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Q: Do I have ADD or ADHD?

asked by: DD523568 on January 9th, 2008

New User

Keep in mind, this is sort of long...but I would appreciate it if I could get some opinions or have help with it

Well I have had slight problems in school. They havent actually been too apparent until I have actually thought about it.
I am a 16 year old student in high school. Last quarter I had a 3.95 grade avg, but I still believe I might be suffering from ADD/ADHD. I have tried to make this as educated as possible so that I can be at the same level as most of the readers on here most likely are (keep in mind, I dont talk like this on a regular basis.)

Some problems that I have are:
-When I'm reading, my mind tends to wander on other unrelated subects frequently. I often (more than normal person should, at least) have to reread a paragraph or a sentence because I read it, but dont think about what I'm reading.
-I have to study a lot for tests (because I also tend to wander off and my study sessions are longer than they really should be, its not really a problem of comprehending the material.)
-In class, I sometimes have a hard time trying to focus (usually in my classes that attention is required in. Such as my honors chemistry class, or my honors algebra 2 class (it really isnt all my classes because my other classes do not require much or any attention at all). I really dont pay too much attention in that class, which is why I dont understand the material all too well most of the time)
-When people talk to me I sometimes (but not WAY too often, tune them out)
-I'm not sure if its linked with ADD, but I always tend to procrastinate. When I do study for tests, it is always the day of the test or even the period before. When I have to write essays or do projects, i always do it the night before. It isnt sometimes, its always.

Another problem I experience is constant movement. When I'm in class, or at home or anywhere where I have to sit or stand for any 5 minute period of time, (sit, not lay down on the couch or anything...I thought it was necesarry to point that out) I am in constant motion. I tend to shake my knees, tap on my desk or move in general.
When I talk on the phone (I'm not sure if this is ADD or ADHD) I just tend to walk around, I CANNOT sit or stay still.

Recently I have tried Adderall. To be specific:on monday and wednesday (I tried both days to see if the results would be the same). My friend who is prescribed with Adderall gave them to be both days. He is in all honors classes and gets good grades. Previously, I thought that since I recieve good grades (I am at least decently intelligent) It would be impossible to have ADD/ADHD (but my friend is what first made me start to wonder).
Well the Adderall was a personal success. On the days that I took them, paying attention has really been no problem at all. I didnt suffer from constant motion and it actually helped me understand many of my school things better. It has even helped me to be more motivated in school (example: I participate more in class, and when I have free time I do my work little a by little instead of awiting until last minute).
Well I want to try to set up a doctors appointment and see if I can get Adderall perscribed to me. Although I'm not too sure if I should bring a specific medicine up or not...as the doctor may think I just want it because of it is a popular misused drug these days. I just dont want to waste my time trying something else while this clearly works. Also, as the new quarter for school is comming up, I want to see if it would bring an increase in my classes I'm having trouble in. (I'm positive it will, but I havent used it more than twice so I dont truly know).

So what are some thoughts?. Do I had ADD/ADHD? I figured this place would be one that knows best. Should I attempt to get it prescribed? Should I ask my doctor for Adderall?..or would that not be a good idea.

I know of medical symptoms as I have read on them before trying. I am healthy and am not alergic to anything as far as i know (and not this because I obviously already tried).

Thanks all for your help Smile

Replies(19)

karen_r

replied on January 9th, 2008

New User

Have you told your parents about your concern? They(*your parents) can have you tested at school under the IDEA law. Its for special education but it includes ADD ADHD kids. (My mom was a special ed teacher for 10 years and I qualified when I was 16). I dont know if you want Adderall, but you can always have other methods of coping. I havent been on any drugs since the 7th grade, and I am 25 now. I was told I had ADD in Kindergarten. That was almost 20 years ago....
I'd try to ask your parents and if you arent comfortable doing that, then you can see your doctor in confidentiality and tell him/her what you think. Although might/ will probably send you to a psychiatrist to get tested.
Good luck.

peppermint1993

replied on January 28th, 2008

New User

about if u have ADD or ADHD

hi im 14 and my brother who is 7 has ADD and ODD. i think at least u might have ADD because my brother has all the symptoms u do, is always in motion and has alot of trouble in school. he also dont listion to what hes told either. if u have any questions feel free to ask me any time.

