View Full Version : Is it ADD?


DJ003
02-19-06, 11:03 PM
I am currently a junior in college who is very concerned about his future. I have always done pretty well in school (especially at college these last three years), can do a lot of tasks okay, and can sometimes hold good conversations with others. In spite of all these things, however, I have some major problems-

1.) I have trouble making conversation with people. It is always as though other people are throwing things out and trying to draw information out of me. Also, when people start talking to me I often get lost right away trying to take in everything they say. Basically, I just have poor social skills.

2.) I often make careless and profoundly stupid mistakes and have trouble automatically processing things most other people can automatically process. I've had this problem for years. . .at my first job as a sophomore in high school I have a memory of almost leaving my cash register wide open when the grocery store was packed with people to get stamps for a customer. . .of course it was the store manager who stopped me and asked me not to leave my register.

3.) I have had trouble picking up concepts in many classes, in high school science and math courses I did not learn most of the stuff the teachers talked about. Even though I am doing quite well at college academically, I have trouble participating in classes and it takes me a long time to do assignments.

4.) This leads people to think I am aloof, "not with it," dumb, and unable to comprehend everything. I have trouble at jobs and doing fieldwork in schools as an education major.

5.) I have a few weird mannerisms and habits, I play with my fingers and sometimes play with my nose, is this a case of hyperactivity?

Could this by ADD or ADHD? It sounds like it might be to me. I am thinking about asking for a diagnosis, it would help me sort out some major issues I am having with other people and myself and make my life enjoyable again in general.

DJ003
02-19-06, 11:14 PM
Along with this,

Are individuals with ADD/ADHD often mistaken as dumb, incompetent, or careless?

I just wondered because right now in my life other people are doubting my ability to do basic things, because I have so much trouble in daily situations and appear aloof and "off-in-space."

DimensionX
02-19-06, 11:30 PM
Are individuals with ADD/ADHD often mistaken as dumb, incompetent, or careless? i was called lightning at work because of my inability to do simple tasks quickly hope that answers that part lol but then again thats just me

unfortunately that nickname has stuck lol, not that i really mind though :)

WINDUP
02-20-06, 12:51 AM
Yeah sounds like ADD type behaviours. Then again you will need to get a professional diagnosis and spend some cash getting some validation testing done. Sounds like you will be getting a late diagnosis as well.

Make sure if you go ahead - you see someone who has experience dealing with ADHD. If you find someone who is just a 'generalist' they might just diagnose something else which sadly is quite a common event for ADDers.

meadd823
02-20-06, 02:09 AM
Here are some pretty good resources one from this site

ADDA general ADD info (http://www.add.org/articles/index.html#treatment)


Posted by Stanzen very useful

Dignosis critera (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23276)

I hope this answers your questions another point of interest here if you haven't already discovered it

College and University (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23276)

Hope this helps