[27alli]

I'm a 17 year old girl, and I think it is pretty likely that I have ADD. I've always been very disorganized, and I can't pay attention to lectures at school, and I always find my self noticing that someone is talking to me like half way through the sentence. At school, I feel like it always turns out I've missed something, even when I thought I was paying attention, like when the test is.

The thing is though, I've never been taken for any kind of testing, because I was a well behaved kid, and my grades aren't that bad. Ok thats not true; In elementary school, the school's reading specialist said I had an auditory processing disorder, and my mom took me to some kind of therapist a few times. But then she decided that the reading specialist diagnosed every kid with something, so it didn't count.

I think I've pretty much been able to fly under the radar, because I have a 3.4. (I think what saves most of my grades is that I'm good a memorizing) I got a 2100-ish on the sat's, and I think that I could have much better grades if I could pay attention to lectures.

So the question in all this is: Would getting evaluated do any good? The whole point would be that I could get medication which would potentially help. What usual happens? Would they prescribe me anything? And does medication even work?
Thanks for reading all that, and answering if you do.

[Maus5321]

Originally Posted by 27alli

I'm a 17 year old girl, and I think it is pretty likely that I have ADD. I've always been very disorganized, and I can't pay attention to lectures at school, and I always find my self noticing that someone is talking to me like half way through the sentence. At school, I feel like it always turns out I've missed something, even when I thought I was paying attention, like when the test is.

The thing is though, I've never been taken for any kind of testing, because I was a well behaved kid, and my grades aren't that bad. Ok thats not true; In elementary school, the school's reading specialist said I had an auditory processing disorder, and my mom took me to some kind of therapist a few times. But then she decided that the reading specialist diagnosed every kid with something, so it didn't count.

I think I've pretty much been able to fly under the radar, because I have a 3.4. (I think what saves most of my grades is that I'm good a memorizing) I got a 2100-ish on the sat's, and I think that I could have much better grades if I could pay attention to lectures.

So the question in all this is: Would getting evaluated do any good? The whole point would be that I could get medication which would potentially help. What usual happens? Would they prescribe me anything? And does medication even work?
Thanks for reading all that, and answering if you do.

You should set up an appointment with your school counselor and see what they have to say. Sometimes they have knowledge in this area and can steer you in the right direction. Females often times are the inattention type of add, where as males are often times the more hyper form of add. Getting medication can help but it is not a cure all. There are other changes that need to be made if you do in fact have it. But the only way to know is to talk to your school counselor see what they say. If not maybe bring it up to your parents about seeing a Psychiatrist/psychologist.

Couple of books you can check out to are driven to distraction and delivered from distraction by Dr. Hallowell and Dr. Ratey.

[kaliope]

hi 27alli
welcome to psych central. we have several forums you can post to and receive feedback from others. you will get lots of support here. despite doing well, if you feel you could be doing better and ADD is stopping you from doing so, than an evaluation is worth it at any age. again, welcome.

[montanan4ever]

Hi there! By all means talk to your school counselor or nurse about this. College is wayyyy different from high school and the way you've gotten by thus far is unlikely to carry you through postsecondary education. It will definitely give you problems in the working world (voice of experience here!). So yeah, sure, see what you could do.

There are lots of ways to help ADD, not just medications. You may well find other things that work for you.

[psychmajortwenty2]

Go for the evaluation! Psychological evaluations are there to help you when you feel like you aren't functioning optimally and reaching your potential in your life. They are valuable assets.

I was actually recently diagnosed with ADHD. I was so surprised because until this year I managed to maintain a high GPA throughout school and even made the Dean's List several times. I hope to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology. I think like you, I flew under the radar from being noticed in elementary school because I was able to get good grades and so they didn't see my behaviour as a problem. Finally, my procrastination and disorganization caught up to me when I tried to finish my honours thesis! So I'm dealing with everything now. It's worth it to go and see if you have it. It could likely help you in the future in ways you can't even fathom.

[MommaMK23]

Yes, get evaluated! I was diagnosed with ADHD at 29 and I wish someone would've recognized earlier. Looking back its been a huge issue I never realized I had. The sooner you know and can start finding your ways of coping the better. I've found it very difficult to find out and cope at this point in adulthood.

[Maus5321]

Originally Posted by MommaMK23

Yes, get evaluated! I was diagnosed with ADHD at 29 and I wish someone would've recognized earlier. Looking back its been a huge issue I never realized I had. The sooner you know and can start finding your ways of coping the better. I've found it very difficult to find out and cope at this point in adulthood.

