Hi everyone. My name is Rob and I'm from Chicago, Illinois.

Just recently, I read a signature posted by someone on Slashdot (a geeky news web site) mentioning that ADD is real. I have ALWAYS thought I was a lazy bum because I could never concentrate on things in school or at work without EXTREME discipline and even then, I feel quite crippled attention-wise. I just thought I was a bad procrastinator.

I've read more about this and I'm amazed at how much I align with inattentive add. I'm disorganized, but want to be organized, I have goofy problems with relationships. I love programming, but I have to practically put a gun to my head to make myself program and I impulsively jump to something OTHER than the work I need to do, etc.

I haven't seen anyone for treatment yet (I just started realizing the past week that maybe I'm not just a lazy bum), and I'm trying to find who to see in Chicago and am not doing well with the research. If anyone here knows anyone to see in Chicago I'd appreciate it. I'm practically losing my mind here because I'm in the middle of a Master's degree program and I'm just not concentrating and I know I have more capability than I'm able to imagine right now. This is a very frustrating problem and I would like to officially know if I have ADD or not. I've taken 2 online screeners and they both said I had a high probability of the inattentive type of ADD.

Thanks for listening everyone. Now I have to get back to about 30 hours of homework that I need to finish in 6. *sigh*

Best wishes from Chicago,
Rob

hi rob - welcome to the forums. one of the more sage people in this place might be able to help you with where to search for a health professional to diagnose you - that's not me. i just wanted to say you found the right place.

see you around the forums....

Welcome to ADD Forums!!!!

Welcome to the forums Rob....I don't have any resources information in Chicago but I'm sure others here too....

Your story sounds just like mine.....the wanting to be organized, but inability to be so, the lack of ability to concentrate while in school, needing to put a gun to your head to get yourself to do something -- something that you apparently like, etc.

I'm sure as soon as you get treatment -- the concentration will come easier and you will appreciate completing your Master's degree VERY MUCH.....probably more so than someone who does not have ADD.....

Good luck....keep posting here and you will get lots of support...:)

Welcome to the forums, Rob. I would recommend that you do a couple of things as your next steps: 1. Continue to research and read up on ADD (which you're doing already) and 2. Get diagnosed by a medical professional that specializes in ADD/ADHD. The last item is important, as many symptoms of ADD/ADHD mimic symptoms of other disorders, and medical professionals with inadequate experience diagnosing ADD/ADHD may be quick to jump to a conclusion (i.e. diagnosis).

Other than that...look around the forum, ask questions...and...welcome :)

Hi Rob
Welcome! I know it's hard to get organised (took me over a year) but do go see a professional for a diagnosis - it really helped me. Sorry not able to help with contacts in your part of the world tho' as not from round there :)

You can try the access center, not sure of the number, but it is affiliated with Evanston Hospital in Evanston. Just tell them you need an ADD specialist and they hook you up. I did that and I got a good doctor through there. He only does med management though.

Welcome Rob

Hello

I m too new to this forum, but your expression " i love programming, but I have to practically put a gun to my head to make myself program " sound familiar to me.

keep trying, the coding is not really hard and very rewarding

Good luck on this forum

hi Rob, welcome to the forum! i think you definately found the right place. I'm going through the diagnosis process myself, but its' taking forever with all the tests and the doctor getting to know my situation. I did it through my school... your school might have a similar type of thing, i would check into it. (ours is called the Counseling and Psychological Services office)

nice to see you!

Originally posted by Christiana
hi Rob, welcome to the forum! i think you definately found the right place. I'm going through the diagnosis process myself, but its' taking forever with all the tests and the doctor getting to know my situation. I did it through my school... your school might have a similar type of thing, i would check into it. (ours is called the Counseling and Psychological Services office)

nice to see you!

Thanks for the information. I'm sorry I hadn't replied earlier. Hello to everyone as well! I will check out the school angle tomorrow--good idea! ;)

Greetings Rob,

Welcome to the ADD Forums.

I look forward to reading your posts.

Search for a Dr. Win. He is a world renowned researcher in the field of ADD. I too am in the Chicago-land area, and I have an apointment with him in March. It will most likely take three months to get an apointment with him, but any doctor can diagnose ADD. Good luck and best wishes.

-Gil

Welcome to the forums Rob, Glad you came on board:D Look forward to reading your post

Welcome to ADD Forums Rob

Hi Rob, Welcome, i'm a noob as well and my name is Rob too. dxd with ADD about 4 years ago, im 36

I live about an hour south of Chicago.

Anyone here play BF2 or America's Army or anything?

Holy Thread Resurrection, Batman errr Sledhead.

Rob hasn't posted since the 24th of Feb 2004.