hi. i need help.

What you describe sounds very much like ADD. But you are absolutely correct that you cannot diagnose yourself. And it does not go away on its own. Even if you are on your parent's insurance, I think you should be able to make an appointment on your own. If not, just pay for it if you can. If you can't, maybe you can get a job with insurance.

Whatever is causing this problem (ADD, depression, or something else), it can be serious if not treated. Most healthy 19 year-olds don't have these problems.

Organization strategies, coaching, meditation/prayer, diet, and exercise can all help. But it is important to see a qualified doctor to find out exactly what is wrong. Medications are nothing to be afraid of unless you have a serious addiction problem. If a doctor can prescribe a medication that at least helps you get through college and keeps you going long enough to start learning new coping strategies, then why not?

I was diagnosed at age 46 and was in the process of losing my career and marriage. I needed to pull it together quickly and did not have time to wait for diet, coaching, etc. to take effect. I am working on all those things, but the key was getting to a doctor to find out what the real issues were.

I know is says Teaching and geared for schools but it is easy to turn it into work I have used it .. at 37 .. lol .. hope it helps moon6

I'm Mr "now, boys, ADD drugs are good m'key." But, first I'd say you need to organize yourself until you hit the brick wall of mental ability, then treat the areas you can't organize. Go to your friends and ask them to tell you what it is you do that upsets them, be prepared to get you asz kicked emotionally because that stuff hurts. At the same time don't be depressing and talk about how awful you are, people get tired of that.

You don't have to be clever, you don't have to say something after every comment. In fact little tricks can help. If there are 5 people in a group, you represent 20% of the group. No one likes a band where the guitar player has to be louder then everyone else, or plays solos all through the song. Let's say your group is talking about the New Star Wars movie. This is a perfect time for people like us to try and dominate the conversation.If you say, "That movie is going to suck." You are not allowed to speak again until 4 other people have spoken. EX

Person A: So the new star wars is coming out in Dec.
YOU: OMG, that movie is going to suck.
Person C: I read on the internet where Lucas really worked hard on this one.
(You want to say, Lucas sucks he couldn't make a decent movie if he wanted to, but if you do you stop the debate, everyone shuts up a nervous tension fills the room) This is where you must wait your turn again.

Person D: I'm not expecting much but I'll go see it.
Person E. I'm really looking forward to Blade.
Person A: Yea, Blade looks good.

I think you and I are the same. It caused me to become a loner and shut off everyone from my life, not the best course of action. It can be a real eye opener is to take a tape or video recorder along sometime, then listen to yourself later.

If you hear yourself saying really hurtful things it can really stick with you. And what's funny is those of us who say those hurtful, abusive things - we get our feelings hurt so easily, and it makes us think we are worthless. PLUS, often people are just responding to our tone and manner and don't really dislike us at all.

Something I used at your age was from the bible, "Even a fool when he remains silent is considered wise." Think about that one awhile.

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me to "just try harder", I would be sitting on my own island in the Carribean.

I am glad to hear you are seeing a doc. If he is no good or will not refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist, find another.

Many people with ADD also have other issues such as depression. Who knows what came first? But it does need treatment. If counseling and/or coaching works, then great. If you need medication, that is fine too.

You will find contributors to this board who will tell you to just go ahead and take as many meds as you want so long as it helps you. There are other contributors who will tell you that you should never take meds and that you don't really need a doctor (just diet, exercise, etc.).

The reality is that different things work for different people. Not everyone has the same type nor intensity of ADD. If they prescribe medication that you do not like, you can stop it. If they think you need counseling and it does not help, you can always stop.

But seeing a doctor is DEFINATELY the right thing to do. It is important to keep seeing whatever doctors you need to in order to get a diagnosis. Once that is clear (because it can be things other than ADD), then your choice of treatment is up to you.

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me to "just try
harder", I would be sitting on my own island in the Carribean.[/[/
P][/QUOTE]

that's true. I swear I will try. but wouldn't I need to show proof from a doctor that I infact have
ADD?I am guessing you are on your parents insurance but at 19 you should be able to see your doctor and get a prescription on your own. If there is a copay you may need to pick that up yourself if your parents don't approve. I think you should pursue this. Your college or university should also have a student medical service. If you are reluctant to use your parents insurance go to them. You already had a diagnosis when you were a child that should be a good starting point. Get a release to get a copy of your medical records so you have proof if the student medical or disablities services need it. Best of luck to you. -Gettingagrip-

yes, you probably do. You should see a doctor. I don't know what the legal age of consent is in your state, but at 19 you should be old enough to seek medical help for yourself. Even if you are not legally an adult in your state, you still have the right to seek help even if your parents disagree. See below. Your school counsellor or disabilities office should be able to provide you with more information regarding your rights, local health professionals, and how to go about getting diagnosed so you can get the help you need. Good luck.

The wishes of competent older children regarding their medical care should be taken seriously. If the medical caretaker judges a child competent to make the medical decision in question, she should first attempt to resolve the issue through further discussion. If that fails, the medical caretaker should assure that the child's voice has been heard and advocate for the child. In intractable cases, an ethics consultation or judicial hearing should be pursued. "

I think most colleges and universities have a disabilities services office, or at least have someone who handles disabilities. Where I am, ADD/ADHD students are allowed extra time to complete exams, and are able to get extra help with things like writing. This is all very confidential, the instructors are given students names and needs by the disabilities office, but other students in the class need not know.

I would suggest you contact your schools disabilities office or administration for information.

I just posted a topic and can relate, I would visit your colleges "learning disabilities center" Often time's it is free to students. I was put through a battery of tests about 5 years ago and the Grad student didn't diagnose me with ADD because 5 years ago they didn't know much about Adult ADD. I was increadibly slow at tests, and they do allow for extra time if you are formaly diagnosed. Not to brag, but my IQ tested at 121 and I was always the last to finish a test.

One of your last replies is true, it is Skill's not Pills that help, however, pills will put you on a level playing field. Plus I could never read a self help book without the aid of the pills. Hang in there, If you parents still brush you off with a sincear plea, seek help at the "learning disabilites Center" they will give you advice on how to cope with your partents. Remember, your a refleciton of them, and they are sometimes in denial.

Make sure that your doctor starts you with small dosages of
Straterra and increases them very slowly. You may have nasty
headaches, but they go away after a few days. this happened
to me every time I increased the dosage.

Other than headaches, I sometimes had feeling of dizziness and would get what some describe as "hot flashes". That is I would be sitting in my air-conditioned office and suddenly strat feeling very hot and begin to sweat like I was outside in the sun. It might last for 10 minutes or so and could happen once or twice a day. But the strange thing was that while this was happening, my nose and fingers would be cold.

I also found that it gave me strange dreams at night and sometimes made me feel a little "spaced-out". I can't really describe it, but I sometimes just did not seem like myself.

But I stringly suggest that you do not drink alcohol while you are on Straterra. I think it can be a very volitile mix.

Be patient with the Straterra. It works great for some people and not well for others. But if it does not work or you have side effects, do not be discouraged. There are other medications that have been around for a long time. Different things work for different people. It sometimes takes awhile to get it all figured out.

The important thing is that now YOU are in control. You may not have all the answers, but you recognize the situation and you are actively working on it.

Make sure that your doctor starts you with small dosages of Straterra and increases them very slowly. You may have nasty headaches, but they go away after a few days. this happened to me every time I increased the dosage.

What happens when an older child disagrees with her parents about a medical treatment?