[Jordy]

Yesterday I had a testing session scheduled at the hospital I work at. I took the D2 and CFT 20 to test my concentration and IQ.
The psychologist who tested me, said my D2 result were quite normal, and in the middle of the range. So no proof of ADD on the other hand I scored an IQ of 130 on the CFT 20. I already knew I'm not dumb, but still didn't expect that high of a score!

I saw my T/Pdoc in the afternoon to help her out with her horses and told her about the results. She looked over the tests and was floored by my IQ, but she also said that I definitely have ADD... Without the CFT20 results she'd have some doubts, but with an IQ this high I should be able to score much better on the D2. So she thinks I have ADD, but have used my intelligence to compensate it all my life.

Now the question is who's right?
I've tried Ritalin for over a month now, and it helps me so much that I think Pdoc could be right... but if she is, that means I have wasted my potential for so many years when a bit of Ritalin could have helped so much... Had I had the right support I could have done whatever I wanted...
Pdoc said I should really consider going back to university and study something to improve my life long-term... That so many doors have just been opened up to me...

To be honest I'm just lost... this changes my whole perspective on my life...

[Ceara1010]

Originally Posted by Jordy

I saw my T/Pdoc in the afternoon to help her out with her horses and told her about the results. She looked over the tests and was floored by my IQ, but she also said that I definitely have ADD... Without the CFT20 results she'd have some doubts, but with an IQ this high I should be able to score much better on the D2. So she thinks I have ADD, but have used my intelligence to compensate it all my life.

Now the question is who's right?
To be honest I'm just lost... this changes my whole perspective on my life...

She could be right, but getting an ADD/ADHD Dx is much more involved than just getting tests. Tests only provide part of the picture. It really requires an in-depth interview focused on your history and identifying many specific types of characteristics that tend to go along with being ADD/ADHD. This is because many things can cause attention problems, and other problems/patterns associated with ADD/ADHD, and they need to be ruled out.

So, if you want to find out if you really have this condition, it's best to go with an ADD/ADHD specialist.

And NO, taking a pill does not cure ADD/ADHD, but it helps. As I said, the condition is more involved than that, and other things besides attention problems are also present. For example, ADD/ADHD people have very disorganized, non-linear minds. One of the ways this can manifest is in having terrible organizational habits/skills. This is improved by learning the habits/skills, and not with a pill. But even after learning the skills, we are still disorganized in our minds, so organization is always an issue with us. At the same time, non-linear thinking enables us to be very creative and flexible.

Personally, I believe non-linear thinking is as much a part of being ADD/ADHD as attention problems.

Do some reading on the topic and see if you identify with the typical profile. Just Google it.

--Ceara1010

[Lost_in_the_woods]

I am dxd w/ Adhd. Yes the meds help....to a point. You just started on them so the effects you are feeling right now, seem like a wonder cure! But once you regulate to them, the effects lessen. At best you they will still provide some clarity focus and processing effects, and you may have them upped a bit, but be careful cuz to high of a dose sometimes can lead to opposite effects and occasionally stimulant induced psychosis. The best advice i can offer is after a period of adjustment, find the minimal dose that is helpful... to me that means my brain feels like i just drank a long lasting morning coffee. I am aware, alert, and able to process how to organize my time. The actually organizing and time mangement must be learned the old fashioned way tho, the right dose should give you just enough to be able to learn practice and self awareness of when to redirect. * Here's the thing tho...long term effects...ugh. MEMORY ISSUES! Be aware that over years on these meds, you will eventually have a slow decline in memory retainment and or retrieval... and have shown some connection ( tho more research is still needed in early on set dementia or Alhziemer's). One last measure i have found to be tried and true in my experience and other's i know who have been long time or diffinately dxd w/ Adhd and are on the right med @the right dose... balance calmness of mind and body. If you feel like your heart is racing, your brain is moving faster than your body, or visa versa, and /or you feel
aggitated or jittery in any way. Either wrong med or too high dsg. If you find you are sleepy and or zombified. Wrong med or too low dsg. After you get used to the med on the right dose you should feel no effects except competently able and probably some dry mouth Hope you continue doing well and are able to finally obtain alll the skills that have been frustratingly alluding you for yrs heart:

[Jordy]

Thanks for your inputs:

This Pdoc has known me for nearly 5 years now and she is quite specialized in ADD.
The reason she didn't pick it up earlier with me is that I also have BPD which has masked quite a few symptoms.
I actually work as a secretary for 3 children psychiatrists, one of them being her husband. He is actually the one who suspected ADD first after observing me at work for over a year.
During my next appointment with her she mentioned it to me and after discussing it she felt it was a strong hypothesis.
I also read a lot about the subject and believe the same.

Today I talked to one of the other Pdocs I work for and showed him my test results. To him my results are inconclusive because I'm too intelligent for the D2 test. To him my best bet if I want definitive answers would be to take another longer and more complex test.
He offered me to come into work early some day and he would administer the test himself. I actually might take him up on it.

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[Lost_in_the_woods]

Just wanted to reply quickly. From many things i have read, having High Intelligence and Adhd is actually fairly common. I had Neuropsych testing recently, i was/am confused w/ some of the results as well. Asked some questions and did some research, still confusing but got some better understanding. I was core tested as a teen, full battery WISC and many psych tests. My IQ was clocked in the 140's range and pysch findings of add/adhd, Moderate to Severe depression, and unspecied dissociative symptoms. This time around, i didnot recieve an IQ score just a range scale of strengths and weaknesses corresponding to each test administered and percentile in age demo. Then itemized list of definate and possible causes for further testing and examination. Much expected already known, a few things did/ do not understand. Delvopmental= Unspecied Adhd. Which, after questioning and research is similar to you not recieving Adhd dx. Reasons..Simply put.. data was inconclusive for clear dx for 1or more of the following reasons.. more tests required to rule out physical causation, overlapping symptomology w/ possible and known psych dxs and areas of concern, and further investigation of external causation.