Hi

I'm sorry if it's inappropriate to post about personal issues, but it's not untill in a month I have an appointment with the doctor, to start the course of my diagnosis, and I really can't wait for that long to know.

Long story short: The reason I only just got the suspicion was because I by coincidence heard something on TV about an increasing amount of adults finding out they have ADD. I startet reading and found ADD quite describing for the vast majority of the problems I have.

So.. basically I'm confused, whether or not I suffer from ADD, mainly because there're alot of (and I really mean ALOT) webpages all focusing on different main symptoms. I was wondering if I could get some help in here to determine if the symptoms I have are sufficient to say I have ADD? And perhaps some advice on whether or not, if I'm diagnosed with ADD, I should start on medication, what kind of help is available untill then etc.

My main symptoms are:

- Decreasing quality of school assignments, posts in discussions etc.
- Heavy and sudden demoralization (i.e. I start working on the serious mess I got in my appartment, and lose spirit after 1-2 hours, same case when it comes to schoolwork)
- Serious trouble sleeping due to a rain of thoughts, I can't remember when I last fell asleep within 1½ hour.
- Constant static in my head, like the sound of a TV out of tune.
- Easily forgetting things, if I'm not completely focused. (In my part-time job I once in a while forget withing a matter of seconds whether I've been at an adress, and I usually forget if I've locked my door when going to school)'
- Oftenly drifting away with my thoughts, especially in conversations
- I usually avoid parties, groupwork etc. without really being able to explaining it
- I always start alot of projects, but I rarely follow though, and if I do, I rush the last part.
- I easily get overwhelmed if I've started an assignment (or alike) and in the way I get new information. Or if I'm getting alot of information or instruction at once.
- I have fear of contact

However, the reason I'm doubtful is, that alot of core-symptoms I don't feel at all like:

- I have no learning disabilities, i.e. I finished grounds school the top of my class.
- I work extremely well at exams, and I feel no decrease in quality of my work, the more I concentrate.
- I don't insult people on impulse, although I did that alot earlier.

There are a couple of things more for both categories, but I can't remember them ATM.

Hope you will help me, thanks alot.

Regards
Joda

First off, it is a bit of a misconception that ADD and poor grades go hand in hand. A lot of people manage to do quite well in school, heck even finishing at the top of their class.

You don't have to have a learning disability either, or interrput people in conversations. I don't really identify with the 'phsyical' (bouncing off walls so to speak) aspects of ADD, but I sure as heck have it!

The other question I'd be asking myself is how long I've had these symptoms. Most of us here would say that we've lived with many ADD symptoms for years. It's not something you 'aquire' over the last couple of years. It's something that's always been there.

First off, it is a bit of a misconception that ADD and poor grades go hand in hand. A lot of people manage to do quite well in school, heck even finishing at the top of their class.

You don't have to have a learning disability either, or interrput people in conversations. I don't really identify with the 'phsyical' (bouncing off walls so to speak) aspects of ADD, but I sure as heck have it!

The other question I'd be asking myself is how long I've had these symptoms. Most of us here would say that we've lived with many ADD symptoms for years. It's not something you 'aquire' over the last couple of years. It's something that's always been there.
I have only been reading about it the last week, but naturally I stumpled upon the fact that it is something you have all through your life, and of course I've compared my childhood with the mentioned symptoms. I have been able to identify with quite a big deal of them, for example I was told from 0th grade through 7th grade that I always seemed abscent in spirit in school and rarely did my homework, even though my tests always showed a high result. I had a habbit of breaking into conversations with something completely off-topic. This, just to mention a few. I have these memories as far back as I remember

Anyhow, the reason I ask, is that I'm unable to evaluate myself, and the internet generally contains various information pointing in all different directions. And I think that a month for my first GP consultation about it, and a prospect of many months for the final diagnosis, is a long time to wait for answers.

None of the things you mentiond have anything to do with adhd.

ADHD is disorder of attenton.

Ask yourself these questions:

Are you impulsive ? Do you say or do things without thinking first ?

Are you hyperactive ?

Is it hard for you to sit in one place for very long ?

Do you fidget or squirm if you have to sit in one place for very long?

Do you have difficulty organizing your thoughts ?

Do you procrastinate ? A lot ?

Do you find it difficult or impossible to stay on task for very long ?

Do people tell you that you are intense ?

Are you easily distracted?

Do you find it difficult or impossible to be on time ?

Do you find it difficult or impossible to keep promises ?

Is it hard to keep a job ?

Is it hard to keep a relationship going ?

Is it hard for you to prioritize day to day tasks?

Do you feel overwhelmed ?

Have many of the above items been lifelong problems ?



