all a little different when talking about ourselves when someone else is around (no matter how comfortable you are with that person).

When I went in for my consult and testing I'd scribbled pages of notes because I knew that I would ramble and forget everything I meant to say (I have to do the notes thing for all my doc appointments). And then, as I get frustrated and upset by my rambling and inability to get across what I mean sometimes people see that as the bigger problem. Meaning the anxiety as more important than the problem (rambling/ADHD) causing it.

"I just don't want to go up and say 'hey i think i have adhd' or she might think I'm a hypochondriac or just some idiot looking to get easy controlled substances."

-----I know just how you feel. I always research everything to the point of exhaustion. When I walked in with an assessment printout from WebMD (only done this once for the AD/HD) I felt like I'd be judged as a hypochondriac when in reality I'm just someone who is incredibly frustrated and tried lots of meds unsuccessfully. I also had all my scribbled notes full of memories from childhood pointing to the AD/HD, notes from my partner describing my symptoms and difficulties, notes from asking family on the phone about their own history, etc. I tried to be prepared for everything.

I was also worried that I'd be judged for wanting to try stims. I'm assuming you have no history of alcohol/drug abuse so I'd try not to worry about that. Just be honest and be yourself (because if you're on your best behavior then they won't see the real you!). If you end up with a doctor that you don't like or doesn't believe in AD/HD or doesn't believe in rx stimulants...find a new one!

I wish you the best.

Kaye,

I could never study in the college library. I heard all the whispering, pencil tapping, pages turning, et. al. It drove me nuts. I adapted to suit my own needs, like you did with using a treadmill and reading. I spent a small fortune in photocopying resource material for writing papers. I would go back to my dorm room, sit in the dark, on the floor, and write A papers. This is what worked for me. I also had to study some subjects while listening to classical music. It had to be music I didn't know the words to, or I would sing along.

I didn't read on the treadmill, but I did listen to books on cassette with headphones while using one. It helped me to multitask, and not focus so much on the fact that I was exercising. LOL I had to distract myself from being aware that I was trying to exercise.

Like other people have mentioned in this thread, being properly diagnosed actually helped me move past my anxiety and depression. I hope you will this to be the case for you, as well. Please keep us all posted on how things are going. :)

Originally Posted by Kaye
I have an appointment with my family physician on monday, what do I tell her? I just don't want to go up and say 'hey i think i have adhd'

I did much research on ADD once I thought that was what was wrong with me. I printed out things that described me to a T. I did not have anyone from my past to help with my diagnosis (the part where another person describes how you were as a child or a teenager) so instead I got together anything and everything I could find from my past that had any comment what so ever about me. I took everything in on my first appointment and said,,, This is what I think I have and this is why. Two weeks later, I was taking Ritalin and welbutrin mix. There is nothing wrong with being knowledgable and concerned with your own diagnosis. I feel like I not only shortened my diagnosis time (cause God knows it can take forever for some Dr.'s to figure it out) and I made his job easier. I also read once that most cases of Adult ADD are self diagnosed before a Dr. ever puts in his 2 cents.

I live in SW Ontario. If your nearby let me know and I can give you a few names. In Canada there is public health insurance although it wouldn't cover assessments for ADHD. You can also get extended coverage through work so it's worth checking out what coverage your parents have. Otherwise, unless a government agency will pick you up, you are on your own. The lines for mental health centers can be lengthy...say 1/2 year or longer, unless you are a critical case. Having said all that, you can get a good assessment in the $1000 dollar range....and get it done quickly. If you live in a rural area then simply come in to a larger center for two week days and the whole assessment should be done.

Why go with a Psychiatrist? I'd go with a Psychologist. Your looking for a definitive answer and this really isn't about what happened in your past. You want to know...do I have ADHD, an Anxiety disorder, both, or something I hadn't even thought about. Talk therapy doesn't do a lot of for ADHD anyways. If a Psychologist confirms the anxiety disorder then you should head for an anxiety clinic. Anxiety is one of the few disorders where medication is not the best long term answer.

Good luck!

Thank you all very much. I am going to take my dad in just because he wants to be there too. I know what you mean about how we don't speak correctly about ourselves in front of other people, but we've already discussed what I am going to say.

I will go to my doctor and probably to a psychologist to be assessed. Thanks sucro, I'll get the assessment done quickly. My parents support me and the insurance I have probably covers it anyway.

I'm glad I found a board with very helpful people :)

Please let us know how the appointment goes, Kaye. Seriously consider jotting down notes of things you want to be sure to discuss with your doctor. I would go into appointments sure I could recall everything. This was rarely the case. :) best of luck to you.

Wow, I just wanted to thank everyone again. I talked to my doc and she was most helpful. She agreed that the anxiety could have been misdiagnosed. She immediately gave me a referral to a psychologist who does adhd testing and said to call as soon as possible. She said that there's no need to be afraid and that depending on the severity of the adhd, we can go on a completely medication free treatment.

It wasn't necessary for my dad to go, but I'm glad he did. I'm just the type to worry that people won't believe me if I don't have some kind of an older figure to validate what I'm saying.

I'll let the board know how the psychological testing goes. Once again, thanks :)

Very happy for you, Kaye! Sounds like your on the right track and have a good doctor! :D

applauds for kaye. :) way to go!

Don't be afraid. You are paying your doctor to care for you and you want to get a return on your investment. :)

If you think you may have ADHD, say exactly that. You doctor will probably ask you why you think so, and you can answer that question too. :p

If you think you were previously misdiagnosed, say so, and say why you think so. :eek:

Just tell it like it is and it is going to be better than just sitting around and suffering. :faint:

You need to be proactive in your medical care when it comes to ADHD. There is a tendency for doctors to say "All I can do is give you this pill", so you have to be informed and work closely with your doctor to get to the heart of the matter so you can know clearly what you are dealing with, and THEN you are ready to do something about it. In order to help you, your doctor needs accurate information. Do your best to tell him/her the facts as you see them.

