Well I finally got around to seeing a doctor about what I believe to be inattentive ADD (you may remember me first coming a little while ago, confussed about it). I've read the diagnostic criteria on the Net and done some other research and thought that finally I may have found what's been giving me so much trouble all my life. At first I was a bit down, oh no I have some mental disorder, but then I felt relieved that I had finally found out what it was and could maybe get help now.

Anyway, I went to the Doctor yesterday to talk about it and she said it's not ADD because I wouldn't have gotten so far in school (year 12 this year) if I had it. I know I'm not stupid but I do believe I have a problem with attention and concentration.. a BIG problem. All she told me was that it's not possible because I've passed exams.

Should I go see another doctor? I really don't think my doctor is right, being ADD doesn't make you dumb.

She sounds like an ignorant doctor to me.

Yes go see another doctor if you feel you need to

Yes, I think the doctor isn't very well informed. Many of us got diagnosed later in life, after high school, and college, and in some cases, graduate degrees. Keeping your head above water in school doesn't mean you're not ADD. ;) I'd try to find another doc.

I graduated college before I was diagnosed with ADD. Get a new doc (IMHO)

Get a new doc. I graduated from high school and had a year of college under my belt before I quit. My 10 yr old son (fourth grade) test's in the eighth grade for a lot of his course's. Don't give up.

Oh, boy - I'm trying to control myself on this one.

HAVING ADD/ADHD DOES NOT DOES NOT DOES NOT make you dumb/stupid or any variant thereof! I would question the professionalism of anyone who would even use the latter terms in making an evaluation!

As a matter of fact, if I'm not mistaken, there have been studies about a consistent positive correlation with ADD and higher than average intelligence -- and sometimes, the brighter the person, the more extreme the case of ADHD.

It also sounds like your doctor hasn't considered the possibility that your coping skills are extremely well-developed. I KNOW I have the condition - I also have two advanced degrees. I think I would tell your doctor where to go - I'm glad I'm not there.

I've calmed down a little. Get yourself another doctor, hon.

hon? Oh well.

Women with ADD are underdiagnosed and tend to be diagnosed later in life than men, although I believe that statistic is changing as we speak. A lot of female ADD has incorrectly been swept under the umbrella diagnoses of onset of menopause, which is guaranteed to make you cranky.

But there are all kinds of exceptions. My wife Kay was diagnosed in her forties, and when she approached our family doctor about it he told her no way. This is the doctor that was treating both Bryan and me, whom we had chosen specifically for his experience with treating ADD/ADHD and his certification in family practice. And he knew Kay well by this time.

The reason he reacted so negatively is that Kay is a very successful nurse and manager, with a great career and a good job as a director of a MR ICF. (You know – for kids. Special kids.)

And she was class valedictorian, and also head cheerleader. How much more do you want, because I could go on for days. What our doctor said is “If you have ADD, it’ll be a first.”

But he didn’t argue with her, and every diagnosis of ADD around here has to have an expert second opinion. He sent me to see a neurologist, and Bryan had a whole bank of neuro workups and such. He sent Kay to a psychiatrist that was also a certified family practitioner, and she confirmed that Kay was off the scale in every category.

So the fact that you might have been successful has nothing to do with it, and one doctor’s opinion isn’t enough, anyway. Your doctor works for you, and she should have given you a referral while you were there. If you feel uncomfortable confronting her you should find someone that will hear what you’re saying without having to do that.

And take heart, because what you’re experiencing sounds just like what we all go through. Welcome aboard.

Find a doctor that actually knows something about ADD and ADHD. The doctor you are seeing clearly does not know!

I quit high school my junior year. That summer, one of my classmates asked me if I was coming back. I said, no way, it's boring and I'm not smart enough. She laughed and asked how I could think that? When I was sleeping through classes, always getting ripped for not doing homework, and getting "C's" when everyone else was awake ALL day, always turned in their homework and they were getting D's and F's in the same classes.

That summer I walked in to a GED testing facility and took the GED. No study, no idea what to expect. I passed at the 96th percentile level. I had the highest score they had seen in years.
I think for someone with ADD passing tests is the easy part. Cuz we figure things out at light speed!
Ask us to study diligently, paying attention to every stinking detail, in a linear fashion to pass that test.... NO WAY!

