I am pretty sure I have ADHD | ADHD Information

I hope you don't mind if I post here, it seemed so fitting. I am an adult who has/had all the symptoms ADD. My memory was/is so bad, I barely learned anything in school. However, I was very creative, which got me through. I was extremely artistically talanted and was offered a scholarship to art school, when I was twenty four! The art courses were a no brainer, A's all the way. However, I couldn't make the project last the entire semester. I'd do my work in an evening. This was unacceptable. So, I wasted time looking like I was working on something the whole semester, and still turn in something completely different that was done the night before. I had to be somewhat manipulative in order to get my acedemic requirements completed. I graduated, and was accepted to Yale for graduate work. But I didn't go because I got bored with art. I get bored with everything long term. So far in my life I have had over 30 jobs! I seriously believe I'm so right brained, it affects my life. I found that in order to control my life, I must do things repetitivly, write everything down, and prepare mentally days in advance when something is to break up the routine. If something unexpected comes along, I "blank" out.

Well my question is, Is it possible to have all the symptoms of ADD, and not have ADD? I ask this because I was diognosed with ADD as an adult, and tried Ritalin. It made me extremely hyper, and I cleaned the house like no tomorrow.

Thanks!

[QUOTE=Rae70]

Could you please tell us about yourself as a young child. Your school reports, your teachers comments etc. To give us an idea if our children compare and that they may also use their skills to benefit themselves. These type of stories give hope.

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Well, I feel that, if diagnosed properly in grade school, I could have gone a lot further. I remember being qualified for the "Gifted" class (and yes, there was a gifted class then, not sure if it is still called that anymore), but not being able to get into it because of "my behavior". In choir class, 5th grade, I auditioned for the star role in the school play as Benjamin Franklin. The choir teacher told me that I was tied with, and even a little better than another student (he was in the gifted class), and would have gotten the role, but my behavior history discounted me and the role was given to the other student.

During parent-teacher conferences, the teachers would always tell my mother that I was extremely gifted and intelligent, but didn't apply myself. I would forget things a lot, be late with homework, lie to my teachers about why I didn't get assignments completed, etc..

High-school was extremely awkward, I was always trying to hang out with people that I thought would be my friends, I didn't know who I was, didn't have an identity. I would start things and quit, I joined the track team, and quit after the second practice, I started the wrestling team, and quit after the first practice. No I look back and wish I would have stuck these things out, I wish I would have done so much more while I had the chance, the only thing that I stuck with for a long time was band, but I never did go all the way to the end, I quit my senior year just because some friends did, now I wish I would have stayed in it until graduation.

During college, gone were the awkward days of highschool, but I still didn't know what i wanted to do, I would often skip class and go sleep in my car. When I did actually apply myself, i was amazed at the things I could do. Part of my escape routine involved drinking, I would hang around a reall loser friend that I had, last time I checked, he was still living in his fathers basement at 29. Unfortunately, I was involved in a serious alcohol related accident when I was 19, my first semester of college, it has permanently altered my life. I was pretty badly broken up, and still have facial scars as a result of hitting the windshield, a lot of times I think that because of that, I had nothing to do besides study and work, and so I applied myself in those areas, eventually exceling at both and putting me in my current position.

I have often thought about writing a book based on all of this, and maybe I will someday. It would be more of therapeutic experience for me, as it is now, recalling memories and piecing together how everything turned out, the missed opportunities, and what the future holds.

Hi all, I accidentally found this site and have been thinking about this for many years now. I have self-diagnosed myself with clinical ADHD with a side of bipolar or manic depression, and I say clinical, because I do not agree with the second "D" in ADHD, the clinical classification of what we have, a disorder, ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

This is probably going to come out in a rant... but I have always experienced floods of ideas and thought, just too much for me to comprehend at one time. Often while watching TV, I will flip to an alternate channel when a commercial is on, and either completely forget about the former program (sometimes I even forget what I was watching, but I knew I was interested in it), or I flip between the channels until the program comes on, basically, I want to keep my mind going with the program... or some kind of program...

