Symptoms of ADD:
* Easily Distracted (I have never been able to work on projects or do sustained reading with distractions of any kind - music playing, people talking, TV on in the background, etc. I do my best work/reading in a quiet, stimuli-free environment. I think that's one of the reasons I've always been a "night owl." I read at night, do school work at night, etc.)
* Difficulty concentrating on one thing at a time (Very true! I'm not a multi-tasker. My brain will not allow it.)
* Has a hard time focusing or paying attention during conversations, listening to others, or while reading (Again, very true! I have trained myself to focus during conversations/listening, but still find myself wandering off and ask to have things repeated. This is one thing I hate about myself. I really DO try to be a good listener.)
* Forgets things like appointments or obligations (This has gotten much worse.)
* Has trouble following directions that have multiple steps (I make a habit of writing things down. Otherwise, I would have to ask to have directions repeated - another coping mechanism.)
* Tends to procrastinate (HELLO! That's my middle name!)
* Has trouble prioritizing information (Not so much.)
* Tends to get impatient easily (Another symptom that seems to be getting worse. When I AM paying attention in conversation, I sometimes find it hard to wait my turn to speak. I have to force myself NOT to interrupt others when talking. I also do A LOT of counting to 10 when things aren't moving as quickly as I want them to. I despise the feeling of impatience in the pit of my stomach!)
* Feels restless and antsy (When I'm bored, yes.)
* Loses track of time and has trouble with time management (Losing track of time? No. Time management? Yes.)
* Often misplaces or has difficulty finding things at home or at work (Getting worse.)
* Acts before thinking through consequences (No! I always think about consequences.)
* Speaks or blurts out before thinking about the impact your words will have on others (I hope not. I usually go out of my way NOT to hurt people. Even the ones who annoy me.)
* Tends to have lots of racing thoughts (No.)
* Gets bored easily (Yes.)
* Tends to make careless mistakes when working on a tedious or difficult project (This doesn't apply to me. I am usually very meticulous when working on projects. However, I cannot have any distractions.)
* Takes risks frequently (I'm not a risk taker.)
So...According to this list of symptoms, I have 11 out of 17. What do you think? I'm seriously thinking about talking to my doctor about this. Kevin thinks I'm being silly.
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Jacqueline had this to say:
I would probably look into a naturaly alternative first, to see if you see a difference. I often wander if I have Sensory Processing Disorder. Even though Sam is a sensory-seeker, I am a sensory-avoider. I cannot function in an environemnt with strong smells, loud noises...
Many adult ADDers have already established strategies to cope with their symptoms. Do you see that you have self-coping stratgies?- 11:14 AM
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NaeNae had this to say:
Jacqueline - Yes, I have self-coping strategies. I've been using them all of my life. The problem is that I feel my symptoms have become worse as I've gotten older.
- 1:30 PM
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Kelly in NC had this to say:
So what do you hope to gain by talking with the doctor? A firm diagnosis? Medication? I do agree with Jacqueline and think you should research the herbal route first. Also, when did this start to get worse? Is it because it's EOG time and the end of the school year? Maybe the "worsening" is a transient problem. You have definitely found a way to cope thus far.
- 2:22 PM
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dena had this to say:
I am sure if I sought an official diagnosis I would easily get the ADD label! That said, if I asked for a diagnosis at the is point in my life, they would probably call it early onset Alzheimers. And I'm being totally serious here.
- 8:09 AM
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soapbox.SUPERSTAR had this to say:
I think your sister's comment is right. I would research some herbal help before going with a prescription route - which is what the doctor will do. The meds for ADD are like cocaine in pill form, they string you out, you lose sleep, and a lot of times you lose hair.
My doctor put me on some when he was trying to snap me out of post partum - worst thing I ever did.
A lot of that Renee is called being a working mother of two. It's hard keeping it all together and remembering everything. Todd and I were talking about it the other day, I was crying and telling him he did not understand what it was like to never be able to turn it off. If it's not work, it's remembering Kaiden needs a white t-shirt at school thursday and Ashton needs $8 for a field trip by friday and Kaiden lost a library book that I have to pay for and did I remember to take something out for dinner... etc. It sucks.- 9:09 AM
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Casey had this to say:
Okay, here is my answer. I have ADD and I have had it all my life. As you age your symptoms become worse. As of yet, there is NO herbal remedy for ADD. Good idea but no logical in this day and age. If you want to avoid medications then that is something you have to decide for yourself. I personally take adderall and I feel like a different person when I am on it. (In a good way) I am more aware of my surroundings, I can focus on one thing for long periods and so much more. No offense to anyone that suggested herbs but it is always easy for someone to suggest an herbal route when it is not them with the symptoms. It is another story when you are the one unable to sustain a focal point for more than 5 seconds. While Misty has a great point about being stressed and a working mother you need to ask yourself if you have always had these symptoms even prior to working with children. If so, then explain it to your doctor that you have always had these symptoms and that you would just like to try some medication to see if you are right. THe main symptom a doctor looks for is easily distracted. For instance, if you were in a room watching TV and there was a cricket chirping loudly would it bother you? For me, it would drive me up the wall. I also have a problem when I am studying and I here my kids in the other end of the house. I tend to lose focus VERY easily. I hope this information helped you in some way.
- 11:13 AM
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Kelly in NC had this to say:
Did you ADD get so bad that you forgot to update your blog???? Hello!!!!
- 9:12 PM
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Bradpetehoops had this to say:
Nice info! Have a great day!
- 11:31 AM
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blog for steveLi had this to say:
I am sure if I sought an official diagnosis I would easily get the ADD label! That said, if I asked for a diagnosis at the is point in my life, they would probably call it early onset Alzheimers. And I'm being totally serious here.!!2010 short wedding dresses
- 3:45 AM
