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So...I found out I have ADHD...
- Thread starter kablooey
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MrAngryFace
Banned
open with a joke.
kablooey - I'm almost positive that I remember you posting about being in tons of advanced classes in school and being generally very, very smart. If this is the case, whatever form of ADHD you have can't be that bad. For you to be able to stay in classes like that requires exceptional listening and learning skills; none of which ADHD would provide...
That being said, be lucky. If anything I'm the one with ADHD in this thread
As for telling your parents? If they're that hard on you, then seek professional help yourself FIRST and have the doctor hand write a letter to your family explaining the situation. If they still cannot accept the fact that you may have a disorder, they have serious issues.
That being said, be lucky. If anything I'm the one with ADHD in this thread
As for telling your parents? If they're that hard on you, then seek professional help yourself FIRST and have the doctor hand write a letter to your family explaining the situation. If they still cannot accept the fact that you may have a disorder, they have serious issues.
And what were they? If you are one of those "OMG I got a B instead of an A, I am stupid" people I don't want to hear it.
Hell, even if you got D's or failed grades in those classes that proves that you would (obviously) do much better in the regular ones... nothing wrong with being normal like everyone else when it comes to academics.
Hell, even if you got D's or failed grades in those classes that proves that you would (obviously) do much better in the regular ones... nothing wrong with being normal like everyone else when it comes to academics.
kablooey said:Anyway...I've spent far too much time in this thread being distracted with trying to prove myself to MAF.
Thanks for the advice folks...what I really wanted to know though, is how do I go about telling my family/close friends about this?
Go to a doctor, get a diagnosis, if you have ADD tell your family. I would assume your family would be really supportive in that situation. If not, then they suck.
Just because it is "overdiagnosed" does not imply that it should be ignored or laughed at. I'm sure it is most often diagnosed in children, which is 100% understandable - it's very hard to tell if a kid has a disorder when they are young. At that age, ALL kids are generally immature and have a hard time understanding things.
I'd bet you more often than not, incorrect diagnosis of ADHD and similar disorders is in children, not teens and adults.
I'd bet you more often than not, incorrect diagnosis of ADHD and similar disorders is in children, not teens and adults.
Diablos said:And what were they? If you are one of those "OMG I got a B instead of an A, I am stupid" people I don't want to hear it.
Hell, even if you got D's or failed grades in those classes that proves that you would (obviously) do much better in the regular ones... nothing wrong with being normal like everyone else when it comes to academics.
Yeah, I did get a few D's, and if it weren't for parental intervention, it could've been a lot worse...
And I don't know, I see what you're saying, but massive underachievement is all relative, I think. Also, I'm in a bunch of "normal" classes right now, and close to failing almost all of them...
Meh... We all have ADHD if those are the symptoms. I can't finish an RPG either. Only ones I have finished were SoA, Grandia 2, Shining Force 1-2, and Shenmue 1-2. The reason why I haven't finished the rest is because I simply lost interest... stories didn't catch my interest or something like that. (Believe me, I've tried a lot too) I can't study either when I'm not interested in the subject. So what? What's so unnatural about that? We don't like to do things we aren't interested in. I have 5 classes this semester... I haven't touched one of the books at all, yet I'm still pulling an A in 4 of the classes. It is this society that has made us lazy bums. Oh I tell myself I want to study. I say it all the time... "Crap man... I need to study or else I'm going to fail." But it has been built into my head by years of experience that I only have to do the bare minimum to survive and that's all I will do. I have gotten by high school without reading one book for a book report because I found that I could freaken make up books or use sparknotes and would still get an A. I have found that I could study very little to pull an A on most tests or cheat to get the A. It's just so easy to do well in school that you just don't try anymore. It's just been built into my head from years of doing that bare minimum that I could still get A's, so I just don't care. I know that college has gotten harder and will continue to get harder, but I still believe, because I always have, that I can just glide right on through. Why? Because nothing