I am really starting to scare myself. I am wondering if I have ADHD or something else. I have such a hard time conversing with people.

It's like I cannot even pick up the main idea/message that other people are sending to me. I hear a few words and finish processing an idea of what I think the speaker is saying before they even have started to get to the main idea.

I also have trouble on staying on task with my own thinking. I will be thinking about something and try to follow that line of thought, and soon will be thinking about something else- like my thoughts just randomly jump from thing to thing.

I really think that I'm starting to lose my grip on things. Questions are coming about whether or not I am sane or if I am psychotic. I do so many dumb and crazy things and it scares other people.

Does anyone else have problems like this, is it something with ADHD or am I really going crazy? I've even thought about whether or not I might be acutely schizophrenic, but I've been like this all of my life and have usually done well in a lot of things and have made it through my third year of college.

Please let me know what you think, I really will benefit from any comments other people can give me.

Hi:

Search for my posts, and I will think you will find that I have had all of the experiences you mention at one time or the other. I have severe ADHD and am 55 years old.

There are however many other problems that can mimic ADD/ADHD.

I saw this link that talks about 50 conditions that mimic ADHD.

You might find it of interest.

http://adhdparentssupportgroup.homestead.com/50conditionsmimicingADHD.html (http://adhdparentssupportgroup.homestead.com/50conditionsmimicingADHD.html)

You might want to get your hands on the book "Driven To Distraction".
There is a very good self test in it. Photo copy the test, and complete it. If you score in the ADD range on it, take the copy of the test and the book to your doctor and use that as the basis for your talk with the doctor. That worked for me.

Lastly and MOST importantly, see your doctor.

Best wishes,

-Vic

I don't know what you do that scares other people so I can't say if I do similar things, but the other two symptoms - mind too hyper to be able to go as slowly as other people speak, and getting bored with or distracted from a thought before I finish - I can relate to.
But lots of things can cause that. I suggest you see a doc, especially since you're scared about it.

It's like I cannot even pick up the main idea/message that other people are sending to me. I hear a few words and finish processing an idea of what I think the speaker is saying before they even have started to get to the main idea.

I also have trouble on staying on task with my own thinking. I will be thinking about something and try to follow that line of thought, and soon will be thinking about something else- like my thoughts just randomly jump from thing to thing.

I really think that I'm starting to lose my grip on things. Questions are coming about whether or not I am sane or if I am psychotic. I do so many dumb and crazy things and it scares other people.
You are definately not alone with this one. I can't relate with the scaring other people (except with my personality;) ) but I know what you're saying with the rest.

DJ, You should get yourself diagnosed. Do the footwork and find someone such as a psychologist, or psych who knows ADD.

Chat with them before committing to an evaluation. Then go for it.

Good luck!

I thought I was doing better, but I still make my daughter crazy by trying to reply to what she's saying before she's gotten to the point... of course in my defense sometimes it takes her too dang long to get there. Or I'll be listening to a discussion (or reading one) and will have what seems to be a connecting thought which I will add to the discussion only to have others wonder what the heck I'm talking about.

What are some the dumb and crazy things you've done... and have people actually told you that you scare them? Or are you maybe just feeling self-conscious?

Have you read about Asperger's? Central Auditory Processing Disorder?

Could it be something like that, which affects ability to interpret what others really mean (nonverbal and subtext messages)?