New here, first post

[soyanoli]

Ummm I don't know really where to start. Basically I am not sure that I belong here. I will find out on Friday. I think I may have Adult ADD. My mother has said it for years. Randomly people have said this about me too over the years. Recently I met someone that has been diagnosed. She pointed out some things that I do that appeared to be ADHD like. She just came out and asked me if I was out of no where. This was on the the first night I met her. Since then she has inquired things about me randomly and truly believes that I am. Well I decided to look up a lot of information on it. I have before in the past few years but I didn't pay too much mind to it. I found one very detailed website on it. It was very scary reading it. I have never read or heard about something that explains me so well. Recently it seems these symptoms have been getting worse or more relevant. I am in fear of losing my job, my personal life is such a mess, and I feel like I am losing my mind. I can't do what I need to do when I need to do it no matter how hard I try. (recently as in before I met that girl up until present). This site even went into possible eating habits etc. (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm)

There was only about 3 symptoms listed on there that do not explain me (totally, out of those three I sometimes act that way but not all the time). I was worried that I was reading to far into it, that I was being a hyporcondriac (lol I can't spell) So I printed it off. I had my husband read it, my mother, and one of my co-workers. They all agreed that it explains me to a "T".

I have scheduled a DR appt for Friday. I am looking forward to the appt in one way though. I might actually be able to find a solution to my problems. That I can actually get some help. But then another part of me doesn't want to have something wrong with me. I am also worried that I will go in there and the doctor will say there is nothing wrong with me and I am crazy for thinking this.
I am confused, scarred, hopeful, stressed everything all at once. I don't know... I am just rambling.

I really wanted to ask you guys what I should expect at this appt. I am really nervous. I am sorry if I sound stupid. But to anyone that reads this thank you for taking the time to listen to me ramble on.

I have been sitting here wondering if I should post this or just delete it. I keep reading it over and over. I just feel stupid... but I guess I will just go ahead and post it. Maybe someone will have some advise for me.

Thanks again

[charliegirl]

It sounds like you probably do have it but seeing the dr is the only way to be sure. Are you seeing a regular dr or a psych? Is it your family dr? Have you talked to this person about symptoms before such as possible anxiety or depression?

Its hard to say what your dr will put you through. He will probably talk to you first and if he isn't comfortable diagnosing you that way, he will have you fill out a connners rating scale. Other than that, its hard to tell. There is no set rule for drs to use when diagnosing ADHD.

If it turns out that you do have it, remember it isn't changing you or who you are at all. Getting a diagnosis is a way to enable you to get the help you need to control your symptoms rather than allow them to continue messing with your life. You are still the same wonderful person you always were. Not getting diagnosed won't mean you don't have it, only that you aren't in a very good position to do anything to better your prospects in the future.

Please let us know how it goes.

[soyanoli]

Thank you so much for replying. You message was very sweet. It does make make me feel a little better. Atltough I am still really nervous, but nothing will change that. I will definitely let you know what happens on friday.

thanks
take care

[misty]

Mar 13, 2008 2:46:42 GMT -5 charliegirl said:

If it turns out that you do have it, remember it isn't changing you or who you are at all.

What Charlie Girl says is true. When my daughter was diagnosed, I went through what you are going through. I didn't want something to be wrong with my child. I was afraid of what the future held for her. But after awhile I realized, she's exactly the same person she always was & now that we had a diagnosis, we could help her to succeed in school & in life. I decided to be grateful that she had ADHD & not some incurable disease instead.

I'm also curious what type of Dr you are going to see for your diagnosis. Often times regular MD's aren't the best for diagnosing ADHD. If you go & you end up feeling that he just didn't seem knowledgeable enough, you might want to make an appt with a psychiatrist. They are better at diagnosing disorders of the mind.

I want to wish you luck & tell you that we are here for you. Please don't be afraid to post what ever questions you may have. We will never perceive your questions as stupid. We've all been down this road, either for our children, ourselves, or both & we are here to support & help you.

[katiekat]

[John]

Mar 13, 2008 1:15:15 GMT -5 soyanoli said:

I am looking forward to the appt in one way though. I might actually be able to find a solution to my problems. But then another part of me doesn't want to have something wrong with me.

