Diagnosed ADHDers only | ADHD Information

nothing to scientific.

it's just been my experience alot of individuals think they have adhd and don't. i'm just trying to limit it so not everyone that has a couple of adhd symptoms and hasn't ever done anything about it from skewing it to much.

if you're on adhd meds, i'm sure thats close enough.

OP, I certainly understand your point. I sometimes feel like it's easy to have ADD/HD given the symptoms involved and how easy a person thinks they have ADD.

At what point are you considered offically an ADD'er?

I have a lot of symptoms and finally went to my doc for help. He gave me ritalin so does that means I've officially an ADD'er?

He also gave me that standard written test and I filled it out honestly and I fall within the category of ADD/HD sufferier.

I wish there was somekind of blood test cuz I really want to do if I'm suffering from ADD/HD or some other kind illness that mimics the ADD/HD symptoms.

nothappy38500.9072800926doctors won't tell you if you don't ask.

really, there are so many different things that mimic adhd its easy to just be think you have it. it takes effort to look back on ones life and see when and what behaviours were present from around 5 yrs old and on.

we need to educate ourselves more and ask the right questions because most doctors are not interested in us getting fully healthy, continuing to be ill makes them more money.

asking your doctor for a diagnosis is important if you want to know for sure, and that may provide relief in just knowing that its not something else.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm?textSize=S&O utput=Print

may I ask why?

due to the fact that we are ad/hders, I feel that their are many here that would not necessarily fit into that strict category.....

me personally, my doc actually prescribed me with ad/hd meds (strattera and wellbutrin), though he never actually "formally" diagnosed me with it....(though i don't know why...)

i am not medicating now due to the fact that i am pregnant.

My husband has it also, he has been to the doc also, who prescribed him with meds, yet never gave him the "official" diagnosis. My husband took those meds and just never bothered going back to get a refill.

we are currently looking for another doc, but due to very distracting life situations (like i mentioned, i am pregnant with our first child) we haven't gotten around to finding a new psych for the condition....

and as I understand it, it is very extremely difficult for our fellow ad/hders in the u.k. area to get to the doc and get a "official" diagnosis at all. many of them are not even on treatment, accept whatever methods work best for them, though they are pretty much positive that they have this condition....

so, may I ask, why is this post only open to ones who have been diagnosed by a physician, and are medicating?

not trying to pass judgement or anything, just wondering...you seem as if you have a specific reason why you want it this way....just curious.

This poll is for only those that have been diagnosed by a physician and are medicating. LOL couldn't agree more.

The quality I hate most in people is their insecure need to fit in and be liked by others. Most people are so afraid to have an unpopular opinion that they have no opinion at all. LOL no surprise that I can't stand being around most people for more then a few minutes.
Three of us comprise a social upheaval in my estimation.
When do we march on Disneyland?

(I've no concious reason to say Disneyland but it seems just right)

(we o-perate on intuition anyway, eh)

yes, yes, yes-

i hate that about groups and 'regular' people too. fitting in and finding my place in the herd has always been anathema to me. maybe it's because it is almost impossible for me to do so. i see so many that have status in the status quo as their big focus in life.

i may never be "successful" in life 'cause homey don't play that way. just don't have the patience to be on the ladder with all those sheep.

I am glad to hear that I am not alone when it comes to remembering things. I feel that I can not remember most of my childhood because I was to spacey. Even now with my meds I am still very forgetful but the Doc says that is part of the ADHD. So now I try to write all important things down in my pocket calendar and I try to look back at the calendar every few days.

I am glad that I found this site I no longer feel a lone in this illness.

[QUOTE=dvirgo421]

Once again I have to relate to The Resistance! (TR!).

I embrace who I am.

Who says they are right, why should I not have them question who they are.

[/QUOTE]

Power to you dvirgo421!
I really like making them squirm as well. Too much fight in me to go down without flying them the bird. You too it seems, welcome to our fight.
[QUOTE=seeker63]

fitting in and finding my place in the herd has always been anathema to me.

[/QUOTE]

I have been contemplating this in myself and I think it cannot be underestimated how different, weird, outsiderlike it makes me, and you. Think about it. People will pay lip service to and pretend to be interested in deeper goals but in the long run and day to day, fitting in and being seen as doing well are the goals that motivate many, not the only goals but maybe among the most pervasive.

If you don't have these goals, it will show. It will alienate you from others.

Once again I have to relate to The Resistance! (TR!). I too have spent my life being weird, strange, and a freak. I used to feel so bad about not being "normal" that there was something really wrong with me. The worst was living in a household where thinking linear and logical at all times was thought of as the "right" way, and the only other person in my family that had any personality was considered crazy (my mom is bi-polar and ADD). It hurt for years not having the acceptance and support of my own family.

