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[freakzilla149]

well as far as effectiveness it definitely takes more than a week to change, but I am saying you arent going to just notice it right away.

I also have ADHD, undiagnosed until adulthood. I absolutely hate Ritalin, so I've tried to do with willpower as much as I can but the results are limited.

There's a massive mental cost to maintaining a certain behaviour that is completely unnatural to you. I get very tired very quickly when I try to resist my urge to muck about, like I'm still a kid at heart. Despite the side effects, the Ritalin helps me to focus in a more natural way where my main urge is to the thing I'm doing rather than fighting the urge to do something else.

 

[deltatheta]

Yeah, I got on ADHD meds for the first time a few months ago and it's been a massive life changing event. I was at the point where I couldn't focus on work at all. Now I'm not having any problems at all getting work done. It's night and day, and it's hard to overstate the difference that it's made.

Then again, I've found myself thinking that perhaps I don't really need to take an entire pill in the afternoon, and somehow being unable to skip taking the full dosage when the time comes.


I think mental illness is tough for people to accept because it's not really a binary state, like other kinds of illness. Everyone gets distracted. Some people are just way more prone to it and benefit from medication. But there are serious risks and downsides to medication, too - especially amphetamines.

 

[Dizzy]

Welcome to the club OP.

I wasn't diagnosed until my late 20's. My primary school wanted me to get a diagnosis when I was really young but my parents wouldn't have it.

Yeah I felt like crap my whole life when I constantly messed up and underachieved. Lateness especially was a big problem of mine which can be part of adhd.

I feel much better these days though. Realizing why I struggled at times when other people did not allowed me to be much more forgiving of myself. The diagnosis alone is good because at least you finally know why you struggle.


As for medication....well I started it snd we kept uppi the dose but I ended up with some bad side efffects like muscle twitching. So I do a fairly low dose now. My concentration isn't great but it gets the job done. Working a desk job before I would always feel the need to get up and go talk to friends but now I can stay seated and just get on with it for hours at a time. Before I could do it if I made the effort but I would HATE it. Now it doesnt bother me even if my days just as boring.

Its hard to describe. For me thats what the concentration is. I still zone out a lot but when presented with a boring task it doesn't bother me whereas before it would be a real struggle to get on with it.

 

[freakzilla149]

I'm no doctor but a lot of that sounds like shit we all deal with under stress at work or life non of those symptoms feel unique. Feels like life.

I don't want to be *that* guy, but ADD is so commonly misdiagnosed I wouldn't just pin all of your life problems on having ADD.

I mean a lot of the symptoms you listed sound like things that everybody would have happen in their usual days on and off.

Yup, I feel like ADHD is a made up sickness to sell pills.

Distracted at work? Like to go on walks at work? Tired of sitting all day?

No shit, work sucks, nobody likes it and everybody is on Facebook.

That's not a problem that can be solved by sending a monthly check to the pharmaceutical companies.

Why do you feel the need to speak about a subject you clearly don't know anything about? Do you think people who claim to have AHDH are all so simple minded that these thoughts haven't occurred to them?

If you are smart and have it you can work through it until it starts impacting stuff like it has for the OP.

Exactly, a lot of kids with ADHD do just fine in school because it really doesn't require much planning, organisation or patience. However, when you get to Uni/first job it al comes crumbling down.

 

[Hylian7]

Why do you feel the need to speak about a subject you clearly don't know anything about? Do you think people who claim to have AHDH are all so simple minded that these thoughts haven't occurred to them?



Exactly, a lot of kids with ADHD do just fine in school because it really doesn't require much planning, organisation or patience. However, when you get to Uni/first job it al comes crumbling down.

Basically this, it really started affecting stuff majorly on college, and had ever since then, but I know it has been there my entire life

 

[dsigns1]

I have never attempted to talk to a doctor or been diagnosed with ADD but I have every symptom listed and I feel I have it. I work as a programmer at a job with lots of deadlines that requires lots of multitasking. Here's some tips I use to help me get through the day and make sure I complete tasks.

