Almost certain I have ADD, whats next?? - ADD / ADHD Message Board

Laslow8 · 05-13-2009, 12:58 AM

Hello all, here's a quick summary of my symptoms before I begin...

-I have a very short attention span, especially with conversations.
-I was always labelled the "space cadet" growing up.
-I'm usually the first one to get distracted by something irrelevent.
-I learn at an average rate, but have difficulty recalling most information. It makes me wonder if I learned the material in the first place.
-When I was young I would often wander onto the road. So my parents took me to the doc to get my ears checked. Turns out I was either daydreaming or just not paying attention.
-I often start chores, projects, hobbies, but shortly after loose interest, or start another task just after beginning the first one.
-Even though I put aside a lot of time to study. I get little done. Or I still get distracted easliy even if I am alone in a room with earplugs.

I'm 26 years old and in second year university. I am seriously wondering how I made it this far? I feel as though slipping through the cracks by being a good kid is finally starting to catch up and show. All of my friends have graduated, have girlfriends, good jobs, and manage everything well. I struggle just to study and go the the gym regularily. Life is getting very frustrating for me.

I've made an appointment next week with one of the Psychologists at my uni to discuss my symptoms. I also want to make sure that I don't have anything else such as social anxiety. So does what I described above sould like ADD?

I also plan to make an appointment with my family doc but I have this fear he may just brush me off and say "change your diet." I'm also thinking about going straight to a Psychiatrist but I'm not coverd and money is somewhat of an issue, but I really don't mind going on meds if I do have ADD, and if the meds will help.

So am I taking the right course of action with all this?

Also, I'm located in Toronto, does anyone from the Greater Toronto Area know of any places or docs I could go to?

Thank you for reading.

janewhite1 · 05-13-2009, 07:00 AM

I'm not a doctor, this is not an exam. However, your experiences sound VERY much like those of people with ADD. Talking to campus mental health services is a good start. With luck, the counselor will refer you to someone who can diagnose and begin treating you.

If the counselor is unhelpful, ie, starts talking about your mental obstacles and how you could do it if you really wanted to, or tells you that ADD is just something kids have, then you need to find a psychiatrist on your own. Best way to find one is thru someone you know who has been treated for ADD, or through a family doctor you trust.

armyofone0508 · 05-13-2009, 07:33 AM

yeah sounds like ADD. yeah, i wouldn't go to the family doctor. they are usually more hesistant to diagnose mental conditions. a psych test will tell you everything you want to know though. lol

Laslow8 · 05-13-2009, 06:44 PM

Thanks for the responses.

I am quite anxious to get the ball rolling on this. This school year has been a write off. I somehow managed to get B's and B+'s first year, but this year has been a complete write off. I seldom went out on weekends during this previous school year, and my marks vary from an E, C's, and B's.

I plan to update and let those interested, or reading and going through the same experience, know what the update is after next weeks appointment.

Laslow8 · 06-04-2009, 12:32 PM

Update,

I went to my usual walk in clinic for a small eye infection the other day, and I thought since I was there I should mention my possible ADD problem to the doctor I usually see. So today I had a sit down interview with him and I told him all of my symptoms. Mainly the concentration, consistency, relationship, and memory issues I wrote about previously.

He was quick to dismiss ADD and he gave me a lecture that we all have problems concentrating, I've only had 1 or 2 very brief girlfriends because girls are crazy, he said he was forgetful when he was younger as well. He then went on to ask how I could have made it to university if I had ADD, and when I compared myself to where my friends are in life at 26, and how they maintain careers, girlfriends, family, and soon to all have houses/condos, he said I shouldn't compare myself to my friends.

I felt like I wasted my time bringing up my problem to this doctor. Also, I should mention that this is the same doctor who I went to a few years ago and asked about getting a referral for a dermatologist for accutane. He was basically offended and said "you don't think I am able to perscribe you accutane."

Lastly, although he dismissed ADD he said he will make me an appointment with a Psychiatrist, but it will take some time. I suppose that is somewhat good news?

I am still waiting for a call from the uni for an appointment with one of thier mental health professionals. Also, there's is a hospital nearby and I am considering going straight in and making an appointment with the Psychiatrist. Are there usually long waits for psychiatrists?