That is me. I was diagnosed slightly earlier then you, at 28 When I look back I wish it could have been found out sooner. But one thing I noticed from reading books and things on ADD. Around the early 1990's is when adhd researching really started to take off. So a lot of kids born in the 80's and and 90's were actually missed a lot of the time because it was not really well known at the time. So we may have slipped through the cracks. But things are changing at a rapid rate now. So we can help make a bigger difference now then ever before!

[SunnySky]

Yes, yes, YES. I wish I understood about it sooner. DD just diagnosed (21 yo) this June. Yikes, I just thought it was a personality trait, etc, but knowing sooner would have helped her immensely. She will be a senior this Fall in college. Now I'm getting evaluated next Friday.

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[SunnySky]

Oh, and I'm 51 yo....

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[Maus5321]

Anytime is a good time to get tested. Earlier the better. But hey never to late to start finding answers.

[Arwen_78]

A lot of it is trial and error. You could get lucky and they find something that works right away. Yet, you might not and go through a few years before they find something that is right. I mean it could be worth it but maybe I'm the wrong kind of person to say much. I was on two types of medication which one work for about 5 years then all it did was make me depressed. Then the other the dose was so high at first that I hardly ever slept my freshman year of high school.

Originally Posted by 27alli

I'm a 17 year old girl, and I think it is pretty likely that I have ADD. I've always been very disorganized, and I can't pay attention to lectures at school, and I always find my self noticing that someone is talking to me like half way through the sentence. At school, I feel like it always turns out I've missed something, even when I thought I was paying attention, like when the test is.

The thing is though, I've never been taken for any kind of testing, because I was a well behaved kid, and my grades aren't that bad. Ok thats not true; In elementary school, the school's reading specialist said I had an auditory processing disorder, and my mom took me to some kind of therapist a few times. But then she decided that the reading specialist diagnosed every kid with something, so it didn't count.

I think I've pretty much been able to fly under the radar, because I have a 3.4. (I think what saves most of my grades is that I'm good a memorizing) I got a 2100-ish on the sat's, and I think that I could have much better grades if I could pay attention to lectures.

So the question in all this is: Would getting evaluated do any good? The whole point would be that I could get medication which would potentially help. What usual happens? Would they prescribe me anything? And does medication even work?
Thanks for reading all that, and answering if you do.

[Tagless]

A common misunderstanding is that there are certain guidelines to follow when treating ADHD or even some other disorders. If you are diagnosed with ADHD, it is up to you to choose which path to take. Many doctors will prescribe you medication upon diagnosis: Methylphenidate (Ritalin/concerta) and Amphetamines (Adderall/Vyvanse), but it should be up to you. I would recommend finding a Psychiatrist who is willing to work with you to see how you can make the best of ADHD.

I have ADHD to a similar extent as you. Through high school I wouldn't read a single note until the night before the exam and I'd still get very good grades. I would recommend getting diagnosed because then the school can help you. If you're planning on going to University; at my University (University of Toronto), they provide accommodations such as providing you with notes and having the ability to re-schedule exams. It is very helpful!

It really depends on how much ADHD impedes on your life. If you can function fine without it, then I would recommend staying away from medication. For example, I also have much trouble paying attention to lectures and even just instructions. A sentence will float in through one ear and leave through the next, and I can never attend a lecture and take notes. My first time with Ritalin, I took it in the morning before class, went to class, took notes, and then left satisfied. I found medication most useful on days when I had laboratories and all the instructions would be explained verbally and so I wasn't able to remember much; the medication helped.

My best advice would be to find a physician who won't just toss drugs at you and tell you to come back in a few weeks for a refill. There ARE physicians out there who will look for alternative ways to help you. I'm currently on medication, but only take it on days where I know I will need to remember verbal instructions well or focus to an extent past my casual abilities.

I say see a Psychiatrist and not a GP because many Psychiatrists I've spoken to have found faults in the GP's first ritalin prescription I received (he instructed me to take one in the evening, which would impede my sleep.)

Hope I helped!

[Strawhat]

Originally Posted by 27alli

I've always been very disorganized, and I can't pay attention to lectures at school, and I always find my self noticing that someone is talking to me like half way through the sentence. At school, I feel like it always turns out I've missed something, even when I thought I was paying attention, like when the test is.

