For the past year, I have been under the assumption that I had ADD. 3 different doctors, have agreed with me and have perscribed me Ritalin.

However, after reading several posts on this thread (as in skimming through posts. Unfortunately, I don't have the attention span to read whole a post, no matter how short it is, unless it is directed at me) I have came to a conclusion that maybe I am not ADD, after all?

Since most of you seem to be so well read, I am hoping that someone can tell me of a disorder that is similar to ADD, but is NOT ADD. Because I would like to discuss it with my doctor.

I thought I had ADD because : I have problems paying attention and following lectures. Sometimes, even for lectures on topics that fascinate me. Also I have a hard time explaining things to others and asking questions. I don't know if that is ADD, though?

However, in the rare circumstance that a teacher has to explain directions to a problem I do not understand, or if someone were to give me driving directions, I tune them out. I don't do it on purpose, it just happends. I'm not thinking of anything when I tune them out, I just hear uncomprehendable words...I have to REALLY struggle to follow. Oddly, I can easily follow conversations with friends and conversations that have nothing to do with me, if I wanted to.

Also, I have problems sitting still and I make alot of very careless mistakes.

Plus, I hyperfocus alot. It takes me 2 hours just to do simple stuff that would take anyone else 15 min, and it takes me 4 hours to read a chapter that should only take 1 hour.The thing is, I dont even realize I am going that slow. Actually that goes for any task.

Furthermore, I change topics alot during conversations and the topics are very unrelated. For example here's a real conversation I had with my boyfriend " I don't feel you take me seriously. You really don't..oh mygod did you see that silver car? It looks just like mine and did i not say I wanted a silver car? I wonder how Paris Hilton gets guys if she keeps making those videos? You really don't take me seriously"


However, I don't feel like I'm ADD because: I am not creative. And I know the whole left brain/right brain concept is false but if it were true, I would be a left brain. I am also a perfectionist; i have to write a note atleast 6 times before I am satisfied, etc. I don't think I have asperger, though. So does anyone else have an idea what is similar to ADD but is not ADD? Thanks in advance.

i aint creative too but i do have add
also perfectionist, you have add bro :)
edit: well maybe you are also suffering from OCD? i have that too, and i dont know wich one causes the perfectionist thing

Yeah ADD combined type, although I am not doctor.

Many of us have been undergoing treatment for some time. I have struggled quite a bit to reach the point where I could be accidentally mistaken for "well read".

Furthermore, I change topics alot during conversations and the topics are very unrelated. For example here's a real conversation I had with my boyfriend " I don't feel you take me seriously. You really don't..oh mygod did you see that silver car? It looks just like mine and did i not say I wanted a silver car? I wonder how Paris Hilton gets guys if she keeps making those videos? You really don't take me seriously"

Example one - elephant talk (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31144&highlight=hey+chicken)


This is ADD style evolutionary psychology post 81 (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=298375&postcount=81)


Garden gnomes in psychology post 126 (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=300257&postcount=126)


and mentioning support under wires for the male brief is an attempt to get the conversation back on topic post 129 (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=300476&postcount=129)


(and it works)post 132 (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=300634&postcount=132)

I think we are on evolution of virsus right now . . .

If this could be you perhaps the doctors times three are correct after all and you are creative in a sense that is not traditional or you simply fail to see. Often times those of us with ADD are soo busy seeing how we are different in a negative sense we do not even consider looking at any positive aspect of being us ( ADD or other wise!)


However, I don't feel like I'm ADD because: I am not creative. And I know the whole left brain/right brain concept is false but if it were true, I would be a left brain.I don't think I have asperger, though. So does anyone else have an idea what is similar to ADD but is not ADD? Thanks in advance.

The left brain right brain isn’t false it simply works differently than what has been presented for a long time . . . .right side used for novelty new, left routine familiar the changing from novelty, new on the right side to the familiar of routine act of learning. . . .will reference if interest is generated.

There is some advantages for me being ADD however I am human like every one else therefore there are many disadvantages that can be a pain in my posterior aspect.


Your ADD or not ADD tis you decision as to where you want to go from here!

Hi gem_star, I can relate to much of what you are saying. I do many of the exact same things. When I was diagnosed at the age of 22 I was prescribed Ritalin, and I was on it for many years. I tried several brand name and generic versions of methylphenidate during that time before my Dr. and I both concluded that Ritalin was not the best thing for me. We then tried Adderall, Dexedrine, and then Desoxyn.

Here I am 14 years later, and I am still looking for the "perfect" drug for ADD. That being said, Dexedrine and Desoxyn work very well for me, but they are by no means a perfect cure. They are simply the best tools I have found for treating this condition. Dexedrine is the best for me, and Desoxyn is a very close second. Ritalin was very difficult for me both physically and mentally.

