Ok, I am 32. I first suspected ADHD three years ago. I put some background in my intro thread. I'll repeat it here and add some additional info.

My main problem is procrastination, obsessive behavior (not like OCD hand washing but more like spending hours obsessing over and researching skin cancer), feelings of fatigue, laziness and the inability to motivate myself to do anything.

I can think up a storm and generate brilliant ideas, but there is never any followthrough. When I try, I get stuck, overwhelmed, and so I stop.

I went to a regular doctor who tested me for depression and ruled that out immediately. I tested with strong tendencies toward ADHD... without the H. He prescribed Concerta which did wonders for my fatigue, but did nothing for my severe procrastination.

He upped the dose, but it then made me jittery and sick, so I stopped taking it.

During this time a sought help from a therapist who specialized in ADHD in children, but unfortunately knew little about it in adults. She was reluctant to diagnose me because of my ability to perform under pressure... I focused just fine on her exercises and scored very well on her intelligence tests.

So... if it's not ADHD, am I just a lazy lump???

Folks, I don't want to be like this, but I can't seem to stop!!! My brain is all over the place sometimes, but never on what it needs to be. I feel like I'm purposely avoiding what I should be paying attention to.

Meanwhile, all I seem to be able to do is lay around because I feel too exhausted to do anything. The thought of following through on my plans (career-wise) is so overwhelming that I give up before even trying. KNOWING that the loss of two jobs was most likely the result of this laziness does nothing to stop it from continuing.

I think it's time I go back to the doc. What's holding me back is the last time I went, I had to go monthly because of the type of med he gave me. He didn't like to give refills... or couldn't... without me being seen. My insurance won't cover that many visits. I can't afford better insurance since I only work part time to fill in the gaps of my self-employment. (Swore I'd never work for another company so I set out as a freelancer, but it doesn't quite pay the bills).

You sound so much like the long lost twin I never had it's freaky!
Just wondering though, but more like spending hours obsessing over and researching skin cancer- in the hypochondriac sense, or just the intense hyperfocus on interests etc?
I am constantly overwhelmed by mental work.. i dont have a specific ADD dx right now but am working with a therapist to get my life in order. Not pursuing the ADD angle and i don't dare bring it up for fear itll look like im trying to get the meds easy..

Hi Sharon and welcome to the forum! You just described me too and I have ADD so....... From what I have read on here the meds will help you focus, think better, etc. but dont seem to take complete care of procrastination. I am taking Vyvance and if I get my butt motivated it seems to help me keep going. Since I'm newly diagnosed and being treated I dont know really if I should expect more from meds or not. Many people on this forum who are happy with how their meds work still seem to complain of this and there are post after post of people trying to procrastinate less. I believe it is the nature of this disorder and that meds work different for different people and that some have the disorder worse than others. All of what you described seems exactly like what my biggest hurtle is. Even down to spending hours about researching skin cancer ( I have one so this is one reason but I research stuff like this all the time). I know what your talking about when you say it is almost a defiant non action on getting something done you need to. I really dont know what causes this or what it is either maybe someone else will have a good explanation. Its not because its stuff I dont like to do, in fact a few things are truly my passion and I still wont get busy on them. They do involve a major commitment from me though and once I get started I feel that I can not stop. One thing is a online store, so once this is done I have to keep it up and keep things shipped. The other is training my horses, I dont want to get started and not keep it up. Both of these require a lot of work from me and it just overwhelms me. Stuff that is not ongoing I can motivate and do, if I can finish it in a couple hours or less. What I have been doing is making a list and adding to it a little at a time. That works fairly well but some days I completely screw off. I try to just give myself a break and realise I am doing better than before so anything is a an accomplishment. Anyway if your strange, then a bunch of us on this board are too! Oh and performing under pressure can be a part of ADD too, when you are really pressured you get enough adrenalin going which is part of what we adders need. I would look for a pdoc that specializes in adult also ADD. I know that its expensive but if there is anyway you can swing it, loss productivity is even more expensive. Plus its hard to put any price in piece of mind.

Yup. Strangely like me too.
I was once in your situation. I would wake up. Feel so overwhelmed and unmotivated I would smoke a cigarette thinking that would make me feel better but it didnt. It made it worse. Depression and ADHD mixed together like 2nd hand smoke.

Somehow I just got up. It was me pushing myself towards a better life.

I still struggle. But we all struggle. Its part of our existence on Earth. Its pretty normal actually. Don't think ur a freak or are weird. You're lucky. You found a group of people with the same issues as you and now you can have a little hope.

Good luck and don't give up!

I still struggle. But we all struggle. Its part of our existence on Earth.

I love it! That's why i never let ADD become an excuse - everyone faces obstacles.
(Except for supermodels. Which is why they should be rounded up and put in glass cases as exhibits.)

Welcome, non-freaky sharon!:)

At times I've suffered from a severe lack of motivation. It's not fun. You know what you should be doing but cant get around to doing it. When it was really bad I actually started writing stories and poetry. I mean you can't do nothing but sit and stare out a window or people will think you're mad - so I started writing. I'm pleased to say that that horrible phase in my life has passed and I'm still writing a bit as well as getting on with life.

Thanks for making me feel less-weird. :) It's so hard for me to admit how bad the problem is for me. Hopefully I can find some relief soon.

To the poster who asked about hypochondria... I don't think so. It's not like I worry about my health every day. It was just the "flavor of the day" for that day... triggered by a new mole that I am getting checked. I'm now patiently awaiting my appointment without much concern... other than having a scar for vacation at the end of the month. LOL!

I arrived at work this morning to an unplanned meeting with my boss. As he is going over the details of a new project, I caught my mind wandering off. It was a struggle to stay focused on his words. I hope I can at least stay focused on this project!