I think I've pretty much been able to fly under the radar, because I have a 3.4. (I think what saves most of my grades is that I'm good a memorizing) I got a 2100-ish on the sat's, and I think that I could have much better grades if I could pay attention to lectures.

Haha, that's exactly like me! I'm pretty amazing at memorizing as well.

It's especially terrible in College. Sometimes I miss turning in things because I didn't even know they were due. Never been diagnosed or anything. Just thought it was normal :O

[deelooted]

Originally Posted by 27alli

I'm a 17 year old girl, and I think it is pretty likely that I have ADD. I've always been very disorganized, and I can't pay attention to lectures at school, and I always find my self noticing that someone is talking to me like half way through the sentence. At school, I feel like it always turns out I've missed something, even when I thought I was paying attention, like when the test is.

The thing is though, I've never been taken for any kind of testing, because I was a well behaved kid, and my grades aren't that bad. Ok thats not true; In elementary school, the school's reading specialist said I had an auditory processing disorder, and my mom took me to some kind of therapist a few times. But then she decided that the reading specialist diagnosed every kid with something, so it didn't count.

I think I've pretty much been able to fly under the radar, because I have a 3.4. (I think what saves most of my grades is that I'm good a memorizing) I got a 2100-ish on the sat's, and I think that I could have much better grades if I could pay attention to lectures.

So the question in all this is: Would getting evaluated do any good? The whole point would be that I could get medication which would potentially help. What usual happens? Would they prescribe me anything? And does medication even work?
Thanks for reading all that, and answering if you do.

Wow! First off, congrats on the SAT score! That is awesome Secondly, YES, it could not hurt to get evaluated. Everything is voluntary, so if you hear something you don't agree with, move on. I would recommend researching a bit about ADD and the meds that are prescribed for it, that way you are armed with knowledge. YES, medication can and does help many people. But we always have to advocate for ourselves, meaning that we need to know what the psych docs want to do with us. Going in blind does not help.

Good luck on your further studies, I wish you all the best.

[avlady]

Yes get a dianosis, it may open up doors for you and your place in life the sooner you get yourself help

[Maus5321]

Originally Posted by Strawhat

Haha, that's exactly like me! I'm pretty amazing at memorizing as well.

It's especially terrible in College. Sometimes I miss turning in things because I didn't even know they were due. Never been diagnosed or anything. Just thought it was normal :O

Do you ever wonder being so good at memorizing your do not grasp the material well soemtimes but are able to remember the answers?

I mean because I have taken tests and done fairly well aside from math since it math was always hard for me. But when I take tests. Its like. All I am doing is remembering the answer, but if you ask me the reasons around why I chose the answer, I really cannot supply any facts to back up why. Its like I know the answer but I don't.

I mean in the class I just took recently for job training which will stay nameless. I have taken tests in it but sometimes our teacher will give us the the test before we have studied it as way to boost our confidence she would say. So we could see after after the difference in our scores after we studied. One test that stuck out to me I took. I got a 70 ish percent the first time. But the second time I got 97% on it. We did go over it in class after we were done. But after we went through it was like I remembered which bubbles to fill in on the next test. All the people were like wow you must of studied hard. It makes me feel awkward when I get stuck in situations like that and i want to jump out a window and run away because I did not study for the test in fact. Because all the answers I knew. I knew the words but I did not know any other information really that correlated to it. Just the answer so I could pass the test.

[yellowfrog268]

All I can tell you is YES YES and YES.

I am 41 years old and just started seeing a pdoc for my ADD.
Although I was diagnosed as a child, it's been many years since I've been on meds for my ADD.

It is never too late to take care of yourself. If in fact you do have ADD/ADHD it will impact other areas of your life, not just school or career.

I will gladly offer myself as a cautionary tale. From childhood to the present I've had major difficulties with school, jobs, relationships, friendships, and dealing with the everyday boring stuff of life such as housework. The frustration and alienation has, at times, been overwhelming. I spent years wondering what the hell was wrong with me, why I couldn't function as well as everyone around me. I've spent too many years of my life feeling bad about myself. When I think of how different the past years of my life could have been I want to cry.
Don't let that happen to you. Whether it's ADD/ADHD or something else, it's worth addressing your concerns and if necessary take action.

[SunnySky]

Hey, Yellowfrog.... I can relate to what you just said. Went to psych office late afternoon on Friday for an eval.... awaiting insurance to approve Vyvanse (ha! Since I'm over 18 yo).