[NyanShoujo]

Ummh, I'm new on this forum so forgive me if I make some mistakes >.< and also English isn't my mother language so I'm sorry if i make grammatical mistakes.

I'm a 16 yr old girl. I never knew about ADHD until about 1 month ago. I was browsing about this person on YouTube and found someone asking if that person has ADHD. Out of curiosity I googled about ADHD and found it on Wikipedia. I'm not really into reading so I just went straight to the symptoms. I was kinda shocked because I had most (but not all) of the symptoms.

1. Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another : Yes, I forgot things frequently ^^; My mom complains about this to me all the time.

2.Have difficulty maintaining focus on one task : Yes, I like multitasking. I just can't focus on just one thing. Focusing on one task makes me kinda uncomfortable.

3. Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless doing something enjoyable : Yes. My mom often complains about this also.

4. Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new : Yes, unless that task interests me. Sometimes although that task is interesting I still have difficulties organizing it. I used to have an organizer but I stopped having it because I keep forgetting that i have an organizer ^^;

5. Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities : Yes. I often lose my keys, forgetting to bring books that I need for school (in my school they don't have lockers so you keep your books at home and bring only the needed books to school), and many else.

6. Not seem to listen when spoken to : Yes, my parents often complain about this. Sometimes I don't even realize that they're talking to me.

7. Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly : Yes, I often daydream.

8. Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others : Yes. Usually I have to read / listen to that information several times more than others, unless that info is interesting for me.

9. Struggle to follow instructions : Yes, just like I said, I have to read / listen to those instructions several times more than others to understand it.

10. Fidget and squirm in their seats : Yes, and this is kinda annoying, especially when I'm doing my school tasks (especially exams), I'd stop writing and fiddle with my fingers for a while and I'd lose some time. Sometimes my work isn't finished when its time to collect my work.

11. Talk nonstop : It depends on the person. Usually If I'm alone I'd talk to myself too.

12. Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight : I only do this if I'm bored.

13. Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, doing homework, and story time : Sometimes, but not on dinner tho :3

14. Be constantly in motion : No if I'm really tired.

15. Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities: It depends on the task I'm doing.

16. Be very impatient : Sometimes, not really often tho.

17. Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences : Sometimes I do say bad things without thinking :'(

18. Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games : Yeah, but other people do this too, right?

19. Often interrupts conversations or others' activities : Not really, unless its important.

I also took an ADHD test in this site, and the results are:
I scored a total of 42. Innatention subscale : 24. Hyperactivity and impulsivity score : 18. (puu.sh/5sNah.png)
I told my parents about this. My dad did a little research about ADHD on the internet and he said that I don't have ADHD. He said that one of the symptoms is easily getting mad, but I don't get mad that often. Actually most of my friends told me that I'm one of the most patient friend they have. I told my dad that ADHD might be the thing behind my lack of concentration, and he said that I might not have tried harder. That makes me think that I moght not have ADHD, but I'm just lazy. So, please help me on this. I'm new here so I know like almost nothing about this. Thanks for reading this

[Batch381]

I am in the same boat as you NyanShoujo. It has been even less time I've found out about ADD for me I was told about it around a week ago and since then I have just gone to different sites to find out what is going on. I am 23 years old and all the way through school I have had the same things you have gone through, I think I have read somewhere that if you have 6 symptoms or over, you may have AD/HD.

I find myself sort of "daydreaming" when I am directly speaking with someone. I also find it difficult to connect with people's emotions and thoughts. Like people have come to me to talk to about a personal subject or w/e and I feel like I don't care but really wanting to care, I will show them I do care and I will comfort them, but my mind is just travelling else where.

It came about for me, because of my lack of ability to hold onto a job or an apprenticeship, I just lose motivation and I get so frustrated with myself when the inevitable happens.
I pick things up very quickly, which is what my dad is most annoyed with. My ability to (example) pick up a guitar and learn a song really quickly when I just started playing, I have even found being impressed with myself! But I will never see it through. I never keep playing and maybe make something of myself with that subject.

