Veteran

Posts: 495
From:Springfield, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 07-10-2002 10:16 PM            

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I am 24 years old. My mother and my husband both think I may have ADD. I"ve known for quite sometime(about 5 years) that something's just not quite right, but had no clue what it might be. I took some on-line quizzes which all agreed I may possibly have ADD, but the information I couldn't find out was what's the next step? Do I first go to my family doctor? Also I"m 6 months pregnant and thinking maybe I should just wait until I have the baby to pursue anything, I wouldn't be able to take any meds right now anyway. Any input would be apprecaited, thanks!

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 1086
From:Banned, Ca
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 07-11-2002 01:00 AM            

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Go to a psychiatrist that specializes in ADD, most other doctors including psychiatrists are usually incompetent.

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Member

Posts: 26
From:
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 07-11-2002 03:24 AM            

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I cannot find a psychiatrist in my area that sees children let alone specializes in ADD. What do I do???
Thanks,
Lee

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 5318
From:stoughton WI USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 07-11-2002 10:11 AM            

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The first step in getting a diagnosis for ADD/ADHD whether it be for a child or for an adult is to see your regular doctor and ask for a referral to a clinic that specializes in testing for ADD/ADHD. Your doctor will know where to refer you. Getting tested will be your next step and for the original poster who is pregnant you can go ahead and get tested anytime if it is convient to you schedule wise. As for meds........you do not necessisarly need to be on meds to control your ADD if you would test positive. Perhaps some sessions with a professional would help. I don't think meds need to be the ultimate answer and should be used in conjunction with therapy etc.

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Veteran

Posts: 270
From:Florida
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 07-11-2002 11:07 AM            

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Paramedik1 ~ I was actually reading an alternative medicine diagnostic book, you know one of those big ones that are on display in the vitamin store, and the symptoms of ADD kind of leaped out at me, when looking for something else. My daughter and I then looked at the symptoms, and went "Wow, that's it!". I have been doing the research, and am going to pursue some of what that article said, including contacting CHADD. We had been perplexed by the symptoms, because she is the dearest, smartest young woman, but other aspects of her personality would drive us crazy.
And good luck to you!

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Junior Member

Posts: 6
From:
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 07-30-2002 03:03 PM            

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to diagnose add it takes way more than some online quizzes. they check yo so thoroughly, your whole life story, including talks to your parents, sisters and brothers....however, it seems that being diagnosed with add is sorta trendy these days and actully anyone with a title can place that lable on you and put u on ritalin. but u gotta make sure. check out chadd and have them advise you.

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Junior Member

Posts: 11
From:Chicago, Il USA
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 08-20-2002 03:50 PM            

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I agree with KaosGirl on diagnosis. It takes unraveling a whole lot of your life to figure out what's really behind your symptoms, which may or may not be ADD. The route that I took to diagnosis was a long-ish one. I've been seeing a therapist for 6 months to figure out exactly what's been causing me such struggles in life. A month ago, we started pursuing the ADD track because it made sense -- but not before working our way through quite a few issues that weren't related but still looked like symptoms. Because you're pregnant, this would be a great time to seek psychotherapy as a starting point, since you really should not take any ADD medication while you're pregnant or lactating.

If it does turn out that you have ADD, medication is not a panacea anyway. Behavior therapy, coaching, learning new coping mechanismsand how to pick yourself up and keep going are a huge part of learning to manage ADD. You can always start working on analyzing yourself and your symptoms, your attention, what helps and hurts it, how you might structure your time better, simplify your life a bit, be forgiving to yourself, etc. whether or not you're "diagnosed". Tthat stuff is really the hardest part of controlling your ADD, and, even better, it doesn't get transmitted to your baby in breast milk. =)

A great book I read was "Women with Attention Deficit Disorder". Sorry, can't remember the author's name. Good luck!

