HI!! I am 30 years old and about to go to the doctor to see if I have adhd/add. I almost feel stupid for going, but I know I have ALL of the symptoms. I am noticing it a lot in my 5 year old so I thought I better get checked and diagnosed so I can help him. I can't get this feeling of immaturity out of my head, I think because it's more associated with kids. It's hard for me to concentrate on what letter comes next when I type and same with speaking. I have to really think about my words. It seems to have gotten a little worse. I can't focus my mind or my eyes on much, and reading a book is ridiculously hard sometimes. I struggled all the way thu middle and high school and even didn't make it the whole way thru college. No matter how much I studied I could never comprehend. Does any of this seem like add?? I was also diagnosed with mild depression a few year ago... and I know that those can go hand in hand. Thanks so much for reading this terribly long question.
THis isn't a "what happened" but I do want to state that is a lot more than just reading. That is a minor part of it... so I do know that it's not a reading disability. I was always a fast reader... I guess I would say it's the comprehension part. I should have said that before.
Another quick question... is anyone on meds? My husband is all about the natural stuff, but I'm all about what works best. Any suggestions either way? Thanks so much! It's great to be able to get feed back on here.
The husband of a co-worker wasn't diagnosed until he was mid-late 30's so you're not the only O.. I just think doctors didn't know about or weren't looking for it 30 years ago.
Way to address the issue! Good luck!
It sounds like ADD.
I have it and I'm 38-diagnosed a little over a year ago. Good for you for beng proactive about it. I never even considered it-just knew my brain worked differently then the rest. Thought if you had ADD-you had the H too and I don't, so until a therapist brought it up i never considered it. Thankfully I know in time to help my kids if they do end up with it-and I think for sure my 3 yr old will.
Have you read: Driven to Distraction? It's written by a psychologist who has ADD-it's awesome. Or gone to the CHADD web site?
Don't feel badly or immature. It's just that are brains work differently-and good for you for figuring it out to help your kids. Bet the diagnosis always helps your marriage...now my husband goes..OH...that's why you do all that weird stuff...instead of getting mad at me. :)
Definately go to your doctor! And don't feel bad. I have it too. I am not on medication yet. I have been trying a natural approach. Eating well, taking vitamins etc. My son to has ADD and has since he was 4. Well diagnosed at 4. He is on medication though. I am in school and I realized I was having the same focusing issues I had when I was in elementary school and high school! Haunted me forever, but now I know and am doing something about it! And I feel much better about myself. So do it!
Also just reread your post... I think medication works faster, its not over night that you see changes but it does work faster. Using vitamins work slower. But I'm using myself as a lab mouse instead of my son he needs medication to focus in school. I'm in school as well but I wanted to try the natural approach. And so far its just OK. Been trying it for 3 mths.
my doctor told me that if you are going to have ADD, you usually start showing signs as a young child, like elementary school age.
My husband was diagnosed in his 40's...about the same time our son was diagnosed. If you had a heart condition...or were diabetic...would you forego meds? I don't get why people are so opposed to them. Yes there are down sides, but there are tremendous benefits as well. Meds and therapy have brought peace and sanity to our family. Please feel free to PM me if you want more info...I live with 2 ADHD...husband & son and know a lot about it.
KCET has a special running right now about adults and ADD. They have great info and books along with a DVD of the special. Maybe you could look it up on their website.
from your description, it sounded more like a reading disability than ADD. But if you suspect it, by all means get seen. My husband is ADD and this is not how I would describe him. But I'm by no means and expert. I did however have a reading comprehension disability when I was younger and thats what came to mind reading your post
I've been looking for similar answers lately. Check out my questions about ADD for some good book and website recommendations. From my research, it doesn't always present with the same exact symptoms in different people. When I'm just at home with the kids trying to get work done, I'm bouncing around like a ping pong ball and trying to think of what I have to do. Sometimes my mind is working like one of those wind machines on a game show where your inside trying to grab as many dollars as you can.
The point is, it's a disorder in your brain function. This is going to look different in different people and at different ages. I was in the gifted program from an early age and could easily ace my classes based on comprehension. The older I got, the more skills like time management and organization played a major role in academics. I couldn't get to class or school on time, do assignments on time, or keep my work straight. And I mean this to the extreme. Once, the vice principle told me that my intelligence was wasted on me. He said it was a shame my brain couldn't be removed and given to someone else. I'm sure he thought I was just lazy, rebellious, and rude. I don't want my kids to go through that. I haven't learned so many coping skills as I have created boundries in my life that I don't push past because I know it will be too much. Don't want that for the kids either. Maybe you feel the same? I like to do things natuarally, but would take meds if it would create dramatic results. I hope you update on your progress and wish you the best.
I was on adderall a few years back, and yes meds are a quick fix. But they are not good long term. Honestly, it is just a different way of processing info. Do we really need meds to fit into what society tells us? Well, I don't know the answer to that or to weather or not any one person/child needs to be on meds. But I will never do that to my kids. I will change their learning environment before subjecting them to the side effects of meds. And as for myself, I was on the meds for maybe a year. Yep i could focus better at everything, but there are side effects. So if you are willing to put up with those to be able to focus in a certain way, then maybe meds would work for you, but I do think that meds are only temporary, I think the long term goal is to get people to figure out how to deal without the meds, at least the Dr.s I have come in contact with say this. So if you do go on meds, you have to still figure out what you are going to do to change things so that you don't have to stay on the meds. For me, I realized time of day is very important, and that if I need to read, I need to do it at that time, and make sure it is set aside. This was especially important when I was going to school. Mornings are not good for me, and neither are evenings. I need to do any real work in the afternoon. Reading for pleasure I can do in the evening, if I am very interested in the subject, but it is still sometimes difficult anyway. I often have to read and reread the same thing. I also find lots of breaks help. But to your question of getting checked for it. I would definitely go and get checked. It may ADD or it may be something else. Better to know now, and be able to do something about it.