[montanan4ever]

Hi and welcome. It's possible that ADD is not as readily recognized or accepted in your culture, whereas in the USA/among native English speakers, it has somewhat less stigma than in other places.

Everyone is different. You might have certain characteristics but not others. It's a matter of standing back and looking at the whole picture

[NyanShoujo]

I know I can actually quote your posts but since I'm replying from my phone I can't.

@Batch381; I see. Have you taken an official test at your psychologist? And are you taking any medications?

@montanan4ever

[Arwen_78]

Originally Posted by Batch381

I am in the same boat as you NyanShoujo. It has been even less time I've found out about ADD for me I was told about it around a week ago and since then I have just gone to different sites to find out what is going on. I am 23 years old and all the way through school I have had the same things you have gone through, I think I have read somewhere that if you have 6 symptoms or over, you may have AD/HD.

I find myself sort of "daydreaming" when I am directly speaking with someone. I also find it difficult to connect with people's emotions and thoughts. Like people have come to me to talk to about a personal subject or w/e and I feel like I don't care but really wanting to care, I will show them I do care and I will comfort them, but my mind is just travelling else where.

It came about for me, because of my lack of ability to hold onto a job or an apprenticeship, I just lose motivation and I get so frustrated with myself when the inevitable happens.
I pick things up very quickly, which is what my dad is most annoyed with. My ability to (example) pick up a guitar and learn a song really quickly when I just started playing, I have even found being impressed with myself! But I will never see it through. I never keep playing and maybe make something of myself with that subject.

I too pick stuff up pretty quickly but get bored with it. I'm also somewhat emotionally disconnected from others. I do care about people who are close to me but find it harder to care for someone who isn't even trying to help themselves. I'm not as bad about the "daydreaming" I do it but I can control it.

I've known since I was 6-7 yrs. old that I was ADD. I've been medicated, not medicated and now back on medication.

The best thing to do is get a support group of people who really want to be there for you. Also try reading self-help books and discovering what ADD is to you. I'm still learning what it means to me.

[NyanShoujo]

Originally Posted by montanan4ever

Hi and welcome. It's possible that ADD is not as readily recognized or accepted in your culture, whereas in the USA/among native English speakers, it has somewhat less stigma than in other places.

Everyone is different. You might have certain characteristics but not others. It's a matter of standing back and looking at the whole picture

Yes. ADHD awareness isn't really high in my country, and also other mental problems.

Originally Posted by Arwen_78

I too pick stuff up pretty quickly but get bored with it. I'm also somewhat emotionally disconnected from others. I do care about people who are close to me but find it harder to care for someone who isn't even trying to help themselves. I'm not as bad about the "daydreaming" I do it but I can control it.

I've known since I was 6-7 yrs. old that I was ADD. I've been medicated, not medicated and now back on medication.

The best thing to do is get a support group of people who really want to be there for you. Also try reading self-help books and discovering what ADD is to you. I'm still learning what it means to me.

Thank you so much for the infos ! Are medications for ADD important? How if I don't get medications?

[Arwen_78]

Originally Posted by NyanShoujo

Thank you so much for the infos ! Are medications for ADD important? How if I don't get medications?

Yes, ADD medication are important but so is the kinda of person taking them. I believe that it was important for me to learn about the person I was off medications before I got medicated again. Since they have many side-effects and can worsen many of the co-mobits it's important that you do not take the choice to be medicated or not medicated lightly.

As for medications, I'm not sure what they have in your country but do your homework about each one and their side-effects. That way when placed on one you can tell what it's meant to be doing. When I was first placed on medicate back in the 1985 the poplar one was Ritalin and then when I was 16 I was placed on Adderall. Both are stimulants and even when they helped me some of the side-effects sucked, like when I first started on Adderall I couldn't sleep most nights and when I didn't take it one day I would sleep that whole day.

