degrees of ADD? | ADHD Information

i understand completely...i recently posted "describe add for me" because even though my husband has ADD and he tries to tell me what its like i feel like i have it too though in a milder form...i too can keep a job, did ok in school and can function somewhat normally but yet i know i am very forgetful, up and down moods, but most of all my thoughts seem "scrambled" all the time and jump around from one thing to another and i get extremely bored with anything that takes effort and persistence and my mind wanders if i am not interested in the subject no matter how hard i try.

so i too have wondered about "degrees" of ADD but i suppose anything involving the brain is complicated and people can have various psychological problems that have all been stuck under the umbrella of ADD for lack of a better description, IMHO....

Hi.  I'm new here.  I've been trying to work up the courage to make my presence known here for weeks, but it's really hard for me to introduce myself to a group of people--something about having all of that attention focused on me usually scares me off.  I'm much better at one on one conversations.

Anyway, I'm not positive that I have ADD, but I was flipping through a book one day at a store and started reading about the symptoms and I almost started to cry.  It was like the book had been written about me.  I felt like finally someone understood what I was going through!

The thing is, after reading the posts here, I find my symptoms are not nearly so severe as what others are going through.  I always did well in school and I've never been fired from a job, but I'm forgetful and never finish what I start because I'm so easily distracted.  I rarely trust my judgment because I'm usually wrong (because I miss a vital piece of information) and so my self-esteem is very low.  Of course, being socially-stunted hasn't helped either...

Anyway, my question is, are there degrees of ADD?  Is it possible I could have it even though my symptoms aren't quite so severe as what some people seem to be dealing with?  Any input would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Yes, it is very possible. I was never a hyper child and I always did well in school (even though i never put in alot of effort). I also have a low self-asteem so I can see where you are coming from.

There are different degrees of severity of ADD/ADHD (diagnosed by a psychologist). When I finally had the courage to get tested I was really shocked at my results. After I passed a screening test I took a battery of test from an ADD/ADHD clinic with a psychologist. I thought I might have a mild form of ADD but it ended up I have a severe form of ADHD. That was a bit overwhelming but I learned to accept it with the help of my friends, family and this board (the people here go through the same things and really helped me when I hit my low). If you go to school you might be able to find a counsler that can administer a screening test or you can just go talk to a psychcologist. I know my health insurance covered a large chunk of the dr. bill and also the medication, so there is alot of monatary relief available if you are covered.

The worst thing that can happen is that you are diagnosed with it, but isn't that better then living in fear of having it and not getting help? That might just be my personal opinion. You'll have some hard times but at least you'll know why and can work towards helping yourself. Remember, there is always some one here to listen and help you out.
May I ask what is getting in the way of what you want yourself to be? If you're doing ok in school, and work, what's missing? Sounds like you may have some social anxiety, which is something I can understand completely. This can be a side effect of having ADD. There are in fact several different degrees of ADD.  I have one of the most sever cases there is...trust me on this one...60 mg a day of Adderall and sometimes as my neuro psych knows I have to take anywhere from 7.5 to 15 mg more a day...depends on what's going on.  The severity of it can vary as can the symptoms of it.  I don't have all the symptoms and just for the record where it got me the hardest was the social skills area...I didn't do well in school but that was because I couldn't keep my mind on what I was supposed to be doing...my lack of a social life kept taking over my mind.  The other part was I was bored to tears.  Jobs I've had a hard time with, but this last one was the worst...I was diagnosed started the medication and get this...5 months into treatment and results going better than ever, had won awards at work, put into place new proceedures etc...suddenly after a GREAT review from my boss got fired.  Sad but true.  I've usually held my jobs for years...so not all they symptoms fit all the cases or the severity of this "wonderful" little 3D puzzle we call our brains... 

[QUOTE=floofthegoof]May I ask what is getting in the way of what you want yourself to be? If you're doing ok in school, and work, what's missing? Sounds like you may have some social anxiety, which is something I can understand completely. This can be a side effect of having ADD. [/QUOTE]

Immediately after graduating from college it was my low self-esteem that got in the way.  I would inadvertently sabotage myself at interviews by being honest about what I perceived to be my lack of skills.  I was completely incapable of tooting my own horn!

