Should I see a doctor? | ADHD Information
[QUOTE=Twonky]I have always suffered from various problems including what were diagnosed as anxiety and depression. But those have been unable to explain away other areas of my life such as my constant feelings of dread and utter hopelessness, 'spaced-out' periods, compulsiveness, and OCD-type problems.. . .
I also have 'counting' habits, and am convinced someone will die if I don't do something, like count properly, or close a door etc.
. . .[/QUOTE]
When I've asked my doctor (and counselor when I had one) about certain things I do that I thought might indicate OCD, I was asked if I felt that something dreadful or horrendous would happen if I didn't do whatever it was I felt I just HAD to do, or that someone or myself was in dire danger. When I answered 'no' they said then it isn't OCD.
In your case, yes, I most certainly would try to find someone to properly evaluate you, although I know that is difficult at times in the UK. Anxiety and depression are very common with AD/HD adults who have lived undiagnosed most of their lives. So, of course, that is a possibility. And as Mark indicated, some of what you describe is co-morbid with AD/HD. However, you may not even want to think about ADHD until you have perhaps looked into the OCD possibility first, then take it from there. And perhaps you'll find someone to evaluate you more easily for OCD...??
I wish you much luck, Twonky!
GypsyWomyn38547.8675925926
Hi Twonky
A lot of what you describe sounds like AD(H)D, but some doesn't - but then this condition usually comes with an assortment of comorbidities - anxiety being amongst the most common. I get the reading problem really bad, homework used to be something that other people did, and I flunked my education just like you.
So i would say yes, go and see your GP - but be warned, adult AD(H)D is something much of the NHS is still refusing to accept, and you will almost certainly have a battle ahead of you. I recommend you pay a visit to the adult forum at http://www.adders.org - probably the best place for UK AD(H)Ders to get support, and also perhaps pay a visit to my forum at http://www.scatterbrained.net (you probably won't get much help there though, but I can't resist plugging it at every opportunity 
)
Good luck.
I have always suffered from various problems including what were diagnosed as anxiety and depression. But those have been unable to explain away other areas of my life such as my constant feelings of dread and utter hopelessness, 'spaced-out' periods, compulsiveness, and OCD-type problems.
I did the Amen test and it said I may have 'ADD Inattentive Type', highly likely, but I've never heard if this before.
I have terrible anxiety much of the time, but am also extremely tired and I just simply don't want to do anything. I also have 'counting' habits, and am convinced someone will die if I don't do something, like count properly, or close a door etc.
I never finished anything - homework was always last minute or just not done, hardly ever listened in class, etc. I was always described as 'laid back' ie lazy. I got away with it because I was very clever. I just couldnt be bothered to finish anything, the words would get all muddled on the paper anyway because I couldnt concentrate. I can't read books well because I get bored and flick through the pages, or fall asleep. I also am very compulsive - one week I will become vegetarian, the next vegan, the next a strict Christian and refuse to sleep with my hubby because it's 'wrong' - then I will stop this and feel stupid. Then it happens again. I dropped out of two university courses because I got bored. I even quit my nursing degree because I was scared of giving drug overdoses to patients, which is ridiculous.
There's so much more than this. I seriously hope there is a diagnosis for me because I feel like I'm completely nuts! I don't take any medication, and have no other treatment at all. Counselling makes me feel more guilty.
Doctors are a little different in the UK, I didn't get to choose mine, and they might just fob me off as Postnatal Depression again, even though I have been this way for years. Should I try anyway? I don't want to be like this for no 'reason' forever. Thanks.