Listen to music while working
I've found over the years that i need to do multiple things at once in order to focus on one thing well if that makes any sense. In high school I learned that having the tv on along with the radio helped me complete my homework. I can't be distracted if I'm already distracted I guess. Listening to music helps me.

Have something physical to hold
Similar to the above, I've found if I have anything in my hand to fidget with (a paper clip, pen, ring, etc) it allows me to focus on my work because I am fulfilling my need to do multiple things at once and it keeps me from getting distracted by anything else.

Use a task manager
I will start a task and then jump to a different task without even realizing it. Sometimes I will look in my task bar and realize I have 7 different projects open. Other times a coworker will ask me for something and on my way back to my desk I forget about it. I started using Wunderlist to add my tasks as a reminder. I have the app on my phone and when someone asks me for something I add it that very moment. I set it as my homepage so I can have a visual reminder of all the tasks I need to complete.

Get a whiteboard
Again, a visual reminder. When I walk into my office my whiteboard is there facing me with the tasks I need to remember to complete. If you are anything like me, you are good at working just not good at completing so take these steps seriously so that you always remember what needs to be completed.

Email yourself
Sometimes I will remember something I forgot to add to my task manager or put on my whiteboard. If I try to wait til I get back to work to remember to do it, I will lose it. That moment I remember, I pull out my phone and email myself at work. I've woken from sleep before because I remembered something and I will immediately email myself.

Hope these suggestions help.

 

[entremet]

It's simple, if you have ADHD and living the life you want to live then that's awesome. Two thumbs way up and have an awesome day.

If you have ADHD and are literally incapable of living the life you want to live due to its effects then medication is a very effective treatment. Medication plus therapy is even better.

ADHD isn't a disorder, it's a genetic trait. Unfortunately, in our current model of modern western society ADHD can be a severely limiting genetic trait to have.

Yeah, it seems that modern work and education, with its emphasis on conscientiousness and sitting still seem to be very handicapping in this regard.

 

[MikeDip]

Don't worry too much about the meds not working yet, they take time. A week isn't long at all and they are most likely introductory doses too.

Talking with your doc is always a good idea though! Not saying don't do that. Just saying try not to worry

 

[Azulsky]

I've known i had disgraphia since i was about 11. It has probably affected my grades heavily but I never accepted extra time on tests or whatever they were offering.

I am luckily in that I have really good memory so I never relied on written notes anyway.

 

[A Fish Aficionado]

there's nothing homeopathic about weed, its (active) effects are experimentally documented. of them, a sharp boost in concentration.

i'm just trying to provide an alternative to amphetamines, it's op's body.

Um yes. Not that canaboids are not medicinal but self medication should be avoided.

So taking tablets should be the first port of call? I don't get this mentality.

Yes. Because it has been studied to hell and back..

 

[Condom]

Not into that.

So you want no medication then? Because Concerta and Adderall will fuck you up in the long run. Not even talking about neurotoxicty (never felt the impact of that myself) but rather dependence (aka legal addiction) to the stimulating and focus enhancing effects.

Coming from someone without ADHD (AFAIK) but a butload of experience with substances, weed is the only OK one in my book. Still your own choice though, see for yourself.

 

[MikeDip]

Yes. Because it has been studied to hell and back..

This got me curious. I know in my case I did go to the doc for meds as a last resort. I really wish I had gone years earlier.

Do you know of any studies/reports that tracked that? I assume with the terrible mental health stigma people are going to mental doctors much later than they should be, right?

 

[Marion Cobretti]

This thread has been very helpful. Can't wait to start my medication.

 

[GSG Flash]

am I the only one who was diagnosed with ADHD/Bi-polar disorder but feel the need to overcome it naturally with my own free will?

*edit but overall your situation sounds similar to experiences I have had.

