Hello Folks!
I have just been diagnosed with Inattentive ADD. I am 40 and have been living with this all my life. It has been an interesting ride so far and I am hoping its about to get a whole lot better.
I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow and I am hoping that I will receive some advice/medication. I am anxious to see if this will really help me. In the meantime, I have been reading Dr Amen's book - Healing ADD.
This all came about when we noticed that our daughter was very unfocused at home and in school. Her marks were down - she understood the stuff - just slow and unfocused, so she could never complete her work on time.
Luckily with my wife being a teacher, she picked up on the symptoms and had her tested. I went along with my daughter for the testing. As the psychologist was asking questions to my daughter, they all seemed that they could apply to me - or - "gee, that sounds like me". She was diagnosed with inattentive ADD, and has been on Concerta - huge difference - night & day. She's is getting A+ in her French.
Many months went by, and I thought more and more about the parallels between me and my daughter. Wondering at the time if it was genetic/hereditary. Why do I pick up a book, read a few paragraphs, and then drift off to Mars? Wondering why when I was listening to someone, I only hear half the conversation. Why can't I stay focued on one task - and jumping from task to task with a struggle to complete the task. Thinking about my grade 3 report cards that say "Steve is in a world of his own" with my smiling parents accepting me for who I was. Why?
Then I thought I should get tested myself, and I did back on April 29. I wish I had done is sooner..... like 35 years sooner!!
Some of the questions in the test really jumped off the page - wow - that's me! My results were way down on the low end of the scale (BrainTrain computer test). However, my intelligence was rated high and the two seemed to have balanced out over the years. The comment from the psychologist was "I'm amazed you have succeeded this far in life with the level of your condition..." "No question, you have inattentive ADD" .. "This is something defintely treatable"...
I have to say I was surprised, excited and a little bit upset - a whole bunch of feelings. Exited that I had been diagnosed - upset that what have I been missing all these years and imagining had I been treated right from childhood - where would I be today?
Why did I not know about ADD before? Aaargh!
Now I know where my daughter gets her ADD. I am happy that she will be on the right path and will know how to deal with it.
So now I wait until I see my doctor tomorrow.... hopefully by Friday I will have something to try.
Thanks for listening.
Steve, Ottawa Canada
Steve, I know exactly how you feel. I am 47 and in the process of being tested for ADD. My son who is 8 has ADHD. It wasn't until I was doing a lot of research on ADD/ADHD that I came across an online test specifically for Women. I took it for a lark and was amazed at the results. I have just recently started seeing a psychologist for stress related to dealing with my ADHD son and ODD/Sensory Integration Dysfunction daughter. She showed the results of my online test to the head of they psychology department and he gave her a test he uses to help diagnose ADD/ADHD. I haven't been back to see her yet to get the test but I am itching to do it and get the resluts. It would explain so much about my life. Like why I feel I've never lived up to my potential and why just the idea of doing something that takes alot of concentration makes me feel all jittery. It would also answer why I have such a hard time dealing with my childrens problems. I feel like a screaming meemie most of the time. Since they have started meds things have gotten better but now I'm thinking I'm the one who is the problem.
I'll keep you posted on the results of my test. Please keep us up to date on what you are given to try and how things are going for you.
Mary
gettingagrip38119.3611805556Mary
That's great that you are going to be tested. It's amazing how we are discovering ADD through our children. Did you try the test from the Amen clinic: Check out - its very good: http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/brain_system_checklist .asp
I can relate to the "explaining about life" bit, as well as doing something with alot of concentration.. When I am under stress and people are talking to me, the brain will just switch off all by itself!
As well, when I am getting upset with my kids - most times the words come out all wrong! I know what I want to say - they just come out the wrong way - I'm sure its the ADD.
Good luck in your testing...
Steve
Folks:
Well, my doctor prescribed me daily 18mg of Concerta on Friday with great reluctance. The only thing is I feel an improvement, but I'm not sure if its optimal. I have seen postings here that some folks are taking 27mg, 36mg or 54mg... What is common for an adult? My daughter takes 18mg, and it seems to really work well for her - but she is less than 1/2 my size.
I can't tell if 18mg is sufficient - only to say that I still have some symptoms - but not quite severe as when I had no medication.
I'm tempted to take 36mg to see if there is a noticable difference.
Thoughts anyone?
Steve