[Airman]

I am 100 percent sure I have adhd all the self tests prove in the the 94% thats only because I am fairly conservitive about my answers I would probibly score closer to 99%.
I consider myself very lucky to be in a career that is way beyond my expectations but I am not sure how I got here.
I read about other peoples symtoms and I can relate to everyone.
I find I am unable to continue to read any one post for very long because I seem to lose track and find a need to move on to another post right away.
Before I can seek any help I am very hesitant simply because I am afraid if anyone in my business learned of my illness it could destroy my career.
I am convinced that I work 3 times as hard as anyone else to get to the same results.
Many times even in groups I find myself "fazing out" particulary when sometimes it is most critical to pay attention.
Is there help out there,where do I start.
I have been prescribed Meds before an all they have seem to do is put my mind and body in some other world
the doctors don't seem to want to get to the problem it seems they keep diagnosing depression and I am afraid and losing track of all the different Meds they have tried.
How do I get proper help?

[translator]

What are you looking for help with? Finding the right doctor?

If you suspect ADHD is the culprit, a thorough diagnosis would help you get the right treatment. You may need to find a different psychiatrist/clinic - one that specializes in ADHD treatment/evaluation. Evaluations can include series of neurological tests, history, and in some cases a brain scan (SPECT). They vary in approach, price, insurance coverage.

Treatment can include: medication, psychotherapy, and adhd coaching. It is always good to supplement meds with psychosocial help - that is help with habits, thinking, perspective of self, etc.

Some resources include:
brainplace.com
add.org

A good article about diagnosis issues can be found at
http://www.add.org/pdf/GuidingPrinciples021206Rev[1].pdf

Good luck to you.

[Amerikasend]

which type of ADHD or ADD do you think you have?

[Perna]

I don't think it will hurt your career if it gets out. My great uncle was dyslexic and became a great/famous lawyer; obviously you can work around your problems or you wouldn't have gotten to where you are. Find a doctor in your area that specializes in adult ADHD http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001101/2077.html and "tell" them you have ADHD and would like treatment for it. That way they would have to disprove what you say first to get anywhere with you, wouldn't be able to say "depression" if you've tried those meds and they haven't helped, etc.

[breezer]

I like the sounds of that "tell them" approach. I also was routed down the "depression highway" when I sought help for adhd symptoms and prescribed both antidepressants and tranquilizers which left me feeling groggy and unpresentable and were certainly not the correct treatment plan for me.

I walked away from treatment and now two years later am finally giving it another try. I'm feeling pretty positive that with the former as a reference point and the new awareness of adhd and treatment plans available that this jaunt into the mental health community may be successful in providing a plan for the future and some focused, clear headed and productive living.

Good luck in your decisions airman

I found this information useful, where they identify Thomas Edison, Frank Lloyd Wright, Robert Frost and even Leonardo DaVinci as having ADD traits.
http://borntoexplore.org/famous.htm
so I wouldn't worry about being "found out"...you're in good company.

[AlliKamikaze]

I suggest you search for a more reputable psychiatrist. My mom is a family practice doctor so she already knew of a very reputable psychiatrist for me to see, but I know that there are plenty more out there.
Did you see a psychiatrist in the past; or did you see a general practicing doctor?

If you did see a regular doctor, I strongly suggest you see a psychiatrist instead. One of the reasons why it took the whole 14 years for me to be diagnosed was because I had always believed that because my mom was a doctor, she would know if I had AD/HD. She seemed to think so as well, as I did not have the most easily recognizable symptoms she was taught to look for. But when I went to a psychiatrist to deal with my 'depression related problems' he diagnosed me with ADD, and my mom and I were both quite suprised but extremely enlightened as well.

As for being worried about people at work finding out; I honestly think that it won't be as bad as you're anticipating. I'm still in high school myself, but even in classes where kids will joke about how "ADD" someone is, I'm not afraid to say I'm ADDbut it doesn't mean I'm how they say. They always backdown and say something like "well, he's just messed up or something then". I think the truth is that most people really don't know very much about ADHD. The popular theories that fill people's minds tend to be wrong, and that can be a little frustrating, but for the most part, as far as I've seen, because people don't know what ADHD means exactly, they don't have much basis to look at you differently.

I've also tried many different medications. It took me almost a year before I really got my medication right, but trust me, it's definetly worth it. I encourage you not to give up, and to keep looking for help.

I wish I could help more, but all I can offer at the moment are a couple links:

http://www.add.org/help/index.php - Attention Deficit Disorder Organization; they have a help page to search for professionals and local support groups

http://www.adhdcoaches.org/content/acomembersearch.html - ADHD Coaches Organization - I don't know that they are psychiatrists, but they could probably offer a whole lot of help