*Edit again, you probably wont feel a change as the medicine will just feel natural to what you become on it, I cant explain this very well because my memories from that period in my life are VERY ... missing..

how old are you?

ADHD medication is prescribed far too easily.

ADHD is something that can definitely be overcome without medication, I think psychotherapy should be the first choice in attempting to treat ADHD, but unfortunately it seems like in most cases that's never even considered.

I'm almost 100% certain that I have some mild form of ADHD, but I have a trick to control it, and that's to listen to something on my iPhone while doing work, whether that's music or a podcast, anything that will block out the noise from my environment but something that's not just silence(as silence aggravates my ADHD even more, which is why taking tests/exams in highschool and university really sucked).

I believe a similar trick exists for everyone else who has ADHD, it's just up to that individual(or their psychiatrist/psychologist if they go the psychotherapy route) to figure out what it is.

 

[MikeDip]

ADHD medication is prescribed far too easily.

ADHD is something that can definitely be overcome without medication, I think psychotherapy should be the first choice in attempting to treat ADHD, but unfortunately it seems like in most cases that's never even considered.

I'm almost 100% certain that I have some mild form of ADHD, but I have a trick to control it, and that's to listen to something on my iPhone while doing work, whether that's music or a podcast, anything that will block out the noise from my environment but something that's not just silence(as silence aggravates my ADHD even more, which is why taking tests/exams in highschool and university really sucked).

I believe a similar trick exists for everyone else who has ADHD, it's just up to that individual(or their psychiatrist/psychologist if they go the psychotherapy route) to figure out what it is.

That is one hell of a jump you make. Just because you found out music helps you does not mean there is some magic trick for everyone.

Like stated, there are non med routes that can help, usually learned through a doc (Like CBT), but there is nothing wrong with taking meds.

Sometimes meds are indeed the only answer. And the stigma against them is dangerous. Spouting "I overcame it naturally you can do" type of thing is dangerous.

 

[Condom]

That is one hell of a jump you make. Just because you found out music helps you does not mean there is some magic trick for everyone.

Like stated, there are non med routes that can help, usually learned through a doc (Like CBT), but there is nothing wrong with taking meds.

Sometimes meds are indeed the only answer. And the stigma against them is dangerous. Spouting "I overcame it naturally you can do" type of thing is dangerous.

Yes but spouting 'meds fixed me omg never knew this now I've superman concentration' is dangerous too.

As always nuance is needed here, I believe that if you take medication that you should analyse the effects the drug have.

If they are extremely similar to what 'normal' people experience then you know if your diagnose is good or not. I think that's what people are warning about, people with the usual attention problems thinking that the effects of stimulants mean that they indeed had a problem their whole life.

Especially in the US there are far too many people on meds they don't need.

My problem is that I want to find out if I do indeed have anything up with me, but I've literally never used the NHS since I became an adult. I've had maybe 3 doctors trips since I first became a teenager. And I just keep getting put off by the fact that getting appointments to see your GP sounds confusing and convoluted. You have to like phone up on the day at 8am or something and book for the same day? Or something.

Plus, I am hopelessly bad when it comes to doing something on my to-do list in my head.

Just do it man. I had the same thoughts as you and it was super easy. Big chance your GP is an extremely nice person, they're there to help you out

 

[BraXzy]

My problem is that I want to find out if I do indeed have anything up with me, but I've literally never used the NHS since I became an adult. I've had maybe 3 doctors trips since I first became a teenager. And I just keep getting put off by the fact that getting appointments to see your GP sounds confusing and convoluted. You have to like phone up on the day at 8am or something and book for the same day? Or something.

Plus, I am hopelessly bad when it comes to doing something on my to-do list in my head.

 

[GSG Flash]

That is one hell of a jump you make. Just because you found out music helps you does not mean there is some magic trick for everyone.

Like stated, there are non med routes that can help, usually learned through a doc (Like CBT), but there is nothing wrong with taking meds.

