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Originally Posted by lifelesstraveled
I am wondering if my "zoning out" and inability to focus at work is ADD/ADHD?? I am constantly zoned out at work and before I know it a whole day has gone by and I haven't gotten anything accomplished...I feel like there is constant chatter in my head(self dialouges, songs, thoughts and ideas to do lists etc), which I at first attributed to anxiety and depression...I don't recall having any issues relating to ADD/ADHD when I was younger. In fact, all of my teachers stated in progress reports, that although I was was a pleasure to have in class and got along well with my classmates, I was extremely timid and shy and quiet. I did well in school earning B averages in High School and College. I recently started to lose things more and forget things (I tend to and I find that I am "zoning out" driving on the hwy and talking to people). Is it possible to have ADD/ADHD present itself in adulthood rather than childhood? What is driving me crazy is the constant static or chatter.I wake up thinking and I go to bed thinking and fall asleep thinking. I am scared I am getting ready to go crazy. I know its bad, but I have resorted to drinking to slow it down or stop it. It's driving me crazy....or maybe this is something else all together...I think this something I need to bring up with my therapiston tuesday...Does anyone else have this problem of constant chatter and static? does it drive you crazy? Is it possible for me to have been a quiet calm child but still have ADD that went undiagnosed because I was quiet and calm?
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I have ADHD, and I have lightening speed crazy thoughts about multiple subjects all at one time. It's very common in ADHD, and can be quite frustrating. It causes insomnia, as you can't shut your mind down. However, anxiety disorders can do the same thing, and to make it more complicated, it is VERY common for adults with ADHD who have gone untreated most of their life to have a comorbid anxiety or other disorder. Anxiety added to ADHD can be very crippling. As to ADHD only presenting itself for the first time in adulthood, the answer researchers (and the DSM-IV-TR) have is "NO". Some symptoms must be present BEFORE age seven. However, it is much more common than a lot of people realize, that an adult can discover that they have gone their entire life with ADHD, but that it wasn't recognized, and thus--not diagnosed and treated until something lead them to a professional who diagnosed them with ADHD for the first time. T
here is a common misperception that ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity (in the classic sense of the word), but that is NOT necessarily true. There are three subtypes of ADHD (and also ADHD "NOS"-Not Otherwise Specified): Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive; Combined (hyperactive/impulsive co-dominates with inattentive symptoms); and Primarily Inattentive. All subtypes share a common theme based on the diagnostic criteria, but you are classified by the predominant symptoms.
I am "Combined Type", so I split between being primarily inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive. The treatments available are the same no matter what the type is. Another thing I should mention is that ADHD in children is going to look very different in adults. People always think of ADHD kids (albeit in a stereotyped way), and then attempt a comparison. ADHD also has to be diagnosed based on criteria being present in TWO OR MORE SETTINGS. Low grades or high grades don't really correlate to having ADHD, but it is common for VERY INTELLIGENT ADHD dx'd kids to get very bad grades and become a chronic underachiever or to be very inconsistent one moment to the next.
Either way, ADHD or not, it seems you are battling with some anxiety issues stemming from the uncontrollable internal dialog in your mind. You definitely won't help yourself by drinking it away; I'm sure you've noticed that it hasn't helped so far. Drinking actually makes your sleep very shallow and isn't restful, not to mention the addictive potential. Don't mess with that--it won't work, I know because I tried that too when I developed Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It stands to reason that you SHOULD tell your therapist about everything you told us here.
I am only confused if you are talking to people that aren't there, and if so, are you having psychotic symptoms by being unable to distinguish a real person conversing with you, or something in your mind. Or---is it that you mean you talk to yourself? I wouldn't be too worried, but see your T as soon as you can so that the symptoms don't snowball. I was a "pleasure to have in class" too--about 70 percent of the time. I graduated HS on honor roll. It's not hopeless for you, and I guarantee that you are not alone.
Here is a good link for you:
http://www.help4adhd.org/