ADD

First of all I am new hear, I am a little nervous I needed answers before I persued anything.

Since I was young my teachers have always tried to tell my parents that I should be tested for having ADD, but my parents didn't believe it was a real "disease". Now I am 20 years old and just started college. I am having a horrible time focusing in class I can't ever stay involved in homework assignments. I get bored and do other things then get bored and do other things. Constantly I feel like I have a million things I need to do and can't settle down. I don't know what to do because of my age I am afraid people will think I'm just some kid making excuses.
First of all how do I talk to my parents, and second what do I do?!

Hi,

I'm also a 20 year old college student, and I was diagnosed with ADHD last year. Unlike you, no one ever said I should be tested for it -- I just had to work harder than everyone else to compensate and get things done, but I thought that I was just slow or less intelligent.

I think that since you're no longer an andolescent, it should be your decision whether or not you chose to seek treatment.... unfortunately, lots of parents don't see it this way. I was lucky with my parents, but since yours are reluctant to acknowledge the disorder, you might want to take charge of this yourself as much as you can.

Lots of universities can direct you to either provided services, or communitiy clinics that may be reduced charge (so that you wouldn't have to rely on your parent's insurance, if that's a factor). If you could get your parents to at least help/allow you get an assessment, this could help greatly in educating them about the disorder and your status. I think if you could get past their reluctance to acknowledge it at all and somehow get a professional's opinion on the matter you could possibly win their support.

So obviously I'm not taking my meds this summer, but to sum up my rambling I think the easiest way to get treatment is to ask your parents if you can go to a psychologist or a GP for general concerns. The more you try to convince them before you have a diagnosis in your hand, the less they'll be willing to consent (or finance) meds. You could also try behavioral therapy to improve concentration (willingness to do this would show that you want help and not just stimulant drugs). And of course another option would be to just use university/community resources to get the diagnosis.

Jessie