Sometimes meds are indeed the only answer. And the stigma against them is dangerous. Spouting "I overcame it naturally you can do" type of thing is dangerous.

Not really a jump, it's just my opinion. I'm not in the head of people with severe ADHD, so I can't exactly know how bad it is with them, but I still feel ADHD medication is prescribed far too easily. I feel that for most people affected by ADHD, psychotherapy should be the primary option.

Of course, I'm not a doctor and I'm presuming that neither are you, so neither of us is really an expert in this field.

 

[Mulberry]

http://smile.amazon.com/Stopping-Coaster-Someone-Attention-Disorder/dp/0981548709/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432998143&sr=8-1&keywords=is+it+you+me+or+adult+add

OP, this book has helped me deal with my diagnosis. Don't listen to the haters, I was very skeptical of AD/HD myself until i sought treatment. Symptoms and degrees of severity differ greatly between people with the disorder by definition, so take advice from others with caution. What works for them may or may not work for you. Your medicine isn't a magic bullet, it's there to help. The most important thing for me was going to therapy and developing the life skills needed to overcome the damage done to my life.

 

[Xun]

I have a few of those symptoms, but I think that's more down to my OCD than me having ADHD.

 

[MikeDip]

Not really a jump, it's just my opinion. I'm not in the head of people with severe ADHD, so I can't exactly know how bad it is with them, but I still feel ADHD medication is prescribed far too easily. I feel that for most people affected by ADHD, psychotherapy should be the primary option.

Of course, I'm not a doctor and I'm presuming that neither are you, so neither of us is really an expert in this field.

The difference is: The usefulness and necessity of medication for mental health related issues is heavily documented and studied. The stigma against mental health is also very real, and has very dangerous implications. This is also studied and documented. What you are doing is helping to spread this stigma. This is what I am claiming.

You, on the other hand, listened to music and have anecdotal "feelings" on the topic. It's not comparable.

Frankly, this scares the hell out of me. I do not like to see people who clearly need treatment avoid doing so because of this misinformation.

The go-to advice should be: Go to a mental health specialist. If you can't do that off the bat, go to your GP. Then get a referral to a specialist who specializes in the area you need. Create a plan with that specialist and work together to get better. This might mean meds. Keep up communication with said specialist to ensure you are on the right meds or treatment and that they are working well for you. This includes going over any side effects.

Randomly telling people who need medication that they don't is dangerous. Full-stop. Don't do it. Please.

 

[GSG Flash]

The difference is: The usefulness and necessity of medication for mental health related issues is heavily documented and studied. The stigma against mental health is also very real, and has very dangerous implications. This is also studied and documented. What you are doing is helping to spread this stigma. This is what I am claiming.

You, on the other hand, listened to music and have anecdotal "feelings" on the topic. It's not comparable.

Frankly, this scares the hell out of me. I do not like to see people who clearly need treatment avoid doing so because of this misinformation.

The go-to advice should be: Go to a mental health specialist. If you can't do that off the bat, go to your GP. Then get a referral to a specialist who specializes in the area you need. Create a plan with that specialist and work together to get better. This might mean meds. Keep up communication with said specialist to ensure you are on the right meds or treatment and that they are working well for you. This includes going over any side effects.

Randomly telling people who need medication that they don't is dangerous. Full-stop. Don't do it. Please.

My original post was just my opinion and personal experience on this subject, but I do have a very pointed specific advice just for you: get off your high horse

I'm not helping to "spread" anything, I'm just stating my opinion and personal experience on a video game forum, get over yourself.

I think we're in agreement that a doctor is the first person you should visit, but doctors aren't perfect and they're humans too, and a lot of them prescribe medication too easily, as that's the easiest solution.

I'm not telling anyone anything, holy hell. Like I said before, get off your high horse, neither of us is an expert in this field, so your "advice" is about as credible as my personal opinion and experience.

There's really no need to be so unpleasant.

 

[RobotNinjaHornets]

Man, I really should see someone to see if I have ADHD.