To get placed on medications you should speak with a Psychiatrist. After doing you homework on the type of drugs you should let them know any of the ones you are wary of trying and the ones you would be comfortable with. Also keep in mind that drugs are not always the answer to it all.

I've done that and since they knew my history with the stimulants they placed me on Strattera. It's a drug that you take once a day and it builds up in your system. Strattera isn't prefect but it seems to be the right drug for me. I do get some of the side effects but I've only been taking it for a few months so my body could still be getting use to it.

If you do have Strattera in your country and try it. Just a word of warning the first day is ruff. The only way I can say it felt as if I was drunk or had the flu. I would began this drug when you have a day that if you needed to just lie in bed that you could.

[Arwen_78]

I think many people can handle their ADD differently. if you don't want to be medicated it's understandable. It is scary road, when I was reading about all the medications before I visited my Psychiatrist most of the stuff was nothing but about their side-effects. Just keep in mind that if your ADD is getting in the way of everyday life then it might be a good idea to get medication.

If you choose not to be medicated start reading self-help books. There is one here in the US that is very good, very helpful and comes from two women with ADD. "You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!" the updated edition has a blue cover.

Anyways, good luck

P.S. I also took the test I scored a 37. Innatention subscale : 20. Hyperactivity and impulsivity score : 17 Also, just because one of the symptoms isn't present doesn't mean that you don't have it. It's only one that shows up most of the time.

[mrtoni]

I feel ya! I have no clue if I have it or not either. The online tests indicate that I exhibit ADD/ADHD like symptoms- but I don't trust myself. It's easy to pick the ADD/ADHD answer. And I feel like there are many things we don't know about ADD/ADHD.

I am also not sure if I really just can't focus (that's what it feels like) or maybe if I am just making an excuse for me being lazy.

But isn't being unmotivated another symptom of ADD/ADHD?

I dislike when I share about how I feel and my father in particular doesn't believe I have it (because I didn't exhibit it as a child).

But I think research needs to take a new look at ADD/ADHD. When I talk to people about it, they have this strict sort of boxed-in idea of ADD/ADHD. "If you didn't have it as a child, then you probably don't have it." I think I have to disagree. Knowing that the brain can change, I don't see how that is a definite thing.

Also what was your personality type as you were younger? There is the obvious ADD/ADHD type child, then there are the children whom many would not think to have ADD/ADHD.

For instance, when I was younger, I was the type that did very well in school (I enjoyed it tremendously). I was described as bright (teachers probably tell every parent that!!), intelligent, quiet/shy, introverted. I was also very creative. I loved playing music, taught myself theory, was always trying to begin a new craft. I think this is another type of description of a child with ADD/ADHD. Also, females are less likely to exhibit hyperactivity as a child

What kind of child were you? What can you remember?

You should research ADD/ADHD types. I believe I am the "inattentive type"...but aren't we all?

[Arwen_78]

Originally Posted by mrtoni

I feel ya! I have no clue if I have it or not either. The online tests indicate that I exhibit ADD/ADHD like symptoms- but I don't trust myself. It's easy to pick the ADD/ADHD answer. And I feel like there are many things we don't know about ADD/ADHD.

I am also not sure if I really just can't focus (that's what it feels like) or maybe if I am just making an excuse for me being lazy.

But isn't being unmotivated another symptom of ADD/ADHD?

I dislike when I share about how I feel and my father in particular doesn't believe I have it (because I didn't exhibit it as a child).

But I think research needs to take a new look at ADD/ADHD. When I talk to people about it, they have this strict sort of boxed-in idea of ADD/ADHD. "If you didn't have it as a child, then you probably don't have it." I think I have to disagree. Knowing that the brain can change, I don't see how that is a definite thing.

Also what was your personality type as you were younger? There is the obvious ADD/ADHD type child, then there are the children whom many would not think to have ADD/ADHD.

