ADHD/Adult ADHD

[JasonD]

I'm buying this shirt...

Will ya get one for the rest of us too?

[Arianddu]

Interesting to see how many people here have self-diagnosed ADHD or ADD, because they show some symptoms. I suspect that's where S2M is coming from; for every one legitimate case there are how many hundreds of self-diagnosed or improperly diagnosed people? I remember about 15 years ago anyone who ever had reading or writing issues would self-diagnose as being 'partially dyslexic'. These days it's a different catch-name for a broader base of symptoms.

The reading issue can sometimes be as simple as highly kinetic learners often aren't ready to learn to read until they are seven or eight - the required focus and language development just isn't in place for them before that. Because most of us are taught to read at 5 or 6, highly kinetic learners struggle, and because the act of reading is hard enough work that they can't 'hear' the story of what they are reading, many of them never get into reading enough to make it enjoyable or memorable. No one finds reading something that doesn't interest them easy, and if everything you read is a struggle and dull, then why bother?

I'm not saying people don't have ADHD, but I do think it's overdiagnosed. Some kids are highly energetic and don't respond well to sitting in a class room all day. They learn far better when there is an active component in their learning, but that's much harder to teach and needs smaller class sizes. So it's easier to say there is something wrong with the kid than it is to say that a lot of kids don't learn well in class room environments. And people like a handle to stick their quirks on. Am I dyslexic because when I was younger I couldn't tell the difference between mirror-image writing and normal writing? Not at all, but people would tell me I had to be a bit dyslexic because at 15 I would still print letters and numbers around the wrong way. It had nothing to do with that and everything to do with being ambidextrous and finding it easier to write mirror-image with my left hand, so for a long time my brain saw no difference and would write a letter or word whichever way around felt smoothest while writing. I suspect a lot of stuff put down to ADHD is because of something similar; someone doesn't fit into the 'normal' learning pattern and so must be 'wrong' somehow.

Whatever the situation is, though, I hope you find what works for you, T.

[artist4perry]

I have both ADHD................OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! A Butterfly! LOL!

Seriously, drives my husband crazy, I start conversations in mid stream. I may be thinking about something, and without realizing that I have not said a word about it to my husband.........I blurt out, " She really shouldn't have done that you know........." He says who..............Oh so and so.............he says what are you talking about...........then I have to tell him the whole story. I know it is maddening to him at times. But I really think sometimes that it would be nice if we could talk in a telepathic way. But this an example of ADHD behavior. Give me caffine and I am bouncing off the ceiling.

I forget stuff, lots of stuff.........so post its are my friends. I cannot sleep due to all the things I think about on a constant basis. My brain is going 90 to nothing. I zone out when I paint, or type on the computer...........what honey? For the 20th time where is the remote! LOL!

But as an artist doing the stuff I do..........it is a goldmine to have. The trick is to take it and learn to use it to your advantage............it can be useful to multitasking type of jobs.

Ari, they evaluated me when they evaluated my son. Tony is ADD. I was so hyper as a child I stayed in trouble all the time, could not focus in class..........I agree with what you are saying though. I think it is over diagnosed so parents can keep their kids on meds. They did not even know what to call it when I was a kid. I just received many behaviour problem notes from school.

[Arianddu]

Ari, they evaluated me when they evaluated my son. Tony is ADD. I was so hyper as a child I stayed in trouble all the time, could not focus in class..........I agree with what you are saying though. I think it is over diagnosed so parents can keep their kids on meds. They did not even know what to call it when I was a kid. I just received many behaviour problem notes from school.

See, the problem I have with medication is that too many kids are put on it to make life easier for adults. Mind you, I've known several adults who've been diagnosed with ADHD who have benefited enormously from it; the line I keep hearing is 'it feels like my life is finally something I can control'. So yeah, it exists and medication can work. But I've got a friend, seperated from his wife, who is currently going through hell with her about their son. The boy is 7 years old and extremely energetic; his mother has decided he is ADD and wants him put on medication, my friend doesn't think that's the issue and doesn't want his son on drugs. When his kids are with him, his son doesn't get soft drinks full of caffeine and sugar, and he goes for a run every morning with his Dad on the beach before breakfast. He's encouraged to play outside where he can run around and yell a lot, and quiet activities that require concentration get done in the morning when he's fresh. No problems at all, funnily enough, just recognition that the boy has a lot of energy to burn. During school time during the week, he's allowed to drink caffeinated soft drinks all the time instead of water, and has no outlet for his energy; his mother won't even let him walk the 9 blocks to school. So he's hyped up on caffeine and has no outlet for his energy. But it's easier for his mother to say he has a problem and needs drugs than it is for her to change her own habits by not having cola in the house and getting out and doing active stuff with the kids.

