View Full Version : Do I have ADHD?


Wblastyn
02-08-04, 03:07 PM
Hello all, I was just diagnosed with Social Phobia and Depression, but I'm also wondering if I have ADD.

When I was younger (around age 4) I was hyperactive and was not allowed to eat foods with E-numbers in them. The hyperactivity seemed to be under control by the time was about 10, but ever since starting school I was slow at everything. I could never finish tests, etc on time and always had difficulty following what the teacher was saying. I managed to do well in my 11+ (test 11 year olds take in UK to determine whether they get into a good secondary school).

When I started grammar school (like High School - age 12-18?) I always had trouble listening to the teacher and found it hard to sit still, I was always chewing on my pen or tapping my feet. During PE I found it hard listening to the instructions the teacher was giving us, then when we were playing a sport (football, rugby, etc) I would zone out, and found it really hard to pay attention, which sometimes led to me getting yelled at by both my peers and the teacher. I always left homework and revising for exams to the very last minute (but always managed to do well somehow), I also found mental arithmatic too hard. Another thing, I was ALWAYS late to school.

When I was at university (I withdrew so I could get help for my depression and SAD) I found it hard listening to lectures, even ones which could have been considered "interesting". During practical classes in the lab I found it hard listening to instructions the teacher was giving us and thus I did not have a clue what to do most the the time.

I saw a counselor while at uni, and when she was giving me advice I found it hard paying attention, my eyes would glaze over and I found it difficult to maintain eye contact. When I did listen to her it took a lot of mental effort, although by the time the session was over I could hardly remember anything that was said. I even asked her about ADHD and when she asked me why I thought i had it my mind went blank and I couldn't remember anything about why i thought I had it.

I work part time as a sales assistant, whenever a supervisor gives me instructions I can't follow them, I don't hear most of what was said and end up having to get them to repeat themselves. When serving customers I take a long time counting their money, which is really embarassing. I also zone out a lot. Sometimes I get really angry at really small things and fear I'm going to lash out and hit someone.

I am always bored!! If I'm playing a PC game I get bored with it really easily and have to switch to a different game. I take forever trying to finish books, I can just about read 1 chapter (after having to repeat pages because I couldn't take it in the first time I read it) before having to stop from boredom. Btw, that's only if I actually have the motivation to start reading or playing a gam in the first place.

I tend to frequently lose things, like the TV remote. If I set it down for a second and try to get it again I can't find it.

There are probably loads more things that I could put down but I couldn't be bothered trying to remember anymore.

What does everyone think? Thankyou for your time :)

FlakeyGirl
02-08-04, 03:35 PM
I think it sounds like you sure have enough evidence to warrant making an appointment with a professional. Not knowing the ins and outs of your medical system over there, I would defer commenting on the specifics to one of the forum members who resides in the UK. Good Luck with it all! Take some more time and read through the forums, you will learn lots. Take it from me, just knowing that others are in the same boat makes things easier. I'll bet you will find you have many things in common here.

Draga
02-08-04, 04:47 PM
Hun Welcome to the forums. I am ADHD and Bipolar..I just have to ask...Are We Twins seperated at birth? You sound exactly like me when I was in school and even toady I zone out when people are talking to me. I am always losing things..Including my brain cells:D! But I am not one ot say that you ADD though...Best thing to do is to go to a shrink..good luck in finding a decent one;)
Take care and look forwad to seeing more from ya! :)