For instance, when I was younger, I was the type that did very well in school (I enjoyed it tremendously). I was described as bright (teachers probably tell every parent that!!), intelligent, quiet/shy, introverted. I was also very creative. I loved playing music, taught myself theory, was always trying to begin a new craft. I think this is another type of description of a child with ADD/ADHD. Also, females are less likely to exhibit hyperactivity as a child

What kind of child were you? What can you remember?

You should research ADD/ADHD types. I believe I am the "inattentive type"...but aren't we all?

Some think even if you "didn't have it as a child" is really just you handled it better then. Plus, maybe because you loved school you're ADD brain was stimulated enough for you to be seen as not having it.

If you think you are ADD go see a Psychologist. Get them to test you. Normal doctors are reluctant to do so now a days.

[NyanShoujo]

Well actually... I'm kinda confused on how to differentiate between laziness and ADHD...
Can someone help me? I literally know like nothing about this disease because explanations about ADHD that are available in the internet mostly consists of child ADHD and the ones with difficult words and I can't understand them... Maybe someone can explain with easy words what ADHD actually is for me? Sorry if i can't understand hard words >.< Thanks in advance!

[Batch381]

Originally Posted by NyanShoujo

I know I can actually quote your posts but since I'm replying from my phone I can't.

@Batch381; I see. Have you taken an official test at your psychologist? And are you taking any medications?

@montanan4ever

Originally posted by NyanShoujo
@Batch381; I see. Have you taken an official test at your psychologist? And are you taking any medications?

I am not taking any medications and I have not been diagnosed either, I came to this forum in the hope of some more information on the subject. I am fairly worried about seeing someone about it, as I feel that in my mind, I want to believe that there is nothing wrong with me and that I am just being silly, I don't really know anyone else that has these problems and untill recently, I have felt on my own with this.

Originally posted by Arwen_78
I too pick stuff up pretty quickly but get bored with it. I'm also somewhat emotionally disconnected from others. I do care about people who are close to me but find it harder to care for someone who isn't even trying to help themselves. I'm not as bad about the "daydreaming" I do it but I can control it.

I've known since I was 6-7 yrs. old that I was ADD. I've been medicated, not medicated and now back on medication.

The best thing to do is get a support group of people who really want to be there for you. Also try reading self-help books and discovering what ADD is to you. I'm still learning what it means to me.

Thank you for your advice, is there any book names you could recommend?
I am completely new to this and I hope this post turns out okay :P

Thank you to all thats also given advice. I feel so much easier now, sorry I have no got back to this forum. I have it bookmarked, but me and my memory is terrible a lot of the time haha x

[Arwen_78]

Yeap, great book is "You Mean I'm Not Crazy, Stupid, and Lazy?!" by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo. It is the first book that I have read that I can connect with. Plus, you can always talk to me on here. I want to try and help the misconceptions people make!

I'm fairly well behaved, have kept jobs for over 4-6 years and work very hard. Yet, I have ADD and now I am also medicated. We are not lazy nor are we what an uneducated about ADD person says about us.

[TheImpossibleGirl]

The book that Arwen mentioned is a really great one.

[NyanShoujo]

Originally Posted by Arwen_78

Yeap, great book is "You Mean I'm Not Crazy, Stupid, and Lazy?!" by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo. It is the first book that I have read that I can connect with. Plus, you can always talk to me on here. I want to try and help the misconceptions people make!

I'm fairly well behaved, have kept jobs for over 4-6 years and work very hard. Yet, I have ADD and now I am also medicated. We are not lazy nor are we what an uneducated about ADD person says about us.

Originally Posted by TheImpossibleGirl

The book that Arwen mentioned is a really great one.

I've heard about that book some times when I was browsing about ADHD. Too bad they don't have it in my country. Maybe I'll buy that book when I go somewhere outside the country. Thanks