healthhealer

replied on January 30th, 2008

New User

To the Original Poster

I too once suffer with some not all the symptoms you have. I no longer have any of those symptoms and my learning abilities has more then double now that I have gain awareness of how the body function . Your symptoms are present because of two reason one your diet and your two your social life. The main reason is your diet if you fix that most, maybe even all of your present problem will go away. You see when you eat food that have been stress you are applying the stress to your self. Let me explain what I mean by stress if I take a plant and tie it down I’m apply stress to it because it now state is to go up. When applying heat, microwave, x-ray (which a lot of food companies are doing to their foods now) and chemicals to food these are other methods of stressing food. For the main reason it’s altering it state of being. Foods that are in their natural form have not been stress or have little stress done to them. You have to change your diet if you want to take back control of your body. Your lack in ability to control your body is the respond of the stressed foods you are giving to your self. Stress put you in a state were you are in defense mode so obviously your body is going to want to move it self around because it’s getting ready to defend it self. The bottom line is you have to start eating foods that have not been stress and that are highly energetic. I know it hard to change something your already accustom to do, that was my biggest problem when I decided to change my diet and keep it but if you want help on a shorter quicker way of recovering your health back to balance I would be glad to assist you with any question you have. I can show you natural ways of alleviating your symptoms fast and painless.

fungugitusorsomething

replied on March 10th, 2008

New User

you know, quite often kids who get in trouble for talking and such in school completely understand everything, and need more advanced classes. Although, i do believe with a good book its not easy to get distracted. As for the studying, like i said if you get everything than the only reason this is happening is due to the fact that your brain is beyond the teachings.

theSH08247

replied on March 12th, 2008

New User

to original poster

i used to have the same exact problem! i always have had focus and attention problems, but no one thought it was a concern b/c i received good grades. i was afraid to tell my parents when i was in high school and college. i am a first year medical school student and was JUST diagnosed. i changed my diet which significantly helped, b/c i did not want to be medicated while i was in class and studying. while i still struggle, it has gotten a lot better. i had to go through about 10 hours of testing to finally get my problem diagnosed, but i'm sure if you ask your family physician about it, he/she is more likely to be a huge help. hope this helps!

kathryn

ladylee70

replied on March 12th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

karen_r wrote:

The school district won't test if you are adequately performing in school. A higher GPA does not show a need for special education services. Even some individuals who have a dx condition may not be eligible for testing if they have not demonstrated a need for special education services. Some school psychologists, however, will conduct an ADHD screener for you and write up a report as a courtesy. It depends on the psych. I do ADHD screeners for parents that request one.

I would see a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist to get evaluated.

Are you considered gifted or are you in pretty high level classes? Sometimes people seem ADHD when they are actually gifted. Some individuals who are higher level functioning could also have ADHD. It's so hard to answer these questions without a more extensive evaluation.

Good luck!!

musicdiva1331

replied on March 17th, 2008

New User

well from everything i've ever read, researched (and from personal experience lol) that probably is ADD, not ADHD (that usually involves running around, not just constant leg tapping etc.) Also, in response to the person above me, the corolation between ADD and being staffed as "gifted" is ridiculously high. I know, because I am one Smile

often it is because your brain just goes too fast and it's like being hyper physically, only it's mental (if that makes sense) oddly enough, a lot of gifted and ADD kids do really well in artistic fields, not necessarily because they're "easy" (I'm a second year music major, trust me, it's not a walk in the park) but because there is just sooooo much to think about. I don't take meds, I don't do anything special, i've just learned to harness the mental jitters to make my life easier Smile

It comes in handy when i'm doing a show or playing in a concert. I can be mentally in 12 different places at once. It makes me a good actress because I get the most RANDOM details. Seriously, it can be a good thing, you just have to learn to deal with it and use it to your advantage. I also just don't like taking pills constantly, my birth control is enough lol. I've lived almost 20 years with ADD (yes, I know, i'm only 19, almost 20, but i've been this way since the womb) and truthfully, I'm glad. It's the reason I learned how to read music before I could really read words, it's the reason I play 6 instruments, the reason I love musical theatre(dancing acting and singing while being as high energy as possible? it was created for the add) it's also the reason I devour books like a fat kid does cake. Not only can I not sit still physically, I can't sit still mentally. Yes sometimes it takes me longer to do school work, but It also has made me learn to speed read so I don't have time to become distracted while reading (learn to speed read, it'll save your life!) I'm against taking meds for it. because it becomes a dependancy thing. Also, the aderol could have worked for you like a placebo. You know what it is supposed to do, so you assume it works while really it could just be your brain going "This pill is supposed to make me concentrate and work better, so I will" even if it's not the meds. Heck, you can tell your doctor just to give you meds and take a sugar pill, I firmly believe it'll work just as well as Aderol.

troubleX2

replied on July 21st, 2008

New User

Changing diet

Some of you mentioned changing the diet. I adopted my grandkids and it is apparent they both have some sort of ADD or ADHD. The Mother had taken drugs before they were born and the parents are not now an active part in their lives. I have had them since they were 3 and 5, and most of their lives before that because of irresponsible parenting. They have both been in counseling. They will both be tested next month for ADD. The girl is now 11 and made straight A's until 3rd grade. Her focus factor is horrible and it affects her self-esteem as well. The boy is 9 and his fine-motor skills have not developed like they should, which has affcted his writing. He is good at everything except his phonics but has had 4 sets of tubes in his ears. My question I guess is what do you change in their diets? Is it the sweets and sodas? I try to limit those and they eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Can someone give me some advice on this?

helloterry

replied on July 22nd, 2008

New User

oh...

