Adult ADHD

[Mattao19]

I know this is awkward to ask. But I'm 20 years old and I believe that I might have adult ADHD.

I was just wondering if any of you have it or and family/friends have it. Also where/how to check to confirm that I have it or not?

Thanks in advance,
Mattao19

[AkiraDeLaine]

In Germany is a lot of discussion in the medical/pedagogy about that topic, I have a friend, that suffers from that too, he has found some strategies to cope with it fine, he´s now member of the elected council of Berlin
(not the perfect translation I´m sure)
Maybe ask at a university (psychology department) for tests and if you have hints from there check some internet groups of people suffering similar

[Gorzo]

In order to be diagnosed (or not) with a psychiatric condition, you'd have to see a professional in the field of psychology I know it sounds like a {smart ass} answer, but it's true. Diagnosing one's self is a very, very bad idea, and going on the word of someone not trained appropriately in the field isn't any really any better. A hundred times more so when medication is involved.

And, just to inform, there's no "adult" or "child" ADD/ADHD. It's just Attention Defecit [w/ Hyperactivity] Disorder - it's the same thing either way. It doesn't care how old you are

I have ADD (no Hyperactivity), and have known plenty of people throughout my life thus far with both forms of the disorder. It's certainly nothing to be embarrassed/ashamed of, and is easily treatable to make significant improvements. I recommend talking to your family/loved ones first. Run it by them, and see how you feel about bringing it to a professional after if you think you need/want it.

[Mattao19]

Ok thank you very much to both of you. I know I have to see my doctor just wondering if others had the same issue so thanks Gorzo

[Vyse]

I mean no disrespect to anyone when I say this, but I don't believe in ADHD or add. Everyone varies in intrest levels and ability to focus, I think there are extreme cases where some people just can't focus on one thing or anything, but not enough to warrant a disorder.
  I was diagnosed at a young age, had to take a generic Ritalin, pretty much killed my personality. I hated it, family hated it, I just stopped. I deal with some hardcore procrastination nowadays, but it's not something that I need to change my chemical makeup to fix. All this being said, I do think you should see a doctor, sometimes it's a serious thing. Best of luck.

[LordJanova]

I've had pretty bad ADHD my entire life. Stupid medicine makes you a zombie though. I don't like it.

[rarehuntertay]

I've had pretty bad ADHD my entire life. Stupid medicine makes you a zombie though. I don't like it.

And the weird thing about most ADHD meds is that most of them are stimulants... So you think that it would make you more agitated...

[LordJanova]

I've had pretty bad ADHD my entire life. Stupid medicine makes you a zombie though. I don't like it.

And the weird thing about most ADHD meds is that most of them are stimulants... So you think that it would make you more agitated...

It stimulates people without ADD or ADHD, but for people with it it's practically a depressant.

[Moneekahh]

Of course someone can write ADHD off as a variation in interest, but that is absolutely not the case. Or do you perhaps know more about the field of psychology than those who contribute to the DSM?

I am an adult with ADHD. As Gorzo said, there is no "adult" ADHD, but sometime symptoms can vary in adults, making it different than typical ADHD that you see in children. But I am not going to sit here and help diagnosis a stranger over the Internet, haha. Go see a medical pro.

[imthelolrus]

To be diagnosed with any disorder it has to impair your functioning in some way (school, work, relational, etc). Definitely see a professional, like Gorzo meantioned. (That Gorzo and his good advice) Also, keep in mind the idea of mental disorders and the DSM was socially constructed by the American Psychiatric Associaion (APA). The DSM primary use is for billin insurance and give professionals a common language to understand mental health issues.

I will say that you feel this is a problem and would like some help managing it.

[Ertai]

I was diagnosed with adult ADHD while I was in Iraq the second time. I had just lost my team and I was sent to counseling for my depression. After taking Zoloft to no avail and becoming a zombie, I was sent to the Brigade Psychiatrist. She, a major, told me I had signs of adult ADHD.

I'm not so sure how being depressed has anything to do with it. She's the dr.

Anyways, my point is that ADHD comes in many forms, I personally do not believe it to be real, but there are doctors out there that swear by it.

Whatever outcome, I hope everything works out for you.

[MuggyWuggy]

I believe these letters are just symptoms on normal life. Our world is full of stimulation and we are a species in that is flourishing in technological advances.

Were geared to have several things at our attention (hello smart phones, Internet) and some may not adapt to that too fast.

Most psychologist and therapist will put you on pills and everyone here has said: these pills make me a zombie. So, really I feel the only one who can fix your mental block is you, it's a mental block, and eventually you figure out your pathway around it. A pill seems to only pacify a personality. Which is the last thing you want to lose

[Gorzo]

Just a note on the zombification meds - if this happens to you and you're unhappy with the results of your medication, it means call your doctor, tell him it's no good, and work together on finding what works for you. It's an effort to find the balance - there are a billion meds out there and there's never just one option. It's your health we're talking about, make the effort to be as healthy as you can be! Don't settle for "this or nothing," because you don't have to!

[rarehuntertay]

If you ever have any questions about medication, side effects, what is safe to take with it, don't hesitate to send me a pm. I'm a navy pharmacy tech and have been for about 10 years. Heck, my last deployment the army pharmacist would call me up asking questions about what meds to use for what... And he's the one that suppose know than me!

[Langku]

I thought this thread would be about ADHD with strong violence, language, and brief nudity.

I admit I have difficulty with the DSM because it seems to define all but the center 10% of the psychological bell curve as possessing a disorder. It is, however, very useful in specifically communicating how minds function and it provides a concise vocabulary for better understanding people. I can get behind the idea of understanding people better even if I don't use the term "disorder" quite as liberally.

And I've always thought I might have AD...