[MaryLouHairdo]

I'm curious as to whether there is a sliding scale within ADHD.

In other words, can some people have 'some' ADHD traits, or a 'mild case' of ADHD, while others have it much worse?

Or, is ADHD a case of... you either have it or you DON'T?

[Maus5321]

Originally Posted by MaryLouHairdo

I'm curious as to whether there is a sliding scale within ADHD.

In other words, can some people have 'some' ADHD traits, or a 'mild case' of ADHD, while others have it much worse?

Or, is ADHD a case of... you either have it or you DON'T?

Adhd can be on a sliding scale persay, when I talked to my psychiatrist she told me that I have a moderate to severe case, she said she did not want to scare me with my diagnosis and really give it a level of severity, but honestly when she told me the moderate to severe, it did not change the relief I felt when I finally had my diagnosis, Adhd can very well be mild, or can be super severe, just have to see a doc and find out where you may land.

[Samanthagreene]

Like autism, dyslexia, intelligence, synesthesia, and basically everything else, ADHD exists on a continuum. I was diagnosed with ADHD but only a mild case. I have a friend who has a more severe case.

[D157R4C73D]

I think that the DEA puts a lot of pressure on doctors to limit diagnosis of ADHD if they see a case that's not very severe, or, more accurately, not so disruptive to the social order of things. That's probably why you perceive it as an on/off type of thing.

I have severe concentration problems with mild ADHD traits but I'm getting tested for ADHD anyways to see if I qualify for medication. It would just be a real pity if my diagnosis didn't meat the standards or qualifications of the system. I would then have to live with this severe characteristic of ADHD.

Right now I'm always binging off very potent instant coffee and am very depressed.

[NWgirl2013]

"I have severe concentration problems with mild ADHD traits but I'm getting tested for ADHD anyways to see if I qualify for medication. It would just be a real pity if my diagnosis didn't meat the standards or qualifications of the system. I would then have to live with this severe characteristic of ADHD."

There is no magic pill, and getting on the medication train is a trip in itself.
But I do wish you luck in your quest ....

[montanan4ever]

Yes, like most mental health diagnoses, ADD exists on a continuum. There is also such a thing as "ADD - no H."

"There is no magic pill"

Ok I'm getting REALLY sick of people saying that. Just because I didn't mention that IM ALSO GOING TO THERAPY it means that I'm automatically a druggy??

People I know. I KNOW. So stop accusing me. How many times I have to say this I don't know wtf like. It's like me wanting to get some help is the worst thing in the world.

I have always been VERY distressed by my concentration problems so I hope that people can understand that I'm willing to do anything to help stop this. Did you see how i said "help stop" instead of "stop". Yeah, I hope you get it now.

[Miswimmy1]

I think with ADHD, it can range from severe to mild. I think everyone shows some traits at some point of their life, but its the level of impact that it is affecting your daily life and impairing your ability to function that differentiates whether or not it is severe or not

[NWgirl2013]

QUOTE "Ok I'm getting REALLY sick of people saying that. Just because I didn't mention that IM ALSO GOING TO THERAPY it means that I'm automatically a druggy??

People I know. I KNOW. So stop accusing me. How many times I have to say this I don't know wtf like. It's like me wanting to get some help is the worst thing in the world.

I have always been VERY distressed by my concentration problems so I hope that people can understand that I'm willing to do anything to help stop this. Did you see how i said "help stop" instead of "stop". Yeah, I hope you get it now."

To: AloneWithMyCat

Pardon me for not noticing you are 16. I am pretty sure my comment was merely to say that, while drugs may be helpful, that it may not be all you hope it to be. Also that it make take several tries with different drugs to find the right one.I am also pretty sure no one is accusing you a being a "druggy". Pretty sure.
And I was sincere in my wish that you find some answers for yourself.