ADHD causes an impairment in your life.

If you are having problems with attention and/or hyperactivity you should see your doctor.

ME :D

Hi

I'm sorry if it's inappropriate to post about personal issues, but it's not untill in a month I have an appointment with the doctor, to start the course of my diagnosis, and I really can't wait for that long to know.

Long story short: The reason I only just got the suspicion was because I by coincidence heard something on TV about an increasing amount of adults finding out they have ADD. I startet reading and found ADD quite describing for the vast majority of the problems I have.

So.. basically I'm confused, whether or not I suffer from ADD, mainly because there're alot of (and I really mean ALOT) webpages all focusing on different main symptoms. I was wondering if I could get some help in here to determine if the symptoms I have are sufficient to say I have ADD? And perhaps some advice on whether or not, if I'm diagnosed with ADD, I should start on medication, what kind of help is available untill then etc.

My main symptoms are:

- Decreasing quality of school assignments, posts in discussions etc.
- Heavy and sudden demoralization (i.e. I start working on the serious mess I got in my appartment, and lose spirit after 1-2 hours, same case when it comes to schoolwork)
- Serious trouble sleeping due to a rain of thoughts, I can't remember when I last fell asleep within 1½ hour.
- Constant static in my head, like the sound of a TV out of tune.
- Easily forgetting things, if I'm not completely focused. (In my part-time job I once in a while forget withing a matter of seconds whether I've been at an adress, and I usually forget if I've locked my door when going to school)'
- Oftenly drifting away with my thoughts, especially in conversations
- I usually avoid parties, groupwork etc. without really being able to explaining it
- I always start alot of projects, but I rarely follow though, and if I do, I rush the last part.
- I easily get overwhelmed if I've started an assignment (or alike) and in the way I get new information. Or if I'm getting alot of information or instruction at once.
- I have fear of contact

However, the reason I'm doubtful is, that alot of core-symptoms I don't feel at all like:

- I have no learning disabilities, i.e. I finished grounds school the top of my class.
- I work extremely well at exams, and I feel no decrease in quality of my work, the more I concentrate.
- I don't insult people on impulse, although I did that alot earlier.

There are a couple of things more for both categories, but I can't remember them ATM.

Hope you will help me, thanks alot.

Regards
Joda

None of the things you mentiond have anything to do with adhd.



What? Why do you say that? I think they sound very consistent with ADHD.

Maybe I didn't explain it thoroughly, but some of those questions are included in the symptoms I mention?

I also recognize alot of the questions, as describing for the way I feel (including the last one), the only ones I cannot, in a way that controls my day, are the ones concerning hyperactivity, which I also thought was rules out by using the term ADD instead of ADHD?

ADD and ADHD are the same thing. ADHD is the more 'updated' term if you will. Again, you don't have to be physically hyperactive. I like to say that I am mentally hyperactive, which qualifes the "H" part for me :)

As speedo mentioned, the symptoms have to had some kind of impairment in your life. In other words, if you take a look back at your symptoms (the inability to concentrate, lack of focus, etc.) in what way have they negatively affected your life?

I realize the internet has a lot of information, but most of the stuff I read I could easily identify with. I did a couple of those informal online tests, and pretty much all of them suggested ADHD to some degree. So by the time I saw my Dr. I already pretty much knew I had ADHD.

ah.. I didn't know that.

The symptoms seriously affect my life, for example it means that even though I once every 3 months manage to use 12 hours cleaning my appartment, I have serious trouble 1: engaging myself to clean it again before it gets too overwhelming and 2: get a structure running, on my own, with regular washing the dishes doing the laundry etc. The demoralization means I have trouble performing consistently in school, I can work well for about a week, and then it starts going the wrong way again, I lose focus. In assignments it means that my beginnings are ALWAYS better and more welwritten than the endings. I constantly get the message "You can do much better, it's not your mind, it's your commitment" i.e.
My trouble focusing in conversations means it's hard for me to start new relationships, and it has seriously affected my self-esteem, since I've, as mentioned, had a very big problem inteferring in conversations, which made me extremely unpopular in early ground school.
I have some more, but I'll try keeping the postlength to a minimum ^^

I've taken around 4 tests, and they generally conclude I may have either mild ADHD or ADHD. However in tests like those, no matter what they're about, I get in serious doubts whether I answered them accurately. I recognize the vast majority of the non-physical symptoms of ADHD, but again I doubt how serious the degree is.

I didn't just think "It could be cool to have ADD" when I heard about it on TV, and deffinately don't suffer from hypocondria (I don't actually know if that is the correct english term). I've been trying to work on these problems my entire life, and untill I read about the symptoms of ADHD, I've adressed them and seen them as mostly seperate issues. It's like the presumption I had ADHD took all the little shards that are my problems and connected them.

