[recoverydefender]

Hello-

I am a 36 year old female and have been in recovery for a few years. I have also been in college for almost 2 years.Based on my learning difficulties in school and looking back on my behaviors in work and home- I feel very strongly that I have ADD. I took a self test online and scored 97% certainty that this is the diagnosis. I would be ecstatic to know for certain that this has been the monkey on my back my entire lifetime. In the past I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression- but nobody ever even mentioned ADD and it frustrates me. My 15 year old daughter has it and that also tells me it is probable for myself.
I worry about not being taken seriously because of my history with addiction, then again-maybe I would have not had these problems if I would have gotten the proper treatment and diagnosis. I am nervous and really want to seek out help. Just looking for advice or support from someone who understands. Thanks.

[Skully]

Online tests are hard to gauge accuracy. But some of them are pretty good. The best thing to do is talk to your primary care doctor and get a referral to a psychiatrist. Only they will know for sure. Even with your history of addiction, if the psychiatrist does not want to give you a stimulant (can be addictive) there are non stimulant choices to treat ADHD/ADD. Good luck and keep us posted on how you make out. And congrats on taking the steps to further your education. I had untreated ADHD and managed to get through college somehow. I did well too.

Would seem prudent to have a psychiatric evaluation to update your diagnoses.