has ever proved me wrong. I currently have a 3.63 gpa in my junior year from doing absofreakenlutely nothing. I need something to prove my beliefs wrong before I actually try to change... as much as I tell myself that I'm going to need to study in the future, my past and present have told me otherwise so I am reluctant to do it. You might say, I don't get A's... I get C's or something like that. Well, you probably just have different standards than me. My standards are A's and they are a must because that is how my family raised me. (The product of having asian parents) Your standards might be C's. (Could be D's or F's if you were raised that way to just not care about grades) I'm not saying your parents told you to flunk or anything, it's just they didn't really punish you/make you feel like you're going to be a bum when you got D's or F's like my parents did. You are content with getting C's so you just don't study. You might tell yourself you want A's, but deep down, you are fine with yourself when you get a C. Just my thoughts though... Also, if I had ADHD, I wouldn't be able to freaken spend 10 hours on this damn computer each day reading forums or news. It's just I do whatever I'm interested in or have fun doing. I'm sure you do something a lot too because you're freaken interested in it. (This forum) I recently read the whole Harry Potter series in a week because I was freaken interested in it. Guess what? Those were the first books I have EVER finished in my life besides Clifford or Where's Waldo. Those were fun books, that's why I read them. Other books just didn't catch my attention. I never thought I ever read Harry Potter before that, btw. Now what am I doing? I'm freaken obsessed with it and am waiting for Half-Blood Prince. I am actually visiting HP forums and websites to get news. It's because I'm interested. You can ask anyone that knows me too... I am definitely not someone who likes to read. This happens to everyone. Saying you have ADHD is just a freaken cop out, IMHO. I just say I'm a lazy bum. Sometimes I wonder if ADHD is real but then I just really think to myself about why the hell I'm so damn lazy and I come to the conclusions I mentioned above. Who knows though... There may very well be ADHD so I don't want to bash you or anything. I'm not in your body so I wouldn't know.
ADD/ADHD are the ubiquitous examples of modern psychiatry being a sham. Just about every anti-psychiatry book written since the 1960s tackles these "disorders." When it comes down to it, when you're treating stuff like this, you're not treating neurological disorders, you're treating personality flaws.
Also, I have every symptom of Asperger's Syndrome. . . at least when I squint hard enough.
Depression is probably covered in every a-p book written since the 80s. It's horribly over-diagnosed, and I think they've dumbed down the diagnostic criteria for it, but it is an actual disorder. The SSRI revolution of the late 80s-early 90s lead to just about every unhappy prole wanting to get sicked up and hooked up on the happy pills.
From what I understand, the 90's "Big Depression" has sort of faded. . .today apparently bipolar disorder is the new over-diagnosed sweetheart. Hmmmm, I wonder why: Could it be because meds for bipolar folks cost quite a bit more than those for depressed folks? Naaaah, why would that matter. That would be like insinuating the reason Adderol has replaced Ritalin is because it costs more as well.
ALSO: Adderol was developed in the 1970s to keep Air Force pilots alert during sub-atmospheric test flights. It *is* speed. It was developed without a legitimate use in mind.
ALSO 2: The FDA okayed Ritalin to be used to treat depression (this was just last year I believe). That's just screwed up. Sure, the amphetamine high will make the person feel better about themselves, but a week later, when they've gained tolerance, it's not going to do shit. Oh well, at least this means Ritalin will still make cash.
Also, I have every symptom of Asperger's Syndrome. . . at least when I squint hard enough.
Depression is probably covered in every a-p book written since the 80s. It's horribly over-diagnosed, and I think they've dumbed down the diagnostic criteria for it, but it is an actual disorder. The SSRI revolution of the late 80s-early 90s lead to just about every unhappy prole wanting to get sicked up and hooked up on the happy pills.
From what I understand, the 90's "Big Depression" has sort of faded. . .today apparently bipolar disorder is the new over-diagnosed sweetheart. Hmmmm, I wonder why: Could it be because meds for bipolar folks cost quite a bit more than those for depressed folks? Naaaah, why would that matter. That would be like insinuating the reason Adderol has replaced Ritalin is because it costs more as well.
ALSO: Adderol was developed in the 1970s to keep Air Force pilots alert during sub-atmospheric test flights. It *is* speed. It was developed without a legitimate use in mind.