Actually that should be prove enough for me, but well. I guess I don't trust myself enough.

Joda, you're symptoms sound almost exactly like mine. I think I suffer from inattentive ADD as opposed to straight-up ADHD. I have yet to see a therapist about it though.

Ah Speedo, the OP sounds quite a lot like me, actually...

- Decreasing quality of school assignments, posts in discussions etc.--

I started off as an excellent, straight A student... as I progressed to more difficult work, and had to study, things got worse for me.

- Heavy and sudden demoralization (i.e. I start working on the serious mess I got in my appartment, and lose spirit after 1-2 hours, same case when it comes to schoolwork)--

This has happened to me all my life, and continues.

- Serious trouble sleeping due to a rain of thoughts, I can't remember when I last fell asleep within 1½ hour.--
- Constant static in my head, like the sound of a TV out of tune.--

This has been discussed here many, many times. Mental "static" that cannot be reduced through will is a sign of inattention, IMNSHO.


- Easily forgetting things, if I'm not completely focused. (In my part-time job I once in a while forget withing a matter of seconds whether I've been at an adress, and I usually forget if I've locked my door when going to school)'--

This happens to me constantly off my meds and sometimes even when I am on them.

- Oftenly drifting away with my thoughts, especially in conversations--

Off meds, always--on meds, even then if I get bored.

- I usually avoid parties, groupwork etc. without really being able to explaining it--

You bet ya!

- I always start alot of projects, but I rarely follow though, and if I do, I rush the last part.

Classic!

- I easily get overwhelmed if I've started an assignment (or alike) and in the way I get new information. Or if I'm getting alot of information or instruction at once.--

Me too...which also has to do with my learning style, which is visual/spatial. I learn virtually nothing through the spoken word.

- I have fear of contact--

I would not connect this directly to AD/HD, but it could be a residual effect of years of demoralization.

However, the reason I'm doubtful is, that alot of core-symptoms I don't feel at all like:

- I have no learning disabilities, i.e. I finished grounds school the top of my class.--

I finished in the upper third of my class, despite my impairments.

- I work extremely well at exams, and I feel no decrease in quality of my work, the more I concentrate.--

For me, this depends on the degree of pressure I am under. Attention increases as the adrenaline level in the brain increases.

- I don't insult people on impulse, although I did that alot earlier.--

Me too. I used to be extremely impulsive, yet after many, many years of breaking my own skull (metaphorically speaking) I managed some control over this symptom. Does NOT mean that the insult is not on the tip of my tongue, or cycling through my head, distracting me and causing me to laugh at inappropriate times.

My diagnosis is severe PI AD/HD. I have additional symptomatology to those already mentioned.

The correct, medical term according to the DSM-IVR is AD/HD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, differentiated into 3 types:

Primarily Inattentive
Primarily Hyperactive
Combined

Combined is the category most fall into, and I myself am an "outgrown" combined...those of us who are combined for impulsivity yet lack hyperactivity sometimes "outgrow" the tendency toward a lot of impulsivity. We either develop some form of impulse control or outgrow the lack of it, I am not sure which it is. I do know that I still have off-the-chain impulses yet do not act upon them.

SO! There is not such thing as ADD vs ADHD, it is all the same and varies by type. ADD is a shorthand term used for no particular reason or lack of reason. It applies to us and so we use it, but medically there is no difference in saying ADD or ADHD. We are all suffering in the same manner, regardless what category we fall into.

In speedo's defense as he may have gotten caught up in his own section There is some things not exactly right in some of the descriptions of symptoms. The post does mention some concentrating issues and even some organizational ones but the how they are described is I can't quiet put my finger on it. . .many things can cause problems with memory sleep and organization. . . . below is examples of what I mean by inconsistent with most ADDers descriptions


I work extremely well at exams, and I feel no decrease in quality of my work, the more I concentrate.

Most inattentive ADDers complain that the more they try to focus/concentrate the harder it becomes to do so. {Hey you all's own words I don't have this kind of ADD = I am the bouncy kind} I do remember what I read.

Some complain of anxiety in testing, anxiety often makes this problem worse not better. Although not all ADDers have testing problems.