Which means I need to go to my GP for a referral.

Which means I need to get a GP.

...I really should finish this registration form.

This isn't even a joke, I haven't been registered with a local doctor for the last...almost 2 years. Really need to get on that.

 

[MikeDip]

My original post was just my opinion and personal experience on this subject, but I do have a very pointed specific advice just for you: get off your high horse

I'm not helping to "spread" anything, I'm just stating my opinion and personal experience on a video game forum, get over yourself.

I think we're in agreement that a doctor is the first person you should visit, but doctors aren't perfect and they're humans too, and a lot of them prescribe medication too easily, as that's the easiest solution.

I'm not telling anyone anything, holy hell. Like I said before, get off your high horse, neither of us is an expert in this field, so your "advice" is about as credible as my personal opinion and experience.

My horse died a long time ago mate.

And what you are doing is exactly what I am claiming. It is taking your anecdotal experience and spreading misinformation and furthering the mental health stigma. This is how that stigma spreads. And it's a problem.

 

[scitek]

You're ignorant as fuck.

amphetamine
Junior Member
(Yesterday, 11:45 PM)

Don't mean anything by this, just thought that was a funny coincidence.

EDIT: On topic, how expensive is this medication, in general? I finally have a full-time job with benefits and keep thinking I should take advantage of the resources I never had available before. I have to get a physical before the end of July, actually, maybe I'll look into it then.

 

[Drakeon]

To those that have said stuff along the lines of "It's just normal stress", "Doctors overdiagnose ADHD", or "Just paying bills to big pharma". You need to realize that you probably don't experience these things, know what it is like, or are a doctor yourself. ADHD is an actual nerulogical problem, and yes, usually it does take medication to treat.

Like I said, I didn't want to believe it. Also keep in mind that I read those things on the internet AFTER my doctor suggested I had it first. Trust me, I believe my doctor on this one, my girlfriend believes it too now. When I actually get the medicine right, I believe I will be able to get my life back on track.

Also, as for "trying a different job", there's a number of issues with that. I got my degree in computer science. Doing some physical labor is way below what I need to be making.

Ignore the haters, I was recently diagnosed (late 20's) and it really explains a lot. A lot of people like to think it's all in our mind, but its a real disorder. I've been on meds and I notice a very real difference off them (I'm on Strattera). Check out the book Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Russell Barkley, it's a great resource. reddit has an ADHD community as well that's pretty helpful.

I do things like interrupt people (very often and I have a very hard time waiting to speak my turn), unable to concentrate in the slightest when pulled into a 1on1 meeting with my boss (I would think about anything and everything except what they were talking about). Shit gets really annoying and has a major impact on my job performance. I notice ill go for my phone and constantly check things even though im not really interested in what im checking rather than do work when im off meds. When I'm on, I am able to stay on task and off my phone.

 

[Marion Cobretti]

I found this Ted Talk to be very helpful.

ADHD As A Difference In Cognition, Not A Disorder…: https://youtu.be/uU6o2_UFSEY

 

[WedgeX]

Great job following through hylian. And best of luck going forward dude.

 

[GSG Flash]

My horse died a long time ago mate.

Clearly it hasn't.

And what you are doing is exactly what I am claiming. It is taking your anecdotal experience and spreading misinformation and furthering the mental health stigma. This is how that stigma spreads. And it's a problem.

No I'm really not, I was just stating my personal opinion that ADHD medication is prescribed too easily, something my own doctor, who is more qualified than either you or I, agrees with, and I just stated my personal experience on something that helps me cope with my ADHD, something which may help someone else or help them find inspiration for their own method of coping, whether that be with official treatment or without.

I'm not going to censor my opinion because you don't like it, that's just something you'll have to get over. And I'm officially done with this conversation because it's going nowhere.

 

[MikeDip]

Clearly it hasn't.