ALSO 2: The FDA okayed Ritalin to be used to treat depression (this was just last year I believe). That's just screwed up. Sure, the amphetamine high will make the person feel better about themselves, but a week later, when they've gained tolerance, it's not going to do shit. Oh well, at least this means Ritalin will still make cash.
bionic77 said:
The thing is though, I have to go to my parents before going to the doctor. I said so in my first post, but I don't know if my insurance covers psychological visits. I have to tell my parents first to find out if it does. And I think that they're naturally going to be a little cynical/skeptical, like many here.
Retardboy: the enter/return key is your friend
The way classes are taught in school is bullshit. It's all the same. If you can't adapt, you're screwed. You could be a very intelligent person otherwise, but from an academic standpoint things could be a complete disaster. I see what you're saying... but honestly, I strongly disagree with the way we are taught. I don't care if they're we're talking second grade, high school or college...
For example I'd say about HALF of the programmers I've talked to have said they have no fucking clue why they have to take a million Calculus classes. I've read things such as "I've been in the programming field for 8+ years and can't remember the last time I had to do a traditional math problem for programming." Just because programming logic is LIKE math does not mean it IS math. Teachers and industry fails to realize that. I'd bet you there are tons of ways to teach people how to program without shoving math problems in your face day after day. In fact, that's why I avoid programming like the plague. There's no doubt I'd be screwed when it came to math. Honestly... I wouldn't pass.
If ADHD is just a joke, maybe you should watch one of the few shows left on MTV that is worth watching -- True Life. They had a special on kids with ADHD and how drugs they took helped the situation but also made them addicts.
kablooey said:
The way classes are taught in school is bullshit. It's all the same. If you can't adapt, you're screwed. You could be a very intelligent person otherwise, but from an academic standpoint things could be a complete disaster. I see what you're saying... but honestly, I strongly disagree with the way we are taught. I don't care if they're we're talking second grade, high school or college...
For example I'd say about HALF of the programmers I've talked to have said they have no fucking clue why they have to take a million Calculus classes. I've read things such as "I've been in the programming field for 8+ years and can't remember the last time I had to do a traditional math problem for programming." Just because programming logic is LIKE math does not mean it IS math. Teachers and industry fails to realize that. I'd bet you there are tons of ways to teach people how to program without shoving math problems in your face day after day. In fact, that's why I avoid programming like the plague. There's no doubt I'd be screwed when it came to math. Honestly... I wouldn't pass.
If ADHD is just a joke, maybe you should watch one of the few shows left on MTV that is worth watching -- True Life. They had a special on kids with ADHD and how drugs they took helped the situation but also made them addicts.
Diablos said:Retardboy: the enter/return key is your friend
Too lazy to press the return key.
Diablos said:
This is exactly why I changed majors from Computer Science. I didn't want to do the math. Or shall I say... I wouldn't have been able to do the math.
At least in a timely fashion.Diablos said:
I remember that. And I remember that one dude that decided to not take it and still did just fine. If you really really truly have a desire to do it, you can do it.
D
Deleted member 1235
Unconfirmed Member
what does a doctor do to diagnose ADD?
oh, and why does telling your folks need to be a thing at all? Why don't you just go make yourself a sandwich and while doing so say "Hey mum, I think I have ADHD"
oh, and why does telling your folks need to be a thing at all? Why don't you just go make yourself a sandwich and while doing so say "Hey mum, I think I have ADHD"
kablooey said:
I don't know your parents, if it were my parents I would just be straight with them and tell them what I was worried about and to schedule an appointment. Like I said, with a medical problem I can't imagine your parents being dicks about it, but then again I don't know your parents.
Makura said:
NO MAN ITS ALL IN YOUR HEAD. OH PLUS DEPRESSED PEOPLE CAN JUST START THINKING HAPPY THOUGHTS AND MAGICALLY NOT BE DEPRESSD ANYMORE.
Now I don't suffer from ADD/ADHD or severe depression, but some of the replies in this thread are stupid. I fully agree that far too many kids these days are "diagnosed" incorrectly, but some people DO ACTUALLY SUFFER FROM THESE CONDITIONS. To blow it off is pretty stupid.
Yeah. I'm kind of sick of computers altogether outside of it being a uh, hobby. Even things like Active Directory are a royal pain. The thinking behind implementing it is a bitch.
