help! I think I have ADD
So, all my life I've been a great student and an overachiever. However age 12 I began to notice a now progressive trend into not being able to focus. It started out with procrastination---due to inability to focus and just DO it. I am now 23 years old almost and granted I am taking 6 classes a semester but I've had some more troubling effects... that I've always had but have gotten progressively worse.
I am unable to complete tasks
I am anxious and stressed ALL the time
I am becoming more antisocial because I get easily overwhelmed by people's need to constantly be with me
It takes me 4-5 times more time to do an assignment than most people (even easy ones)
I have studied over and over for tests and still done poorly on them
Forget writing papers..
I can't even finish thoughts out loud let alone in my head
I have to write in pen now because I cannot write a word without writing a different letter because I get so distracted
I'm an impulsive spender
My indecision is so bad that my relationship is struggling
Sometimes I don't hear when people are talking to me
I cannot remember most memories from short and longterm and dates---never
I don't know, but it's becoming a problem and I know I should see a doctor, but medication isn't my personal answer. But I do know it is real now, and those people that I have met who've addressed ADD have been SO much more productive. And with senior level classes coming up this fall, I don't want to be any less focused than I am now, which is really unfocused.
Has anyone had any good effects from meds?
I have not personally struggled with this issue, but I am a special education teacher and I have seen that medication makes a HUGE difference in some of the individuals I have worked with. I don't necessarily think it is the first thing you need to jump to, and obviously both I and the kiddos I work with make lots of environmental accomodations before and in addition to using medication.
I would start with seeing a doctor with experience diagnosing and treating individuals with ADD -- then have him/her explain all of your options to you, medication and otherwise.
My friend "treated" hers with lots of regular exercise, a counselor, and staying away from caffeine/refined foods/food dyes/phosphates. I don't know which of the list she had to give up to be successful and which she threw in during the process.
Check out your local library. There are a lot of books out there, like the Feingold diet, that discuss what to eat and not to eat if you're ADD or ADHD. I remember NPR had a segment, probably a decade ago now, about how diet has a huge effect on ADD/ADHD.
See a doctor and get a diagnosis. If you do have ADD, there are several treatment options, not just drugs. I'm not big into medication, but I'm hypothyroid and if I didn't take thyroid replacement I'd be just about brain dead and depressed. I don't think you should jump to drugs immediately, but they are there if the other options don't work.
Aah! My mom was just diagnosed (and much too late if you ask me :P) for biopolar. I'll call the doctor... I think my childhood happenings were always strange, maybe this contributed ?
Aah! My mom was just diagnosed (and much too late if you ask me :P) for biopolar. I'll call the doctor... I think my childhood happenings were always strange, maybe this contributed ?
Please also have your B12 checked. The first thing they check for when considering Alzheimer's is the person's B12 level. Some of what you describe could be very low levels of B12. Lack of concentration, not being able to finish things.
It could be as simple as that. Do go to a doctor. I take monthly B12 shots. Has made a huge difference. I was very low and do not absorb B12 from food.
My boyfriend (4 yrs) has been ADD/Dyslexic (they often go together) his whole life. My step brother has also been ADD his whole life. The diference, my step brother has been on meds his the whole time and my boyfriend has never taken meds. Off meds, my boyfriend had to learn how to adapt in situations. Luckly, universities will allow you to have extra time for exams if you are diagnosed. Working out has also helped him relieve some of the hyper tension. My step brother has had meds to help him adapt but everytime the meds wear off, he is a wreck. Hyper, violent, anxiety, typical withdrawl symptoms.
I used to take meds for anxiety. It helped me become comfortable around people, but at the same time, I could hardly hold a conversation because I would forget midsentence what I was discussing. I was always sleepy but my legs were always doing that nervous bounce.
My brother said something that gave me a great outlook on meds, they are a steping stone, to help you get out of rutts, but your altimate goal should be to live a functioning life without them.
I am a student (get my Bach at the end of this summer!). First, the senior classes aren't any harder. I think they are easier because they are classes pertaining to your career instead of just the general madatory ones. As long as you like what you are studing, you will be fine.
Secondly, since I'm a psych major, I have a pretty good idea of psychology and meds. ;) Meds are great. There are many people who benefit from them such as schizophrenics and people with severe bi-polar. Unfortunatly, a majority of psychologists will try very hard to give everyone who comes to them some sort of med. Why? Because it's easy. As a behavior Analysist, it takes me months to manually help someone with behavioral issues with alot of paper work involved. Why would I do that when I could push through 10x as many patients by just giving them meds. Both methods are effective to varing degrees, but medication should not be used for long term use unless you suffer from extreme disorders. Sadly, I see few psychologist who use meds as a "stepping stone". If a psychologist perscribes you meds with no upfront plan of action, I would advise seeking alternative help such as ADD self-help group meetings.
Also remember, ADD is not a deficiency. People with ADD are often found to be VERY inteligent, above average. Their short attention spans allow them to pick up and process many things at once making them witty. Embrace it, learn to use your gift. If I were you I would seek out a psychologist to give me a proper diagnosis, and then go to the "disabilities" >:( department at your university and ask them what services they offer.
*When seeking professional help, take their advise into account but don't let them bully you into taking meds, you can always call back the next day and let them know if you are interested. Just tell them you want to research the medicine he or she is suggesting.
Good Luck!
By all means, get a thorough physical before you accept just any diagnosis/medication. True, drs love to hand out pills as a quick-fix, but if they treat the symptoms without finding/dealing with the underlying problem, they haven't really helped.
I went to the dr the other day complaining of ringing ears, thinking maybe I had a blockage in the ear canal, since I often wear earplugs at night to block DH's snoring. Given my previous complaints of having no memory or concentration to speak of, and having my brain "lie down and go to sleep" in mid sentence, the dr did another type of test and discovered that the problem was actually circulatory. As she put it, "your brain isn't getting watered properly." She gave me ginko biloba solution to take and it is helping a lot.
All this to say that the symptoms could be many things, and as BP pointed out, it's too easy to cherrypick a favourite diagnosis. If the treatment offered doesn't help, get a second or third opinion.