[Nadine_1988]

Hi all, Im reposting this from the "Other Mental Health Discussion" because ADD may have a lot to do with my question. Wondering if perhaps my experiances are similar for anyone else who has been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.

I am 25 years old, female, and wondering if I may have some kind of slight learning disability. I was diagnosed with ADD as a child, but each doctor Iv seen since then has had their own ideas about ADD. Some say you grow out of it, some say you don't, some say its all silly sensationalism and I probably never had it. So Im not really sure what the status is with me on ADD, but it is something I was diagnosed with and took meds for when I was young (I was on Ritalin, I recall.)

I struggled all through highschool, squeeking by with the bare minimum to pass. This wasn't because I couldn't comprehend the material, but because I never bothered to do the homework.
I always just figured it was because I had a very lazy personality, but in light of recent experiances, Im wondering if there was something more at play.

I recently started wondering about myself because of a Dungeons and Dragons game my husband and I play with friends every week. D&D can be a kind of complicated game, and it involves a lot of calculating and charts, and upgrading your character involves adding and tallying a lot of stats. It can be complicated for new players to learn, but I have been playing for about 4 years now. And yet, while all the other players in the group have taken to the mechanics of the game like second nature (and a lot of them have been playing the game for far less time), I still require careful explanation as though I were still a newbie.
I have noticed my mind wandering and "shutting off" much like it did in highschool, when confronted with anything remotely complicated. In theory, I understand all of the information. But trying to sit down and actually make the calculations causes me to tune out.
Kind of like when you stare at something long enough and your eyes go crosseyed? Except with my mind? Its hard to explain.

In more practical life, I find it incredibly difficult to do basic adult things. My husband wants to move to a bigger apartment, which seems like a normal thing that adults do. But the thought of apartment hunting makes me so anxious and nervous that I go "deer in the headlights" and don't do anything. Then he gets mad that I haven't done anything all day. This is one example, I am equally bad at navigating social situations (I don't do parties) or even professional ones. Its always been difficult for me to get jobs, because job hunting seems insurmountable and interviews? almost impossible.

Its not that Im stupid, I know Im not. Every teacher I had through highschool told my parents "She is incredibly bright, but she just wont do the work". But theres some kind of a motivational blockage that I find really hard to get past.

I think knowing if I had some kind of learning disability would be extremely helpful, but I have no idea how to go about looking or researching.
So that's why Im here.

Hope someone can shed some light. Thanks!

[Travelinglady]

Hard to say. I encourage you to talk to your doctor and see if you can get scheduled for testing.

[UnderTheRose]

That sounds like me for sure. I did the testing, and came out add--
however i was told by a psych that i had borderline personality disorder.
and another psych think its bipolar and NOT borderline personality disorder.
All i know is that i am very hypersensitive, and often when overwhelmed just have to shut everything off altogether. but then i become disconnected.. and depression sets in.
So frustrating.
I wish you the best of luck.

[Nadine_1988]

Thanks for the replies. It does seem like ADD/ADHD is not very well understood and most doctors don't really reach a common consensus.

[Jr99962]

Originally Posted by Nadine_1988

Hi all, Im reposting this from the "Other Mental Health Discussion" because ADD may have a lot to do with my question. Wondering if perhaps my experiances are similar for anyone else who has been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.

I am 25 years old, female, and wondering if I may have some kind of slight learning disability. I was diagnosed with ADD as a child, but each doctor Iv seen since then has had their own ideas about ADD. Some say you grow out of it, some say you don't, some say its all silly sensationalism and I probably never had it. So Im not really sure what the stuatus is with me on ADD, but it is something I was diagnosed with and took meds for when I was young (I was on Ritalin, I recall.)

I struggled all through highschool, squeeking by with the bare minimum to pass. This wasn't because I couldn't comprehend the material, but because I never bothered to do the homework.
I always just figured it was because I had a very lazy personality, but in light of recent experiances, Im wondering if there was something more at play.

I recently started wondering about myself because of a Dungeons and Dragons game my husband and I play with friends every week. D&D can be a kind of complicated game, and it involves a lot of calculating and charts, and upgrading your character involves adding and tallying a lot of stats. It can be complicated for new players to learn, but I have been playing for about 4 years now. And yet, while all the other players in the group have taken to the mechanics of the game like second nature (and a lot of them have been playing the game for far less time), I still require careful explanation as though I were still a newbie.
I have noticed my mind wandering and "shutting off" much like it did in highschool, when confronted with anything remotely complicated. In theory, I understand all of the information. But trying to sit down and actually make the calculations causes me to tune out.
Kind of like when you stare at something long enough and your eyes go crosseyed? Except with my mind? Its hard to explain.

In more practical life, I find it incredibly difficult to do basic adult things. My husband wants to move to a bigger apartment, which seems like a normal thing that adults do. But the thought of apartment hunting makes me so anxious and nervous that I go "deer in the headlights" and don't do anything. Then he gets mad that I haven't done anything all day. This is one example, I am equally bad at navigating social situations (I don't do parties) or even professional ones. Its always been difficult for me to get jobs, because job hunting seems insurmountable and interviews? almost impossible.

Its not that Im stupid, I know Im not. Every teacher I had through highschool told my parents "She is incredibly bright, but she just wont do the work". But theres some kind of a motivational blockage that I find really hard to get past.

I think knowing if I had some kind of learning disability would be extremely helpful, but I have no idea how to go about looking or researching.
So that's why Im here.

Hope someone can shed some light. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Nadine_1988

Thanks for the replies. It does seem like ADD/ADHD is not very well understood and most doctors don't really reach a common consensus.

Like most psychological-related things, it is difficult to diagnose through written communication ; However some other information could help me give you some advice.

Do you enjoy dungeons and dragons? People with ADHD tend to have difficulty with things they do not enjoy. Everyone has this problem to some degree; but people with ADHD tend to deal with this phenomenon on a more debilitating level.
I've seen cases such as a young adult who could not balance a simple budget, however he could beat me at chess multiple times(and I am damn good at chess) it doesn't seem to be a matter of complexity - there are many
things much simpler than chess. It seems to be a problem of stimulation and enjoyment. People who say they have no focus seem to love sitting in front of a video game; giving it all they got.
A learning disability is possible - but it doesn't seem to be a reading or writing related difficulty with you- were there any classes or fields you did well in?

Moving to a bigger apartment may be scary to you - but are you happy where you are? This is important information.

Going to parties is a problem - perhaps you have anxiety issues- or maybe you just have an introverted personality?

Many people have terrible problems finding jobs- but the ones who have a physical necessity to have one - I.e they are hungry or have kids who are- are the ones who tend to take jobs that are "below them"- while they look for better work . This doesn't necessarily make you a bad person though . I have bumbled many job interviews - I suspect I did so unconsciously because I didn't want the job , or I was happy where I was- are you comfortable where you are?
I wouldn't rule out ADHD - and medication can be helpful- but psychostimulants
really help anyone focus, and even though many Psychiatrists say otherwise- they can become extremely habit and dependency forming- and are physically addictive. Use them as a last resort and use them carefully
Take care