I am in college and basically I have been making grades way below my ability level even though I really want to make good grades. I want to study all the time but I just can’t focus. A friend of mine was talking about how she might have a learning disability and that’s when it crossed my mind that I might have one too. So even though I was trying to study I kept thinking about it and eventually got up to research it online a bit. I never in a million years would’ve thought I had this because I’ve never really been known to be very hyper and that was pretty much my perception of ADHD but I read about it and everything sounded exactly like me. So I guess I’ll tell you guys what things I do that lead me to believe that I might have ADHD.
** My mind wanders all the time. I’m constantly having to check myself in class to go back to paying attention to my professor. Sometimes my mind will wander mid-sentence and I completely forget what I was talking about (that can be pretty embarrasing). I’m always going off on tangents when I talk to people too. I’ve started talking to people with something really specific that I want to ask them or tell them and left the conversation without doing it because I forgot.
** Every time I write something it ends up being this long but if I was on this message board reading I would never be able to read this whole thing. I can’t wait in lines either. I tend to be extremely impatient with everything.
I don’t want to make this post so incredibly long because I know that long posts are hard for me to read so maybe I’ll just list the other things without going into the big long discussion about it…
** I can’t clean up after myself fast enough.
** I have such an active imagination, I’m often saying it’s not much different than reality for me.
** I recently noticed that I cannot do just one thing at a time. Not even if I want to. I’m usually doing 3-4 things at once.
** My friends always make fun of me because I can’t ever hear what someone has said but it’s not that I can’t hear them talking. I can hear everything just fine I just can’t focus to understand what was said and usually a few minutes later I’ll figure out what they said.
** Emotional!! Sometimes I cry at the most random things and I don’t feel sad or incredibly upset — I’m just crying. This is embarrasing to say but one time I was watching Meet the Parents for the 2nd or 3rd time and I just bawled through the entire movie. But I think it’s important to mention here that I don’t feel depressed in the slightest bit.
** My nickname is Dawdle …
I know you guys are not doctors and that I need to go to one to get an actual diagnosis. I live in a pretty small town and I called the only place that I know of to try and get an appointment and they said they would call me back to make one. But I just want to know so badly so that if I do have this or something else that I can work on it and do better in school. I really wish I had an appointment set so that at least I could see an end to this confusion in sight. It’s driving me crazy and I’m afraid of how this is going to affect my life because I have such high goals for myself.
I have been to the CHADD website but for some reason it moves incredibly slowly for me and doesn’t connect a lot of times. If you think about it that’s kind of ironic since the people who are going to that website probably don’t have the patience for that — I know I don’t. :)
Thanks a ton for listening!
Stephanie
Re: Do I have ADHD?
hi stephanie
You sound a lot like me and I was just diganoised as ADHD through the college I was quite embarssed I reccommend that you get diganoised because they can help you in college!! It’s better to know what is wrong with you, because you can go crazy not knowing.
from: Tina
Re: Do I have ADHD?
Thanks Lil,
I probably got your message about 2 minutes after you wrote it because I’ve been checking all day hoping that someone would write me back. I am so glad you gave me that web address. I think it definetly is giving me enough resolve over wondering what’s going on to wait 2 weeks for my appointment! I took it twice (Ok, maybe a little obsessive-compulsive on my part) because the first time I take one of those things all I’m thinking about is how each question is going to effect my results so I didn’t feel like I was as honest as I could be. I compared the 2 results which differed slightly and I do feel like the 2nd one is probably more accurate. Here’s what it had to say (I’ll put stars next to things that differed between my two trials of the survey):
*Manic Episode — Probable (I’m pretty sure I have had one before)
*Obsessive Compulsive — Probable (I’m not anything like the guy on As Good as It Gets but I do have a few little issues … I did take this incredibly long survey twice)
Adult Attention Deficit — Probable
–—
Inattentive ADD — Probable
Overfocus Issues — Probable
–—
*Dopamine Low (this is what the 2nd survey said and the description of it sounded a lot more accurate)
*Serotonin low, Noradrenaline low, Dopamine low (this is what the 1st survey said, the description of what this causes doesn’t really sound accurate)
I still can’t help wondering how all of this will pan out — what the doctor will say, how to tell my parents (I think I’ll save it for after my testing b/c they’ll think I’m overreacting when I tell them), how do I fix these problems without changing who I am? I don’t want to be a special case, have to tell people that i have some sort of a disorder — I always thought that would be an easy way out but now that I’m faced with it actually be true it’s not all easy. I have such high goals for myself and I feel like right now I’m only making progress farther away from them. Do you think it’s too drastic to consider taking a little time off school to learn how to deal with this? Maybe so… but I imagined how wonderful it would be to just withdraw from this semester and spend time with my parents and learn how to calm myself down when I get worked up like I have been a lot lately. Then go back next semester and ready to do fabulous. But when I realistically think about that I imagine being asked why I left school in a job interview and having to tell them that I have some sort of a disorder or people who I see every day talking about how I had to go home b/c I cracked up or something.
