Does this sound like ADD? | ADHD Information
I have major problems paying attention in class...when the instructor is speaking his words seem to go through my brain without being absorbed. We can go over the easiest concepts and I cant put the words together into meaningful ideas. I have the same problem when I read. When the words go through my brain, my brain will not engage to grasp the meaning. I experience the same thing while trying to watch a movie.
My brain feels like its disengaged or in a neutral gear. It feels like my brain is lazy, disorganized and scattered, especially around people. However, when I'm interested in a subject my brain sometimes wakes up and engages. My interest in chemstry and biology got me through college.
My conscentration and learning are almost non-existent during a classroom setting. I have to learn in a solitary environment, where I am not distracted. I've been like this since I was a kid. My teacher used to say I had cotton in my ears-how cruel was that? I took zoloft one time and it helped me a lot while studying for tests. I took some amphetamine once during class and it helped me to comprehend tremendously.
What do you guys think?
sounds like adhd... run the online tests, and be strong
OpenYourEyes,
You're about the fifteenth person that has asked the people on the ADHD adult board to make a diagnosis of ADD.
It sounds like ADHD to me but you could also have dyslexia as well. Try to get an official diagnosis from a doctor, preferably a psychiatrist. I'm concerned by your other post asking about medication. Though that is important for treatment, it's not the whole picture. You may also need therapy, exercise and a change of diet. You may need behavior therapy.
Please remember you have lots of options and try to get diagnosed as soon as possible.
Cheekydeeky
I wasn't asking for a diagnosis. I was looking more for a discussion.
As far as Dr's don't put too much blind faith in them. Some are competent and some aren't. I know more about my life and my symptoms than any Dr, and the infrormatin about diseases are readily available on the internet-the same information the Dr. learned in medical school. I know about doctors. I was actually going to become one, but realized how difficult it would be with my attention problems. I do agree that if you diagnose yourself it's reasonable to get a second opinion. But, don't just think you are going to tap the fountain of truth when your Dr. tells you something. This kind of naive realism is not very healthy. These days its possible and necessary that you become an expert about your own disease. But, always get second opinion!
You asked for an opinion, I gave you mine. I thought this would be the best approach and I still think it is. It is not solely any doctor's opinion- it is also yours. Which is why you came to this board.
Open Your Eyes,
I agree with you entirely that you should educate yourself - that is why most of us are here. I have found the online self diagnosis tools very useful too. But I am not going to start going round saying "I am like this becuase I have ADD", nor am I going to try any treatment programme until I have a proper diagnosis. Unfortunately here in the UK, this can take quite a long time - it took until May to see the first specialist, and so far I have only had 2 x 15 minute sessions. I don't like the system, and I will always question anyone as much as I can, but if and wehn I get to go through a battery of scientific tests, I will accept their conclusions one way or the other.
Your assertion that doctors pick up their knowledge from the same books you could read belittles the years of training and exams doctors must go through to be able to practice.
Maybe we can distinquish between, "does this sound like," and "do I have ADD?"
I was looking for your personal experiences, not advice. But, thanks for the effort.
[QUOTE=ideaspring]Your assertion that doctors pick up their knowledge from the same books you could read belittles the years of training and exams doctors must go through to be able to practice. [/QUOTE]
No, it doesn't. I'm not decreasing their competence, i'm trying to increase yours.
What's the difference? Surely if you think you have a problem, you want to know if that problem has a definition and then start searching for solutions. Or at least eliminate it any move on.
Sorry, you typed the second bit as I was typing. I can understand your cynicism about doctors. I could say the same thing. I was given a diagnosis of bipolar 7 years ago when I had a major manic episode, and am having to push to get a proper diagnosis of what I believe is ADD (inattentive type) now. But I have more problems with the system which means I only got 15 minutes with the doctor last time than I have with the doctor who could easily say that my symptoms fit "within the bipolar spectrum", given the limited time span.
The reason I still say get a proper evaluation is that these conditions are highly complex, and go beyond how we feel about ourselves. From what I had read on the internet, last year I thought I might have diabetes (was very tired, always getting up bursting to go to the toilet, and always thirsty), but this was quickly eliminated with a simple blood test. I know there is nothing physically wrong with me. As for my head, that's another matter.....
I understand what you are saying, but the mental health community in ouir country is atrociouis and incompetent. It's very expensive and good Dr's are very hard to find. A large majority of people in our country don't have health insurance, and even if they do most insurance doesn't cover mental illness that well. The psychiatrist no longer do psychotherapy. They just distribute pills. They are geared at diagnosing actual mental illness than learning disablilitys. A lot of insurances don't cover psychogist fees, and psychologist can't distribute medication. I'd say 85% of the people with problems such as ours fall through the cracks and don't ever get proper treatement or diagnosis. So, I shiver when people start directing people to the medical community and Dr's to solve our problems. I think more ADD people fall through the cracks because it's harder for them get motivated and organised. Also, ADD can be a subtle and obscure. We are usually highly intelligent people.
Thanks for that insight. I was aware that the US system is highly privatised, but wasn't aware of those difficulties. Here, everything is free if you are prepared to wait for it. I enquired about getting a private assessment, but have been advised that this would be a waste of time and money, as they would only refer me back to the NHS (National Health) doctors. So I sit and wait another three months for a 15 minute appointment with a psychiatrist in which I may get referred to the psychologist, for which I may have to wait upto another 15 months.