No I'm really not, I was just stating my personal opinion that ADHD medication is prescribed too easily, something my own doctor, who is more qualified than either you or I, agrees with, and I just stated my personal experience on something that helps me cope with my ADHD, something which may help someone else or help them find inspiration for their own method of coping, whether that be with official treatment or without.

I'm not going to censor my opinion because you don't like it, that's just something you'll have to get over. And I'm officially done with this conversation because it's going nowhere.

You stated the following:

ADHD is something that can definitely be overcome without medication

I believe a similar trick exists for everyone else who has ADHD

Your own circumstances are cool, It was nice to hear it. I'm serious. I am very happy the music thing worked for you. But saying those things I quoted above is terrible. And wrong.

 

[Jimothy]

I'm pretty sure I have ADD but I've tried to bring it up to my psychiatrist and she's basically shut me down every time saying that it's just depression that's made my ability to concentrate and focus plummet, or that my physically demanding job is making me tired. I've been on adderrall in the past but every time I tell a new doctor that I've been on it they give me a look of suspicion like I was faking my ADD symptoms or something. There seems to be a bigger stigma of having ADD among psychiatrists than the general public.

 

[FrenchToastDisciple]

I have problems arising from avoidance resulting from anxiety disorders that can manifest themselves as similar to ADHD symptoms (the difference being that once the pressure goes up, I can focus very, very well due to the stress response of a looming deadline), which I think is secretly another reason it's possible too many people are getting diagnosed as ADD or ADHD. It's not that they don't have an issue, but, for whatever reason, I think parents and young adults are more prone to think they have ADD or ADHD (and then get tested for it) rather than an anxiety problem or other mental disadvantage. Just a hypothesis

Good luck OP. I hope you can find a treatment that works for you.

 

[Aeonin]

Just a recommendation: If you're seeking professional mental health care, see a psychiatrist, not your GP. GPs are not great at diagnosing, and have a tendency to throw the anti-depressant of the week at you. In some cases, this can be actively harmful, like putting someone who is bipolar on an anti-depressant without a mood stabilizer. It's not something they specialize in, unlike psychiatrists. If you have access to a psychiatrist, see them instead of your GP. Part of the problem with over and under dignosing and bad med recommendations comes from how many folks talk to their GP rather than a psychiatrist.

Went to a psychiatrist a couple days ago. They refused to even talk about ADD. I got diagnosed with major depressive disorder and they literally showed me a list of antidepressants and asked me to choose. It was so weird. I picked wellbutrin.

 

[ElyrionX]

I have all of those symptoms in the OP but I am doing ok at work and did well in school. I have no idea if I have ADHD but I've always suspected that I had some form of it

What I don't understand is, Dota games can be very intense and you are an above average player from what I recall. You can literally play several games consecutively across many hours without letting up. If you truly have ADHD, how do you even manage that level of concentration and still play at the level you do?

Edit: And if you can maintain that level of focus in Dota, why can't you translate that to your work?

 

[twobear]

Impatience

Yep

 

[RedSwirl]

TV and music are definitely big distractions for me. I personally wouldn't use them as tools to fight ADD.

 

[birthday-suit]

Pretty sure I have it.

My uncle used to ask me to get shit from the car and I would forget once I got outside.

I cannot sit still and its hard for me to stfu.

I forgot small details a lot. I've sucked at most of my jobs.

 

[Jay Sosa]

According to those symptoms basically every active kid/person has ADHD..me included. Strangely enough I manage to get through life without any medication. I prefer to be easily distracted than heavily medicated to be honest.

 

[kirblar]

I have all of those symptoms in the OP but I am doing ok at work and did well in school. I have no idea if I have ADHD but I've always suspected that I had some form of it

What I don't understand is, Dota games can be very intense and you are an above average player from what I recall. You can literally play several games consecutively across many hours without letting up. If you truly have ADHD, how do you even manage that level of concentration and still play at the level you do?

Edit: And if you can maintain that level of focus in Dota, why can't you translate that to your work?