Hi,
I graduated from (undergrad) college with a 2.53 and a major in Cheech & Chong Studies(j/k).I was diagnosed and placed on meds just b4 grad school. I finished my Clinical Psych grad program with a 3.66 after being on meds.

The truth is that ADHD cuts across ALL ranges of intelligence( excluding of course Profound, Severe and Moderate MR) from Mild MR to Superior. Graduating from college with Inattentive Type is not unusual(altho I dont have any data on at hand). I do know that of the Hyperactive-Impulsive and Combined types( I am dx'd with the latter), only 22% graduate from highschool and of that same group, only 5-10% go on to finish their higher education.

I heard Sam Goldstein present these figures in 1999 and then in Aug of 2003, I heard Russell Barkley repeat them. Please check Barkley's website for the reference.

The bottom line is dont get discouraged. Find a new doc or try and educate the old one.Either way, good luck and welcome to the Forum.

Take care
mctavish23 :)

Yes, please see someone else........

I asked to be referred to the mental health unit... She said she would... So what? Do I just go in and make an appointment at the Mental Health clinic? gulp.. I wish I wasn't so damn shy of people...

Oh and I'm not even intelligent, I'm just average... In fact i'm not doing terribly well in school this year..She just meant that the fact I could even get into 6th form meant that I wasn't ADD. Because people with ADD are too stupid... wasn't Einstein ADD?

Chelsea,
I don't think anyone ever diagnosed Einstein with ADD. However, I have read some things that indicate he exhibited many of the symptoms of ADD.

I'm curious how you are gauging your own intelligence.
If you are gauging it, say, based on your test scores...but you have a tough time staying focused on the tests or even have a tougher time concentrating to study for the tests then your scores will likely be average at best.

Most definitely contact the mental health unit to see if they can do some testing for ADD and make an OBJECTIVE diagnosis based on a proper process rather than a subjective judgement call on "intelligence".

There are many different forms of ADHD. In fact, you should go to
The Brainplace brain system checklist (http://www.brainplace.com/bp/checklist/checklist_page1.asp) and take the 100 question "test" to see which of the 6 ADHD types you are most likely to have, if any.

Also, check out this thread:Poll: 6 ADHD types (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2157&highlight=amen)

Yeah, definitely get a second opinion. I've tested out to have a genius IQ and yet graduated high school late due to boredom with the work.

Your doctor either is ignorant or misinformed. The fact that she has the letters D and R in front of her name don't make her all-knowing and perfect, as much as some Drs. would like you to think that...

Or she's human and has some bias, the likes of which and cause of we can only guess at.

I was smart enough in high school that I figured out how to DEDUCE the answers on a test based on the wording of the questions and my assessment of the teacher's personality. THAT was way more fun and more of a mental challenge than studying. I forget, but I believe I got a B in that class.

I have heard the Einstein thing, can't confirm it's accurate, but I do believe there's is a proven correlation between intelligence and ADD though.

My understanding is that Einstein was really LD .As for "average", most people are in that category.Please dont let IQ slow you down, because we've all met and worked with some brainiacs who had zero common sense.

As for the referral,if doc said he/she would make it then call and ask them to please expedite it. If not, call the mental health center. They'd be glad to help you too.

Remember to try and think positively and be good to yourself in the process. Good luck:)

mctavish23

LOSE THAT LOSER DOC RIGHT AWAY!!!!!

By the way - I cannot count the times people (medical professionals as well as laypeople) have told me that I must be OK (in spite of severe math LD & ADHD) just because I'm successful in my career, have a long term relationship. This is annoying since if I'd been able to stop changing jobs every 2 yrs & finished university in my 20s instead of my 40s I'd be even further than where I am now, and I might even be able to keep a friend who can understand my weird hyperfocus & then ignore behavior. I try to philosophical about these people that think you have to really messed up to have ADHD. But is just plain RUBBISH from a medical professional, especially one practising in the area. Check out your local ADD networks to find out who a more sympathetic doctor is.