Is this ADD/ADHD?
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hello, I know that this website isn't a substitute to a psychiatrist in getting advice, but I thought I would ask here before going to see my psychiatrist because it's something I find quite difficult to talk about with other people.
Firstly, I don't really have any of the physical symptoms of ADD/ADHD. I don't fidget, squirm or get restless sitting at a desk for hours on end. However, I find it very difficult to concentrate mentally, especially to audio, like people talking. From the age of about 9, I developed a habit of flicking my pen, because I found that it helped me concentrate a bit better, but at school I rarely could pay attention because as soon as the teacher started talking, I would just completely switch off. I was a major daydreamer: I built an entire world in my head, full of characters and events (sounds weird, I know), and every day when I got to class I would just drift off into thinking about it. Thankfully, I worked hard at home, so I was still able to get okay grades. I remember from a young age I would spend hours in my garden kicking around a football on my own. My parents thought I was bored, but actually, I was deep in thought; I would write whole novels in my head, and I found activities like pen flicking/kicking around a football seemed to help me focus on these ideas.
However, this way of thinking has its downsides. I am awfully organised, and although I have a very good visual memory (know all the worlds flags, know all the first/last names of a class of 300 from 4 years ago), my memory of conversations/orders is terrible. I can read a book and 5 minutes later recall nothing at all; same thing with listening to others, because my mind just drifts off. I did a mindfulness course last year, and I achieved absolutely nothing because even when I tried, I couldn't concentrate or focus my mind.
The reason I am worried about this now is because the symptoms are more problematic. I have been accused of being rude because when I am sitting at a table with two friends having a conversation I'll quickly zone out and then when asked something not know what they were talking about. Likewise, my inability to pay attention in seminars etc. can no longer be deflected by simply studying harder outside of class. It's also beginning to affect my mood as well. I don't really seem to have worlds/novels in my head anymore, instead its just constant rapid thoughts about various things, that start as soon as I wake up and are with me when I am trying to fall asleep.
What I want to know is, should I go and see a psychiatrist about this? It's inhibiting my life and I want to get it resolved, but I'm not sure if it truly is ADHD/ADD, or if its just an overactive imagination! Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
0 likes, 2 replies
hannah95367 FootballFan103
Posted
It sounds like It could be attention deficit disorder, sometimes symptoms can be mild and people fly under the radar, going years without a diagnosis. If you find its so bad that it's effecting your life in a negative way ( which it sounds like it is) I would seek medical help. Tell your GP about your concerns and he should refer you onto a specialist. Another possible explanation for this could be maldaptive day dream disorder. This is what I have, my symptoms include flicking the pen just like you do, zoning out and daydreaming for hours on end, rocking back and forth listening to music while I day dream and think of different scenarios etc. The difference is that I don't mind these habits, to me they are soothing. However it sounds like it is impacting your life in a negative way so I would indeed get help. Hope this helped! Good luck
russell45089 FootballFan103
Posted
Hi FootballFan,
I've only just found this site and your post really touched a nerve. I know that it was a long time ago, but it might help.
I experienced much of what you've descibed through your young years - lack of concentration, reasonable grades, over-active thinking and "living in your own world", sleep disorders (I used to sleep 4-5 hours a night), zoning out when bored, solitary activities, avoiding team-activities, individual sports, incredible memory (photographic at times), and yet forgetting conversations, appointments or events within minutes, while remembering exact details of siatuations I concentrated on. I was a trouble-maker throughout my academic and working life, and exceptionally successful at some things and an abject failure at anything that was boring. If something interested me, I was a super-achiever and fortunately had many jobs (over 35) that really intrigued me. Everything was a "project", with a start and an end. I was the guy who "push-started the train" and then handed over the keys to the "managers".
I was lucky, until my over-active imagination and high-energy levels drove me over the edge and I suffered a burn-out 4 years ago, and then my life collapsed. The destruction was enormous and continues to grow, ruining my friendships, family, career, relationships, home life, clients and eventually my professional reputation as my life spun out of control.
I was diagnosed full-on with burnout (PTSD) at the age of 54 and full on ADHD at 56. I never, ever considered the possibility - I just thought I thought differently to others.
I don't think you're ADD, but more likely ADHD. If you even suspect it, find ptofessional help. There are good meds to help and they should be used in conjunction with therapy initially (and not quack psychologists - try find the best psychiatrist you can knows about ADHD). Amateur "talk-about" psychologists are often a waste of time, and it's worth finding the best you can. Psychiatrists can prescibe the correct meds (Ritalin/Concerta/Methyl-phenidate helped me enormously, but too late to rescue a life pretty much ruined by a "disorder" that I had no idea I could possibly have). I'm not remotely the same person I was 5 years ago.
One of the big problems is that ADHD often progresses or "cohabits" into more serious disorders, and stress disorders and possibly dissociative disorders may develop (because the stress of not achieving the things you need to can lead to more serious consequences.
I could share a lot more but I hope this helps. Try get some really professional help soon.