There are kids who are just too energetic to be stuck in a classroom for several hours a day. Ideally, we'd have an education system that could be tailored to them so they can be busy and active and learn the way they are predisposed to; unfortunately we don't. For some kids, medication is the way to go, but for a lot of them, unfortunately, it's the option we use because we won't or can't be flexible. And I think the attitude we have today that kids aren't safe out by themselves doesn't help. By the time I was 10, had a bicycle, and would bike to my cousin's place 7ks away, then a bunch of us would cycle to the beach, or to another park to hang out. I walked or bussed to school every day of my life. I got a dog at age 6 and walked it, on my own, every damn day. My friends' kids aren't even allowed to walk to the local playground by themselves at 12. No wonder we've got kids burning up with excess energy.

[artist4perry]

Ari, they evaluated me when they evaluated my son. Tony is ADD. I was so hyper as a child I stayed in trouble all the time, could not focus in class..........I agree with what you are saying though. I think it is over diagnosed so parents can keep their kids on meds. They did not even know what to call it when I was a kid. I just received many behaviour problem notes from school.

See, the problem I have with medication is that too many kids are put on it to make life easier for adults. Mind you, I've known several adults who've been diagnosed with ADHD who have benefited enormously from it; the line I keep hearing is 'it feels like my life is finally something I can control'. So yeah, it exists and medication can work. But I've got a friend, seperated from his wife, who is currently going through hell with her about their son. The boy is 7 years old and extremely energetic; his mother has decided he is ADD and wants him put on medication, my friend doesn't think that's the issue and doesn't want his son on drugs. When his kids are with him, his son doesn't get soft drinks full of caffeine and sugar, and he goes for a run every morning with his Dad on the beach before breakfast. He's encouraged to play outside where he can run around and yell a lot, and quiet activities that require concentration get done in the morning when he's fresh. No problems at all, funnily enough, just recognition that the boy has a lot of energy to burn. During school time during the week, he's allowed to drink caffeinated soft drinks all the time instead of water, and has no outlet for his energy; his mother won't even let him walk the 9 blocks to school. So he's hyped up on caffeine and has no outlet for his energy. But it's easier for his mother to say he has a problem and needs drugs than it is for her to change her own habits by not having cola in the house and getting out and doing active stuff with the kids.

There are kids who are just too energetic to be stuck in a classroom for several hours a day. Ideally, we'd have an education system that could be tailored to them so they can be busy and active and learn the way they are predisposed to; unfortunately we don't. For some kids, medication is the way to go, but for a lot of them, unfortunately, it's the option we use because we won't or can't be flexible. And I think the attitude we have today that kids aren't safe out by themselves doesn't help. By the time I was 10, had a bicycle, and would bike to my cousin's place 7ks away, then a bunch of us would cycle to the beach, or to another park to hang out. I walked or bussed to school every day of my life. I got a dog at age 6 and walked it, on my own, every damn day. My friends' kids aren't even allowed to walk to the local playground by themselves at 12. No wonder we've got kids burning up with excess energy.

I agree. I was a country kid, and I ran and played and was active all the time. I had a great deal of problems with impulse control as a child.........but as I said, they never knew what it was when I was a girl. So I struggled socially, and in strict structured environments. Say hello to school! LOL!

I can spot the real thing I think more than others.........it is not bratty behavior, you really zone out at times.......like severe daydreams. And when you focus on something you become quite fixated............almost trance like. Makes it great as an artist...............but I have to really focus to stay alert in boring situations. staff meetings etc.............

P.S. Neither my son or I use meds.........I use coping skills I have taught myself.

[artist4perry]

On a more serious note.........TBone............find something you love. If you have ADHD............you have to love something to focus enough to major in it. That is why I became an art teacher. I love art..........to a point of obscession, you have to in order to focus. I had to struggle hard to get the "educational" classes. But I kept reminding myself of the goal. And I am not kidding about the post it notes............and flash cards. And study groups........I remember more what I talk about in a group than what I read. Find out what kind of learner you are.........visual.........etc........Good luck. If this old dog can learn a new trick so can you.

[Triple S]

When I come on here I can concentrate just fine b/c the things that people write are short in comparison to reading an entire book.

Well - most people - some write novels

[JasonD]

When I come on here I can concentrate just fine b/c the things that people write are short in comparison to reading an entire book.

Well - most people - some write novels

Yeah, Fact Finder's epic sagas can be quite a challenge for me. So can YoungJRYN's contributions when he gets on one of his football prediction post.

[T-Bone]

Interesting.... I just scored a 72... What do I Win?!?!?


http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm

[bluejeangirl76]

Interesting.... I just scored a 72... What do I Win?!?!?


http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm

I got a 72 also.

"It is highly likely that you are presently suffering from adult attention deficit disorder, according to your responses on this self-report questionnaire. You should not take this as a diagnosis of any sort, or a recommendation for treatment. However, it would be advisable and likely beneficial for you to seek further diagnosis from a trained mental health professional immediately"

THEY bolded immediately, I did not. Now, of all the people on this board, I thought I'd be about the last one being told to go get immediate mental help.

[KenTheDude]

I got a 17. Either I have my shit together or that test is a total piece of crap.

