It's of utter most importance to learn the differences between me and real ADDers. I suspect that I myself is inflicted, but I'm having trouble learning about the condition since most sources only give you the obvious facts. I need to learn about this more in-depth to be really sure.

What sources give you more in-depth information?

There are quite a few books that provide some detailed information. Personally, I've found the following books to be good:

Of course the standard ones:
"Driven to Distraction" by Hallowell and Ratey
"Delivered from Distraction" by Hallowell and Ratey

Plus this one:
"Attention Deficit Disorder - The Unfocused Mind In Children And Adults" by Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D

There are quite a few others, but these are good ones to start with.


Also there is a TON of good information on this site. Plus pointers to good sources of information. At the top of most of the forums there are sticky posts that will give you good sources. Here are a couple of threads that will give you some more info:

Attention Deficit Disorder 101: What every beginner in ADD needs to know - http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9767

LIST your fave books on ADD - http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14941

I asked my doctor this very same question. He pretty much said that if I could have gotten rid of these behaviours a long time ago, I would have.

I think it's natural to doubt a diagnosis of ADHD, but you only have to look back at your life to know if you have it or not. I can say that the amount of disruption to my life undiagnosed ADHD has had pretty much nailed the coffin of doubt for me.

It's of utter most importance to learn the differences between me and real ADDers.
Also - dont forget we real ADDers come in all sorts and shapes :)

From .. say .. outgoing energetic bungeejumping own-business-starting all the way to the shy toegazing types.

Hey, Luthien, are you calling me fat or an ill sort? ;)

I really like Dr Thomas Brown's stuff - http://www.drthomasebrown.com/

If you have a look around these forums, you'll probably discover a bunch of threads that describe various facets of ADHD which the vast majority of us identify with. Maybe that will help.

Of course, it's possible these facets are actually facets of general human nature, not ADHD. It's hard to tell when the sample space is biased (i.e. most people here have ADHD, so there aren't any 'normal' people to compare against).

I like all three of Hallowell and Ratey's Distraction books.

I also think Tom Brown does a good job of explaining ADD in his book Attention Deficit Disorder: the Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults.

Adult AD/HD by Novotni and Whiteman is good too.

A really good explanation of ADHD is found in Russell Barkley's book Taking Charge of ADHD.

I was diagnosed at 4 and 40 years later at 44, so I definately have it. I think it's important to remember that a lot of things can mimic attention deficit disorder -- PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, Type A Personality and so forth. What is important is that this is a lifelong pattern from very early and that it's always there. It may be less problematic in certain situations or if one has orchestrated their life correctly, but the underlying problem doesn't go away.

Having dynamite in your mouth is definitely a sign of ADHD trouble, wouldn't ya' say Fuse?! ;)

Haha. I love The Mask & Ace Ventura. Can you guess why?

wouldn't it be a better idea to talk with a doctor? Obviously you've got some notion of having ADD otherwise you'd have sought out the "how to embroider a tablecloth" forum instead, or the ever famous "how to tie a slip knot forum".

Take what you have and see your doctor. Nothing wrong with reading, but you'll need to see a doctor eventually anyway.

I'M UNDERSTANDING MORE ABOUT MY SON (AGE 16) FROM THESE FORUMS THEN IN 10+ YRS OF RESEARCH W/PEDIATRICIANS, SCHOOL TEAMS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, PSYCHIATRISTS, NEURO-PSYSH DOCS, AND COUNTLESS BOOKS & ARTICLES. You're really helping me understand what's going on in his head and I have gone from a kind of "let's deal with it" attitude to one of total compassion & grace for what he deals with on a regular basis. THANK YOU! INVALUABLE RESOURCE! I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL HE GETS HOME FROM THE BEHAV. HEALTH HOSP. TO TELL HIM ABOUT THIS-- HOPEFULLY HE DOESN'T THINK I'M BEING PUSHY-- BUT THIS WOULD BE AWESOME FOR HIM TO USE AS A SAFE PLACE TO BOUNCE IDEAS OFF OF OTHERS W/THE SAME THING GOING ON!!