A lot of times I have these aweswome, large-scale ideas, but I never act them out and do them, I have so many diverse interests, it is crazy, one day I am all set to move into the city where I work, and the next day I am content on staying where I am at, while the next day I am looking at jobs in other states just because I would like to move. I get so worked up about things that I forget about other things, I can focus on something and not think about anything else, oftentimes neglecting necessary responsibilities because "I just have to get this done". One time I dropped a class because I found a new hobby and was up all night trying to build an electronic device that my hobby dealt with, I mean, I get so immersed in something, that i just completely neglect other, more important things. Last week I was remodeling and painting, and now I am late on several bills. But on the other hand, sometimes I am so distracted by outside activities, that I can't focus on what I am doing, and even try to jion the other activity even though I was in the middle of something. Sometimes it's just so crazy? I will be working on a project at work, and someone will start talking to someone else, and I will block what's in front of me and focus on the other conversation, that I'm not even a part of!

I have a very professional job at a big financial institution, and I think I make very good money. I believe that this "disorder" has gotten me where I am today, both good and bad. Many times at work I start large proects, and I mean enterprise-wide, affect the entire company kind of projects, I have to finish them, but sometimes I just don't feel like tackling it that day, I start with big ideas, and then they fade into good intentions.

OK, i guess that's enough ranting for now, but one more thing before I go, I do tend to self-medicate a bit, wether I am on a cappuccino kick, or I go get six pack (which I have now), I always need something to be doing (unless I fell like doing nothing, which happens too)... I welcome and ask for any comments, good or bad, I have felt like this for too long, and I am not trying to change, it has it's good and it's bad, just looking for a community of people who feel the same way.

Thanks for that - sounds a lot like me - except for the gifted bit. ADHD symptoms in older children Poor concentration and brief attention span Increased activity - always on the go Impulsive - doesn't stop to think Fearless and takes undue risks Poor co-ordination Weak short term memory Inflexible personality Lacks self esteem Sleep and appetite problems continue Normal or high 10 but under perform at school ________________________________________

The following are the symptoms(in adults):

Inattention: where a person often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes, often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks, often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly, or often does not follow through on instructions.

Tasks: Where a person often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities, often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort, often loses things necessary for tasks or activities, often easily gets distracted by extraneous stimuli, or is often forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactivity: Where a person often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat, often feels restless, often has difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly, or often talks excessively.

Impulsivity: Where a person often blurts out answers before questions have been completed, or often interrupts or intrudes on others.

Self-Management Strategies: Adults with ADHD benefit considerably from direct education about the disorder. They can use information about their deficits to develop compensatory strategies. Planning and organization can be improved by encouraging patients to make lists and use methodically written schedules.

mrunderstood, I am glad to hear you are successful. ADHD adults have ways of compensating for their "disorder". It sounds like you intellect helped you get past some of you ADHD behaviors. If you don't want to medicate at this state and you don't feel there is something to be gained then you certainly don't need to. I myself have just been diagnosed at age 47. I to have an acceptable career. Not quite as successful as yourself but I've done pretty well. However I do feel I can do even better if I get some of my ADHD behaviors under control. I am currently taking Adderall XR 20 mg. I am on my 3rd month. It has not made much difference in my behaviors except to help keep me awake. I no longer have that time in the afternoon where I can't keep my eyes open and certainly can't concentrate on anything. I do think because I am more awake I a more aware in conversations and meetings. So far though I have not had the experience I had hoped. I was expecting to have more motivation and less distractions. I seem to have more staying power but not on the right things. I waste my time doing things like posting and surfing on the web and not on projects at work or getting organized at work and at home. I don't know if this is because I need a large dose of the Adderall XR or if it is because I have been this way for so long that I am just in a rut of behavior after so many years.

Philbird, there are many ADHD medication alternatives. You might want to go back and see a doctor about trying one of the other options. Every individual reacts differntly and just because one did not work doesn't mean one of the others won't. You may even need a combination of meds to get the greatest results.

Gettingagrip

[QUOTE=Philbird]

I Well my question is, Is it possible to have all the symptoms of ADD, and not have ADD? I ask this because I was diognosed with ADD as an adult, and tried Ritalin. It made me extremely hyper, and I cleaned the house like no tomorrow.

Thanks!

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Yes it is possible, ADHD is often a misdiagnosis for other disorders, such as mild autism, aspergers, bi polar, ODD, PD, Depression.

Are you a happy person Phil. You seem to be happy. I have ADHD and do not take meds, as I do not like the feeling, I rather enjoy my manic moments.

Just because you are ADHD, you do not have to be medicated, you can learn behaviour modifications, join support groups, and various other methods first b4 resorting to meds.

Love to you and good luck.