I wasn’t actually intending to say all of that but it is sort of nice to get it out. This message board has proven to be very helpful for me and I’m so grateful.
:-D
Stephanie
Re: Do I have ADHD?
Hey Steph -
I’m glad you got the post and followed through! What I do is go through the tests so fast, I can’t think about what the questions are asking - it’s the only way I can be honest! Good for you for recognizing that you might need to take it twice!
OK, now go to this website, and look at the ADHD meds - it will tell you the ones that work on different brain chemicals:
http://www.medscape.com-viewarticel-437026_1
You can have an informed discussion with your doctor. Between these two websites, I got accurate info for my 10 year old son - and he is now doing beautifully.
I’m delighted you got back to me. Ask any other questions - I’d love to help. As for your parents - ADHD seems to be hereditary (at least in my family). So you need to judge where you go with that - it’s hard for some people to recognize it.
Take care, I’m looking forward to your next post.
Lil
Re: Do I have ADHD?
OK, try this! :-)
http://www.medscape.com-viewarticle-437026_1
typo in last address - sorry - but fairly “normal”
Re: Do I have ADHD?
Ok, well that didn’t really work for me either…
But I did find this one article that was pretty close to the same address. Tell me if that was the right one.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/437026_1/
Stephanie
Re: Do I have ADHD?
Yes, - that was the right one - guess I should have entered it three times! :-)
Section 5 is the section I found particularly helpful. Burpoprion is the drug of choice for dopamine (Wellbutrin, Buspar). Talk to you doctor.
Re: Do I have ADHD?
Stephanie,
Finding this message board has been a ray of sunshine. I feel the same way you do. I also am a 19 year old college student. I always did okay in high school, but knew I could do better. I could never sit down and read. I was never able to focus and study. I’m constantly moving. As I type, my legs are moving for no reason. I went to the site that Lil listed, the mindfixers.com, and for ADD it listed me as probable. My big question is what do I do now? I really don’t know how to bring this up to my parents. Should I go see my regular doctor and see what he has to say. I’m not too sure. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.
Adam
Re: Do I have ADHD?
Years ago ADD/ADHD was not highly recognized and discussed but now after my 13 year old has been diagnosed and I have researched so much information I believe I am too. You have some of the similar characteristics that I experienced when I was in college. I actually dropped out of college ten years ago because lecture halls were way too much. Thoughts slip away in mid-sentence and listening can be a problem too. Seek assistance now and hopefully you can get organized now. I am currently a mother of two, work full-time and am now back in school. Being organized and having time management will be of great importance to you. Also I did mention my 13 year old being diagnosed which is a case of dire need of assistance. This kid has poor grades, have created a “bad image” at school, doesn’t do chores without constant “go do it” from me, and so on. Anyway, Good Luck.
Re: Do I have ADHD?
I just recently was diagnosed at 38! I too saw similarities in my diagnosed daughter (now13), which prompted me to take action for myself as well.
* First step… is getting over the hump… is the dr. gonna think I’m a wack job! I went to my med Dr..told him about my experiences durring my school years… ex… I was always told I wasn’t working to my potential, but I always felt I was trying my hardest!!
* Second step… most likely the Dr. will send u to a psychologist for a 2nd opinion. Thats what I did… just met 1 time. Explained to her what went on in my little head! (all that static) not able to finish tasks… you guys know the drill and how u feel.
* Third step… and the most important for me. choosing your meds, and finding the right dose. For me the meds made a world of difference! I am able to accomplish things and act in ways I never thought I would be capable.
The hardest thing for me is getting used to my new self. Since the meds, I was able to pass a test that I had taken and failed 3 times before. I was able to focus on @ question for what it was, it was great! I am not as excitable, or as impulsive…and I can focus on 1 conversation at a time!
I am functioning much eaiser as a mom, wife, and full time employee. My house is eaiser to clean. I can sit at my desk and finish my work without having to get up.
I knew I had this problem for a lot of years, and my only regret is not going to the DR. sooner!
My advice to Stephanie and Adam… go the Dr… ASAP. Don’t worry about your parents they love you and I am sure they will be supportive!
Good Luck!
