Newbie... | ADHD Information

Well, first off I want to start off by saying that I have never been officially
diagnosed as ADHD (inattentive type), but it has been apparent for years.
I can't ask my parents to support me in getting diagnosed with ADD
because they definitely already have their hands full with my siblings who
both have severe disabilities.

However, I am getting to the point where I am getting very tired of not
being able to focus on anything for the life of me. I am in college now
with a major in special education, and its not doing me any good to
always be so behind in my classes. It takes me hours to write a paper
where it takes my friends 30 minutes. I can be intelligent, however, half
the time I am too lazy or not focusing to answer questions that I know.
Most of the time I get very anxious asking questions in front of the whole
class, and I cannot get over that anxiety.

I'm not even sure if I posted this in the correct place, but I just want some
help. I was looking through my old report cards and saw that I had many
comments about how I needed to focus more in class or that I was easily
distracted. When I read those, it just made me think about how I
managed to slip through the cracks. If you're in college, then you can be a self-advocate!!! Most colleges have mental-health services available for free. My sister used this service for her anxiety when she was in college. Most colleges have this, but if yours doesn't there will be a state run service through a mental health center.

Inattentive type is just plain old ADD. I'm pretty sure this is the type I have as well, but I have never been diagnosed. When I was little they called it "day-dreamy" but in school it just got me in trouble. I was intelligent enough to get good grades, but I was "lazy" about it. I never did finish college. I went off and on for almost 8yrs, and just never finished my last semester. I just couldn't focus on the courses I needed to graduate. I only wanted to take classes that were fun and interesting.

It is very, very easy for those of us who are "twice-gifted" to slip through the cracks. I just want to encourage you to seek help for yourself. I have two children...one has Down syndrome and the other has ADHD. I have been working my bum off to make sure that my bright, highly functional ADHDer doesn't slip through the cracks. It is easy for him to be left in the shadows when so much attention is given to the one who has a more severe disability.

P.S. You can post in the Adult Forum if you want to. You might get more responses from others as this children/young adults forum doesn't get as much notice. Good luck!!!