I just got on meds for ADHD and I didn't really think that I had it. I was a combination of low self-esteem and not enough medication. I didn't think that I had it first because my doctor told me that I had ADHD pretty bad and it was ruining my life. I said to myself "But then how did I survive this long without treament".

I still haven't been diagnosed yet so I don't know myself if I have it or not. That's not for me to decide.

I just got on meds for ADHD and I didn't really think that I had it. I was a combination of low self-esteem and not enough medication. I didn't think that I had it first because my doctor told me that I had ADHD pretty bad and it was ruining my life. I said to myself "But then how did I survive this long without treament".

I still haven't been diagnosed yet so I don't know myself if I have it or not. That's not for me to decide.

How are you on meds if you haven't been diagnosed?

And it is, at least partially, down to you to decide. A professional diagnosis isn't so useful if you personally don't acknowledge you have it.

A good (but not perfect) indicator is response to meds (Adderall, Dex, Ritalin type stimulants). Id est: most people with ADHD respond to meds in the following ways: sluggishness, tiredness, calmness, increased focus, single-mindedness. Contrariwise, normal people respond to stimulant medication in the following manner: over-stimulation, hyperactivity due to over-stimulation, 'speediness', euphoria, a 'high', talkativeness. These effects also occur in people with ADHD if they take large doses.

I only saw my doctor once. He said that a couple more sessions and medication should indate weather I have ADHD or not.

As for the meds ,,,, I didn't really think that they were doing anything for my ADHD. I was pretty calm and actually paid attention to the road while I drove (I'm a pretty inattentive driver) and that I was it.

Then yesterday I spent the better half of work without taking my meds and thats when I noticed that I was completely different on them.

you got it....


a day of two off meds will wake you up to how much they really help....


the grocery store was a circus after being off meds for 3 days (due to the flu)

a world of difference, off meds I could actually feel my mind trying to read every package, catagorize every sight sound and smell....


it was too much ... it was almost painful, I can't believe I lived that way for 35 years.

I have read up on every disorder I could get my hands on. I have also lurked on other disorder forums starting about a year ago and this is the first one I have joined. I related to and had some symptoms of borderline, I dont cut myself and when I did one of the online test I tested slightly above normal. The forums on these disorders really give me more insight than anything else. All the other disorder forums I really didnt fit into, I could relate somewhat but it didn't have the OMG this is me. I still am not diagnosed with ADD yet but would be very suprised and very confused if I'm not. I have been so depressed for so long with no hope. My mind has been so disorganised that I couldn't sort my thoughts out to really list what was wrong. Best way I can describe is just totally overwhelmed with trying to even explain whats wrong. Just two days of reading others post has given me back hope. I really feel like I can at least get back to where I was before I took this bad a@@ nosedive. This is also the last disorder I would have thought I had. I never checked it out. My BF calls me bi polar, I know hes an a@@, that seems to be the new term for pscho biage. I told him he has made me this way. I know hes contributed greatly to my total loss of self esteem lately but I really looked at myself and said something is really wrong and has been for a long tme. I had issues when I was a kid. I'm really excited about finding out that I'm most likely ADD, I'm o.k. with that. There are other disorders that would be much more challenging. Anyway I'm off on a tangent.

@Fuse, I know you say that reaction to meds is not a perfect indicator, but in your post you said:

A good (but not perfect) indicator is response to meds (Adderall, Dex, Ritalin type stimulants). Id est: most people with ADHD respond to meds in the following ways: sluggishness, tiredness, calmness, increased focus, single-mindedness. Contrariwise, normal people respond to stimulant medication in the following manner: over-stimulation, hyperactivity due to over-stimulation, 'speediness', euphoria, a 'high', talkativeness. These effects also occur in people with ADHD if they take large doses.

Here's the problem I'm having - I have responses from each category (ADHD people and "normal" people). Here is how I have responded to a stimulant med: increased energy, increased calmness, increased focus (sometimes too much, almost like more hyperfocus), increased ability to initiate and complete tasks, decreased irritability, increased talkativeness, increased patience, increased appreciation (of things I already liked), increased sense of well being. I had the euphoria feeling the first day or two but that has gone away. But, I definitely feel better when the meds are in my system than when they are not.

