Hello everyone,



I am making a brave (for me) decision. i have suspected ADD in myself for year, and my mom informed me that I went to a therapist when i was a child because of this. My dad was against medication etc etc...so mom tried little tricks like "homework for ten minutes...then a break" routine. As a child, my room was always a mess, i could never complete homework or focus when i needed to.

Once i got to high school...things evened out somewhat. My grades were decent (despite doing everything last minute)...yet i still couldn't focus or keep a clean room.

Today....i still have these problems. i have significant trouble planning, organizing, completing tasks, focusing on tasks, and keeping a clean apartment. I try with all my might, and it just doesn't seem to get done.

i have read the criteria..and i do fit six of the points for inattentiveness.

i want to talk with someone about this. My questions are...

1. Where do i begin? Who do i need to contact? A psychiatrist?
2. If it is ADD, and medication is recommended, should i worry about long-term side effects?
3. Information. i just need to hear other people's stories. i plan to read through this forum more. i am 30 years old and finally taking this matter into my own hands.

Any help is appreciated.

I started by researching on the net about ADHD. I took a bunch of those 'do you have ADHD' quizes, and on more than one occassion the answers always said strongly suspect ADHD. I would have to say the real kicker was when a bunch of friends and I took the test, and my score was quite different than everyone else's.

Personally I don't believe that you have to take medication to manage your ADHD, although I do. So don't assume that ADHD means you must take meds. I don't know of any long term side effects, but that you'd have to discuss with the doctor.

Being diagnosed is only the first step. It will take awhile before ADHD becomes manageable. Medication will seem like a miracle cure, but you'll probably soon discover it's not. I think it's just the first step of another journey with your ADHD. That sounds really corny but it pretty much sums it up.

Where do i begin? Who do i need to contact? A psychiatrist?



This post (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23276) Scroll to the bottom of the first post list professionals who can diagnosis and what they can and can not do is far as treatments are concerned.






This area (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33989)is dedicated to professional directories of health care pratctioners . Some directories are dedicated professionals who treat ADD.


Hope this helps