Soyanoli Welcome. I was DX 4 years ago with Adult ADD and what a Relieve to put it mildly. Now I could say to myself ''You mean I'm not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?'' WoW, sounds like a great title for a book. Guess what, it is by Kate Kelly & Peggy Ramundo. I love this saying they have, ''ADD-it's not just a disorder, it's an ADDed Dimension''.
Most ADD'rs if not all have other coexisting conditions that 'piggy-back' with their ADD, such as Anxiety, Depression or other fun life altering stuff to mess with their personal life, relationships, job, and other things we do while we figure out what we want to be when we grow up.

Remember: The more you know, the less you don't know.

[jj]

Hi Soyanoli,

I really don't feel like having ADHD or ADD is having something "wrong". Everyone has things they aren't great at doing. Some people can't control their temper, some people get their feelings hurt extremly easy, some people are just forgetful and others can remember every detail of something. We are all made up of great qualities and some not so great. It just so happens that they figured out if you have many of certain symptoms that it can cause problems in your life and thus the need for help. There isn't a person in this whole world that couldn't be labeled with "something" that is a stumbling block in their lives, if we really wanted to label everything.

Anyway, it is great to have you here and I'll be watching for your appointment news.

[Tigger]

WELCOME TO OUR GROUP!!!!!

When my son was a complete wreck and ours lives were missable, and we were thinking we were the worst parents in the world. Then I had a few friends tell me that they see ADHD in him. So as worried and scarred as I was, we felt the same way as you are right now. He wont have this, he will be just a normal boy and we will look so stupid for going to the drs and seeing if it is a possiblity. But as soon as we found out that everyone was right. We felt so much better. And we got him the help he needed. And as of today I am so glad we did make that appointment. Because we wouldnt be where we are now.

[lcdc1]

sounds like a lot of people said what I would say, but I would also restate that it is cool to see whatever doc works for you and all that, but if you can afford and there is one around, I would go to someone that understands adult ADHD, it is a bog help to do that. IF you have ADHD, so what, it is just a term for something that is wired a certain way in your brain. What you have to decide is if it is interfering enough with your life, is it keeping you from functioning to your full potential, is it causing you issues with work, home, social life, self esteem, etc....... Must be if you are looking into it.

Don't define yourself by other people, define yourself by who you are and the gifts you have, figure out who you are, love it, accept it and then decide what your objectives and desires are in life and go from there.

Getting a diagnosis or eliminating one, is a start. Once you get a a diagnosis, then you have to figure out what the means and make a plan. Good luck, good to meet you. And I have adult ADHD with major hyperness attached and then I have co morbid stuff going on that I am dealing with. I have known I had it since a kid and was diagnosed way back then, but my mom did not want me to use medication. Later as an adult, I used meds, stopped, self medicated a long time, went back and got on concerta and was good for a very long time, well......... Now I am dealing with the other issues and the ADHD with a phsyc and he stated it best I guess, pills don't teach skills. Now I am taking meds and see him once a week, I think a combo of meds and seeing a physc is the best thing.

[soyanoli]

I am overwhelmed by all the comments (in a good way though) thank you all for the messages, advice and comments. It is about 9:30 am. I am just going to a regular doctor today. (at 2:30) I didn't know where to start so I figured I would start there. I almost canceled the appt because I was having problems with my family about it. there are ppl in my family that think it is ridiculous that I am going. They are saying if you think there is something wrong with you then there isn't. Because people that have something wrong don't think that they do. I know there is something going on in my head. I am just not a doctor so I can't say for sure. It just seems things are getting worse and worse for me. I feel like I am unable to function at all. Everything suffers around me and 9 times out of 10 it has to do with something I didn't do and/or forgot to do and/or didn't do right (throughly) This is with everything work family home everything... I am just all over the place... I always have been. I just didn't ever think that there was a reason for it. I just have always thought that, that is me. If that makes sense. Well I think that is what a lot of ppl are thinking in my family too. God I am rambling again...I will shut up now. lol :~)
I will update you guyz after i go to the appt. :~)
thank you all again!!!