After moving out as soon as I could, I then was able to realize that I didn't want to be like mainstream society. I embrace who I am. If I react to something emotionally, then I react emotionally. If I am ridiculed for it, I ridicule back to the person for NOT being emotional. Who says they are right, why should I not have them question who they are. When my sister calls me a freak, I tell her she's told me enough times, I know I'm a freak and I like it, and she must like it too because she calls me every day and we hang out like best friends.

I now surround myself with those who don't judge me, who accept me for who I am. It's kind of funny because the two people who do accept me for me are both ADD/ADHD. I can't help but think that maybe linear and logical thinkers are not the "norm", it's only because many of us spend so much time trying to "fit in" and be like those who are that we don't see how big the mass of people who are "different" really is. Maybe if many stopped trying to be something that they aren't we the "normal" people would actually not be.

Hi All,

The stories you tell are mine, too. Finally, when I took the fact that I just might actually have ADD seriously, I looked back on my wholelife, too. SUCH AN UNDER ACHIEVER! and I realized that my mother and brother probably have ADD, too. My lifetime depression/alienation was merely ADD--merely! who am I kidding. So, now as well as my depression meds and even Lamictal for BP disorder, I have added Adderall. I have just cut down on the Lamictal and a depression med. My doctor and therapist are open to my suggestions on experimenting with dosage. I want to take as little as possible. But, I am tired of spending so much time out of the loop

and drowning in my thoughts .

Take care,

Davinci56
you're not alone.

for me the hardest part is actually remembering things about my life that are adhd related. the labels, the behaviour, the people that said what they said. it's all tough to accept. how could i not know sooner? it is a grieving process.

anyway, it sounds like your on the right track.

i try and use this rule; educate, medicate, and manage. it can become a strength.

good luck.

unbreakable38501.5939699074

i am prescribed meds for depression now, in fact it is wellbutrin xl and the doctor prescribed it for add.

my doctor , after writing a long list of what i thought my difficulties are, still tried to push a dx of bi-polar.

after suffering my whole life from these behaviours/thoughts/feelings, and not being able to rectify them through therapy or other depression meds, i found by looking into add for my kids who have been having troubles, that i really fit lots of the symptoms.

i was only moderately hyperactive as a kid, but so many of the other things fit me too well. once i read about add'ers frequently being short-tempered, or just too easily frustrated, i began to consider the possibility. i tended to think add was just a way of describing kids whose parents hadn't done a very good job of discipline.

the more i read, the more i knew that add is the mystery problem i have been battling. almost everybody procrastinates, but i can't not procrastinate esp. the more important it is to not do so. having my mind jump around so fast it's hard to have a conversation with anyone or even keep with a line of thought. rarely completing anything, despite starting lots of projects con mucho gusto.

my mom always called me hyper and impulsive, and i always thought it was just her being a little overwhelmed with raising us, or trying to control me. every report card i ever got said "not living up to potential". i got into lots of fights with everyone, and could not stop being defiant towards authority.

i read these posts here, and books on the subject. almost every time i read personal stories on it, i cry because these people, by and large, are telling a story i thought was mine only.

so, i guess to get to the point finally, my dr. hasn't written it down that i'm add, but he believes me enough to rx something that will, and does, help somewhat, with add.

You are so right about looking back at your past. The more I learn about ADD the more I realized I had ADD all along. Here's a snapshot of my life that may help others to determine if they got ADD as well. It's almost scary how ADD behaviors alike among different people. I am absolutely not making this up just because I've just discovered ADD. I think being honest w/ yourself is the first step in ADD treatment.

Here are my symptoms chronological order from childhood to adult:

bedwetting beyond childhood

poor concentration with complicated project at grade school - last minute cramping is common and gulity feeling when I don't do well. Resorted to plagarism quite often to cope.

occasional talking to myself during showers - only in private; never in public

did poorly at SAT (in the 1000-1100 range) when I clearly felt I could do better - frustration build up but just blamed on myself for being lazy.

Lost of interest or skipping around during studies or reading in college. I do fall asleep during boring studies but it's not something I recall being frequent.

Procrastination throughout my life - frequently tardiness at college and work. I always find myself rushing to everything that had a deadline.