[QUOTE=mlopez] ADHD symptoms in older children Poor concentration and brief attention span Increased activity - always on the go Impulsive - doesn't stop to think Fearless and takes undue risks Poor co-ordination Weak short term memory Inflexible personality Lacks self esteem Sleep and appetite problems continue Normal or high 10 but under perform at school ________________________________________

The following are the symptoms(in adults):

Hyperactivity: Where a person often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat, often feels restless, often has difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly, or often talks excessively.

Impulsivity: Where a person often blurts out answers before questions have been completed, or often interrupts or intrudes on others.

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Wow! this is so me, it is scary, I could be the poster child of ADD! It's like someone followed me around and studied me for a year and this is what they concluded.

[QUOTE=Philbird]

Me too! I would do semester projects the night before they were due! They are supposed to take all semester, but I just couldn't do it, I always felt the need to put off everything to the last minute, it's almost like I try to ride on the edge of failing, so that I become so determined, that I just cannot fail. Actually, I am one who thrives on stress and near-disaster, I actually like it when I am running late on a project at work, because it makes me put all available resources into it, and comes out stellar... hopefully that won't ever come back and bite me, but it just might..

gettingagrip, I have often thought about medication, but for one, I have heard too many horror stories about people just turning into passive, easily influenced zombies, somehow a piece of them is gone, and it is just not the same person. I think that is what I am afraid of, losing who I have become, but on the other hand, I am interested to see if things can be easier, if I can be more focused, more attentive and thorough. I am still young in my career/proffesional life, that sometimes I think that maybe I should give it a try and see how it goes, is there any permanent mood/personality changes after/if you quit? I am so last minute, indecisive, spontaneous, and I mean, it is to the extreme, I have bought cars on a whim, and really dived deep into new-found interests (costly interests), only to regret it later. Sometimes I just want to go outside and run, just run, but other times I can do nothing but lounge on the couch or in bed, wondering if I should be doing something, and if so, then what?

I once started to read a book called "You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid Or Crazy?!", well, they should have made the book smaller, because I got half way through it, and quit, and now that I think about it, I really don't know why I didn't finish it in the first place. Maybe I'll start reading it again.

Here are a few helpful hints.

Try reading, with a cut out of paper that looks like this L_____l so it only shows some of the words at a time. This way you won't be distracted by all the other words.

Use a timer. Set the timer for 15 -20 minutes at a time. After it goes off streech, do jumping jacks, go shot baskets, get a drink, anything for 5 minutes & then start up again.

Good luck, hope this helps.

It's great reading all this things, and not feeling so stupid and alone any more. But I have a question about something. It's about studying and doing homework. I understand that so many of you out there and myself has huge problems when it comes to studying or handing in papers. I was a good example of that my self today. I was supposed to write some comments on other peoples assignments. It's very easy, just to read it, give some comments (both good and bad) and come with ideas how do do it better. I don't even have to go to my uniersity, I just do it on the internet. I sat down several times this week, tried to read but I couldn't(and therefor I couldn't do what I was supposed to do)I could not read a single word until today at half past twelve ( they would close the comment board at one). Why is it like that???? It's like the words are changing from chinese (I don't understand it) into understanding words and sentences at twelve thirty sharp! ALWAYS ALWAYS on the edge of failing!!! (if we don't do the comments things, we fail the course) I can not do anything at all until the last minute, and I really try!
Is there any possibilities of changing this things?? I really want to!
I can also add that my parents have tried all my life to help me with my studies, sitting down reading with me, explaning me (they are both higly educated) but I always got bored, and they tried so hard to make it interesting for me. I feel so bad about that....
And I also read somewhere here about paying bills. I hate doing that (even if the money is there) I had to give a friend of mine my banc accounts so she could help me. I just can't do things like that!

Any good ideas how to change it? Maybe we should start a studying group

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Try reading "Driven to Distraction" if you want to read a book on it. It is nice and short, easy to read and quite interesting in that you may notice similarities to yourself in the many case studies. It's also pretty cheap and companies such as amazon.com (.ca for canada) will ship it in a couple days.

Then again, I am constantly reccomending this book to folks, mostly because it's one of the only ones i've been able to make it all the way through.

Also, I like what you guys (mrunderstood and philbird)have been talking about with assignment deadlines while in school. I always do my assignments in a night and always in one sitting regardless of difficulty and always score perfect or very near. What I can't do is pass tests. I almost always fail them and then fail the class because of it. I have been granted extra time on tests but that just means more time to daydream while I try to read the question. Just curious if you guys feel (or felt, perhaps) the same. Also, any pointers? I'm trying to get through college at the moment and though it should be easy as none of the subject matter is in the least bit complicated, I still fail tests.