I guess my point in responding here is to try and explain how long of a journey it was for me to find the "right" drug. It rarely ever happens that a patient with this condition is given the right drug immediately, but that is not to say it does not happen. It took me many years to find the right drug, and it also took quite some time to find the right dose for that drug. Please do not be so quick to assume that you do not have ADD/ADHD, especially after describing yourself as well as you did in the above post. I am not a Dr., but I can tell you that I know that I have ADD, and you sound just like me before I found the "right" drug. I still exhibit many of those symptoms you describe above even now with the "right" drug, but they usually only occur when the drug has worn off, or early on when starting the drug treatment before finding the proper dose for the drug.

I would suggest that you talk to your Dr., and maybe discuss the possibility of another drug therapy. There are several other options available for treating this dissorder and we each respond to these drugs in our own unique ways.

You may not have ADD/ADHD, but to me it sure does sounds likely that you may based on the little bit that you wrote about yourself above. I wish you the best gem_star, and I hope that you keep on trying new things before you conclude that you do not have this condition until you know for sure.

Thanks to everyone who posted...

gen_star17

First of asll, you are probably more creative than you think you are. However, creativity is not a requirement for a diagnosis of adhd.

It is all about attention, andone's inability to control it. The symptoms are an expression of it.

You mention hyperfocusing... Hyperfocusing is pretty much exclusive to adhd and autism. As far as I know, only persons with at least one of those two disorders can hyperfocus.

You might read the thread; "So you think you have Asperger's Syndrome" in the asprgers syndrome section of the autism sub forum in comorbid conditions forum.

Nonetheless, if you think you do not have adhd, discuss it , and the reasons why with your doctor. It could be important.

There are lots of disorders that have adhd as a companion condition (with hyperfocusing), and lots of medical conditions that can mimmic ADHD. Also, disorders such as depression , PTSD, and DID/MPD can leave a perpson rather scattered and add-like symptoms will be present, but no hyperfocus will be present.

Talk to your doctor

Me :D

For the past year, I have been under the assumption that I had ADD. 3 different doctors, have agreed with me and have perscribed me Ritalin.

However, after reading several posts on this thread (as in skimming through posts. Unfortunately, I don't have the attention span to read whole a post, no matter how short it is, unless it is directed at me) I have came to a conclusion that maybe I am not ADD, after all?

Since most of you seem to be so well read, I am hoping that someone can tell me of a disorder that is similar to ADD, but is NOT ADD. Because I would like to discuss it with my doctor.

I thought I had ADD because : I have problems paying attention and following lectures. Sometimes, even for lectures on topics that fascinate me. Also I have a hard time explaining things to others and asking questions. I don't know if that is ADD, though?

However, in the rare circumstance that a teacher has to explain directions to a problem I do not understand, or if someone were to give me driving directions, I tune them out. I don't do it on purpose, it just happends. I'm not thinking of anything when I tune them out, I just hear uncomprehendable words...I have to REALLY struggle to follow. Oddly, I can easily follow conversations with friends and conversations that have nothing to do with me, if I wanted to.

Also, I have problems sitting still and I make alot of very careless mistakes.

Plus, I hyperfocus alot. It takes me 2 hours just to do simple stuff that would take anyone else 15 min, and it takes me 4 hours to read a chapter that should only take 1 hour.The thing is, I dont even realize I am going that slow. Actually that goes for any task.

Furthermore, I change topics alot during conversations and the topics are very unrelated. For example here's a real conversation I had with my boyfriend " I don't feel you take me seriously. You really don't..oh mygod did you see that silver car? It looks just like mine and did i not say I wanted a silver car? I wonder how Paris Hilton gets guys if she keeps making those videos? You really don't take me seriously"


However, I don't feel like I'm ADD because: I am not creative. And I know the whole left brain/right brain concept is false but if it were true, I would be a left brain. I am also a perfectionist; i have to write a note atleast 6 times before I am satisfied, etc. I don't think I have asperger, though. So does anyone else have an idea what is similar to ADD but is not ADD? Thanks in advance.

You mention hyperfocusing... Hyperfocusing is pretty much exclusive to adhd and autism. As far as I know, only persons with at least one of those two disorders can hyperfocus.
:D
People with IADD are often capable of hyperfocusing on something especially if they find it intellectually stimulating. Actually thats really the only way some people with IADD get anything ever done is via hyperfocusing..

???????????/ whats IADD DORM

I would think ADHD Predominantly Inattentive.

ADD = attention deficit disorder is not exactly descriptive even according to physicians like Dr. Hallowell and Ratey. Ratey in his book "Shadow Syndrome" describes ADD as the inability to focus on command with the emphasis being "upon command" or by conscious will.