I think I have ADHD

My wife is a medical transcriptionist (25 yrs) and she knows the medical business and symptoms of every illness known (LOL).  I am a retired US Army Blackhawk Pilot.  I have a Masters in Information Systyems.  My wife and famlie members all think I am a real smart guy.  I was always straight A's.  I just turned 54 last Sunday.  I just started to read up on ADHD.  I seem to have all of the symptoms.  I went to the Military base hospital today and I am going to take some tests next month....guess I will see.

OK so what, what if I do have ADHD...... then what?  Do I take meds?  I hate medication.  Do I change my lifestyle?  Nah...... My memory needs recharging I believe...... with all of my education...... I seem to not retain the goods...... Do I have Alheisimers ?  I don't think so...I do joke about it though.

I drive my wife crazy at times.  I never put something in the same place more than 2 times in a row.  I just drop it where I happen to be at the time (Wallet, Keys, pens, what ever is in my pocket.  A shirt might be on one chair one day and in the bedroom the next...Not a big deal to me too her it is though.  I can starft something then lose interest fast...... BUT then again, once I start something, like fixing a faucet, I will not quit until the job it over.....Case in point, in 1978 I was living with a friend and his wife.  The guy would never fix anything.  His wife asked me to see if I could fix her faucet.  OK, sure..... I had a problem with this nut under the sink....I would not let it get the best of me...I spent 2 flipping hours until I got it off...then I fixed the faucet.  If I am doing something like finishing wood (refinishing).  Don't tell me the food is ready...I won't eat until I am done with my task.

I am hot and cold..... Interrested in something today, tomorrow don't bother me with it...... I lost interrest.  If I see the doctor and he tells me to take meds...ok fine I will give them a shot but no guarantee....... I work for the Govt and have a Top Secret clearance.  I don't need to jepordize that with medication........ My lifestyle doesn't bother me all that much, only my wife..... I will do what I can to make life more pleasant with her......

Good luck all....I wonder if I sound like I have ADHD to U all.....

P.S.  When flying helicopters in the military I never had problems...too busy not I can see that something is going on..... but so what....I say...is that all that bad (my attitude)???????

You sound completely normal to me.

Doran, wouldn't your link be better place on the Alternative treatment threads?

My wife is a medical transcriptionist (25 yrs) and she knows the medical business and symptoms of every illness known (LOL).  I am a retired US Army Blackhawk Pilot.  I have a Masters in Information Systyems.  My wife and famlie members all think I am a real smart guy.  I was always straight A's.  I just turned 54 last Sunday.  I just started to read up on ADHD.  I seem to have all of the symptoms.  I went to the Military base hospital today and I am going to take some tests next month....guess I will see.

OK so what, what if I do have ADHD...... then what?  Do I take meds?  I hate medication.  Do I change my lifestyle?  Nah...... My memory needs recharging I believe...... with all of my education...... I seem to not retain the goods...... Do I have Alheisimers ?  I don't think so...I do joke about it though.

I drive my wife crazy at times.  I never put something in the same place more than 2 times in a row.  I just drop it where I happen to be at the time (Wallet, Keys, pens, what ever is in my pocket.  A shirt might be on one chair one day and in the bedroom the next...Not a big deal to me too her it is though.  I can starft something then lose interest fast...... BUT then again, once I start something, like fixing a faucet, I will not quit until the job it over.....Case in point, in 1978 I was living with a friend and his wife.  The guy would never fix anything.  His wife asked me to see if I could fix her faucet.  OK, sure..... I had a problem with this nut under the sink....I would not let it get the best of me...I spent 2 flipping hours until I got it off...then I fixed the faucet.  If I am doing something like finishing wood (refinishing).  Don't tell me the food is ready...I won't eat until I am done with my task.

I am hot and cold..... Interrested in something today, tomorrow don't bother me with it...... I lost interrest.  If I see the doctor and he tells me to take meds...ok fine I will give them a shot but no guarantee....... I work for the Govt and have a Top Secret clearance.  I don't need to jepordize that with medication........ My lifestyle doesn't bother me all that much, only my wife..... I will do what I can to make life more pleasant with her......

Good luck all....I wonder if I sound like I have ADHD to U all.....

P.S.  When flying helicopters in the military I never had problems...too busy not I can see that something is going on..... but so what....I say...is that all that bad (my attitude)???????

1. Get a complete physical. If anything is causing an underlying condition, focus can be affected.
2. Think about what has changed to create more stress in the past year You have been functioning a long time and added components may make any focussing struggle harder
3. Get a complete psych assessment. Not everything that pertains to lack of focus is ADHD including PTSD, bi-polar and depression.
   
4. If it turns out that it IS adhd then you can decide to use behavioural skills techniques, medication or both, depending on your circumstances.

Exactly Metis, that is exactly what they did after I decided to see private care. A complete physical and whats more is that they did a complete background medical, educational and family check. Once that was all done I was asked to answer some very basic, yet very important questions.

I never got that type of treatment at LRMC. GOOD LUCK Tom!

~Bryan

www.adderworld.com