[digital_sneeze]

So, at 32, about a month ago, I was diagnosed with relative ease as having ADHD, after a 45 minute or so talk with a specialist. I'd been seeking diagnosis for about 6 months, which probably would have been sooner had I not been wrongly referred to a neurologist who had little understanding of ADHD.

At any rate, I've had concerns ever since seeking diagnosis that my inattentive issues are down to other reasons, from what I appear to get and have read about, the most likely being either, or both, temporal lobe epilepsy or nocturnal seizures.

I seem to have all the classic symptoms of inattentiveness, so I won't go into those, and was an absolute nightmare as child and had clear hyperactive qualities (which are now not present), so diagnosis seemed quite easy, but for as long as I can remember I've had some pretty peculiar brain anomalies. These are all self-diagnosed but what they appear to be are:

- Parasomnia, specifically sexsomnia, or maybe nocturnal seizures. Very frequently, perhaps every other time I'm sleeping in the same bed as my girlfriend I'll wake up to find myself groping or kissing her, without any knowledge of instigating it. Often I'll become semi-conscious of it and I'll be in a state of confusion as to who it is I'm doing it to. I can think it's someone else, other than her, entirely. I've been told that I've done things like this without any memory of me doing it all, though typically I'll become slowly aware of it happening. I've been doing this for more or less as long as I can remember and it varies in severity (thankfully it's never gotten me into any trouble though I am very wary of sleeping in a bed with other people.

- Temporal lobe epilepsy / simple partial seizures. This began maybe 3 or so years ago, however it's relatively infrequent. I had an 8 month gap of this not happening, but I would say on average perhaps 6 or so times a year it occurs (the most recent about an hour ago which is why I'm writing this). Basically I'll get a sudden bout of intense deja-vu, where everything I'm doing because immensely familiar, and almost as though I'd dreamed about the exact series of events. I'm fully aware now that these seemingly familiar events (usually when I'm looking at the screen on my PC) didn't occur, and I'm fully conscious and cogent, though it can occasionally be so intense that it's hard to really do anything other than lie there. This is usually followed by a strong sense of euphoria for an hour or so. Tbh I really enjoy the whole experience, but it's definitely not normal.
---- In a related way, I recall when I was younger, in school at around the age of 11 or 12 or so I would have something similar, but far less pleasant: A sudden sound or noise would trigger it and it would almost be like someone had hit me round the back of the head with a brick and I would for a few moments have no idea where I was. This was followed by nausea and disorientation. Thankfully these didn't persist, but at the time I could never have explained them. Only now did I think they might be related.

- Ocular migraines, perhaps. I don't get the headaches, only a very minor pressure in my head, but for about 20 minutes or so I'll get the shimmery, grey / white blind spot in one of my eyes. Probably get this about once a month or so. Not very serious at all, but in combination with the other things makes me think there's something not right in an overall sense.

I had an MRI as part of the ADHD diagnosis, and it came back as normal so I'm at a loss as to how to explain these issues I have. I've read that nocturnal seizures and temporal lobe epilepsy can cause inattentive problems.

I don't start medication until I take a 24 blood pressure test as my blood pressure is quite high apparently, so I can't tell yet if meds are going to help. I was wondering if it's worth pursuing these other issues, even though nothing showed up in an MRI.

[Skeezyks]

Hello digital_sneeze: I cannot respond to your query. However, I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. There are many knowledgeable & caring members here. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!