Loss of concentration including blanking out during conversations and meetings

despite the fact that ADD people are well liked, I've always felt as an "outsider" during my school years. Never felt I was part of the "in" crowd and felt I was not given enough "attention".

jumbled words and have problem of putting my thoughts together. Recently I noticed it takes me forever to put an email together at work and keeps going back correcting or rewriting. I finally got fed up after noticing the pattern when started to affect my work then I realized there is something wrong with me!! As a kid, I thought this is what they call "writer's block" and never really paid attention to it. But a "writer's block" can not continue forever which I felt it did in my case.

I can go on and on. The more I learn about ADD, the more I recall my past and having these symptoms. It's almost scary. Now that I understand it, it feels like I started a new life. It's quite hard to describe but I highly suggest others who truly has had suffered lifelong frustrations to get treated.

I wish I have known about this much earlier. Perhaps, my life would have take a completely differnt path. e.g. better college, even better career, better life.

As ADD can be hereditary, I will pay extra attention to my kids. By no ways I will jump the gun and start feeding them drugs but now I will know what to look for.

I have learned so much from others on this site. Very helpful.

nothappy38501.0057175926 [QUOTE=seeker63]i cry because these people, by and large, are telling a story i thought was mine only.[/QUOTE]

This for me is the reason that all the arguments and speculation about is adhd real or imagined, or maybe it is just a symptom of modern life are irrelevant.

The stories I read here and elsewhere are MY story too. Maybe it is just a personality type. Maybe it is just a symptom of modern life. I think it is real, you can think otherwise.

I sometimes think adhd people are just people with a tolerance for being seen as different. Maybe we aren't willing to do anything for money, spend our lives as slaves to some horribly boring job so we can have cars, televisions and McMansions to fit in with the rest of the sheep.

Sometimes I think we are just born with a spirit that lets us, no, compels us to ask WHY? and to see the ridiculousness in things.

I was at a gathering tonight and the conversation was all about losing weight, working out, making money, and home decoration. This sh*t is about fitting in. Maybe this isn't what we want, but to be fulfilled in some way most people don't see and don't seek? I am not immune to a little vanity about my own image - I just refuse to let the idea consume me. I have been different always, I'm used to it. I am weird. I am proud of THIS.

In the last six months since being diagnosed, I've really tried to understand myself and at the same time give myself a break, not judge myself too harshly.

I don't know if this is all a defensive mechanism, a rationalization or what, but I've come to judge others more harshly and see myself as more than ever on the outside looking into a world where I do not fit.

I've said this stuff here before, but I swear I think others bore me because their main focus in life IS to fit in with the rest of the herd, but just to try and look like they are doing well financially while doing it. Like high school cliques they cannot see past this urge to be bland but rich and very very normal members of society, of the sheep herd.

I see myself as someone who is looking in another direction after rejecting their way as superficial and unfulfilling. I am a wolf here in the sheep pen and life is trying to staple a sheepskin to my body and I resist it.

This does not make me right.
This does not make me a better person.
It makes me right for me, and trying to be a better person as I see it.

Let's march, TR! Instead of Disneyland (we don't want to traumatize the kids, we relate to them way too much), lets march on to every 9-5 office, filled with cubicles and the gophers that sit in them!

BTW 'normal' is all a matter of perception. For those who read a lot of the other threads you've heard me say it before.

[QUOTE=The Resistance!](we o-perate on intuition anyway, eh) [/QUOTE]

As an Adult ADHDer, with detailed written diagnostic picture, on Meds, I am shocked by the similarity of the reported experiences and views of majority of contributions here. For the first time in my life, 54 years, I can start to feel that being the person i am is not that "Weird". Who I am as an Individual it seems is more importent than the amount of power i have, the seize of my car, how much money i can generate from my work and all the other material illusions that measure value to "The Herd of Sheep". I belong alright to a growing segment of Humanity that is really starting to reveal itself by It's greatest asset, Creativity!

A person once discribed me as a frustrated intellectual who dreamed his way through life jumping from one idea to the next without completing anything. Looking back Now i know what that person meant and the negative inference that they implied. Well! I now must admit that it is pathetic and the person who delivered it is a victim of the mentality of "Difference is Evil, Similarity is Good"

"Long Live the Freedom of Difference".

I don't believe focus is our sons only issue.

TravisG,

Hi! The point you make on reduced "Sex Drive" is interesting to me because I noticed after i started on Meds, Concerta xl i became more aware of my sex drive. Even after 9 months my urge to have sex has stayed the same. The only change is in my ability to manage it. I wonder if your reduced sex drive is one of the side-effects of the Meds you are on.

[QUOTE=The Resistance!] If you don't have these goals, it will show. It will alienate you from others.
[/QUOTE]

Do you see this as the primary reason "we" become alienated from "normal" people so often? I know it's certainly true for me but I really don't understand why or what to do about it.