Medications help reduce the severity of symptoms, but you are the one that has to mitigate your adhd. Learn about it, and adapt. ;)

Getting a diagnosis and gertting knowledge are the basic things you need to do so you can learn to live with your ADHD, or any neurological condition of this nature. :)

This is more of a problem of "I am different, and it hurts... Why does it hurt?". You need to get informed and diagnosed so you can take appropriate measures and get back to being a happy camper. :p


Me :D




I am very happy that I've found this site. I've been reading on add/adhd and am feeling that I exhibit the symptoms. My history is:

from kindergarten to grade 8, I had terrible grades, a horrible attention span, problems with discipline, problems with drawing all over my desk etc. My teachers have written in progress reports that I had the potential to do good, but didn't. At the time, I just thought that that was an easy cop out for them.

From the ninth grade on, my parent literally said that either I do good in school, or I get sent back to my home country and have to stay with my very strict uncle. I forced myself to study then. But my problem was I just couldn't sit through school. I had 30+ absences average through all semesters.

In the 12th grade, I finally snapped. My teachers stopped being so accomodating when my absences reached obscene amounts. My parents took me to a psychologist who made me take a test and diagnosed me with anxiety disorder. According to him, I couldn't sit through school because I had anxiety.

Well, that took care of my school problem as my psychologist wrote to them saying that my anxiety was out of control and I should have home classes. AT home, I could sit, study and walk around when I lost concentration.

When I left for university (with a full scholarship), I flunked out of all my classes. All of them. I had no concentration and told my psychiatrist so. He just expanded on the anxiety theory and prescribed tranquilizers and SSRIs. That made me flunk even more.

I've moved back with my parents, stopped all mind altering medications cold turkey, and started university again. Last year, I had to walk on the treadmill when I studied. I know that this is not normal. I had to be walking on the treadmill and reading my book at the same time to be able to fully concentrate (something I figured out through trial and error). While doing mathematics related work, I had to turn on music in a language I couldn't understand.

I can't study in a library. I can't keep a part time job (I've recently quit two).

Regardless of all this, I'm very afraid of getting diagnosed with ADHD. I believe that my psychologist misdiagnosed me with anxiety disorder when I was 17. I have an appointment with my family physician on monday, what do I tell her? I just don't want to go up and say 'hey i think i have adhd' or she might think I'm a hypochondriac or just some idiot looking to get easy controlled substances.

This is beoming a real concern for me. I would really appreciate some help, especially if anyone has been through anything similar. :o

....She said that there's no need to be afraid and that depending on the severity of the adhd, we can go on a completely medication free treatment.....:)

If you have ADHD, that would mean impairment. There are different degrees of impairment, granted...but impairment none the less. I know of no treatment regime, that is completly med free, that really works. What I mean by that, is that it has a clinically proven high rate of success in altering the symptoms of ADHD. What treatment plan did she have in mind?

Thanks speedo, I already went to the doctor and we have a psychological testing on thursday. She moved things pretty quickly for me. Apparently, my insurance covers 80% of the fees so that's not an issue.

I know that taking medication might significantly improve my situation, but taking a mind altering medication cost me one year of my life before. I'm in pre-medical so school is not something I want to mess up again. I think she knows that I'm afraid of trying any new medications, so she suggested perhaps behavioral psychological therapy every other week for better symptom management. Now that I think about it, perhaps she just wants me to go ahead with the testing without being afraid of having to take medication. Once the testing is done, I'll know the degree of the disorder, and then we can decide on the medication.

Either which way, I'm very happy by how things turned out.

Yup, let the testing point the way. If it is mainly ADHD though come back and talk to us. Stimulants are the safest and most effective drugs for mental health.

I wanted to update and let everyone know that I have done the psych testing and will be discussion the results on Saturday. I'm very glad I took the step to do so.

Welcome Kaye :)

Unless you make it a habit of going to your family doctor for every little thing, I would not hesitate to tell her what is on your mind regarding ADD.
If she brushes you off you should see someone else. She will probably direct you to someone experienced in that field..like a psychologist.. if she is not equipped to diagnose.
Anxiety can be present along with ADD..it can be a separate problem or it can be a result of undiagnosed ADD. I wouldn't leave this stone unturned.

take care - wishing you the best.

~gourmet~

Kaye! I was posting the same time you were and missed yours telling about your progress. Good for you! Keep us updated :)

~gourmet~

I had a second session with my psychologist today, and she pretty much was sure that I did display significant impairment due to adhd. I have a combination of inattentive and hyperactivity. We talked a lot about the positives there was to treatment and medication, so I'm definitely not terrified anymore. The news stories you hear about people abusing the adhd meds were what had creeped me out at first. I've never had any history of drug abuse before, so I'm not afraid of turning into an abuser.
well, thanks to everyone. I'm glad I kept an open mind and decided to get tested for adhd.

Kaye,
Glad to hear that you are getting somewhere. I never did get much testing done, I went to a psychiatrist, he asked me a few questions, and called what I had thought was anxiety/depression, ADD. The meds did help. Dexedrine had the least side affects with me, but it's different for everyone. I had kind of a manic episode this past summer so now Bipolar is thrown into the mix and I am now curious if that was the issue all along or what. Psychiatrists don't seem to spend a whole lot of time back tracking so I am going to go to a psychologist on Wednesday to try and get some clarity on what is what and if both bipolar and ADD are involved. Keep is posted on your progress.