But it's like, I need an escape route if this doesn't work. And I have no idea what the hell it is.
retardboy: Fine, but that's one person. Maybe he just had a 'personality problem.' But that girl no doubt had a slight mental disorder when it came to her learning abilities.
I mean, blaming everything on 'personality disorders' is bullshit. Jack the Ripper did NOT have a personality disorder ok. It was well beyond that.
But it's like, I need an escape route if this doesn't work. And I have no idea what the hell it is.
retardboy: Fine, but that's one person. Maybe he just had a 'personality problem.' But that girl no doubt had a slight mental disorder when it came to her learning abilities.
I mean, blaming everything on 'personality disorders' is bullshit. Jack the Ripper did NOT have a personality disorder ok. It was well beyond that.
Ninja Scooter
Member
MrAngryFace said:
:lol
retardboy said:
Ah, here's another problem. I can concentrate on things that I like doing (though not as much as I'd like, which scares me the most). But only being able to do what you want to do simply isn't very realistic, and the biggest hurdle is getting myself to buckle down to do the things I don't want to do to get to the things I do. Make sense?
D
Deleted member 1235
Unconfirmed Member
kablooey said:
And that's what makes me think you don't have ADD.
kablooey said:
heh it scares me too that I can't concetrate as much as I want to on things that I like, but think of it this way: If you can concetrate on those things, even a little, then the trouble with school isn't because of ADD. Or at least not completely because of ADD.
You should still go to a doctor, but trying to change on your own won't hurt. I'm doing it right now and teh_pwn's post where he said he would work for hours and not accomplish much describes me perfectly.. still, I'm not going to wait until a doctor sets out a plan for me. I will go to one eventually (probably after this semester), but there's nothing suggesting that I can't help myself on my own. It might not "cure" it, but I'll get better. Moving, even a little, is better then standing still. Or something like that...
"Sure, the amphetamine high will make the person feel better about themselves, but a week later, when they've gained tolerance, it's not going to do shit. Oh well, at least this means Ritalin will still make cash."
If anything, the drug suppresses emotions instead of giving me a high. I've been on the drug for over 10 years and it continues to work.
"Ah, here's another problem. I can concentrate on things that I like doing (though not as much as I'd like, which scares me the most). But only being able to do what you want to do simply isn't very realistic, and the biggest hurdle is getting myself to buckle down to do the things I don't want to do to get to the things I do. Make sense?"
I can pay attention more to things I enjoy doing, but I still have problems sometimes. I think anyone would tend to pay more attention to things they like, no just people with ADD.
I also don't think that the disorder is black and white. There is a lot of gray in between.
If anything, the drug suppresses emotions instead of giving me a high. I've been on the drug for over 10 years and it continues to work.
"Ah, here's another problem. I can concentrate on things that I like doing (though not as much as I'd like, which scares me the most). But only being able to do what you want to do simply isn't very realistic, and the biggest hurdle is getting myself to buckle down to do the things I don't want to do to get to the things I do. Make sense?"
I can pay attention more to things I enjoy doing, but I still have problems sometimes. I think anyone would tend to pay more attention to things they like, no just people with ADD.
I also don't think that the disorder is black and white. There is a lot of gray in between.
Megafoo Chavez
I love EGM
smoke weed.
I used to think I might have had ADD on account of my habit of zoning out when reading boring school stuff, but I'm pretty sure it was just laziness. I still hate reading overly verbose academic journals and similar type stuff for research, but it's an evil I've grown used to. I'm pretty sure if you find yourself able to focus fine for some things but not others, it's just your own laziness/disinterest. If you really had ADHD, I don't think you would've been able to even type your post without getting distracted by a bug on the window, or something to that effect.
Maxwell House
Member
Everyone has a harder time concentrating on things they don't enjoy doing. It doesn't sound to me like you have ADD at all, just a lack of willpower when it comes to doing things you are supposed to do (study, work, etc). More of a personality disorder than some chemical imbalance IMO.
I don't know if this had any affect, but I fell out of a shopping cart and had a concussion when I was about 2.