Yeah, paying attention to something you're actively engaged in like a game, movie, or book is actually relatively easy. (My legs often start bouncing like crazy in a theater though.) It's something that people see and use do discount the other things.

Playing HOTS, one thing I've noticed- my eyeballs are pingponging around the screen a lot faster than other people's - especially when it comes to the minimap. But since it's triggering reward mechanisms you stay engaged despite the ADHD. However, I've had my career-best results for MTG while on ADHD meds because there are SO many little things I end up screwing up that add up over the course of a tournament.

The forgetting things 2 minutes after you do them thing is hyper-obnoxious.

 

[Amalthea]

I found a forum where a bunch of mothers talked about how their boys might have ADHD or ASD because they socialize only with girls and don't like to play soccer but play with dolls instead.

Gave me some seriously painful flashbacks.

 

[tokkun]

Yup, I feel like ADHD is a made up sickness to sell pills.

Distracted at work? Like to go on walks at work? Tired of sitting all day?

No shit, work sucks, nobody likes it and everybody is on Facebook.

That's not a problem that can be solved by sending a monthly check to the pharmaceutical companies.

I sort of agree, but I think you're a bit off the mark.

ADHD is a spectrum disorder. It's not like HIV or something where there is a clear binary positive/negative test. To some extent, almost everyone suffers from the symptoms the op mentioned, and to some degree almost everyone could benefit in some ways (and possibly harm themselves in others) from drugs that enhance focus. Look no further than the huge number of people who rely on stimulants in coffee or energy drinks or the growing number of people experimenting with nootropics or (most germane) the thriving black market for ADHD pills on college campuses during exam times.

You don't need to 'make up' a disorder to motivate people to take amphetamines; people would eat them like candy if they were legal. The diagnosis is just a way to gate access to the more powerful drugs to those who suffer more acutely from the ADHD symptoms. The idea is that you are classified as having ADHD if the symptoms are severe enough as to cause substantive problems in your day-to-day life. Yes, I often get frustrated by some of the same things the OP mentioned, but it does not affect me to the point that I am losing jobs over it. Hence the OP gets access to amphetamines and I make do with caffeine. Yes, the pharmaceutical industry has a financial incentive to encourage doctors to lower the bar so they can get more customers, but the other side of the equation is the fact that the drugs are not available to the public in general.

 

[Dalek]

I have all of those symptoms in the OP but I am doing ok at work and did well in school. I have no idea if I have ADHD but I've always suspected that I had some form of it

What I don't understand is, Dota games can be very intense and you are an above average player from what I recall. You can literally play several games consecutively across many hours without letting up. If you truly have ADHD, how do you even manage that level of concentration and still play at the level you do?

Edit: And if you can maintain that level of focus in Dota, why can't you translate that to your work?

What you're referring to is called "Hyperfocus" which is one of the few "upsides" to having ADHD. This can be a benefit or a downside depending on your lifestyle.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blo...411/adhd-hyperfocus-what-is-it-and-how-use-it

 

[AJLma]

I have never attempted to talk to a doctor or been diagnosed with ADD but I have every symptom listed and I feel I have it. I work as a programmer at a job with lots of deadlines that requires lots of multitasking. Here's some tips I use to help me get through the day and make sure I complete tasks.

Listen to music while working
I've found over the years that i need to do multiple things at once in order to focus on one thing well if that makes any sense. In high school I learned that having the tv on along with the radio helped me complete my homework. I can't be distracted if I'm already distracted I guess. Listening to music helps me.

Use a task manager
I will start a task and then jump to a different task without even realizing it. Sometimes I will look in my task bar and realize I have 7 different projects open. Other times a coworker will ask me for something and on my way back to my desk I forget about it. I started using Wunderlist to add my tasks as a reminder. I have the app on my phone and when someone asks me for something I add it that very moment. I set it as my homepage so I can have a visual reminder of all the tasks I need to complete.