NightStar

replied on July 22nd, 2008

Experienced User

I have ADHD and I know you want to avoid caffine and sugar. But I am not on any special diet myself. Nor am I on any medication. But if I had a job, I know I would have to go back on the meds to concentrate at a job. Right now I just sit at home, I am on disability. So I just focus on odd work that I do on my own pace.

helloterry

replied on August 3rd, 2008

New User

hi there, maybe you could try vitamins & nutritional formulas before or while taking any medicine. It would help you a lot.

helloterry

replied on August 3rd, 2008

New User

lol

tomuchspade

replied on August 4th, 2008

New User

could be useful

My kid are 6 and 12, both have lots of energy. My son is even very hyperactive and acts out a lot. I have been told by several professionals they don't have Add or Adhd. My daughter is 12 and makes perfect grades and is even in excellerated programs. My son is just starting kindergaten. I read a book that helped me a great deal. "ADD:ADHD:Hyperactive, The Natural Approach" by Nina Anderson and Howard Piper. The book is relatively cheap and very helpful in understanding the differences in these labels. My kids do not get anything with dye in it. They only drink clear liquids and snack on yogurt, fruit, cheese sticks and gold fish. We also avoid to much fast food. After I read this book I now give my son fish oil, DMG and Grape seed Extract. He is now a totally different kid, doesn't act out, listens and stays focused longer. I highly recommend anyone who has or think their kids have Add, Adhd, or hyperness read this book.

shennron

replied on February 16th, 2009

New User

can eating fast-food really solve the problem? whats in fast food that makes ADHD or ADD more active?

Rosa316

replied on February 26th, 2009

New User

I go through a lot of the same things...i have to reread things, force myself to concentrate, and i can hardly sit still ever( i dont even take baths bc they are nerve racking from having to sit there)...
I have had the same thought as you on whether i had add or adhd or if thats just how i am....i have never actually had it tested...but i am pretty sure that is just how i am and i am a teenager with a lot of stuff on my mind....another thing i sometimes wonder about is what people call my over active imagination....sometimes it just seems to run away with me....
but idk ...alll i know is this is the way Jesus made me....lol i wrote this to try and help you but after rereading this i realizzed it was just a bunch of nothin..oops srry....imma post it ne way though

ZeroJointPain

replied on April 13th, 2009

New User

Blood Tests

Have you had your blood tested? I Have been dealing with gluten allergies and had to take this blood test. They were saying a lot of people with adhd have food allergies that can cause this. Worth a look

lillozza98

replied on April 24th, 2009

New User

im 14 years old and think ive got add/adhd

hi my names lauren allen. well at school im always getting into fits and i struggle to listen i keep getting told off for getting out of my seat i get told of for swearing alot and i struggle with homework but my dad wont take me for a test and my school says ive got adhd but i dont no.

cu3

replied on July 24th, 2009

New User

To the ORIGINAL Poster

Hey.
I've read through your symptoms and for most of the part I think what you're facing is NORMAL. It usually occurs during the mid teen years but some people's mind just works differently for different things. As for your concern about rereading paragraphs several times before understanding the material, based on your post, grades and writing style, I can assume that you're a very tedious person who like to nib out every detail from your readings. So I think you might be correlating the understanding of the specific material to your own concept of understanding the material. And as you said that, usually it takes you more time to analyze the problems or analyze a specific reading than "NORMAL" people. Just as a quick check, do they have a 3.95 GPA as well? If the answer is No, then that enough is your proof as to whether u have ADHD or not.
Based on your concerns right now, As they say "Too smart for your own good". You're a brilliant student but reading up on ADHD - analyzing it based on the symptoms alone would qualify majority of the people with this disability. So I think you should just keep going as you are and try to focus on the target and not think about having a disability you probably don't have. Good Luck Though.

- 2nd Year Medical Student

lookabug

replied on August 31st, 2009

New User

It is possible to be gifted AND have ADD - I am both. That is probably why I wasn't diagnosed until an adult.

Grades don't really have much to do with it, it really depends on the subject and how much extracurricular work is involved. eg. I got straight A's in advanced math because we never had homework, but only just scraped through history because I never did the essays (or did a crap version the night before).

Go and get tested - what do you have to lose?

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