I am guessing that there's a way (although I haven't found it quite yet) to hold true to who you are and support others in being who they are without a "we/them" kind of dynamic going on. But I'm not sure. I take a look at people like Jesus, Ghandi, and even Martin Luther King, Jr. and clearly, they threatened people because of their revolutionary (e.g., "non-sheep") stances. Yet I see other people like Oprah, Tony Robbins, and even Brad Pitt and Bono (this One program for Africa) and think that it's possible to make a real difference without getting cricified. What makes the difference, I wonder.

What do you all think?

sachetm38517.5873726852 [QUOTE=ryan1950]

Hey, TR you still leading the Resistence to Boring Twee?

[/QUOTE]

lol what is boring twee?

as far as leadership, my own life is kicking my but. hard.
I'm sitting in my house alone. I was just sitting at my table, patting my dogs head, feeling my fianances, and my life, spinning out of control.
I need to lead myself to some promised land first.

But there are lots of us, here there and everywhere. In my mind, we will prevail.
<long, sorry>

I have an ADHD dr. (whom I don't really like). He recommended that I start attending his "ADHD Group."

Auuuuuuughhhhh! It was awful.

Aside from the fact that I couldn't figure out the purpose or format of the group, one of the main topics was time management.

One of the guys said, "I am always late. I need to fix that."

The dr. and the others chimed in with things like, "Well <Bob>, that is very disrespecful of you. Maybe you need to think about others more, and not yourself so much" etc, etc., etc. Then one woman told how she had been deeply let down by significant people and how it affected her.

Bob looked sheepish. I was new but I couldn't resist. I said, "I sort of like people who are late. I have found that in general I cannot be friends with people who are anal about time because I will be on time, but I will stress out just knowing that I am dealing with someone who will go to pieces if I am late or have to cancel for some reason."

The lady almost started to cry. Good Lord.

<Bob> added, "Most of the time I'm late because I over-prepare. If I am going to a barbecure, I will be the one who brings marinated chicken, sunscreen, extra towels, etc."

The dr. said, "Yes, but by the time you get there, no one will need sunscreen."

But, then I added, "Yes, but he's the one I want to park my tent next to. I can find ways to amuse myself when someone is late."

The lady then piped up with, "Well, IS THAT HOW YOU TREAT SOMEONE ON A FIRST DATE? I think by being late you are just showing someone how little they mean to you."

The dr. said, "Good point. Answer that <Bob>.

He was wishy washy and apologetic..said most likely he would be on time the 1st time and late after that. Everyone seemed smug about jumping on him and telling him he MUST change.

I still couldn't stand it, I said, "Well, I guess if I really liked the guy I might go down a list like this....is he a felon? a drug addict? a cheater? physically abusive? Hmm..maybe I can deal with lateness."

No one was amused.

Then I said, "Maybe time is cultural. In old Africa, you might just agree to meet at the next moon. The person who got there first might wait an entire day for the other to arrive. In Italy, a train is considered "on time" if it arrives within the hour. In Germany, it will be on the dot."

The dr. said, "Well, this is an interesting interaction. <Lady on my left> looks like she is about to cry. <New Person - me> looks sort of, I don't know."

UGGGGGGGGGGH.

Finally, I ended with...."Ok, Christopher Columbus discovers America, but it doesn't count because he was chronically late for appointments?"

I ended up wondering, is this a group/dr. who wants to celebrate and work with the natural tendencies of an ADHD'er or just another cog who wants to further undermine people and make them contort to fit into our mostly non-ADHD society?

Oh, I have to add...I WAS THERE 15 MINUTES EARLY! How was I rewarded? He opened his door when I rang the bell and said, "Oh...it's not 4 p.m. I'll see you in 15 minutes." He shut the door and left me in the waiting room that has NOTHING for an ADHD person to do..no pens and paper, no water cooler, no fidging toys. Just cold, stiff leather chairs and only your bellybutton to contemplate. HELLO!

As a parting comment, the dr. said, "I must emphasize the importance of commitment to this group <Note: per session). How you handle yourself in this group is a microcosm of how you handle yourself in the world. If you choose not to continue, you must insist you do so in an orderly manner as it is disruptive to the rest of the group...routine is what the others count on, and blah blah blah."

WHAT THE HELL? Now I'm responsible for other peoples feelings and I have to pay for the privilege? Plus, we're NOT finished products...we're here because we need help.

Holy Control Fest.

