[HealingSoul]

What I mean is, when you go for testing, aside from the questionare, what all do they use for testing? When I went for testing they gave me the welch intelligence test??? or something like that, what all determines their dx?

[ToddAADD]

Test and questions are part of it, but there is no physical test like a blood test, drug therapy is the final test. That's why is miss dx so much. Both my docs thought I has OCD at first. If the Ritalin works then you have ADD if you bounce of the walls then you probably don't LOL

[HealingSoul]

haha, I imagine being the calming effect ritalin has on me, I must, I am just scared of being misdiognosed

[gardenergirl]

Hi Healing Soul,
I like your posting name. Assessing ADHD in adults is hard because the DSM criteria for ADHD is really written for children. It's a bit difficult to get a good history, because some of the information the adult may not know, but the parents do. So a good assessment will include gathering information from the client, and from those who know the client very well, such as parents. There are specific structured interviews and rating scales that are reasonably reliable and valid in diagnosing ADHD in adults. Also, it's important to rule out other diagnoses, such as depression, anxiety, or OCD, as they often have overlap in symptoms. For this the tester might use a personality test such as the MMPI and also ask interview questions. Finally, some testers do use intelligence and/or achievement tests. There is also a computerized test of attention and concentration that some use.

The most important thing for the client to be assured of is that the tester is experienced in assessing ADHD, that they gather information via a variety of methods and sources, and that they use methods that are valid for assessing ADHD in adults.

Hope this helps, and please feel free to ask other questions. I am just starting to do ADHD assessment on my internship.

gg

[scatterbrained]

So basically if you take meds for ADD/ADHD and they don't make you hyper than you probably have ADD? I was wondering about that. I always thought ADD/HD was just something that affected kids (the hyper ones). I never knew adults could have it. I just stopped taking Strattera yesterday because after 2 weeks I didn't notice any difference besides my insomnia being even worse. On Friday I will start Concerta. So likely if I don't bounce off the walls than I probably do have ADD? It's just hard for me to tell because I am the inattentive type not hyperactive. I was just wondering. Thanks

[emwell]

I was being treated for depression that does not respond to medication, anxiety (panic attacks), OCD, etc. At one point, my doctor noticed symptoms of ADD. She asked a bunch of new questions. I then researched ADD and found that she was probably right. I took a couple online tests and gave them to my doctor. So much made sense once we looked at ADD.

I tried adderal which didn't have any effects. When people including my husband learned of this new med., they all said that they would take the pills to stay awake and focus(I know many college students). I did find that I was a tad calmer on adderal, but that was it. I am now taking strattera. I am on 80 mg a day and waiting for something to happen. I am beginning to think that no medication will ever work for me. The only thing that seems to be under control with medication is the panic attacks and anxiety.

I know with ADD there is so much more that I need to do aside from medication. I need to try and change behaviors that I have had my whole life. Medication is just one part of it.

[gardenergirl]

To be diagnosed as an adult, you also need to have had it as a child. ADD/ADHD is not something that typically has an onset in adulthood.

Regarding stimulants, if they don't make you hyper, and they DO increase your focus, that sounds helpful, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you DO have ADD. You might be depressed, and the stimulants help the cognitive aspects of depression.

Either way, whatever works, right?

gg

[emwell]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
To be diagnosed as an adult, you also need to have had it as a child. ADD/ADHD is not something that typically has an onset in adulthood.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> Good point One of the first things my doctor did before diagnosing me with ADD was to have me ask my Mom a bunch of questions about when I was a kid. Her answers confirmed that I had it as a kid. Some of her answers were funny. "I wouldn't call you hyper, but I could never get you to shut up." When my Mom learned of this diagnosis, she was kind of mad that no one picked up on it sooner. It would have saved us both a lot of misery.

[gardenergirl]

I have a similar feeling about waiting 37 years to start therapy. But better late than never, I guess? Although that may not make your mom feel better.

Take care,
gg

[HealingSoul]

Yes I know it's something you have to have as a kid, but remember years ago it was a "boy's" thing.
I took in my school records when I did my testing,

Went back today for my DX was diagnosed with innattentive ADHD...

[gardenergirl]

Taking in your school records was a good idea. How do you feel with the diagnosis? Is it a relief?

Take care,
gg

[emwell]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Yes I know it's something you have to have as a kid, but remember years ago it was a "boy's" thing.
I took in my school records when I did my testing,

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Too funny. That is what I told my Mom. I told her that back when I was a kid only boys had it. Shoot I don't even know if boys had it back then. I took my school records into consideration as well. My grades were great until high school. My conduct went back and forth depending on my age and teacher. I was either a day dreamer or disruptive in a sneaky sort of way. My high school softball coach ( I almost wrote couch) once called me an instigator. she was right.

[(JD)]

I recently received this email, from a "friend" whom I, in my own mind, dx'd as ADD years ago, and always wondered if she knew... obviously she thinks this is from getting older!
Hope you enjoy it...

Subject: A.A.A.D.D.

Recently, I was diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to wash my car.

As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on
the hall table.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the trash can under the table, and notice that the trash can is full.
.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out
the trash first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only
one check left

My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the coke a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered.

I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but fir st I'm going
to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote.

Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where
it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor.

So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels
and wipe up the spill.

Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was
planning to do.

At the end of the day: the car isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter, the flowers aren't watered, there is still only one check in my checkbook, I can't find the remote, I can't find my glasses, and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.






Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!

GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY
GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL
LAUGHING AT YOURSELF IS THERAPEUTIC!

JOIN ME!

[(JD)]

Did you mean the WISC? Welcher Intelligence test for children? There are several levels, from preschool up... it is an adaptive intelligence test.

[HealingSoul]

Yes I am very relieved with the DX, however I am not agreeing with the meds my DR started me on, she put me on Wellbutrin, and since i've started it, i've had major mood swings, lashing out at everyone for no reason... Tommorrow I start Stratterra hope it helps more

[gardenergirl]

I hope the Straterra helps. I took Wellbutrin with Celexa for awhile. I can't say that I had mood swings, but I didn't really feel like it did much for me.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

gg