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Junior Member

Posts: 17
From:
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 08-23-2002 06:37 PM            

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I was just diagnosed with ADHD. I am 40. I went to a psychologist. I just called up and asked her if she could diagnose adults with ADHD. I went to her about 4 times in order for her to get a good diagnosis. She has been teaching me behavior modifications After the last visit, she decided I should try medication. I Just went today to a GP who she called and he put me on adderall. It has been an eye opener since I've taken it, wow! A huge difference.

Karen

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Veteran

Posts: 495
From:Springfield, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 08-26-2002 12:40 AM            

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my sister in law is a psychologist but I think I would feel a little bit uncomfortable having her disect my life to figure out my malfunction. I think I will defintiel check with my insurance company and see what is covered and go from there, thanks Karen, you're post has been somewhat inspiring!!!

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Veteran

Posts: 347
From:Little Rock, AR
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 08-26-2002 09:50 PM            

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There are plenty of good books out now on ADD. One can do a bit of reading and gain lots of understanding of the condition. I tried the medication route but it made me feel wierd. Instead I chose to educate myself on the condition, accept it and get on with living.

Good luck to you.

------------------
Be nice to your kids.... They will choose your nursing home.

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Senior Member

Posts: 215
From:
Registered: Aug 2001

posted 08-30-2002 10:25 PM            

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I believed I had ADHD from the time I was in my early 20's, the first time I pursued it I was told no I didnt have it- just lots of stress. I didnt pursue it again for almost five years but I knew it wasn't normal to live the tops-turvy life ADHD causes. This time I went to our local mental health clinic - I waited several months to see the psycologist who could prescribe drugs but the counsellor did extensise screening- she reviewed my report cards -(no grades, untestable, falls out out her chair, aggressive, day dreams ect ect right through fifth grade), my friends, family and coworkers I trust completed questiionaires and amazingly enough each of them scored me as definitely adhd. I kept a journal- what a challege for a week - I discovered that everytime I boiled water for macaroni I over filled the pot- used a teaspoon to stir, burned my fingers everytime, flooded the stove and floor when it boiled over everytime and called myself a stupid incopitent bafoon everytime feeling horrible. Reading the diary I wondered- why didnt I ever think to use a bigger spoon and less water! Now I do, (smile) but things like that happened all day- and I cant ever count how many times a day I walked into the same room 10 or more times before i could remember what i went in there for long enough to do it or get it. I would give up each time- go back to where I'd been, remember instantly go back but get distracted and forget. Again and again and again. my plants were all dead in the bathroom, even though every single time I sat on the toilet looking at how shriveled they were getting I promised myself the first thing I would do when i got up of toilet was water them. I never ever remember. And God help the fish! How they survive is beyond me!-meme

[This message has been edited by memehegan (edited 08-30-2002).]

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Junior Member

Posts: 17
From:
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 09-01-2002 09:36 PM            

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One thing I will add, is I get tired of people telling me they got diagnosed with it and learned how to deal with it and get on with their lives. My psychologist told me she dealt with it and without meds earned her doctorate degree and raised 5 teenagers. Well, let me tell you that if you truely do have it, your brain doesn't function correctly and medication will make you finally feel normal!!! You won't feel funny or speeded up or weird. Its not something you can just deal with. Most people with this have basically been unsuccessfull in their schooling and work lives and it hasn't been their faults. Nobody who doesn't have it can understand what I'm saying and I will be the first to admit the doubts I had until I tried medication. I am not into taking pills either. I hope someday people will admit this is a medical disorder. Even I am too ashamed to admit I have it to anybody except for on here. Its sure nice to be able to get one task around my house finished though. I can actually put the laundry away, all of it. I can go outside and not lose my keys somewhere. I can drive to the store and come home and not forget half the groceries even with a list. Well, you take care and hang in there!

Karen

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Member

Posts: 36
From:Maryland
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 09-01-2002 10:05 PM            

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I feel I went about it the right way for my add dianostic. Too many people are so mistakenly
diagnosed. I took a 5 hour IQ test with a phycologist. Most health insurance would pay for it.
Then I was sent to a Pychatrist, who perscribed me Dexdrine. I have been on that for 5 years now,which, I shall add ,that because of it I'm making 20 thousand more in income than 3 years ago.

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