Saw the doctor today, finally got the report that the woman who did the psychometrics had done which the doctor's secretary was too lazy to mail to me (YES OK I'LL PUT IT IN THE POST FOR YOU OK F*** OFF BYE BYE). She's a nice lady really. Anyway the report says I'm clever but have rubbish verbal memory and attention. Probably like most of you. Borderline Dyslexia, some symptoms of Autism, and Adult ADHD. Nice to know now that I'm 23 years old... The doctor recommended taking Strattera which is some fancy new drug (I'm reading a thread on it here by ChicagoScott which is proving very informative and helpful). Seems like this drug is a little more serious than an SSRI for instance, in terms of effects / side effects, you dont take it in a course, it has affects on your cognitive function (accurate?). Something to be considered although at the moment I really want to educate myself a little more and let it all sink in. Sorry about the rambling I just wanted to get some stuff off my chest.

So I only have one question so far:

I've heard that ADHD in kids goes away when they reach adulthood. Or something along those lines. What did the adult with ADHD experience in the way of attention disorders as a child?

The adult with adhd, was a kid with adhd. They are finding that the claim that kids with adhd get better" as they age is largely bogus. It turns out that some people with mild adhd learn to cope with it rather well. Basically, if you had adhd as a kid, you probably have it as an adult too.

ME :D

What did the adult with ADHD experience in the way of attention disorders as a child?Same thing that I do now. Can't concentrate. Can't sit still. Can't do nada except my weekly-whatever-enthralling interest.

Meds are everything. The right meds at the right doseage and you and I can be almost normal. Getting a doc that knows squat about ADHD is a challenge. There are so few in my neck of Penn's Woods that I am on a campaign to educate the few I pay big-bucks for professional advice. Most docs only reinforce my seemingly unending experienced with professionals hanging shingles. Most are donkey holes.

What a sad state our "advanced" American health care system is in.

Bob

PS Strattera did squat for me. However, many have reported good results with Strattera. Give it a few to four weeks. If nada, get your "health care professional" to prescribe a stimulant med. You may need to educate him/her first. A little research will turn up rheams of scientifically validated evidence that Ritalin, Adderall, Dexadrine are the first line meds of choice. Too bad the ubiquitous "they" don't make docs go to school before issuing a med license.

ya pretty much. my nickname was "Jumpy" when i was a kid. i did ok in school until i was too old for my mom to do my homework for me. then i fell apart and that was when the school did 3 days of intensive testing and diagnosed me. the extra help i got in school was very beneficial and 1 reason why i managed to do well, graduate, go to college (even if i didnt do so great there).

I think I'm going to give it a week or so then start on the Strattera. Sounds like it's unpredictable as to the effects but it's worth a shot.

If any of you got diagnosed as adults, how do you think they missed it when you were a kid? I had one or two psychometric profiles done and I don't remember anything coming up apart from the borderline dyslexia.

i wonder if the diagnostic criteria have changed? i vaguely recall they had trouble diagnosing me at 12-13-ish because "back then" it had to be before age 6 or something?

The doiagnostic criteria hjave been changed a couple of times.

It presently requires symptoms by age 7. The problem is, it was believed adults did not have adhd. It was typically diagnosed as "minimal brain damage" or some other crap diagnosis for something they did not understand. I think a liot of people with adhd are incorrectly diagnosed with depression even today.

The end result is that a huge number of adult swho are disordered never were diagnosed at all and are now getting diagnosed because the medical establishment is more aware. This means the kid who was overlooked and did poorly in school for reasons nobody underestood
is now an adult and having more difficulty in life. A proper diagnosis and proper medical treatment can make a big difference.

Me :D

The doiagnostic criteria hjave been changed a couple of times.

It presently requires symptoms by age 7. The problem is, it was believed adults did not have adhd. It was typically diagnosed as "minimal brain damage" or some other crap diagnosis for something they did not understand. I think a liot of people with adhd are incorrectly diagnosed with depression even today.

The end result is that a huge number of adult swho are disordered never were diagnosed at all and are now getting diagnosed because the medical establishment is more aware. This means the kid who was overlooked and did poorly in school for reasons nobody underestood
is now an adult and having more difficulty in life. A proper diagnosis and proper medical treatment can make a big difference.

Me :D***coughcoughMEcoughcough*** Diagnosed severe ADHD age 40 yegads! :faint: Made an enormous difference!

Crazy

***coughcoughMEcoughcough*** Diagnosed severe ADHD age 40 yegads! :faint: Made an enormous difference!

Crazy


Wow.. I shall count myself lucky henceforth.