Do i have ADD ??? - ADD / ADHD Message Board

robin_doak · 06-17-2006, 05:41 AM

Can someone help me with this subject?

I think! i have ADD because every time someone talks to me i seem to faze out and im in a little world of my owne

Also i cant hold on to a job for more than a few days

I forget about thing's

my parents have put alot of time and money into things to help me get a job and im not even doing the things that they ask,

If this sounds like ADD, could you tell me what i can do about it,

smz3 · 06-17-2006, 09:51 AM

I am not a doctor, so I can't say for sure whether you do or not, but could you provide some more information? Why is it hard for you to hold a job...is it because of tardiness and lack of focusing on the details? Are you unorganized and do you chronically procrastinate?

The best thing for you to do is read as much as you can on the subject, write down your history starting with grade school and maybe take a few online tests. There are some really good books on ADD like "Driven to Distraction" by Halloway. If you find that you fit the criteria take your written history and test results to your doctor and they should be able to recommend where to go for testing. If they can't, find a Pshychiatrist in your area that specializes in ADHD and schedule an appointment. They will do testing to determine whether or not you have it...if you do, they will prescribe medication and recommend treatment to help you.

If you do have ADHD, don't worry, with proper medication and treatment you will be able to get it under control. Since your parents already invested in your future, this will be one that truly helps you get started if you have ADHD. Good luck and check back to let us know how you are doing.

barbarasmith999 · 07-05-2006, 02:11 AM

I don't think you have ADD actually. I had the same problem as you when I was at school, so my parents tried to help me. As for me, my problem was an inbred insecurity about myself. I'm not sure if you have the same problem, but I am pretty sure that it's not ADD.

Podee · 07-05-2006, 02:30 AM

A psychologist once told me I had ADD because I scored tremendously high on certain parts of the IQ tests, and not as high in parts that required space visualization.

I have always done really well in school, college and grad school but as the material has become more and more complex I do find that I cannot concentrate on it as well as i would like. I tend to read it too fast or rush to judgment, or lose track a bit of where I am as I try to digest it. I mean, I function at a very high level but it does seem to me that something might be holding me back from my full potential.

I am in my thirties now.

I wonder if I have ADD? More importantly, I wonder if any of the drugs she suggested for me would allow me to concentrate better? I am reluctant to use any drugs because I used to have a drug/alcohol problem and have been clean and sober for many years. My drugs of choice were opiates.

I thought that people with hyperactivity/ADD were more inclined to abuse speedy drugs? because if that is the case the opiate/depressants were the ones that "speeded" me up. I never liked meth/speed.

What do you think?

smz3 · 07-07-2006, 07:36 AM

Quote:

I mean, I function at a very high level but it does seem to me that something might be holding me back from my full potential.

This is a classic quote of someone who has ADD! Many of us ADDers know this all to well and battle with it until we seek treatment.

Having ADD does not mean we lack intelligence, in many cases quite the opposite, it just means a certain part of our brain doesn't direct the traffic properly, that is why we get distracted so easily. I was recently diagnosed with ADD/inattentive type and was put on Adderall, 30mgs a day. It has helped me tremendously. I am able to stay focused, concentrate and the anxiety is gone. It is really helping my career.

If you are afraid of medication due to past drug addictions there are alternatives. If I were you, I would discuss this again with your Psychologist and she should be able to recommend a Psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD. They should be able to determine which medications would be best for you. Sometimes it takes a few tries before you find the right medication, but there are many options.

As far as ADHDers abusing speedy drugs, I am not really sure because drugs like Adderall and Ritalin slow us down so we can concentrate. It will speed up a non-ADDer, but it has the opposite effect on someone with ADD. At least that is my case and others as well. I guess the question would be, were you self medicating to numb anxiety? I was using alcohol to numb anxiety. It wasn't until I started taking Adderall that I realized I was self medicating due to the anxiety my ADD produced. I really do not have an urge to drink now at all.

I hope this helps. Good luck and if you do have ADD don't put off treatment because it really helps. Check back and let us know how you make out.