I have been given Olanzapene / Zyprexa (5mg), but this has just made me so tired that I wasn't getting up until midday, even if I went to bed by 11pm. So I've stopped this, and am going to see my gp (family doctor) tomorrow to see if he can recommend any other course of action. I can present him with the Amen clinic survey (I score a 5 on most of them), but don't know what else I can do.
I'm just hoping I can get to sleep ok tonight (am really struggling big time with the Sage accounts system to do my tax return), so I can get up ok for the morning appointment (which is much easier now I've dumped the Zyprexa). At least the tablets are highly subsidised (we pay about for a month's supply, if on low income you pay nothing), as I guess I may have to try a few until I find something which works. If they start treating me for ADD, rather than bipolar that may help, although as said I'd rather get this proper evaluation first, so that my suspicions are confirmed.
Wow, 15 month wait? That's messed up. You don't even know if you are going to get a competent Dr after all that wait. You see why it's easier to write down all your symptoms, and then look for a diagosis on your own. It's not perfect, but its better than trying to get through the system. Here in the US we can purchase most medications overseas without a prescription. I found a few places that sell ritalin. I'm going to do my research and also try the system, but i'm not too optimistic about getting results from the system. I'm going to try several different meds to see if they are effective. Honestly, it sounds like that's all you are doing with your doctors. It's very much less than an exact science, as we wish it to be.Fortunately, I have a good GP, who has at least taken my problem seriously and referred me to a specialist. I have been feeling quite depressed lately, for the first time since my manic episode. But I don't feel this is the same kind of mood "swings" that I had before. I think I am frustrated as a result of my inability to organise myself, or to achieve any of the targets I set myself (despite plenty of training in self improvement / sales techniques etc and having read numerous self help books).
I think that ADD related problems also caused the stress build up which lead to the previous manic episode. One of the frequently repeated requirements for an ADD diagnosis is that the symptoms have to be there "before the age of 7". I don't think most of us remember how we were when we were that young, but I have always been told I "could do better", and have always been terribly organised, late etc.
The problem perhaps is that I have got by. As you say, people with ADD (and often related conditions like dyslexia or bipolar) are quite intelligent, and I did manage to get a scholarship to a top private school, and get a degree, even though both were enourmous struggles.
Anyway, here's to hoping for a productive meeting tomorrow, I have filled in the boxes for the tax return, save a few questions for my accountant.
Well... to control my hyperactivity I exercise five days a week or more. This helps to control it but the problem is you have to keep changing your routine or your body gets used to it and you become bored and hyper again. I recommend high amounts of cardio. Running, jogging, aerobics. In "Healing ADD" Dr. Amen recommends a strict regime of cardiovascular exercise five days a week or more for ADHD/ hyperactive types.
Cheeky
Cheeky is right, you really need to make sure your diagnosis is ADD. Many other conditions can cause these symptoms. Also many people with ADD also have other conditions. It is important that you see a psychiatrist. If not, you could be missing something else important. You may need drugs and maybe not.
Diet, rest, and exercise will help almost any condition. Even if you are prescribed medication, you still should take care of the other.
IF you have ADD, that is a problem in your brain. Our brains are part of our bodies. If our bodies are healthier, our brains will be healthier. Being really out of shape, sleeping poorly, and eating badly can cause a good bit of depression. This makes us less likely to exercise. Less exercise, and we don't sleep so well. When we are tired, we tend to eat poorly. This makes us depressed and..............
I have seen people with no ADD become depressed when they start to live like couch potatos. They get fat, tired, and sad. They can't remember things, they can't finish things, they start to become reclusive, etc.
I also personally think that people have varying degrees of ADD. I think some people can control many of the symptoms by taking very good care of themselves (exercising, avoiding sugar, etc.) and receiving some ADD coaching. Other people really do need medication.
But you can only figure that out by working with your doctor or psychiatrist.
Good luck and let us know what happens.
Chazinmo38200.5002777778Have just found out that the psychology services I thought I'd wait 15 months for aren't actually taking on any individual cases, as they don't have the funding. They have some support groups, but still have me labelled as "anxiety", which they don't do atm. Have been advised to call the local branch of MIND, a mental health charity - not sure what they can do. Looks like the private route will be worth exploring again after allOpen Your Eyes those were the exact same symptoms I used to have before I got diagnosed. I would say you have add, only because your symptoms are almost exactly like mine. No matter how hard I would try I couldn't concentrate on anything. If I was interested in something I would do it to the point where I was almost addicted to it and completely forget that I had to do other things as well. So I used to have a hard time finishing things in a timely fashion. I would go talk to a doctor.
Well, he at least said he would tell the pyschiatrist that I had stopped the Zyprexa, so that might get me the next 15 minute appointment a bit quicker. And he confirmed I am on the waiting list for the pyschologist, and gave me a number to find out how long the wait is, but they didn't answer the phone.
Forgot to mention the upset stomach I am getting much more often. I've always tended to get this when I am stressed, and have been physically sick sometimes around exams or other stressful times. Does anyone else get this?