[katstrange]

About 8 years ago I was tested for ADD (I'm 53 now) and was told no, you're just very, very depressed. I didn't believe it then, and I don't believe it now. My husband and I both believe that I have ADD. (I was tested by a NeuroPsychologist who administered tests in a quiet office. Of course I passed those tests, I'm not stupid and I was very focused and determined to show this guy my stuff.) But, in my life, I can't organize, I can't prioritize, I can't figure out what order things should be done in. My mind is literally spinning in circles most of the time as I try to figure out what to do when. So I do a load of laundry. I feel like a tornado that occasionally spits out a piece of productivity. I'm not hyper-active, rather the opposite, except for that I've got a pretty strong case of RLS and I'm wondering if the two are connected. Has this been studied? I have to take Gabapentin (the generic for something else--basically a sleeping pill) in order to sleep at night.

[TwiceBitten]

More people are told they DO suffer from ADD when they really DON'T, than there are people that are told they DON'T have it but they DO.
If you were told you don't have it, most likely, you don't and there is another underlying issue. I would do a web search on the relationship between ADD and RLS. I have both also but never related them...but now maybe I'll check it out too!

[kate81]

Originally Posted by TwiceBitten

More people are told they DO suffer from ADD when they really DON'T, than there are people that are told they DON'T have it but they DO.
If you were told you don't have it, most likely, you don't and there is another underlying issue. I would do a web search on the relationship between ADD and RLS. I have both also but never related them...but now maybe I'll check it out too!

Actually that's not true - there are a lot of people who remain undiagnosed as far as ADD goes, even when they've seen a psychiatrist for other conditions. It's also not uncommon for people to pass neuropsychological tests for ADD even when they have it - if I remember correctly, it is Hallowell and Ratey who discuss this phenomenon in Driven to Distraction: they point out that since ADD people often are capable of hyperfocus, they sometimes hyperfocus on the test and do well, even though they have a lot of attention difficulties in real life. Am I right in thinking that could have been what happened for you, katstrange? It would fit with the fact that you were "very determined to show this guy your stuff." Also I agree that the quiet office could have an effect. Katstrange, what you really need is a good intake evaluation by a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist - not neuropsychological testing, but just a thorough developmental history intake, with a doctor who really KNOWS a lot about AD/HD.

The same thing happened to me at first - when I told a counselor I thought I had AD/HD, she said didn't do an evaluation and just said that no, I was only distracted from my studies because my mother was dying and that was stressing me out. This fact was true, but it didn't account for the fact that I had been unfocused for pretty much my entire life, and my mom had only been diagnosed within the past 6 months. A few years later, I went to a psychiatrist and said I thought I had AD/HD. Again, the psychiatrist didn't do any evaluation at all - just asked if I had been a good student in school, and when I said yes, told me that meant there was no way I had AD/HD, and handed me an antidepressant prescription (even though she had not asked any questions to find out if I was suffering from depressive symptoms - just decided that since I had broken up with my boyfriend 3 weeks before, I MUST be depressed). Of course, besides the obvious fact that she did not ask any questions to obtain a proper diagnosis, it is simply not true that everyone with AD/HD was a bad student.

Needless to say, I never went back to that doctor - I wasn't taking any medication handed out by someone who does a first appointment in as little as 15 minutes and hands out antidepressant prescriptions without even asking any questions to find out if the patient is actually depressed! I found another doctor who was more knowledgeable and actually worked with a lot of AD/HD clients, and FINALLY had a thorough diagnostic interview. After she heard about my lifelong troubles with disorganization, forgetfulness, procrastination, always running late, etc., and saw my preschool and elementary school report cards, with all the teacher comments that I wasn't paying attention or that I wasn't working up to potential, she thought it was very clear that I had AD/HD. I have since had another psychiatrist and a therapist concur with that diagnosis.

So basically, my point is this - if, after reading a lot about AD/HD, you strongly suspect you have it, there's a good chance you're right - either that or your AD/HD-like symptoms can be explained by another condition that has some symptom overlap (such as anxiety or bipolar disorder, for instance). Regardless of whether your symptoms are caused by AD/HD or another condition, if they are impacting your life then they deserve serious consideration by a doctor. Find a doctor who really is an expert on AD/HD in adults (and sadly, there are a whole lot of psychiatrists who are NOT very knowledgeable about adult AD/HD), and make sure they give you a very thorough evaluation. If they seem knowledgeable and their diagnosis makes sense, then stick with them - if not, then find another doctor.

[theotterone]

I was tested at age 10 (34 now) and told I was NOT ADD . I was recently diagnosed and started Adderall (last month). According to my doctor (very personable, I have worked with him for 9 years with my depression and anxiety disorder) told me that in 1985 when I was tested that one, they thought this was a childhood disability and that ADD/ADHD children "grew" out of it and two, they didn't know there was an "Inattentive ADD" type. The later being the reason I was misdiagnosed.

When I was diagnosed, my husband and I filled out CAAR evaluations. (My doctor called it a different name too, but I can't remember it). It's a questionnaire that is based on observation. I, my oldest daughter's 3rd grade teacher and my daughter herself filled out similar evaluations. They score them based on the answers. My husband got a little confused and asked if this was "over the last 6 months or the whole 12 years I've known you?" He was also worried about me seeing his questionnaire. I told him I wouldn't look at it, and even though my doctor would show me if I asked, I haven't. The good news is that my oldest didn't show any signs of being depressed but was a little anxious. Is is common for women to have depression or anxiety with ADD (I'm special, I have all three! )

The surprising thing was, that even though I am being treated with stimulants (caffeine in large amounts will put me in a panic attack) I have calmed WAY down. I think part of it is I don't procrastinate as much anymore and my attention is not divided a dozen ways. If an issue comes up, I can stop and think, coming up with a plan of action instead of only partially paying attention I can focus on it. I don't "freak out" about things, like the logical side of me is stronger so I know that isn't productive. This has also helped my attitude in general, so I can see the bright side of life. I am also seeing an ADD Coach to assist me in going the right direction in finding how I learn and how to adapt my life so I can funtion better. Otherwise, I notice my "ooh shiny" moments more and am overwhelmed by how much I do need to change. I am sick of just existing and want to LIVE my life.

(sorry, I am long winded). I guess my main message is this, if you suspect it, it very well may be since you know you better than anyone else. Don't rely solely on self-diagnosis. See a different mental health professional. Explain why you believe as you do (I HAVE to write things down or I forget! Bring a list) and what you feel you need in order to fuction better in your life. And remember you have suport here!