Struggling with self diagnosis

[CJC1531]

This is my first post. I came across this site a few weeks ago, and found it to be extremely helpful even if I was just reading other people's posts.

I'm 27 and from New York City. I always felt a little different, but didn't really know why. I was never unpopular in school, but I wasn't exactly "social". I'd say I was an average teen, maybe a little on the shy side unless alcohol was involved.

My friends always joked with me by saying I had ADHD. I'm easily distracted, and can never do anything for too long. For example, I use all my skips on pandora, even if its my fav song of all time, I just get bored after a minute or two. lol

It wasn't until a few months ago, I really looked at my life and said holy sh*t I have ADHD. I mean, I'm successful, I graduated college and post-graduate studies. I have a pretty good job so it hasn't stopped me from reaching my goals. ADHD has definitely made it harder though..

My girlfriend was the first one to really make me look at my behavior. Here's some of my symptoms:

• Relationship wise, my girlfriend often complains that I'm not "there" a lot of the time. I had NO idea what this meant at first. She means that I am on autopilot basically. I will give a generic answer right away when she asks me something. I don't even think about it half the time. I am a compulsive liar when it comes to errands. I either rush through them or don't even do them because they are boring as sh*t. She is big on "connecting" during sex, and sometimes I struggle with that. I want to just go at it, it's too much for me to concentrate and focus with her. lol

• Very short with people especially at work and with family. I can not keep a conversation going because I get bored UNLESS it's online. I can talk to people online for days without skipping a beat.

• Addicted to stimulus of all kinds. I have been hooked on videogames and computers my whole life. I've been addicted to sex, I mean, even if it's a hug from my girlfriend, I seek out. I need that constant affection, the constant stimulus. I've noticed that when other people try and give me stimulus I reject it, I want my own choosing if that makes any sense?

• I have no idea how to relax. ZERO. If i am sitting down I am either on my phone or watching TV or shifting my feet around thinking about doing something. This one bothers me a lot.

• I am full of irrational frustration when things don't go how I planned them. If i planned to watch a movie when I get home, and that gets interrupted, it throws my entire brain off. I act like a baby when my plans don't go as I expected.

• In school, I passed all my tests because I basically figured out ways to do well without paying attention. I'd leave class for 45 min and come back. I don't think I've sat through one lecture my entire life without going to the bathroom or walking the halls. Yet I graduated and moved on to be a professional.

Can anyone relate to any of this? I have an appointment for a psychiatrist in 2 weeks to get a real answer. What should I expect?

[CheekyMonkey]

All this sounds familiar! While I wasn't a poster child for childhood ADD, it became quite apparent that I was as I got older and it affected my life to a greater extent.

[fracturedstory]

Someone else said 'autopilot' - yesss! I've been describing my ADHD as having a brain on autopilot for a while now. I know what the 'not there' feeling islike. It's like I don't pick up on everything that's going on around me. I see a lot but it doesn't process, you know what I mean?

Irrational frustration is me too. Since I live in a share house I have to control this. But when I plan to watch something and I can't I just don't know what to do. I have a daily routine though, so it probably doesn't relate to ADHD. In your case it might. Getting upset when something expected doesn't turn out the way you hoped does sound like an ADHD issue. I would elaborate but my brain is struggling to even think about how to explain it.

Also, videogames are the best things ever. Although, I even get bored with them too. I stick to iphone games.

[Mattyk269]

I just sent this same link to someone else a few minutes ago

I was officially diagnosed after pretty much self diagnosing because ADHD was the only thing that fit the symptoms I've always struggled with

This quiz is very similar to the one my psychiatrist gave me so if you Havnt already done it I suggest you try it because I believe it's very accurate

http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm

Good luck

[LeftCarRunning]

As someone on this board advised me, make a list of all your behaviors/symptoms, and take it with you on your appointment. My new doc (fired the old one) sat and listened to me read through 4 pages. When I finished, he pulled out his prescription pad.

Good luck!

[rockydaydreamer]

I catch myself running on "autopilot" and compulsively lying about doing an errand all the time.
I don't really mean to, I just tend to forget to do things that require alot to remember or are just plain boring.

If you have your school report cards, maybe you could look over it to also help with your diagnosis. Although I think you really do have ADHD.