[joddie]

I was wondering if anyone could help, a friend of mine is a local foster career, and her son has ADHD. He atteds the youth group i work at, the other children were getting angry with him fo being 'annoying' I found myself stickig up for him as i understood that he realy couldnt help his hyperactivity. After thinking about if further I realised how similar we both were.

I thought I couldn't have it because it doesnt cause me problems, howeve every week i tell myself off for being loud and 'annoying' im a nice person and i realy dont want to upset people, but i cant control it.

Im having to do subjects at Alevel that dont require any coursework as i simply cannot complete any. I started to research it on the internet and descovered that every adolesent sypmtom applied to me (although i do achieve high grades at school and do hav good social skills) but as the sites say, most people with ADD/ADHD do,do well academicaly.

no i'm realy worried because althouh i annoy people close to me, they stick by me, but the workplace etc may not be so sympathetic. I did make an appointment but cancelled as i felt like a hypercondriact! I just don't know what to say to them? are they going to think im just randomly self diagnosing?

My mind drifts, i daydream, my brain gets packed with so many thoughts i cannot sleep, I cant listen...and im constantly restless!

What do i say to the doctor? what help is availible?

thank you anything would realy help as i dont have a family realy either!!

jodie roberts (17yrs)

[LMo]

Hi Jodie - I think it's worth a visit to a doctor, but if you don't want to worry about self-diagnosing, then I would just explain the behaviors and thoughts that are bothering you, and let the doctor make the diagnosis.

Maybe be prepared with some examples of how you are 'loud and annoying' and what you mean when you say that you can't help it.

Not sure where you live, but in many cities, there are subsidized mental health clinics that you can go to for free or cheap. They'll interview you and if appropriate, direct you to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse for further evaluation and treatment recommendations.

Good luck!

[joddie]

thank you i will make the appointment today! I live in the uk (souh east)