Well, I just managed to procrastinate my work some more.

bb

[QUOTE=sachetm]

[QUOTE=The Resistance!] If you don't have these goals, it will show. It will alienate you from others.
[/QUOTE]

Do you see this as the primary reason "we" become alienated from "normal" people so often? I know it's certainly true for me but I really don't understand why or what to do about it.

What do you all think?

As an Irish person i can relate to Bono's action. It is about helping people to develop for themselves through their own efforts. This process can be kick started by what is put forward by the program. Bono comes from a race of people who were dominated by an outside force for centueries, "The British Empire" If you take what has happened in Ireland in the years since we got the right to make our own decisions, we are now an independent, confident, growing people. Bono is Irish who uses the platform music has provided him with, to say; "Give Africa a fair chance". The strange thing is, we would all benefit from the opportunites provided by a developed Africa.

[/QUOTE]

Hmmm..how serious is my adhd?

I tend to ramble and rant and rave and complain alot, even when someone asks a question. And when someone asks a question I can go into deep detail about the subject for a few minutes and then quickly jump into something else. I can also laugh about something thats completely childish, like say a burp or a fart and laugh for 10 minutes and very hysterically depending on the sound. Also, I get bored very easily and get up and leave or when I'm at work I walk around and look at some of the products. I tend to fidget, I make my whole right leg shake sometimes (habit). I like making loud noises at home, clapping. I don't know how serious my adhd is..never thought of it before? Oh yes, there's also being forgetful of the most simplest things. There's many more but I feel like I'm taking up space for other people.

fukaiotaku38517.3931365741

I was diagnosed a year ago with ADHD. Since being diagnosed, some parts of my life are better,but others things have suffered as well. Here is a list of things for me that the doc was able to use to diagnose me with ADHD.

Bedwetting till the age of 7

Procrastination of school work, or anything in that matter, I am always waiting till the last minute to get something done.

Speeding while driving

My school grades declined from elementary to high school

Inability to finish something once I have started it

Talking to myself when I am alone, trying to get the thoughts in my head straightened out

Being very disorganized and forgetful

Inability to finish reading a book

Things have been somewhat better in the last year since being on meds, but I would not say a complete turn around.

I still procrastinate, and I have been doing it more and more in the last few months

Still having the inability of finishing things

I still catch myself once in awhile talking to myself

I am writing more notes on paper now trying to make myself lists of things to get done and how to do it.

Once I do get started on something that I know I can finish the way I want it done, I tend to hyperfocus on that thing, and leave other things out

My sex drive is down from what it has been in the past

I know there are more things that I could add to this list, but I had forgotten some of them since I started typing this post. I am sure it will come back to me in a few minutes after I post it.

dvirgo421,

For some folk i have met "Abnormal" means Lack of self- responsibility. I will march with you to liberate the gophers trapped in the cubicles by "Big Brother".

OOOPPPSS!! did I just Type Big Brother, Gess, it is time I got out for some real action! HAH! Hey, TR you still leading the Resistence to Boring Twee?

MafiaKiddo,

What is friendship! to my understanding it is like this; People who are capable of giving and receiving without ulterior or hidden motives. example getting someone to do something for U because U are avoiding being self-responsible.

[QUOTE=MafiaKiddo]

I can't stand spending much time with normals at all. [/QUOTE]

We should use the word "mundanes" instead of normals. I saw someone use it, can't remember who, and I like it a lot.
i prefer the term "mediocrities".

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.
--Albert Einstein
unbreakable38529.8886805556Whoa Nelly!
Great quote!
Maybe I'm missing the point or just think differently then some of you but what's with the need or at least desire to be accepted by "normal" people.

I can't stand spending much time with normals at all. If I could avoid them all together I would. If they accept me or not has really never even entered my mind because I don't accept them. In fact if they did accept me (and too many already do for my tastes) Then I'd have to spend all my time trying to get rid of them. It's a two way street so I have no problem if someone doesn't want to be my friend because in reality I don't want to be theirs either.

I think what makes a lot of people feel alienated or at least what I see a lot on this board is insecurity. Insecurity will drive people away faster then anything no one wants a friend they have to constantly build up, reassure or tip toe around. Yet thats a situation a lot of insecure people put there friends in. I know I've had friends like that and it is exhausting. Everything you say and do is viewed as how it affects them and the friendship.

If your mother died and you didn't call your insecure friend that day they'd assume it's because you are not close friends and you didn't want to share that with them. Never mind that maybe you needed time to yourself or had to be there for your family, they only see it as how you react to and treat them.

*Diagnosed ADHDers only* | ADHD Information

Diagnosed ADHDers only | ADHD Information