Get a whiteboard
Again, a visual reminder. When I walk into my office my whiteboard is there facing me with the tasks I need to remember to complete. If you are anything like me, you are good at working just not good at completing so take these steps seriously so that you always remember what needs to be completed.

Essentials right here, especially that first one. Upbeat music while working makes me so much more productive.

ADHD symptoms can also become a lot worse if you're not dieting right. ADHD people typically have lower normal levels of dopamine with higher peak levels, a bad diet can make those lows lower, and on top of that dopamine is not being replenished properly while you sleep compared to a non-ADHD person. Eat fruits, green vegetables, fish/nuts/supplemets with omega-3's, pro-biotics and fiber.

Try to do some kind of work out every day to wake up your central nervous system early in the day. Your central nervous system produces serotonin, when serotonin gets low ADHD symptoms can get worse. A jog, long walk or a set of sit ups early in the day will pay off later.

I recently learned that certain types of people with ADHD are also really sensitive to foods and supplements with too much Folic Acid and other b-vitamins. It can cause serious irritability if serotonin levels are low.

Also, try to find a creative hobby that you can dump all of your energy into and ideally capitalize off of. Finding something that you like to do which feels worthwhile is the most important thing ADHD or not.

Spoiler

vape weed

 

[freakzilla149]

According to those symptoms basically every active kid/person has ADHD..me included. Strangely enough I manage to get through life without any medication. I prefer to be easily distracted than heavily medicated to be honest.

If it hasn't led to damaging your life, chances are you do not have ADHD. Please stop being so dismissive. If you had ADHD and actually understood what it can mean to be "distracted" for a person with ADHD, if you actually experienced the effect of Ritalin on a mind like that you wouldn't spout such garbage about being medicated.

For me Ritalin is a vile thing that ruins my appetite and makes me more uncomfortable than 50 cups of coffee, but it gives me a chance to sit in front of my computer and just forget about games, tv, music, gaf and everything else and just focus on the work.

Again, think before you post.

 

[Saucycarpdog]

Funny that this thread pops up when the results from my psychological test are in next week. I think I do have ADHD with some certainty. I have trouble concentrating on even simple tasks and reading more than few pages of any sort of book tends to make me drift off. I'm also a very active person, I exercise at least twice a day(sometimes more) with music just blot out my anxiety and stress. And I don't now if others with ADHD can relate, but throughout school whenever I was learning something new I would always tend to overthink the whole concept to the point where I would tackle learning it in an over complicated manner.

Also, quick question to those of you with ADHD and are over the age of 30; have you felt the affects of the condition slowly start to fade? My pschiatrist told me that the mind starts "closing itself off" in your late 20s and early 30s since it has fully developed, and with that closing, your mind starts to get a lot better and shutting out distractions and fidgety nuances. This is apparently why lifelong medication isn't a proper solution to ADHD.

 

[HarryKS]

How does the doc provide a diagnostic for adult ADD/ ADHD?

Do they perform scans?

Also, what type of meds?

 

[deltatheta]

I feel like it isn't really a matter of whether you "have" ADHD or not. Everyone has problems focusing to various degrees. There's a fuzzy threshold that the psychological community considers to be "ADHD" but it's so indistinct and variable that it's pretty much a matter of opinion of individual doctors. But they have to pretend that the line is clearly defined because some highly controlled drugs are gated behind it.

 

[freakzilla149]

How does the doc provide a diagnostic for adult ADD/ ADHD?

Do they perform scans?

Also, what type of meds?

A questionnaire of about a dozen questions plus a conversation about how you do certain things. They try to gauge if this is actually enough of a problem to cause you difficulties in life or if it's other issues like a bad lifestyle etc.

Don't know too much, only ever had Ritalin.

 

[birthday-suit]

I don't have health insurance. How can I go about getting evaluated?

Just wait until the next enrollment period?

 

[glow]

Your OP is too long, coherent and intelligent for me to believe you have ADHD unless you wrote it over the span of 2 days.