Hi-
I am new to this forum, and am posting because I suspected for a very long time that I have add due to the fact that I have almost all of the symptoms described.
I am very disorganized, have wondered to myself how in the world other people are able to juggle work, home and social lives, I am an extreme procrastinator, the list goes on and on.
I have taken adderall a few times "recreationally", and each time I have felt much better! I have motivation, focus and I feel generally like I can handle things better. I do not feel high.
I would like to speak to a doctor about this, and hopefully be prescribed medication to help me manage my life, but I feel like I will not be taken seriously because I am a young adult who looks "alternative" (I have tattoos and dyed hair). Any advice on how to handle this situation? This has happened to me before, so I am wary of discussing my problems with doctors if they involve possible medication.
Any suggestions would be great!

Elektra, it is very important for you to be sure that the professional you seek an assessment from is in fact an expert on ADHD. Not all psychologists or psychiatrists are up to date, experienced or knowledgeable about ADHD. My daughter is currently interviewing professionals because her last twenty minute assessment at age eighteen was a total waste of time; the psychiatrist told her that if she indeed had ADHD, she would have outgrown it by now. Duh!!! He must have missed a few classes or not read a book in twenty years. Scary.

.....but I feel like I will not be taken seriously because I am a young adult who looks "alternative" (I have tattoos and dyed hair). Any advice on how to handle this situation?

If your first dr. does not take you seriously, find another one. Don't give up.

But, don't worry too much either. You might be surprised how seriously you are taken. I was worried about the same thing before I got my diagnosis....not because I have tattoos or dyed hair, but because I look like (or thought I did at the time) a woman who is pretty pulled together.... management level job, friends, family, good life. I thought no one would believe how much effort I had to put into creating that illusion and how much it cost me. But they did. My dr. tells me he knew almost as soon as I walked into his office that I was ADHD.

This has happened to me before, so I am wary of discussing my problems with doctors if they involve possible medication.
Any suggestions would be great!
I am puzzled by this remark above - what has happened to you before? Why are you wary of possible medication?

Effective treatment of ADHD will usually involve a medication. Is that a problem for you?

I should have been more clear about my past experience. When I had my wisdom teeth removed a few years ago, I ended up with dry socket, and when I requested more pain medication from my dentist (because I was in constant, very intense pain for a few weeks) he basically told me that I was just looking for a high and he would not write me another prescription.
I am concerned that if I speak to a doctor about my suspicion of having add, and possible medication, they will also think I am just looking for a high.
Thanks for the advice so far! Does anyone know of any ADD/ADHD experts in the New Mexico or Los Angeles area?
Thanks again!

I should have been more clear about my past experience. When I had my wisdom teeth removed a few years ago...

Ah, thanks for the explanation!

I don't know any in your area... sorry! But I'll bump the thread in the hopes that some members in that area will see and maybe PM you!

Good luck!

I'm 23, and the neurologist and neuropsychologist can't get past interrogating me about whether I am just after stimulants, that I'd sell them on a college campus (I graduated from college in 2005....) or that I'm just trying to get accommodation for law school...if I get in... Uggg. I hate discrimination.