Is this Depression or ADD?

[Esangel]

Hello,

I'll start off by apologizing. I'm sure there are way way too many of these types of posts, "help diagnose me!!" - but I have searched many forums and posted threads on other forums, with no success. I guess I'll begin my brief description...

I am a teen male going to high school at the moment. If this is more fit for the "teen" section, then please move it, but this is less about my age, more about my symptoms. Anyway, I am a very successful student I would say, and have taken all the AP and Honors courses I can. I have no trouble with focusing on school work. It's easy to me. I enjoy taking notes and doing homework. I enjoy the structure of it. My problem comes down to the things I actually enjoy. It's incredibly difficult for me to focus on anything for a very long time. I haven't watched a movie in ages. I can't take focusing on one thing that long. It may sound arbitrary, but I can't play video games for more than 20 minutes! I can't read more than 20-30 pages of a book at a time, while others get engrossed in books and read through the night. I want to be able to do the things I enjoy for longer periods of time.

The way it works is that I'll usually start something, but I get incredibly bored within 20-30 minutes and have a strong desire to do something else. At this point it's almost impossible to focus on the task I was originally doing, and I'm forced to stop and go do something else. It's as if after a little while, things stop being rewarding and it's like I'm forcing myself to do something. Even with things I enjoy like guitar, reading, TV, movies, music, etc, etc. My mother thinks that this is depression, but I don't feel very depressed. I just feel like I can't focus for very long.

Thanks for any help anyone can give me. If there's anything unclear in here please let me know, I'll be sure to clarify.

[BR549]

A lot of conditions mimic the symptoms of ADHD. Depression being one of them. You don't necessarily have to feel down and blue to have depression. It can take on many forms. Anger and irritability are symptoms of depression.

The fact is, it could be ADHD, it could be depression, it could be BOTH or it could be something else.

Have you had these issues all of your life or have they cropped up suddenly? Is there anything else that you have difficulty with? How does ^ affect your ability to function effectively and successfully in your daily life? Not just academic life, but ALL aspects of your life. Home, work, social, etc. These are the things that you need to think about. Perhaps a visit to your doc is in order?

[CrushCrush]

Originally Posted by Esangel

I am a very successful student I would say, and have taken all the AP and Honors courses I can. I have no trouble with focusing on school work. It's easy to me. I enjoy taking notes and doing homework

Doesn't sound like ADHD to me at all.

[trishcan]

You're right. We do get a lot of these posts, but it's a good start to reach out to someone when you're having questions. The only way to find out is to visit with someone who's qualified to diagnose you--none of us are (so keep in mind that any responses you get are purely the opinions of people who know very little about you).