I am very familiar with 16 yr olds, as I have one in my house, and I am also very familiar with ADD, his condition.
Wanting help is a good thing. In my sons' case, there are certain things that make his concentration worse, some make it better. They are simple life choices, but worth exploring yourself. If you are interested.

Again, I wish you, sincerely, to find the help you need. I hope you have a assistance of your family to help you as you work your way through the medical system.

[redbandit]

Alone with my cat, Yeah, what annoys me is the fact that my mom does think there is a "magic pill" I keep hoping there is, but haven't found it. I get tired of hearing it all too therapy doesnt work well for me, I have a lot of trouble opening up to strangers about my deep dark secrets. The know the right meds can work well for a lot of people, but the ones I need my insurance barely cover.

[nmac]

I'm pretty sure that I have ADD, at least a mild case. I personally do not want to take medication, although I have tried it and it helped. Now I have mental check lists and physical lists that help with daily processes.
I know I am not perfect and I have to try hard to remember and stay organized. My frustration is with my husband, and that is why I am here- to get advice. He was diagnosed as a young adult and now he is in his late 30's. When we met, he was on a lot of medication, that I felt made him very intense and prone to angry outbursts. He was also very disorganized and messy on the medication, but he had excuses for it all. Now, we are married and we live together. I have encouraged him to get off of the medication. He is still very disorganized and messy. He will be eating something and just leave the wrapper on the counter when the trash is two feet away. His office is a mess of piles of paper and random things. He doesn't put anything in its place or put things away. When I confront him about these things, he blames his ADD and sometimes accuses me of making him get off the medication. I argue with him that he can change the way he does things by creating new habits that involve discipline. He argues that he isn't capable of thinking that way. Just yesterday he told me he needed dental floss. He asked if there was a list or something that he should write that down on. I said that I would remember. He said that he wished his brain worked like that. I said that it could! Often times I do write things down on a grocery list on my phone, but also when I get to the grocery store, I mentally walk through each department and do a mental check list....Personal care...does he need toothpaste?..no, contact solution?...yes...etc.
I feel like he is using his diagnosis as an excuse to not develop habits that combat his ADD. Am I wrong? Am I being to hard on him? I feel like, if I can do it, so can he... but am I wrong?

[Perna]

Redbandit, I think everyone has trouble opening up with strangers; yes some have more trouble than others but it can be done eventually if you want. Just about anything can be done eventually if one wants?

I think like anything, there are degrees of disability. Your husband, nmac (Welcome to PsychCentral (PC) by the way :-) could just have a harder time than you. Too, people are raised with greater/lesser emphasis placed on different habits? I would see if you could help your husband some with starting new, better habits that will help him not annoy you so much? You could encourage his telling you when he remembers he needs something, say something like, "I'll put that on my phone grocery list" let him know such a list exists and you welcome additions to it?

I had a funny time with my husband last night; he was opening packages of undershirts and swim trunks, pajamas, etc. he got in the mail yesterday and was carefully putting the staples, tags, extra bags, etc. into one bag and wasn't finished when I threw that bag away (looking at the bed with piles of clothes, different bags, and he sitting there like a child with his little pair of scissors was making me crazy :-) and he got all upset as he had his system going. I kept bugging him, too, because I asked him what size the clothes were (he's a big man, very very rarely buys his own clothes) and he answered he didn't know! But there was a lot he was doing that was bothering me and that's not right, since it is his project and he is responsible for himself.

I would not worry about how he keeps his office unless he complains about it? That it looks messy and random to us, that's his to deal with? The trash issue I would just ask him nicely each time if he would go throw the trash away and leave it there for him to do. I found with my husband that he does not notice anything at all but, with three brothers, it is my experience that guys weren't taught like women to notice what needs doing around the house? My husband will clean up the dishes, etc. but leave all the surfaces near water covered in water he doesn't even dry his hands well when he washes them and then gets the stair banister wet, etc.

[Maus5321]

Life would be boring if you didn't have us males around to keep it entertaining hahahaha