How to seek a diagnosis?

[calej93]

Hey all,

I'm new to the forum and sure this gets asked a lot; so I will try to keep it brief.

Basically my suspicions of having ADD started when I started taking college level courses in high school. I'm a straight A student but I've never been the studious type or have ever cared deeply about my grades. School just kind of came easily to me. However, when I had to actually start doing homework I realized my problems concentrating. I couldn't sit down for more than 10 minutes without getting up and doing something else, often things that have no purpose whatsoever.

Assignments that should've taken 30 minutes ended up taking hours, and I had to quit two sports due to my rigorous course load senior year. In class I rarely listen to lectures for more than a minute at a time, and am frequently daydreaming. No matter how hard or try or how much I tell myself I need to concentrate I always seem to go back to my own little fog.

Socially is probably where I suffer the most. I'm a fairly handsome guy but I haven't been with many women. I fare well in groups socially but I can't seem to connect to people on an individual basis. I don't have many real friends and have never had a best friend. People say that I'm quiet and describe me as an introvert but I don't feel shy at all. I just can't seem to listen to people or find a reason to care about what they're saying. Frequently during conversations I'm in my own little world and just kind of nod and smile when the other person talks.

I'm just entering college as a freshman and I'm scared that I'm not going to be able to keep up with the coursework. I feel like I have the potential to do something really special with my life but this thing is holding me back.

What should I do from here? Should I make an appointmenet with a psychiatrist? This is all really new to me. Any help would be appreciated.

[Pamplemousse]

Hey-ohhhhhh. Nice to see another teenager lurkin' round here. Anyways, a lot of what you say I can relate to. Only difference is I have both ADD and ADHD, so I can be a lot more energetic. (But don't get me wrong, I am also quite the introvert)

I always did decent in school because it wasn't hard. But it did always take me much longer to finish things than my peers. Things started to fall apart fast. I got diagnosed junior year of HS. I'm a college sophomore now. I would definitely say if you think you have it, make an appointment to see a psychologist or psychiatrist if you have the insurance. Most schools actually offer psychiatric services for no charge to undergrad students.

Having an official diagnosis made my life a lot easier. In college you can get academic accommodations where you can get extended time on tests and quizzes, and a separate location to take them at. Also getting put on medication helped A LOT! I can actually sit down and focus for longer periods of time now, which is nice because my program of study is no walk in the park.

Hope that I helped some!

[calej93]

Hey, thanks for the advice! Yeah, I don't really have hyperactivity, which is why the thought of ADD never occurred to me until senior year. I'm not really sure the details of my insurance plan, should I go to one of my campus psychiatrist first or should I call a psychologists office?

[naissele]

I think it's great that you are recognizing struggles (whether they are ADHD or not) and trying to work on them. I sought help from the campus psych and it didn't help me very much. I am not saying this will be true for all campus services nationwide, but if you are worried about ADHD, try seeing a person who specializes in it (if you are able w/ your insurance).

If not able, try to educate yourself on ADHD (if you haven't already) so that you can see if the school psych is giving proper consideration to your concerns.

[MrDavidAlan]

The first thing I would ask myself (well, I would ask your parents this... maybe a life-long grown up friend, a coach, etc)

EDIT: (This is important) - People with ADD in our age range are HORRIBLE about recognizing accurately how they are behaving. I got this from one of the findings of the big study that was done in Milwaukee...

1) Are these AD(h)D symptoms causing you significant impairment in you're life?

2) Have these symptoms been life long?

In most cases, if you cannot answer "Yes" to both of those questions, (and if you cannot to the second one its not ADHD (other than some odd brain injury cases...but research in that is so sparse and incomplete) I would say I further documentation of having AD(H)D isn't worth the effort.

Now, from what you've said, I would talk to someone since it is indeed causing you additional frustrations in you're life.

In other regards:

I have always been a sociable guy. I've never had a problem talking to women, and I have no problem getting numbers, getting about anything out of them except for an actual relationship. Personally, I don't attribute that to my ADD (though, I think when actually get in a relationship, its one of those things that does help kill it, on-top of my other personality flaws...)

I wouldn't say I am an ugly guy (22 years old by the way)... but I cannot really say I'm what the women look at and find datable material.

Eh, thank god for Irish coffee... I need a drink, and its 6 AM.

[rockydaydreamer]

Tell your general doctor about your concern (write in on a paper and hold on to it to help you remember). Then you can be referred to a mental/behavioral health clinic, see an intake to tell him your concern, then you'll be referred to a psychiatrist to get diagnosed and give you medication.

[sarahsweets]

Adhd symptoms must have been present in childhood whether or not it was diagnosed. Having symptoms only in college leads me ti believe there are other issues going on.

[rockydaydreamer]

Yeah, maybe you should look back at your elementary school report cards.

I looked at my elementary school report cards and was surprised that along with my excessive talking that my teachers commented on, they also said I had trouble focusing and I didn't finish assignments or was unable to do them neatly.

[calej93]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

I have done extensive research on the disease. As far as symptoms in childhood go, I do believe they were present. I was always a child that asked a lot of questions and would be emerged in video games. There are photos of me on vacations just chilling on the beach playing game boy. I also have a penchant for creativity, I can write song lyrics, play two instruments and am a fairly talented actor. But the insecurities I have prevent me from ever wanting to show them to people or pursue them further than hobbies.

Family history is another big indicator for me too. I have cousins on both side of my family who are treated for ADHD. My Dad hasn't had a job in six years and can barely focus on the rode while driving. My brother can literally not go a day without doing something or going somewhere. I'm the first one in my family to go to college; I've always been the "successful" person of the family. Which is why my mom never really took me seriously when I discussed the possibility of having ADD.

I go to a Top 25 university in the United States, I was solutarorian of my graduating class and a state finalist in Track and Field.

I'm fairly convinced that I could live an above-average life without ever being treated, but I will always feel like I could've accomplished more.

[calej93]

UPDATE:

I scheduled an appointment with a psychiatrist for today. I filled out an online evaluation and he said it's likely I do have ADD.

I have to pay for the appointment up front (boo) but he said my insurance should reimburse most of the cost after I send them paperwork. Anyone have experience with this?

Im so anxious I can barely sleep.