The MAIN thing that rings in my attention bell is the words "no decrease in quality of my work, the more I consentrate". . . People with ADD can not "make" them selves consetrate on any thing., that is WHAT makes us ADD in the first place Consentration either happens or it doesn't but the ADDer has little or no internal control {unless medicated}






I have fear of contact


This is not indicative of ADD either. Asperbergers maybe but not ADD. Worthy of mentioning some ADD people also have sensory issues + ADD. If I remember my reading corectly contact would not be a fear even in sensory related conditions , it would cause a negative sensory reaction. Even the negative sensory reaction would not be ADD as sensory issues are conditions unto them selves





I usually avoid parties, group work etc. without really being able to explaining it


Some times inattentive ADDers have problem in social gatherings because they have a hard time focusing on conversations due to problems concentrating and often feel socially awkward but if indeed they do avoid such activities they can express exactly why, Inattentive ADDers do not necessarily have social avoidance behaviors All group work is not an aversion either, What ADDers normally describe as aversions are the distractions not the group.





Heavy and sudden demoralization (i.e. I start working on the serious mess I got in my appartment, and lose spirit after 1-2 hours, same case when it comes to schoolwork)



Okay un-medicated I would be lucky to remember I was supposed to be cleaning any thing after ten minutes, loose spirit I would be lost in forgetfulness and probably have a bigger mess than I did when I began. Although inattentive ADDer may make less of a mess it would probably take less then an hours to loose interest or heart.

If I could concentrate on any one thing for one or two hours I would not have ADD period.

I am not mental health professional and they are the only ones qualified give a diagnosis. All I am posting is a personal opinion based upon what I am reading in the post


You may very well have ADD however in the post above I am seeing some thing else . . . . there are some ADD like descriptions and ADD can co-habituate with a variety of other neurobiological conditions. I would venture to guess over half the membership here has at least one other condition keeping their ADD company.


ADD is the inability to control the direction of focus and length of attention span, due to faulty stimuli filers. All other problems must be a result {either primary or secondary} of these factors. With biological ADD symptoms should be a life long issue although specific problems may change with the progress of age.

#12
I think, if I have ADD, that it's a mild/moderate one. My biggest concentration problem is conversations, (rarely group work, since I usually have a paper or book to keep me on track) mostly one-on-one, where the slightest thing (such as a characteristic in the person's appearance, something he/she says, maybe even something I remember out off context) can keep me distracted from listening. I have a small problem in reading, however this can be severe if what I'm reading is complex, in which case I rarely am able to be fully concentrated through 5 lines. (writting my history assignment earlier this year I used around 3-4½ hours reading a 5 page letter, concerning the opium wars, and even then I had to check it continuantly to see if what I wrote was correct.). Through a school lesson I rarely lose concentration, mostly due to using notes. Without notes I would "faze out", like in conversations, and ocassionally fall asleep (against my will), however, this could just as well, maybe more likely, be due to my lag of sleep.

I don't know if what I'm describing here is unusual for ppl without ADHD, I was sure it wasn't till just a few weeks ago.

Formulating an assignment or alike doesn't give me big problems, depending on the level of academia, I occasionally have to take a 10 minute break, scratching my head or looking out the window, however I would never think that this is unusual at all??

My appartment is one big reminder I have to clean it up, so I couldn't imagine forgetting I have to clean it ^^.

The period it takes to lose heart/motivation/interest varies alot depending on a lot of factors. The thing that strikes me is that it's so sudden. Sometimes I only make it to gather the garbage which takes around 20 minutes, and then I'd procrastinate doing the dishes, and when I do the first half of the dishes the next day I'd procrastinate the rest, and occasionally I stop the cleaning here, and it builds up again. But usally I can work for around 1 hour straight.

But judging on most people in here's problems what I have is mild ADHD, borderline to being diagnosable.

The term "Fear of contact" is not actually the way I feel. It's the term I've been met with, because I have trouble with human contact, and contact can distract me from pretty much any situation.

I avoid parties because I either have not bought a present (due to procrastination), or simply cannot make myself stop what I'm doing atm. Groupwork I avoid because I get more from working with stuff myself.

The term "Fear of contact" is not actually the way I feel. It's the term I've been met with, because I have trouble with human contact, and contact can distract me from pretty much any situation.

I avoid parties because I either have not bought a present (due to procrastination), or simply cannot make myself stop what I'm doing atm. Groupwork I avoid because I get more from working with stuff myself.


Thanks for clarification how things are described greatly effects how they are interpreted especially in my neurodiverse universe. The social issues stood out very prominently and having ADD and social anxiety, or like me ADD dyslexia, my sister has ADD bi-polar, we have a few with ADD autism, ADD and sensory intergration issues , several with ADD and personality disorders. Something like 75% of the ADD population will have secondary conditions so my comment was also pretty statistically safe as well.

The only way you can know for sure is to be evaluated by some one who is health care professional all we can offer really is our opinion based upon words written in a post which isn't really very accurate any way.