ADD or something else?

I'm sure this sort of topic gets posted here a lot, but I'll go for it anyway...

I'm having an *absurd* time getting things done. This goes from homework to studying to cleaning my apartment, to changing my cats' litter, to doing dishes, to calling for a replacement shelf for my refrigerator... ANYTHING. It just comes time to getting something done... and I don't do it. I know I need to. I just can't make myself. I feel lifeless, exhausted, and just have no energy. It's always been a problem, but now that I'm living with someone, it's HER problem too. She's fed up with it, thus I am fed up with it. It probably shouldn't have taken that much to get me to post here/seek help for it, but it did. So here I am

I also find I can't focus in class. I will start off a schoolyear all gung-ho and take notes with full attention and everything. Unfortunately, I need my computer to keep up with the notes in some classes, which of course will get me distracted. Even without the computer though, I will notice sometimes that periods of time go by where I am just not around. I will blink, and realize 10 minutes have passed, and noise came into my ears, but I did not pick up a single word of what the teacher was saying. Looking back, I realize that this took place as early as elementary school.

So the point and the bottom line would be... does this sound like ADD? I've had psychological tests before, and any questions that related to attention deficit I cleverly gave false answers for, because I had heard about adderall and have heard very bad things about it. Any suggestions anyone has would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

how long has this been going on?

A *very* long time. Probably since birth if I really think about it. I've never been really under a large pressure to seriously get things done (without major help from my parents) until I was in about 8th-9th grade. This is when I became aware of the problem, and it's only gotten worse and worse over time (I am 22 and a super-senior in college now; the problem is part of the need for the fifth year, though a large part was also physical health). Perhaps my parents didn't give me enough responsibilities around the house, or I just didn't have enough learning to do in elementary school, I don't know.

I have two vivid early memories of ADD evidence (though there were many more that I don't remember). In first grade one time, my teacher was reading a story or something, and all of a sudden she says "DISH (in place of my real name), don't *even* think it!" I hadn't a clue as to why she said it, but she saw my mind work before I even know what was going on... A minute later, I heard something rustle near the door and turned to look and she says "That's it, go over to the desk and put your head down, cover your eyes." First grade me didn't understand and was ready to cry until she said about five minutes later she said, "Feel free to come back when you're ready to pay attention."

Another memory was in fifth grade. I was sitting in science class, and the teacher is talking about something having to do with some sort of chemistry, and I became aware that 15-20 minutes had passed and I hadn't heard a single word (but I was definitely still awake and heard noise). This was the most vivid because I distinctly noticed it and freaked a little. Other cases have happened for shorter periods of time. I can even be carrying a conversation with my girlfriend, and miss a line of what she said, and it gets really frustrating for her.

I hope this helps add a little more detail on when this started and more things that happen.

I miss at least one word to one sentence every time somebody speaks to me. Watching tv is almost impossible if anyone is in the room. One sound and I miss everything. I know use caption on the tv so when I drift off I can catch the word I missed. However the rest of the family hates it. I am very, very visual to learn something and then I must do it hands on. I hate when people try to explain things to me because it will go in one ear and out the other.
Give me 3 simple directions while showing me and then let me try. Thats how I learn. oops I totally went off topic. sorry.

I've been having the same problem!! Except mine has been getting so bad that it's making me depressed even...I also self medicate to treat both my ADD like sympyoms and depression. Maybe u need to see a doctor, they can easily test u and prescribe u some meds to get u back on track.

This is why, even though I sound like a broken record (those things we listened to music from before there were CDs and MP3 players/files for you yougins!), but see a doctor or a mental health professional who have the diagnostic tools to help you figure out and then treat whatever the issue is.

The reason I am so passionate about this is that due to the lack of information at the time, I was told I was NOT ADD/ADHD when I was 10. (WAAAAY back in 1985 folks!) Back then they still thought it was only something that affected kids and didn't know there was an "Inattentive type" (the "H" for me was HYPOactivity, not HYPER). They didn't start treating adults until the late 90s! So for 24 years I lived thinking there was something fundamentally broken in my head or I had uncontrolled/unfixable character flaws. Needless to say I have had many self esteem issues as a result. Even though medication does not "cure" me, I at least know now what I need to work on to get better.

Hang in there! Many of us totally relate and support you!

@theotterone & nirvanaf909:

Thank you SO much. You both are completely right, and I've hit my breaking point this morning. I am going to schedule an appointment ASAP with a psychiatrist so I can get this all straightened out, because like all things, I've just been putting it off until the last minute. I'm always feeling like I have no energy to get things done, and doing something as simple as washing dishes drains me completely.

My only issue now is being able to find a doctor I trust and getting on meds that work in time to not fail school and lose my chance at a degree after four and a half years... o.o

How did you all find doctors you trusted?

Self medicating is only making your feelings of depression worse...stop now and find other alterntives fast!

did you go to the docs and get an assessment done? I dont think I ever heard what the results were of the doctor's visit. what were they?

btw i hardly feel like you need the INTERNET on during class in order to take notes :P. dont turn on the internet during class. it's just a distraction.

To update a little... I hit my breaking point over a month ago, but it took my girlfriend making a call to my primary care physician for me just last week to get things going, because I was just too nervous about it. I saw him this past Friday, and after we talked, he referred me to a psychiatrist for a formal evaluation. I just heard back from their office and need to get back to them during their business hours, which has proven tricky now that it's finals week, but I am going to try my hardest to remember and call in about 3 hours (9 am) today. *Crosses fingers*

It's too late to salvage this semester, but I'm hoping beyond all hope that it's not too late to save my degree.

What did they say, Dish? You left me hanging, as I was reading your story with great interest!