Re: Do I have ADHD?
no—i’m not a real Dr of course, but it’s just funny to write it like that sometimes. my name is Andrea, but I go by “Drea” and if anyone reading this even knows who Dr Dre is, then you are cool my nickname is even that more cute.
anyway, i have thoroughly enjoyed reading through the posts on this specific topic “do i have ADHD?”. i recently just got diagnosed at age 26 after having gone through college AND law school with low grades, confusion, absent-mindedness, etc AND most recently failing the Bar exam =( without a clue about what ADD/ADHD really meant and that it actually was me in EVERY way shape or form!
Stephanie and Adam–i got one thing to tell you! GET TO THE DOCTOR FAST AND DONT WORRY WHAT YOUR FRIENDS/FAMILY WILL THINK. If they are going to look down at you or look at you as if you are crazy after you tell them (if you in fact get diagnosed with this), then they weren’t true friends anyway. (Me, i’ve only begun to tell my VERY CLOSEST girlfriends and mom). And as someone said above, your parents are your parents, ya know! they’re going to understand you guys! it totally baffled my brain when two different people both said they are worried how/if to tell their parents. I mean, it’s not like you’re telling them your gay or that you killed someone!
Anyway, I am currently depressed, upset, stressed, and feeling like I want to blame someone (but dont know who) because I was so in the dark for so long about the fact that I had this disorder. I feel this way because as a result of not knowing, this has made my life, schoolwork, and career suffer. If I had known sooner, it turns out you can special accomodations and everything (such as longer times for tests, separate quiet rooms for tests, extensions on papers, etc and plus it would just be nice to know that there was a reason why i always lost things, couldnt follow conversations/instructions, and seemed “dumb” at times). Even though I was known for like studying all the time and taking on so many things at school, I still remained in the bottom of the class, rank-wise which also doesnt help self esteem-wise. and depending on your career field, low grades and put a damper on interviews and getting a good job too (like with me with Law firms).
Well, i have the same handicap that Stephanie has—writing long as emails/posts so I am trying to sum this up. Bottom line is that i got diagnosed with ADD just a few weeks ago and I am being put on and anti-depressant and Adderral (which is like Ritalin but my Dr says Ritalen often works better for kids and Adderral for adults). The hardest part is knowing what meds to go on and what dosage is best because some people have different aspects of the disorder and we also all react differently to different things. My Dr said it sort of a “trial and error” kind of thing in the beginning (unfortunately), but once you find what’s for you, you will start to see great improvements in EVERYTHING. I have heard GREAT things about Adderral so I cant wait to start. the highlights are:
almost an hour after you take it, you can totally focus 200% better and are able to get through the day with less/no disorganization, confusion, lost items, and can concentrate/read things even with external noise, etc. but again, it might not be for everyone, which is why you have to see a doctor. i dont even have insurance (stupid decision on my part, but i was poor at the time), but i still went and just worked out a payment plan. your health, well being, and sanity is more important than late bills or being in debt for a little while.
I look forward to reading any responses to my post and totally encourage anyone to email me directly—i would love to “talk”. sometimes its SOO much better to talk with people who can REALLY relate since they have the same thing (unlike friends, family, and even your Doctor).
-Drea
[email protected]
Re: Do I have ADHD?
hey..you sound like us!!!!!! :) :)
Let me ask you a few simple questions that my Dr. through at me as I entered his office for the first time.
Do you have a heavy foot on the pedal?
Are your credit card bills out of hand or do you forget to pay them?
Do you go on shopping sprees.?
Do you go shopping and then find things a year later not remembering when or THAT you even bought the items?
That was beginners.
Hi Stephanie,
I have a 19 year-old daughter who sounds a lot like you! She is not diagnosed as ADHD, and currently lives 3,000 miles away while going to college. However, I have given her the same advice I am giving you. Of course, I’m not there to make sure either one of you follow through with it! :-) She’s still in denial - I research these things for her 10 year old brother who has been diagnosed, and then I started to see her, too! (and me … heredity?)
So, now that I’ve reached the end of your attention span (teasing), go to mindfixers.com. The website was developed by a couple of very well respected ADHD doctors. There is a rather lengthy test there (with my attention span, I hyperfocused and got through it in about 30 min. - didn’t answer the phone, etc - gets easier as you get older). At the end of the test, they will tell you whether they think you have ADHD, what type(s) they think you have, and what the pharmacological and natural fixes might be. Of course, they add the caveat that you must see your doctor prior to using any of their fixes - but do tell you to take their printed out test to your doctor. I did this with my 10 year old son, and he is on appropriate meds for the first time in a year.
Good luck, let me know how it goes!
Lil