Adult ADD/ADHD Questions

I am new to this forum and have questions about ADD/ADHD concerning myself. How do you know that you have ADD/ADHD? Are there tests to take to find out if you have ADD/ADHD? I do not think I had problems when I was a kid but I do think I have problems now is that possible? Can ADD/ADHD develope later in life? What type of professional person does one see to determine if you do have ADD/ADHD? If it is not ADD/ADHD does the same Dr. determine what you may have?

Hi,
I do not know much about ADHD, but from what I have read, it generally starts in childhood and does not develop in adulthood/later in life. Do you recognize any symptoms now that may have been present during childhood? I know for me lack of focus has always been present. I have not yet been diagnosed, but I am 100% positive that i have the inattentive type of ADHD (sans the hyperactivity).

Do you have a therapist? If so, ask your T if he/she has noticed any symptoms during your sessions that could be ADHD related. Also ask for a referral to someone who can do the assessment for you. If you have health insurance, try calling them for a list of doctors who can do the assessment or do a google search or find a support group in your area.

What problems are you currently experiencing? I know that there are many symptoms of depression and anxiety that can mimic ADHD and once the depression, anxiety etc has been successfully treated, you will be able to see any other lingering symptoms that may be something else entirely. So I would go from there. For me, I am currently taking meds for depression , but it has dont NOTHING for my lack of concentration, memory etc. So my med speciaslist advised me to be assessed for ADHD...

Good luck

Do you recognize any symptoms now that may have been present during childhood? I know for me lack of focus has always been present.

Do you have a therapist? If so, ask your T if he/she has noticed any symptoms during your sessions that could be ADHD related. Also ask for a referral to someone who can do the assessment for you. If you have health insurance, try calling them for a list of doctors who can do the assessment or do a google search or find a support group in your area.

What problems are you currently experiencing? I know that there are many symptoms of depression and anxiety that can mimic ADHD and once the depression, anxiety etc has been successfully treated, you will be able to see any other lingering symptoms that may be something else entirely. So I would go from there.

Good luck[/quote]

When I was in High School I noticed that I could not read with noise around and I felt pressured if I had to reread something if I was distracted. That has stayed with me ever since then. My grades were average in school. When I got to college I had to go to a really quiet place to study so I could focus. I cannot read with any noise around. I was not hyper but I was and still am physically active.

I do not have a therapist. Would I go to a psychologist to be evaluated?

Problems that I am experiencing know are setting keys tools ect. down and forgetting where I put them. At work and home go from one task to another and not doing one at a time. I feel like a pinball. I get my mind on a project at home and buy all the necessary materials and never start the task. I have had angry outbursts at my wife and people around me but not at work. I tend to pick on people. I worry about what people think of me. focus and consentration is hard. I have a hard time taking in directions that are given to me. Someone will tell me something then I will have to ask them again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Than Do you recognize any symptoms now that may have been present during childhood? I know for me lack of focus has always been present.

When I was in High School I noticed that I could not read with noise around and I felt pressured if I had to reread something if I was distracted. That has stayed with me ever since then. My grades were average in school. When I got to college I had to go to a really quiet place to study so I could focus. I cannot read with any noise around. I was not hyper but I was and still am physically active.

I do not have a therapist. Would I go to a psychologist to be evaluated?

Problems that I am experiencing know are setting keys tools ect. down and forgetting where I put them. At work and home go from one task to another and not doing one at a time. I feel like a pinball. I get my mind on a project at home and buy all the necessary materials and never start the task. I have had angry outbursts at my wife and people around me but not at work. I tend to pick on people. I worry about what people think of me. focus and consentration is hard. I have a hard time taking in directions that are given to me. Someone will tell me something then I will have to ask them again.[/quote]

Much what you described could be related to depression and anxiety- poor memory, trouble concentrating, thoughts bouncing around in your head that seem to never end, angry outbursts.

When I was checking around for someone to evaluate/assess me, I was told to contact either a psychiatrist or psychologist. Either one will probably want to wait on assessing you, because as I stated, it's sometimes hard to discern what your symptoms actually are because the symptoms of AD/HD can mimic or like depression, anixety etc. If you have a history of anything like that that you are certain of, I would suggest (as would the pdoc or psych) getting treatment for that first. Those troublesome symptoms may disappear. It's hard to go thru your insurance company for an eval of adhd if you are an adult- i have first hand experience with this. AND paying out of pocket will wreak havoc on your pocket. I called on doctor who told me it would cost $500 out of pocket for the eval.

But if you insist on being evaluated right away for AD/HD I would suggest calling your insurance provider (if you have one)- they can give you a list. Or, go to your PCP and ask him/her for a referral. That would be the easiest route. When I was making my calls, I made a bunch of pointless calls to people who do not assess for AD/HD so I called my insurance provider for a list, which also wasn't very helpful. Sometimes there are "centers" or programs that are specifically for AD/HD assessing and treatment (finally found one in the city I will be relocating to in a few weeks). So check around in your town/city. Good luck.

Here is PC's Adult ADD/ADHD quiz...

not to replace a professional's opinion but a good start...

http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm

Thank you for the advice. I have a better feeling on where to start. I think overall my case is moderate but I want to know.

Thank you for the test. I thought it would be good to take it and then take it to a professional and go from there.

since i was a child i have been told i have ADD but i have never done anything about it ...and i believe my life is suffering from it i am a 36 year old female ...and i don,t no where to start x

Kingkongjet: I'm new also, welcome! Yes there is an extensive test that determines if you do or do not have ADHD by an MD specializing w/Adult ADHD. I took that test myself at age 42, my bipolar disorder disquised the ADHD I'm doing great now that I've accepted it, your PCP can referre you. Good luck

I got dxed w/ADHD (what they call it now even though I didn't have hyperactivity except when I was manic--also have bipolar 1--lucky me!!). But looking back I realize I had VERY STRANGE ways to try to cope w/learning at school (though had very mentally ill mother & alcoholic father so they weren't much help). In college my room-mate moved in w/her boyfriend as I drove her "crazy" TYPING (I'm old--before pc's) all night long. It helped me to remember things to type them over & over again & to read aloud...

I did lots of strange things to try to make the grades I expected of myself (actually, more of my father's expectations)--but I also was having trouble w/the symptoms of bp.

Not a fun time.

But I am on medication for ADHD now & it makes such a difference! Plus meds for bipolar & therapy.

Getting an evaluation isn't covered by your insurance? That is BAD.

In general, yeah, needs to start off as a kid thing. I was a weird case, I was dxed with it as a kid, but I didn't have learning difficulties because of the symptoms! I would be hyperactive, blurt out stuff, tantrums like crazy, etc... but learning was interesting to me and had no problems, but my other behaviors landed me in special ed.

Look up the DSM, and try doing it for when you were a kid.