Laziness and a general lack of motivation?

[KindOfBlues71]

I had my first appt with the specialist yesterday and he said that my complaints of laziness and lack of motivation probably weren't related to ADHD, but that I was just lazy and unmotivated. Wha? If that's true, I guess meds won't help me in with those problems! For those of you who are lazy and/or unmotivated, do you think it's related to the ADHD and possibly corrected with meds, or a unrelated thing?

[smittythepig]

it's funny because i had a conversation with my therapist today about whether or not it's possible for someone to actually just be lazy and unmotivated rather than being labeled with ADD. we didn't really resolve this, but basically i said that 'lazy' is not a medical term and that there are reasons for people being lazy that could definitely be from ADD, or from other more situational things. i would tend to think if someone has a life-long pattern of laziness that they may very well have ADD, the innattentive type. or they may have some sort of physical condition causing lack of motivation (low blood sugar, thyroid problems, etc.). he assured me that he was quite positive I have ADD (which I am still actually questioning myself, though two people have diagnosed me).

anyway, i am quite surprised a specialist would tell you that. i think you should get a second opinion. he should have at least explored your situation further to determine if you have a physical condition causing this or some temporary situation causing it.

i'm still not sure if there is truly such a thing as pure laziness or not now that I have learned more about ADD.

[WesleyT]

well add is like being lazy and getting in the same trouble and trouble again and you really know you have to do this, like learn this text or something
for me it goed as bad that i barely sleep because i needed to finish this stuff but it doesnt happen

[sloppitty-sue]

KindOfBlues -

I would nevermind that "specialist" you saw, and find another ADHD specialist. In my experience - I had to see a few professionals before I found one who understood ADHD the way I understood it (and the way I find it explained on here and in the various books about it).

In my opinion - some "experts" just don't WANT to diagnose someone with ADHD. Perhaps if the individual is acting in the stereotypical ADHD way, THEN they might consider it. For example, the first psychiatrist I saw AFTER I was diagnosed by a psychologist who is a specialist in ADHD - this psychiatrist, right away looks at me and says, "Well, you're not fidgeting or restless in your seat . . . " I pretty much had a strong feeling then that I was NOT going to appreciate my appt with him. But I gave him a couple of chances. Shouldn't have, though. He WAS willing to start me on some Strattera. Unfortunately - I experienced some weird heartbeat palpitation feelings and anxiety. He then told me, "Well! Nobody ever DIED of ADHD!"

Need I tell you that I searched elsewhere after that for a new psychiatrist?

Sue

[berryblast]

Interesting... last semester I went to see a counselor, and the problem that I presented with had a lot to do with my laziness and lack of motivation with my schoolwork, and the frustration that came from such. It had been an issue my entire life but I had been able to compensate until I got to college. After four or five sessions she suggested that I very likely had ADD and encouraged me to get tested.

[justhope]

I'm thinking Sue is right. If ever a therpaist or doc told me that. I would probably ask for a refund.

Perhaps they got into the profession for the umm wrong reasons?

Here is thread on dianoses.
http://addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=293

I am thinking there has to be something to that theory..cause they wrote a very popular book titled...
You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?! by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo (very very good book by the way)

You do have to have a few more descriptive things or factors, in combination, and for a specific amount of time to meet the criteria..LOL..
However, inattentive types...like me. ...tend to appear to be lazy and unmotivated most of the time. Because we are locked in our minds most of the time and are more sloth like than our wonderful hyperactive brothers and sisters.

Day Dreamers and classic underachiever's in school..and some unADDfriendly jobs. I struggle with mudane boring daily tasks...and when I am overwhelmed I revert to umm a lump? And tend to find things that are engaging my brain rather than my body...instead of moving...on the outside.

So read up...and find another doctor...it's your right to have a second opinion....and the doctors work for you..not the other way around.
Find one who specializes in ADD....

Here is a couple of tips from an "old time" ADDer....

Keep a journal, of your activites. Take it with you to your next appointment, even though they will probably give you a check list to fill out anyway.
And REMEMBER to take the journal wiht you..LOL

And keep in mind, even with a dx of ADD..and medications...this is not the cure all to getting off your buttocks....I am fully medicated and still struggle all the time. Meds help clear out the static in your mind, that leaves you overwhelmed..and distracted, these of which leave you frustrated and tapped out! Making it hard to do much that's long and boring!

