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/