[miss_space_ace]

I am a 21-year-old senior in college - a nursing student. I just feel like I am so incapable of life. I am a total mess and I just feel so distressed, overwhelmed and depressed. I haven't been diagnosed with ADD yet, but my instructor sure seems to think I might have it; she called me in for a private meeting and urged me to get evaluated for it, and also to get on meds. Anyway, I am really just generally just scattered and I am distressed by the way my mind works, and the way it is constantly cluttered with incomplete and never-ending thoughts. Something just seems to be wrong with my brain and it feels like I am thinking of everything all at once! Everything I own mirrors the sheer chaos in my mind. I sit down and watch TV and DVDs (Lisence to Drive with Corey Haim is my favorite) a lot, listen to music alot, but I never really feel relaxed or calm you know. I keep locking my keys in my car; I mean I have locked the keys in my car twice month alone. I am having low-self esteem, and feeling like I hate myself and like I am a total loser, and wondering why I can't just be like everyone else. I am having trouble expressing my self and keeping up in conversations. My mind is drifting even when I don't mean for it to. I am stammering alot over my words, not saying or doing things in the right order, forgetting what I am talking about, and forgetting the right words and the names for things. I also get like impulses to say or do things and lose things very easily and get side--tracked alot and can't seem to get anything done. And my memory is just a mess. I am worse than Dory from Finding Nemo, and this is making doing question and answer assignments a total chore for me. I have to keep reading a question over and over again b/c I forget it like a split second after reading it. I find my mind drifting into space alot and I feel just unmotivated and just unfocused; I can't plan or organize anything, and I have always been that way. I am always making myself look and feel like a total idiot , dumby, slow-poke, weirdo, space cadet, etc. I don't know if this is ADD or not since I have noticed that my problems have recently gotten The sad thing is that I have been dealing with chronic constipation with no known medical cause ever since forever now and I wonder if it has been somehow linked to undiagnosed ADD all this time, if I have it? I'm not sure if the symptoms I am describing are ADD since I am just really noticing how bad they are.

[breezer]

I'm no expert but it appears your post displays some pretty clear indicating factors for symptoms of ADD/ADHD. If the scatterbrain existence is wearing you down and interfering with your well-being then it would no doubt be a benefit to speak to a qualified psychologist . What is encouraging is that these days there is alot of information available regarding adult add that just wasn't around as early as just two years ago... when I googled it back then only one page came up and it was "in progress". There's many more resources at your disposal now. Keep looking around and don't procrastinate(another add marker) too long before you consider seeing a good psychologist. If you're worried that you'll draw a blank(yet another marker) when you meet the doctor, print out a copy of your post and bring it with you for quick reference. It certainly contains alot of your concerns and would be helpful to have at hand.

Stay Positive... Peace to you

[miss_space_ace]

Thank you Breezer, I will print out my post. It's been quite a few weeks since my instructor and I had that meeting, and I still haven't done anything about it. I know I need to go see a professional, but I just don't know what to do or who to see. I have never been to a mind doc before. I took the ADD self screener thing on this site and scored an 87 like a week ago maybe and I printed it out, but I think I lost it (better re-take it I guess). I also had printed out some questions to ask the doctor too, b/c I know I will draw a blank . I am constantly drawing blank after blank after blank after blank, and forgetting words and it is so embarrassing and frustrating.

[breezer]

apparently upwards of 50% of those living with ADD and related issues put off or decline to seek treatment. I've known for years that i have been revved up and more impulsive than the average human being, but have either been "too busy" or all geared up to seek treatment, even formulating and walking through how and where to get it only to back out or feel intimidated about it at the last minute. Forever I used the excuse that it was too expensive to visit a "head doc" but even after I got health insurance I still put off seeking help for fear that my undiagnosed ADHD since childhood wouldn't have treatment options now that I was well into adulthood. This apprehension was somewhat validated for me when several years ago I went to a shrink with "my story" and walked out of the office with a prescription to Lexapro(antidepressant) and a minor chip on my shoulder. This doc went on to prescribe me Xanax in an effort to calm my ever racing mind which succeeded only in rendering me comatose and certainly unable to perform any basic human function other than sleeping soundly. After a subsequent visit and yet another tranquilizer script I parted company with said physician.....

HOWEVER>>>>>

........this was several years ago and the subject of adult ADD/ADHD appears to have garnered a significant amount of attention and acceptance in the psychiatric community as of late and much research and clinical trials have been done exploring treatment options. I'm so encouraged by the web presence of add/adhd sites that I'm feeling ready to throw my hat back in the ring and make an appointment with a new doctor to discuss "my situation".

So........... I don't recommend quietly suffering forever. Open the yellow pages, look under physicians/psychologists/psychotherapists and pick up that 1000 pound telephone and make some inquiries and then an appointment. Give it a try, and if it doesn't feel right then just go your own way. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, though.

Also... a couple of ideas...

1. about those car keys, get a clip for your belt loop and attach a spare door key to avoid future mishaps. A spare house key might go well on that same ring.

2. Making lists with bullet points of important information can help remind you of that test, that appointment, or that website you have been meaning to visit.

3.Cut yourself some slack. Obsessing can compound your negative self image. You're a senior in college handling a challenging course of study. Acknowledge your accomplishments!

4. About you digestive woes, aim to consume 6 eight ounce glasses of water per day and avoid too much junk and pre-packaged foods. See a "head doc" as you say for the mental stuff and a nutritionist for the belly stuff.

P.S.
You're good enough, you're smart enough, and gosh darnit people like you.

Peace.

[stigmastomper]

hi would oral tests or multiple choice tests help you your not an idot etc. if you have add or adhd i dont think it possible to be stupid. do you write. and i like technical abstracts easy for me to understand and remember as these are short and to the point. also i use highlighter and a pen to break things down so i can comprehend better. i have adhd and a head injury ,etc that cause me attention and concentration problems. i dont know if its okay to post links to other sites here as i'm new. how much excercise do you get, ? and do bright lights like flouresent lights give you a headache , do they hurt you. ? any way if its okay to post links to other mental health sites like this one on the other site i use they have highly accurate computerized diognostic servives and self assesment tools . if you join that site and post enough times to become a full member these tests are free or at least some of them. good luck find me in the chat because i post many hours each day on the other site and may forget you