Anyway, sorry for the laundry list. But as you can see, I've got responses from both categories you mentioned. Does this seem right?

Here's the problem I'm having - I have responses from each category (ADHD people and "normal" people). Here is how I have responded to a stimulant med: increased energy, increased calmness, increased focus (sometimes too much, almost like more hyperfocus), increased ability to initiate and complete tasks, decreased irritability, increased talkativeness, increased patience, increased appreciation (of things I already liked), increased sense of well being. I had the euphoria feeling the first day or two but that has gone away. But, I definitely feel better when the meds are in my system than when they are not.

Anyway, sorry for the laundry list. But as you can see, I've got responses from both categories you mentioned. Does this seem right?

I think the main thing is that 'calmness' - if it clears up your head .. however ADD or ADHD feels. I find it hard to describe but this week the image of an anthill occurred to me. I like to take my meds a bit before getting up .. so I set my alarm and go back to bed right away. Sometimes I don't fall asleep anymore because I want to witness what happens. At first, there are may thought threads, emotions, worries, whatnot all flying round inside, hard to stop or control, like a cloud of mosquitos .. or an orbital cloud of electrons .. oh I mentioned that anthill. Well, in the next 20 minutes that anthill decreases in size .. ever more .. gets quieter and quieter inside .. and in the end, there is just one little ant walking down the path, quite merrily. It feels so *clear* .. if my brain without meds is like a cloud, with medication it is like a clear cool pond.
I feel better on meds as well. I like this effect. It does not kill my creativity at all, like some ppl fear.

Your list seems quite positive .. you're worried that you're getting to high a dose because it makes you talkative and energetic? Maybe you could discuss lowering the dose if that worries you?

Your list seems quite positive .. you're worried that you're getting to high a dose because it makes you talkative and energetic? Maybe you could discuss lowering the dose if that worries you?

Thanks for the response. Actually these effects are not exactly worrying me, I feel they are a positive thing. I'm the inattentive type and have historically had a problem with activation and maintaining energy levels (previously I was a caffeine fiend). Also, I've always been rather reserved and on the quieter side (lots of internal thoughts, little outside communication), so the increased talkativeness is a positive thing also - especially for my wife who has always told me I don't communicate enough :).

I guess my concern is more along the lines of "I'm feeling these effects because I am taking a drug". Sort of like I would feel these positive effects even if I didn't have ADHD. That maybe this is a short term effect. Anyway, I guess time will tell :-D.

I like to take my meds a bit before getting up .. so I set my alarm and go back to bed right away. Sometimes I don't fall asleep anymore because I want to witness what happens. At first, there are may thought threads, emotions, worries, whatnot all flying round inside, hard to stop or control, like a cloud of mosquitos .. or an orbital cloud of electrons .. oh I mentioned that anthill. Well, in the next 20 minutes that anthill decreases in size .. ever more .. gets quieter and quieter inside .. and in the end, there is just one little ant walking down the path, quite merrily. It feels so *clear* .. if my brain without meds is like a cloud, with medication it is like a clear cool pond.

Interesting. I'll have to try that sometime. For me, I tend to put off taking the meds, so they don't wear off too soon in the day. I've got two young children and the dinner and evening hours require a "clear head" and lots of patience :-). It can be very difficult if the meds have worn off and I am experiencing the rebound effect.

I can tell the meds are kicking in because I feel a calmness not only in my head, but in my body. Plus I suddenly find myself getting up to get things accomplished (it's funny, all of a sudden I will start getting things done, will look at the clock and it is just about always 45-60 mins after taking the med :)). Also, I find that all of a sudden I am more "present" in the moment rather than lost in my own thoughts.

