zbrAnEk
08-27-2008, 03:44 PM
I have reciently done some research to see if i could possibly have adhd, and my symptoms fit. what kind of doctor should i visit to get a proper diagnosis and to get started in the right path to helping my problem?
family doctor?
physc?
Also, maybe someone could talk to me about my issues that lead me to think i might be ADHD...
One major issue i have is when it comes to reading a page of text. If i do not try and concentrate really hard, i tend to read the first few words and after that i start lazily glancing over everyhting else.. or when i do read everything, i find my self reading the words and daydreaming at the same time so that i have to go back and read again.
another is my performance at work. I am a designer so i create drawings on autocad. well when i get going on a project i usually do pretty good at staying focused, but after a while i hit a lul and everyhting shuts down. i might be near completing my task, but cant seem to focus in on the small remaining details to finish. i start looking at the whole task and get an overwelmed feeling.
I have concentration issues while someone is talking to me directly. If i am on the phone and that person is talking to me, i can concentrate on what they are saying, but once another person walks up to me and says anything at all to me, i instantly try to conectrate on what the new person is saying and I lose track of what both people are saying. its very frustrating to have to get both people to seperatly repeat themselves. i completely forget the topic all together.
also if someone is asking me a question that isnt quick and short, I will almost come to the point of asking them to repeat the question, but i dont. I have heard every word they said but i have to repeat the question in my head over and over becuase i wasnt paying attention to the meaning of the words, rather i was just listening to the words.
when i was younger i used to get these anxiety attacks while trying to sleep(around 14-18 yrs old)(im now 23). It was a feeling that made me scared to go to bed in fear of having a night terror. Its a feeling of the walls getting further and further away and almost like i am floating above the bed. well i fell asleep once in this state and had a horrible night terror.
family doctor?
physc?
Also, maybe someone could talk to me about my issues that lead me to think i might be ADHD...
One major issue i have is when it comes to reading a page of text. If i do not try and concentrate really hard, i tend to read the first few words and after that i start lazily glancing over everyhting else.. or when i do read everything, i find my self reading the words and daydreaming at the same time so that i have to go back and read again.
another is my performance at work. I am a designer so i create drawings on autocad. well when i get going on a project i usually do pretty good at staying focused, but after a while i hit a lul and everyhting shuts down. i might be near completing my task, but cant seem to focus in on the small remaining details to finish. i start looking at the whole task and get an overwelmed feeling.
I have concentration issues while someone is talking to me directly. If i am on the phone and that person is talking to me, i can concentrate on what they are saying, but once another person walks up to me and says anything at all to me, i instantly try to conectrate on what the new person is saying and I lose track of what both people are saying. its very frustrating to have to get both people to seperatly repeat themselves. i completely forget the topic all together.
also if someone is asking me a question that isnt quick and short, I will almost come to the point of asking them to repeat the question, but i dont. I have heard every word they said but i have to repeat the question in my head over and over becuase i wasnt paying attention to the meaning of the words, rather i was just listening to the words.
when i was younger i used to get these anxiety attacks while trying to sleep(around 14-18 yrs old)(im now 23). It was a feeling that made me scared to go to bed in fear of having a night terror. Its a feeling of the walls getting further and further away and almost like i am floating above the bed. well i fell asleep once in this state and had a horrible night terror.
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janewhite1
08-27-2008, 07:13 PM
That does sound a lot like ADHD.
The best type of doctor to see is a psychiatrist who treats ADHD often. Personal recommendation, or possibly recommendation from a family doctor, is the best way to find one.
The best type of doctor to see is a psychiatrist who treats ADHD often. Personal recommendation, or possibly recommendation from a family doctor, is the best way to find one.
zbrAnEk
08-28-2008, 08:06 AM
I called a family practice physician yesterday and one of the nurses who answered said they handle many ADHD patience. I know that the best help is psychiatrist but the price tag is what is going to make the difference.
tUrRrRa
08-29-2008, 07:17 PM
Hi there! Thank you for your reply on my post. I seem to be having a lot of similar issues as you are. I also feel like I'm out of it even if I'm not doing anything. I just kind of space out. The only way I can explain it is like if a cloud came over me and I lose my concentration and focus and can't really help it. I almost feel drunk at times when it gets really bad! Let me know how your doctor appointment goes. I'm kind of in between insurance right now and have a temporary one that would be VERY expensive to see a doctor, so I will have to wait at least a few months. I'd love to find any way to help this if it is ADHD, and if not, what else could be causing it. I've always been a bit of a perfectionist/anxious person too. I end up in tears some days because I get frustrated with my spacing out.
zbrAnEk
09-09-2008, 01:56 PM
UPDATE:......
well i went to see a family doctor yesterday afternoon like i had scheduled. i described the symptoms that i have listed in this post. His treatment was for me to "drink more coffee while at work" and to "exersize more often". He said that ADD is only diagnosed at child age, not at adult age and since i have a degree in college that i must be able to control it enough that i do not need any kind of perscription treatment. then he started to compare how he did good in college, expecially after he got into "Chiropractic" school..........
