Need Some Guidance

[nick22]

I'm hoping that somewhere here can point me in the right direction. I don't actually think that I have ADHD (my old PDoc said that I did not), but regardless, I'm having a lot of problems.

I'm a college student, and I've been clinically diagnosed with OCD. I tried taking an SSRI, but Lexapro and Zoloft made my issues worse.

I have a really hard time concentrating, especially with studying. Sometimes, I feel like I am about to burst into tears. When I have a big test the next day, I have to try to cram the night before. I end up starting to study at 9:00 PM, because I can't concentrate and keep getting up to check e-mail, etc. For some bizarre reason, I have a tendency to constantly get up to listen to music. I just want to scream and say "brain please focus for 15 minutes."

School is tough for me, because I have trouble getting interested in the material. I basically learn nothing in class and have to teach myself everything the night before. I just don't have the energy to do this like I used to. I'm tired of it taking me 7 hours to do homework that should only take 2 or 3.

I also can never seem to do things (no matter how hard I try) until the situation is urgent. I can't count how many times I've put myself in a really bad situation by not doing something. This procrastination has been an issue with school. I always managed to get by in high school, but in college, I feel terrible. I've had a couple of classes where I've waited until the last minute to study, couldn't focus at all, and just decided to withdrawal from the class.

Another issue I've encountered is having an incredible interest in something followed by a relatively small interest. For a few months, I'll get really interested in something (which causes great enthusiasm), and then my enthusiasm will totally burn out.

I should mention that if I didn't have OCD, I would be a complete mess. As distressing as the disorder is for me, it has made insanely preoccupied with perfection. Unfortunately, my life is anything but perfect, but these tendencies have caused me to at least scrape by. If I didn't have OCD, I would probably be a complete failure.

Could someone point me in the right direction as to what this might be? These issues are ruining my life.

[KMiller]

Since you don't seem to think it's ADHD, have you considered depression? High comorbidity rate with OCD. Do you have any mood symptoms? Any trouble getting up in the morning? Abnormal appetite? Trouble sleeping?

[daveddd]

can you pinpoint wht you cant concentrate? whats going on in your head at the time? these are important things to know when looking for a dx. Is it because of the thoughts stemming from your ocd? maybe you should try a different med for that , or talk to your doc about whats going on.

good luck ,dave

[Lunacie]

I would recommend reading about ADHD-I, the I stands for Inattentive. It's similar to ADHD, but generally without the hyperactivity.

There are some informative threads in this forum... http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=322

There is also a combined form of ADD with both the H and the I. (this is me)

[NinePointThree]

It sounds like ADHD to me, but I'm no pro. As suggested you should read some books on the subject.

Also, keep in mind that not everyone takes ADHD seriously, even pros. They see the patterns in people's lives, they see all of the trouble that it causes, but somehow they have a hard time accepting the fact that it can be a real condition.

Your OCD might simply be coping mechanisms you've come up with to help handle your ADHD. Either way, best of luck getting your diagnosis sorted out.

[Lost Focus]

I see much more inattentive-type in myself than ADHD as my psychiatrist suggests, but there could very well be that hyperactive component, just more subdued. I pace...incessantly, when I'm on the phone and the subject matter is complicated. While heating up my lunch, I need to walk around the room and not stand by the microwave watching. Aside from that, I don't see much more. Inattentive? Oh yeah.

[daveddd]

pacing incessantly isnt hyperactive?

[nick22]

Thanks everyone for posting such nice responses.

I didn't realize that my problems could be related to ADHD. My old Pdoc told me that ADHD is overdiagnosed and is really an issue with hyperactive boys who can't listen to directions.

I'm looking for a new psychiatrist, so hopefully he or she will be better informed.

[nick22]

Originally Posted by daveddd

can you pinpoint wht you cant concentrate? whats going on in your head at the time? these are important things to know when looking for a dx. Is it because of the thoughts stemming from your ocd? maybe you should try a different med for that , or talk to your doc about whats going on.

good luck ,dave

Dave,

I can't really pinpoint what is going through my head. I don't feel like it stems from my OCD. I feel like I can't focus...I try so hard, but my mind just isn't there. I want to cry because it hurts so bad (hurts mentally I mean). This often ends up putting me in a panic, especially when it relates to school. It seems like the only time I can finish something is when I have a deadline.

[daveddd]

yea ocd thoughts are more disturbing type thoughts

read the puppet master post there is some info there that may relate to you

alot of go through the same thing