However, I am now able to hold a job and I have been very successful. I have been at the same one for going on 8 years now. A lot of what helps is learning coping skills, time managment.
The key is a good mix of things. Getting a coach or buddy is a good thing to, someone who will kick your butt up off the couch...and get you into the habit of doing things...so you can do it all by yourself on a regular basis...

I hope that helps...some?

[gstien]

See, with my attitude some days, I would have simply gotten up, shook hands with the Dr, and walked out.
As I passed the "pay clerk" I would look at them and say "I'd like to pay, but according to your boss, I'm unmotivated and lazy, therefore, I can't find the energy or motivation to give you my credit card, cash, or a check. Sorry..."
"I also don't feel like I got my money's worth!" LOL

[Matt S.]

Dexedrine and Adderall were both medications that made me lazy. And I am the "classic" hyperactive type according to my old doc. I get more done now that I am off of them for awhile.

[KindOfBlues71]

Well, besides waiting for me to send him some tests he asked me to take, he's pretty sure I have ADHD. He's the main doc for the local center for ADHD out here, and a family friend, so I'll meet with him again after he's reviewed my tests. I will be printing out some of the info on this site and bringing it to my next appt to show him.

JustHope, a journal is a good suggestion, I'll have to try that sometime (I AM a procrastinist after all, LOL). He seemed to think that I was hyperactive because I have trouble sitting still and feel anxious a lot but I also have inattentive symptoms, too. I just have a hard time doing anything productive. I'd rather sit around than do something active. Not sure why, and I wish I wasn't like that.

[WeepingWillow]

I am the person who gets exercise videos and sits on the coach and watches them. I have taken those centrum maximum vitamins for those who exercise strenuously thinking that my intentions are to exercise. I buy them exercise gadgets from tv... lateral thigh master, ab doer, and a mix-n-match of other gadgets that lose their luster after a few weeks. I am one sad puppy when it comes to breaking a sweat!

Am I the only one whose muscles feel like I am killing them when I push them out of their comfort zone of laziness? Am I the only one who listens to the cries of those muscles and quits before I harm myself from exercise? Am I the only one who thinks a cute personal trainer will help me out of my laziness and think they are an incentive to tone up? Am I the only one insane?

[KindOfBlues71]

My bowflex is the most expensive clothes hanger I own...

[hoosiergirl]

ive been called lazy and unmotivated all my life...especially when i was young and in the public school system.....deep down, i felt terrible about myself for so many years, because i could not get motivated.....i now know that I have inattentive ADD...your specialist is either not very well versed on ADHD or he has communication problems....nobody in their right mind WANTS to be lazy and unmotivated all of the time and anyone that does probably has other problems altogether......i wish some dr and therapists could understand that....

[Michiko74]

Kindofblues... I'm sorry that you got some questionable advice there with regards to your symptoms. But understand, the "laziness and unmotivation" exhibited by people with ADD have nothing to do with self motivation. It's biology folks! Telling someone with ADD that they're "lazy" is no better than telling a diabetic they're "lazy" for not being able to control their blood sugars!

As for medication helping you to address these symptoms.. I can only speak from my experience, but the difference you see when I am on meds and when I'm not.. WOW! When I am taking my meds, I can study for hours. My ability to get things done.. amazing. So in a short sentence, the right medication at the right dose has the potential to make a universe of difference.

[KindOfBlues71]

hoosiergirl- I've felt like that since I was little. In grade school the other kids' parents would ask the teacher not to sit their child next to me so they wouldn't be distracted. When my mom told me about it, it made me feel like crap. Still not sure why she didn't wait until I was an adult to tell me that...

Michiko74- So once you found the right dose for you, the meds made you feel motivated to get things done?

[druss]

One of the big problems ive had all thorugh life is being called lazy, but i also get told I work for too many hours.

I think that to others we can appear lazy as you tend to be doing what your brain wants you to do to get stimulation rather than what you should be doing.

So wether its watching tv , playing computer games surfing the net etc it is easy to get distracted away from the mundane stuff, work , chores.

It doesnt make you lazy, lazy is where someone has the control to do it but then decides they wont.

Being unmedicated until last month you begin to realise just how much you wernt in control, do not beat your self up.