I was also very successful in school. In some jobs I was also very successful, but in some jobs, I am not very good. You probably have a secretary to keep you organized or an extrememly organized boss that keeps you on projects. Those are the types of jobs that I excell in when I'm not on medication.
On medication I feel like I can be successful at any job. I can get a project done at home, like cleaning. I've also been helped with herbal formulas. They are not regualated so some people argue that they are a risk.
I think just knowing what you have, makes a huge difference.
Also, I'm going to try some exercises from a book I read called Stopping ADHD. I didnt' crawl as a baby because I had pigeon toes and had to have casts on my legs. The authors claim that many ADD symptoms stem from an immatured reflex we all have as babies that urge us to crawl. If that reflex is not matured by enough crawling, then we are controlled by that reflex and we feel very uncomfortable sitting, writing, anythng where we have to have our arms and legs bent at the same time. Their book makes a lot of sense to me.
Anyway, good luck with the Drs.
I think I have some type of ADD. I am 37 and for my entire life I have struggled with academics, work tasks and even routine simple things. Just getting things done.... paying attention while people speak to me etc. For example, when I went to clean up the garage recently, I swear I stared at that place and just zoned for hours before even getting anything done. It's like I have to totally visualize the end result before I can start. I get very frustrated. However, I was always in 'Gifted' programs thoughout my k-12 years. I'm supposed to be really smart... but I have never felt smart because all throughout school I could never follow a lecture for long or even stay focused on text books when reading. My mind simply starts to wander off in a million directions. Weird thing is.. I have always managed to pull it off and be successful. In college I would pull all nighters and get passing grades. At work I jam things out at the last minute and can explain complex concepts to co-workers. I am actually very successful in my work. I think it is my personality that moves me upwards in organizations. But I ALWAYS struggle getting going on the work. Then... I am up late in crisis mode getting things done at the last minute. Just like right now.
Now that I am married.. and have kids... a home and all the other things that adults have, I really want to figure out why I struggle in my mind the way I do. I want to understand why people like my brother can just get things done and nothing seems to be a chore for them. Everything is a chore for me. I feel like I am very lazy. My wife gets so frustrated with me.
Whoa.. great ramble eh? Such is my brain. Any thoughts? This is a big step for me just to write this down and ask for help. It's time I figure this out.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Go to a doctor- a psychiatrist or even just some primary care physician. Find one who takes your health plan. The doctor will probably give you medicine if you say what you just said. Maybe the doctor will even bundle all your symptoms together in a ball and call it ADD. Maybe he/she will decide that you are depressed or anxious or a paranoid schizophrenic nymphomaniac. It doesn't matter. Aim for the label you want, and hope when you attain it the meds don't give you side effects.
I think you should go to a psychiatrist first of all and get diagnosed. Once you've done that, get a book on ADD. The best book I've read is called "Driven to Distraction"!!! it's so interesting! even for me! And I usually get bored with books unless they are super interesting like romance novels. I even get bored in those when there is a lot of description and not conversation lol. Anyway, You may have inattentive ADD. I have that and have a horrible time focusing in class on lectures etc. My mind just wanders. Anyway, good luck! I hope you go to agood psychiatrist who actually knows what they are doing :)
-princess-