Now what is holding me back is the knowledge that there is absolutely nothing that I want enough to even consider going back to school for it.  I get bored easily and something that I'm all fired up about one week is forgotten the next week.  I'm currently in an entry-level civil servant position (which requires no college education), where I've been for five years.  I've been told by several people I work with that I'm overqualified for the position, but I feel safe there.  I know the job well and I'm so low in the feeding chain that my numerous mistakes don't matter too much, except for the fact that they keep chipping away at my self-esteem.

So I'd have to say that what's missing most from my life is a belief in my own abilities.

And you're right about the social anxiety.  There are days when I'm walking down the hall at work, see someone coming, and I'll make a quick detour down another hall just so I don't have to say hello.  But I'm working on that...

I have never been diagnosised with ADHD/ADD but my 5 year old has ADHD. Growing up my mom was always told by my teachers if she could sit in her seat she would do beeter in school, if she would stop daydreaming she would understand more. I did take a ADHD evaluation in college part of my Pschy. proff. class and he pulle dme aside and said it seemed that i had most of the sypmtoms but i figured I had lived 21 years with out meds then I would be ok.

I have a lot of the symptoms of ADD/Adhd but I dont think it as extreme as some cases (my sons) I have been in several car wrecks from being distracted, at work sometimes if someone walks by I have a hard time refocusing, house work is my major issue I will put laundry in and then go to vacume and remember that the dishes need to be put away so i will go to the sink and then the dryer will buzz and it will distract me so I go to the dryer but the dishwasher is open.... my husband laughs at me at times because i will say i am going to deep clean and he says dont..but an hour into it and I have created more of a mess than it was he will laugh.

I've had problems ADD my whole life. I always have done
poorly in school, even though I was a smart kid. I could never
be on task and keep focus on what was going on. I barely even
graduated from high school, and college has been worse. I
worry everyday where I am going to be for the next few years,
and beyond. I have no friends of my own anymore. I can't have
good relationships with people who aren't ADD themselves. I
can only handle people who are highly imaginative and
intelligent. I need constant stimulation.

Tedious tasks are really hard for me to complete. Homework
rarely gets done, even if it's easy. Anything that requires too
much effort is put off till the last minute, or is never done. I can't
finish most pojects I start, even if they are enjoyable to me. I
have low self-esteem. I always have negative feelings about
myself. I have a hard time expressing my thoughts and talking
to others. I feel like I'm living inside my head. Nothing is easy
for me besides procrastinating, making people laugh, and
coming up with ideas. I have never been properly diagnosed,
but I have been to the doctor a couple times. My last visit, my
doctor told me he thought I had ADD and depression. I'd say I
have a moderate case of ADD, but I can't really say.[QUOTE=Little Lisa]

Anyway, my question is, are there degrees of ADD?  [/QUOTE]

 

Yep!  it follows after your name = Rae70 Phd ADHD .

Just kidding!  But everyone else answered the question and I am in a bit of a manic mood today and thought i would have some fun.

>>  Jobs I've had a hard time with, but this last one was the worst...I was diagnosed started the medication and get this...5 months into treatment and results going better than ever, had won awards at work, put into place new proceedures etc...suddenly after a GREAT review from my boss got fired.  Sad but true.  I've usually held my jobs for years...so not all they symptoms fit all the cases or the severity of this "wonderful" little 3D puzzle we call our brains...<<

Hello JazzAngel. If you don't mind me asking why in the world did they fire you?? Did you do something wrong? Did they try even try to give you a reason?? Did you have any recourse??

If someone is able to function, and even do rather well at work and/or school is that enough?  I ask myself that question all the time.  If we are capable of carrying on daily life, is it enough to accept that we are a bit different from others or is there a reason to seek treatment? 

Certainly if one cannot provide for him/herself there is a need for professional help.  But what about things beyond that?  I am not so worried about housework and such, but sometimes I think that I should have friends, and should be able to realize my own self worth, and should be able to get through a day with out my family commenting "what is WRONG with you anyway?"