I've had 6 concussions since I was 11 years old. 3 of them required extended stays in the hospital. As I've said before, I don't remember September 11th.
This is irrelevant to the discussion -- I just like to brag about how many times I've had concussions.
I'm an fourth year psych major at UC Berkeley. I'm working on two different studies involving ADHD. ADHD is a real clinical diagnosis with well defined criteria and subtypes. There is a lot of controversy with the label. A lot of people have attentional problems and it's perfectly normal. However, there is a small percentage of the population, whose ability to maintain attention is way below normal and whose hyperactivity is way off the chart ( though hyperactivity is not necessary for the ADHD label, there is an Inattentive subtype where there are "only" attention problems). It can be a very debilitating condition. ADHD has been shown to have correlations with certain genetic factors as well as pregnant mothers who smoke or drink. The general public has a lack of understanding of ADHD, which leads to incredulity and overdiagnosis in some cases (and underdiagnosis in people with lower socio-economic status). That said, a person cannot self-diagnose themself with ADHD and must be assessed by a trained professional.
Ferrio said:
And that's why Computer Science sucks! Software Engineering 4 LYFE!!!
.. seriously, all the theory of CS is for a very select group of individuals that really really care about proving EVERYTHING. For people who just want to program, being extremely logical and understanding low-level computer concepts should be enough. In terms of mathematics, it all depends on what you want to do. I'm strong in math, but I don't know very many high level math concepts. I could if I learned them, but I don't. BUT if you're gonna do any type of game programming, then you need to know them...
RevenantKioku
PEINS PEINS PEINS PEINS PEINS PEINS PEINS PEINS PEINS PEINS PEINS PEINS oh god i am drowning in them
I mean, I love kids. Happy pills for everyone!
In my highly unprofessional opinion, I think 99% of these "problems" come down to bad parenting, stress or just plain old life.
Yeah, I used to think I had problems, then I realized I wanted to see if I could get by without needing drugs. And I can. So give that a shot, if you seriously can't, then you're one of the unlucky few. But don't just go throwing in the towel just because the symptoms line up. I had all the symptoms of appendicitis, and it was just an intestinal virus. Get my point?
In my highly unprofessional opinion, I think 99% of these "problems" come down to bad parenting, stress or just plain old life.
Yeah, I used to think I had problems, then I realized I wanted to see if I could get by without needing drugs. And I can. So give that a shot, if you seriously can't, then you're one of the unlucky few. But don't just go throwing in the towel just because the symptoms line up. I had all the symptoms of appendicitis, and it was just an intestinal virus. Get my point?
Alcibiades
Member
kablooey said:Err, yeah. Fascinating, huh? Ooh, look, butterflies! *chases
This was pretty unexpected, to be honest. I've been having problems concentrating on schoolwork, instead opting to fool around here on the net, and elsewhere, or listen to music. I know everyone has this from time to time, but I actually want to concentrate...yet, I can't.
Anyway, I read somewhere about some people who had ADD, and their symptoms seemed to match mine. I looked more into it, and almost every listed symptom of ADHD is applicable to me, and has been since I was a kid. I have no idea why I was never diagnosed as a kid, actually. Also, having a 'hyperactive disorder' isn't as fun as it sounds
So, the hard part is now informing my parents about this, and figuring out where to go from here. I wish I didn't have to tell my parents though, as any kind of mental "deficiency" is a major taboo in our family...however, the counselor at the school psychological services says that I can only be offically diagnosed by a shrink, which would cost money, and I'm not sure if my insurance covers psychological visits. So, I'm forced to ask my parents to find out.
Getting to the point: does anyone here know some people who've gone through something similar? Did medication and such work out for them? General support would also be appreciated, because my life is going to be pretty damn chaotic until all this gets sorted out.
my mom thought I had it and I got diagnosed with it after several visits and some testing with a pyschologist/therapist person. I keep on tell my mom I'm fine though (even though she eventually saw the results even though they were supposed to be private, she claimed it was an accident).
for the longest time she's been pressuring me to take pills or some sort of medication, but really I'm not sure I want to, since I'm paranoid about medications...
personally, I know the whole "constantly on edge" thing, but I'd rather live on the plane of reality even if it's a little off from normal than do medication. I hope I can change things through other natural means, though I know sometime my habits can negatively affect my study/social/entertainment part of my life. My days are a total mess sometimes, as I have no sleeping or study habits, just generally go about things on a day-to-day, hour-to-hour basis, and weather/health/social paranoias have too much of a grip sometimes...