[Behshad]

I got a 17. Either I have my shit together or that test is a total piece of crap.

or BOTH
I got 18

[Playitloudforme]

and I a 13. Am I dead?

[Rhiannon]

I got a 53. Which is funny considering I started the quiz, got four questions in, got distracted by something and came back to that tab 20 minutes later realizing I forgot all about it. So it might not be too accura---piece of tin foil! SHINY!

[Angel]

Someone call 911, I scored 80 and it said to get help from a trained mental health professional immediately.

[*Laura]

36 here - "Mild attention and concentration difficulties" (which is what I expected)...although during the test I was distracted twice.

[Jana]

I got a 17. Either I have my shit together or that test is a total piece of crap.

Piece of crap.

[KenTheDude]

I got a 17. Either I have my shit together or that test is a total piece of crap.

Piece of crap.

You're probably right. Hey, wait a minute!....

[DrFU]

and I a 13. Am I dead?

12 here ... I think OCD is the opposite of ADD ...

[Triple S]

A former boss of mine had (we all thought) ADHD – I admit we made fun of him constantly, not so much because of the ADHD but because he was such an asshole in so many ways. Our department was required to give him weekly written and verbal ‘updates’ of what we had been up to, and we were all pretty sure that he never heard a word any of us said in those meetings – such a waste of time for everyone. We decided to test him one day – one guy, midstream without hesitation in the middle of his update, injected the phrase ‘and then butterflies flew out of my butt’ and just kept going. Boss didn’t blink an eye. The rest of us just about peed ourselves laughing and he still had no idea.

[T-Bone]

and I a 13. Am I dead?

12 here ... I think OCD is the opposite of ADD ...

OCD to the point you just kept clicking the "Just A Little" button?

[artist4perry]

What is it saying if you score a 110? I am a bit off the charts I guess. I don't have a bad temper though. I think that is more prominent in males than females with ADHD. I am more of the scatterbrained abscent minded professer type.

[DrFU]

and I a 13. Am I dead?

12 here ... I think OCD is the opposite of ADD ...

OCD to the point you just kept clicking the "Just A Little" button?

Of course ... wouldn't want to mess up the symmetry of the pattern the answers were making ...

[artist4perry]

and I a 13. Am I dead?

12 here ... I think OCD is the opposite of ADD ...

OCD to the point you just kept clicking the "Just A Little" button?

Of course ... wouldn't want to mess up the symmetry of the pattern the answers were making ...

I used to think it would be fun to make Christmas trees and stars on the ACT tests in school........had to really fight that urge! But I wanted to make cool stuff out of the little answer ovals! This is what I think about during tests...............LOL! No wonder I don't score high if I don't stay focused. LOL!

[artist4perry]

Tbone...........does it drive you crazy to have to read through long instructions? I start to drift..........I read fast and I want the minimmum amount of words to get the gist of what I am to do. I go nuts at meetings where they drone on and on about a subject they talk to death. Tell me what you want in the simplest of terms and I am good. Listening to flow charts and mumbo jumbo is like bambo torture under the fingernails..........I just want to be out of there.

I also have a tendency to move my legs a lot while sitting for any given time. It drives Dan crazy in church.......he is getting used to it. I try and tell him it is like you have fire in your veins and you have to fidget. Teaching is great........I am on my feet all day........

[T-Bone]

I've always had the motto "Keep It Simple, Stupid!!!" If that answers your question. I don't like complication and I get impatient when I need 2-3 main instructions and whoever is yapping feels the need to start their schpeel with when they woke up this morning.... My wife and I get into little spats because she can overcomplicate the shit out of the most simple tasks.

[bluejeangirl76]

I've always had the motto "Keep It Simple, Stupid!!!" If that answers your question. I don't like complication and I get impatient when I need 2-3 main instructions and whoever is yapping feels the need to start their schpeel with when they woke up this morning.... My wife and I get into little spats because she can overcomplicate the shit out of the most simple tasks.

I know! That drawing is not me at all... I'm the blue line. I want to go get the thing I'm going for and get OUT. Granted, I do like to browse sometimes - I'm talking a few stores, not every store, but mostly, no - I'm going in, finding the item I came for and done.

(except for Target)

I can't take storytelling that doesn't get to the point and coming from certain people, it's so much worse. I can name a few select people I've known who I've wanted to punch right in the face for their storytelling practices. I can think of one person with whom I just zone out before they even begin speaking because I know that whatever is about to be said, I either A) have no interest in B) don't need to know, as in, it doesn't affect me and never will, therefore - see A... or C) have already heard over and over and over. All I hear is blah blah blah blah blah.

[StoneCold]

I like how she never actually goes into the Gap. Guess Augie wasn't working that day.

[T-Bone]

There's a time and place for everything... When it's bullshitting time and we're out and about at the bar and hanging out with friends, stories are fine. When it's time to get a job done or something important, I want details in as few words as possible

[stevew2]

I like how she never actually goes into the Gap. Guess Augie wasn't working that day.

you are a dick