at this point i rellized that i had made a mistake seeing a doctor at this clinic, i thought i was being scheduled with someone who could make an accurate diagnosis.
is this treatment acceptable? i drink coffee already, and i have been adviced to drink less caffine due to the ringing in my ears (as directed by an Ear Nose and Throat DR.)
well i went to see a family doctor yesterday afternoon like i had scheduled. i described the symptoms that i have listed in this post. His treatment was for me to "drink more coffee while at work" and to "exersize more often". He said that ADD is only diagnosed at child age, not at adult age and since i have a degree in college that i must be able to control it enough that i do not need any kind of perscription treatment. then he started to compare how he did good in college, expecially after he got into "Chiropractic" school..........
at this point i rellized that i had made a mistake seeing a doctor at this clinic, i thought i was being scheduled with someone who could make an accurate diagnosis.
is this treatment acceptable? i drink coffee already, and i have been adviced to drink less caffine due to the ringing in my ears (as directed by an Ear Nose and Throat DR.)
janewhite1
09-09-2008, 08:18 PM
Oookay.
Adults are diagnosed ADD all the time. It's really quite common.
Coffee and exercise can be very very helpful at controlling the symptoms, but some people also require prescription medicines.
Chiropractic school? So this guy isn't even a real doctor?
Adults are diagnosed ADD all the time. It's really quite common.
Coffee and exercise can be very very helpful at controlling the symptoms, but some people also require prescription medicines.
Chiropractic school? So this guy isn't even a real doctor?
Thunor
09-10-2008, 03:30 AM
Were I you, I would exercise my right to seek a second opinion, this guy is clearly misinformed.
As to the coffee and the exercise, both may help you somewhat. Caffeine is a stimulant and will mirror some of the effects of stimulant ADHD meds, but it's a poor substitute, especially if it's caused you problems in the past.
ADHD is diagnosed more and more commonly in adults as the understanding of our condition is better understood. Give another doctor and try, hopefully one familiar with ADHD.
As to the coffee and the exercise, both may help you somewhat. Caffeine is a stimulant and will mirror some of the effects of stimulant ADHD meds, but it's a poor substitute, especially if it's caused you problems in the past.
ADHD is diagnosed more and more commonly in adults as the understanding of our condition is better understood. Give another doctor and try, hopefully one familiar with ADHD.
zbrAnEk
09-10-2008, 08:42 AM
thank you both for your help, I got the impression from him that he might have thought that i was relating things i read about on websites to what symptoms i have, when really its the opposite. I have had these symptoms and have done alot of research to come up with a possible diagnosis on my own.
After i explained my symptoms, he left the room and to "write a few things down", really i think he went and did some research on how to diagnose ADHD. I thought by setting up an apointment I would get a specialist, they told me Monday would be the first day I could get an ADHD evaluation. but appearently not.
I need to find a good doctor in my area
After i explained my symptoms, he left the room and to "write a few things down", really i think he went and did some research on how to diagnose ADHD. I thought by setting up an apointment I would get a specialist, they told me Monday would be the first day I could get an ADHD evaluation. but appearently not.
I need to find a good doctor in my area
Thunor
09-10-2008, 12:23 PM
I got the impression from him that he might have thought that i was relating things i read about on websites to what symptoms i have, when really its the opposite.
I found the same thing when I was seeking my own diagnosis (to read a little about what I went through, check out some of my early threads on the board, it was a brutal and ultimately unsatisfying process), many doctors seem to regard the fact that you've done your own research with suspicion and hostility. Many times I heard some variation of, "Just because you read it on the internet doesn't mean it's true!"
Stick to your guns. Ask questions, make sure that whatever diagnoses they offer are satisfactory. Don't accept a diagnosis that doesn't make sense, make them explain how their diagnosis fits your symptoms. There are other disorders and illnesses that can cause similar symptoms to ADHD, but don't let the doctors diagnose those as a cop out, make sure they've done their work and they're certain. Remember, for them it's just grinding out another day toward a paycheque, for you it's one of the most important diagnoses you'll ever seek.
Good luck.
I found the same thing when I was seeking my own diagnosis (to read a little about what I went through, check out some of my early threads on the board, it was a brutal and ultimately unsatisfying process), many doctors seem to regard the fact that you've done your own research with suspicion and hostility. Many times I heard some variation of, "Just because you read it on the internet doesn't mean it's true!"
Stick to your guns. Ask questions, make sure that whatever diagnoses they offer are satisfactory. Don't accept a diagnosis that doesn't make sense, make them explain how their diagnosis fits your symptoms. There are other disorders and illnesses that can cause similar symptoms to ADHD, but don't let the doctors diagnose those as a cop out, make sure they've done their work and they're certain. Remember, for them it's just grinding out another day toward a paycheque, for you it's one of the most important diagnoses you'll ever seek.
Good luck.