That said, my advice is just deal with whatever it is (whether it's ADHD or not) as even I'm not sure I have something genetic, I tend to think my general psyche was thrown off track as a child and maybe can be corrected to some extent with other things other than medication.
I have a lot of the 'symptoms.' For the most part, I can barely listen for 5 minutes to an instructor blabbing if it is a subject that I'm not interested in. That probably just comes from disinterest. However, sometimes I get so antsy that I have to get up and leave the class and walk around. I've skipped class once or twice because I started feeling overly antsy and eager to leave.
Hopefully not ADHD, but I'm going to work on calming my nerves without meds. I think my problem is that I have too many stimulants sucking away my attention (ex. computers, games, art, women, etc. etc.) and I want to enjoy them all (and I DO enjoy them all, except in little pieces, such as in 10 minute intervals). I just need to learn to say no to some things and start focusing on one thing at a time. I keep on trying to say yes to everything I want to do, so I often end up playing games for about 30 minutes, studying for about 10, then getting on the internet for an hour... This goes on and on and on in a cycle. On the internet, I often have six browsers open at a time ( or tabs in firefox) and switch between them every 5 or 10 minutes to look at different topics.
I don't know if there is any way that I would be able to study a subject for 10 hours a day. I want to, but I always start getting antsy. I've not yet developed the calm to do that. I don't think I need medication, but I need some way to develop a kind of calm and focus. I believe all of my attention problems are derived of me not telling myself no and just focusing on one thing back in my younger days and it got into a habit.
Hopefully not ADHD, but I'm going to work on calming my nerves without meds. I think my problem is that I have too many stimulants sucking away my attention (ex. computers, games, art, women, etc. etc.) and I want to enjoy them all (and I DO enjoy them all, except in little pieces, such as in 10 minute intervals). I just need to learn to say no to some things and start focusing on one thing at a time. I keep on trying to say yes to everything I want to do, so I often end up playing games for about 30 minutes, studying for about 10, then getting on the internet for an hour... This goes on and on and on in a cycle. On the internet, I often have six browsers open at a time ( or tabs in firefox) and switch between them every 5 or 10 minutes to look at different topics.
I don't know if there is any way that I would be able to study a subject for 10 hours a day. I want to, but I always start getting antsy. I've not yet developed the calm to do that. I don't think I need medication, but I need some way to develop a kind of calm and focus. I believe all of my attention problems are derived of me not telling myself no and just focusing on one thing back in my younger days and it got into a habit.
Honestly, I think much of my problem stems from not hearing the word 'no' enough as a kid and being unable to tell it to myself. Being disciplined means being able to say no to things I want to do and to eventually break my emotional attachment to them. But the way I was reared was that I was encouraged to go off and experiment with all sorts of different interests (games, art, athletics, etc.), so my mind goes on a free-for-all on whatever activities I'm currently interested in. I want to do it all, so I just do little pieces of everything in succession instead of spending 2 hours drawing, 3 studying, etc. It's more like 10 drawing, 20 studying, and 20 on the internet. It's a terrible habit and is one that I'm slowly trying to break.
pfffffff.....
There are so many misconceptions about adhd. There are so many different forms of adhd. Yet almost everybody is generalizing once again...
Personally think I don't think it has to be terrible to find out you've got adhd. I actually was relieved when the docter told me. Once you find out what it is you can work on it. And that doesn't mean taking medication.
Always the medication. Just because the parents want the kids to get high grades at school. It is pretty f**ked up if you ask me.
There are so many misconceptions about adhd. There are so many different forms of adhd. Yet almost everybody is generalizing once again...
Personally think I don't think it has to be terrible to find out you've got adhd. I actually was relieved when the docter told me. Once you find out what it is you can work on it. And that doesn't mean taking medication.
Always the medication. Just because the parents want the kids to get high grades at school. It is pretty f**ked up if you ask me.
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