I guess my concern is more along the lines of "I'm feeling these effects because I am taking a drug". Sort of like I would feel these positive effects even if I didn't have ADHD. That maybe this is a short term effect. Anyway, I guess time will tell :-D.
ah, I see. Maybe this is not a real dilemma .. I do think other people feel good with ADD meds as well, otherwise they would not abuse them.
I merely think that how they make us feel is not like 'high' .. but nevertheless, the difference with our baseline foggy, dreamy state can feel like 'good' as well. I know I like it. But I do think that it is a different sort of 'good' that the non-ADD (ab)user would feel. Our kind does not seem to lead to addictive behaviour, for one thing.

Your reaction seems pretty typical for an ADD person and the effect of the meds seems totally what it should be .. well, maybe I don't have the chattiness .. but we're all a bit different.

What had me smiling was the way you analyse all this .. that's really recognisable :p

I am not sure really.. i seem to keep thinking "is this what add is?"
Classic+++ symptoms in primary and high schooling, was pushed to side by teachers. last 5 yrs wondering what was happening to me.. told i have had inattentive add since i was a young child by a specialist ($350 p/h (he better be) have to skate thru another month until appt #2 to get the next chapter of this "whatever". im sick of the head stuff, staring into space waiting for the answer/word/place.."where did i put the bloody scissors now" frusteration that nothing will ever "fall into place", having to do the 50 little yards to get the 1st yard done. Time goes like anything, with so little done.. (shaking head) so ashaiming! and topics.. (think what was the topic again) Ahh!

I am constantly thinking is this what they have too? How do they get thru it? its like madness, how the .... am i going to keep my head above water here. And thaught hopping .. think "geez".
then forget most of it any way, like to laugh at that to get out of embarrasment. (sometimes works)
But baaaak to the topic of which i had to re read, lol, i will be investing in those books and soo i go back to the question,

Do i have add??? I couldnt tell you, have the symptoms happening.. and happening.. and they strive to happen, im not sure, im not a specialist but i can say theres defanitly some serious errors upthere. Thanks for listening:)
-Leah.

Our kind does not seem to lead to addictive behaviour, for one thing.

Good point. On a somewhat related note, since I've started taking the meds, my desire for alcohol has diminished immensely. I don't think I would have been called an alcoholic, but I definitely liked it a bit too much :-). This really surprised me. From the first day, I really had no desire to have any drinks at the end of the day. Plus when I do, it does not take any willpower to stop at one or two.

What had me smiling was the way you analyse all this .. that's really recognisable :p

So true. I've always tended to over-analyze everything. My parents have always told me I make good decisions. But my response has been "Yea, maybe I make good decisions, but I analyze things so much before I decide that I don't end up getting much done."

Also, the one recurring thing on my reviews at work was that I needed to become more comfortable with making decisions with less information. Funny I never tied that into ADHD - it's amazing how it has effects on so many things in your life.

Not to over analyze :D, but I find this over analyzing to be the opposite of impulsiveness. Is this over-analyzing common for most ADHD people?

easye, on over-analyzing, see http://www.addforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=562462&postcount=19. That's one aspect of it, I think.

Ithink every single person alive has some adhd'er characterisitcs..

The difference is.. people without add tend to be able to control them more, especially once they become a problem.

Ithink every single person alive has some adhd'er characterisitcs..

The difference is.. people without add tend to be able to control them more, especially once they become a problem.Good point -- some researchers are saying that ADHD is on the normal continuium (as opposed to an illness), but the lowest 5%tile. In other words, if you have ADD you experience these difficulties more often than 95% of the neurotypicals out there.

Also, the one recurring thing on my reviews at work was that I needed to become more comfortable with making decisions with less information. Funny I never tied that into ADHD - it's amazing how it has effects on so many things in your life.

Not to over analyze :D, but I find this over analyzing to be the opposite of impulsiveness. Is this over-analyzing common for most ADHD people?
Not for the impulsive/hyperactive ones I guess.
There are many areas in which the ones with no H at all (what's sometimes referred to as Sluggish Cognitive Tempo) are almost the opposite of the ones with the H .. like in this over-analysing.
Instead of being hyperactive, extroverted and risk takers, we're rather passive, daydreamy, shy, and "HYPO"-active in both a mental and physical way.