how do u know if u have ADD?...i've read the syndrome of ADD and i think i have ADD but am not sure..helP?
540248
The only person that can truly determine if you have ADD or not is a pysichiatrist after loads of evaluations, I'm afraid. :/
1091549
Very hyperactive, poor grades, lack of attention span...are some symptoms. I know a child who was almost diagnosed with ADD but it turned out he was suffering from epilepsy and having brief seizures where he'd just space out. So be careful in the diagnosis, involve a professional and teacher's help.
57923
acually Nick more kids get ADD everyday. There was this boy i know he was 8 when he got treated for it now he takes pills because he became out of control. (sorry to disagree)
453976
Why can't you ask a psychologist to diagnose you... are you under age and your parents don't want to (go see the school counselor)? Is there no insurance or an issue with your insurance company in this regard? Or does the mere thought turn your anxiety up through the roof (this one is a strong indicator for the first condition I mention below)?\n\nAnyway...\n\nLosing concentration in a social situation, and having difficulty conversing with others, could be any number of things.\n\nSocial Anxiety/agoraphobia is the most likely cause, but it takes a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist to do any diagnosis, so don't take what I'm saying as one. Anyway, agoraphobia is treated with medication and therapy. It can also contribute to difficulty concentrating at school and in other stressful situations, and can be a quite serious condition.\nYou might have attention deficit...but that by itself usually does not make someone a "social recluse"...quite the opposite!\nIt probably isn't Asperger's (although like I said before, I'm not diagnosing you, here). In the autistic spectrum, the person does not read social cues from others or learn social rules effectively. They also usually don't show their own emotions with the same set of body language as everyone else. While people with autistic-spectrum disorders, especially the higher-intelligence ones, feel a great deal of anxiety in social situations, it's more a foot-in-mouth problem rather than clamming up, especially for Aspergers. This is a generalization, but I'm trying to summarize this in less than half a page..lol.\n\nAnyway, the ONLY way to really identify your exact issue and needs is to get a diagnosis, and treatment through couselling (and medication if absolutely necessary).
598976
Check out the links I've posted below. As someone with ADD I know how difficult it can be. The first one is the National ADD Association. The second one is a site explicitly for adults and children living with ADD and the third is a mental health site, which also has some helpful links.
682970
You get forever stuck and by the time you realize you have it, your life is ruined, lol.  Make lists and lots of them.  Beg your doctor for a trial bottle of ritilan or similar.  If it has a calming effect on you, you have ADD.  If you feel wound up like most of the population would, then you don't.
342436
ADD (actually it's ADHD) is onew of the most studied conditions in medicine- it's definitely not a farce.  You don't have to be hyperactive to have it- it's more about your brain's ability to organize and focus.  A good book to read is "Driven to Distraction" by Hallowell and Ratey.  The most thorough and up-to date book I have read on the subject is "Attention Deficit Disorder" by Brown.  You should seek a clinical consultation, preferably with someone who is experienced in recognizing ADHD.  Correct treatment can make a  huge difference in your life, so so whatever it takes! P.S. contact me if you want more info...
1163865
Maybe you have to make a list - could be a form of ADD.  I know I get doing things and get distracted too.  As long as you get the important stuff done.
1115084
I definitely have ADD.... ADHD, the inattentive type, not the hyperactive type.  I am a pediatric occupational therapist and I have a Master's degree.  My job allows me to be always moving (my body) around and keeping active.  I know if I had a desk job I would be falling asleep at work.  I would look for a career field that doesn't involve a lot of "sit at your desk and be quiet"-ness.  People with ADD/ADHD often need a lot more movement stimulation in their days in order to be functional.  If you're stuck with a desk job scenario, i would try to find opportunities for movement breaks throughout the day to re-energize your nervous system.
1163290
It's obvious to me that you are pretty much "in touch" with yourself and at the same time I believe if you could read what you just wrote with my eyes/thoughts, you might be able to answer your own question.\n\nGood luck getting an anwer that makes sense to you.\n\nAnd BTW... I am somewhat familiar with Aspergers but more so with its cousin, Autism.
922206
Well, first you need to look at your family history.  Has anyone in your family ever been bipolar or had bipolar tendencies?  If so, then here's the second question:  Are you ADD or ADHD?\n\nHere's my personal story:\n\nI started my period at 11.  By 13 I hit "teenager" years and by 14 I was into puberty.  You know, boobs, hair, voice, the works.  Except something happened.  I turned into Frankenstein's Mood monster.  I was always either really excited and upbeat, or so depressed that I would stay in my room for days and bite off anyone's head who tried to talk to me.\n\nMy family became so distraut that they finally talked about sending me to a boarding school.  the house was always tense, but I thought it was everyone else.  I was kicked out several times, moved back home, and just barely made it through my teen years without going crazy.  When I was 21, I married, and my husband saw the same thing in me - we were always fighting, and I knew it was always my fault.  I felt crazy because my moodswings were so bad.\n\nAfter lots of research and lots of crazy doctors trying to prescribe me medicines, I learned the most facinating thing:  Kids who are ADD or ADHD and go through puberty actually experience bipolar tendencies.  It's a natural, hormone-imbalance.  And since I was ADHD my whole life, it was normal.  Man I wish someone had know that back then!!!!!!\n\nHere's what you need to do:  Find out if you're ADD or ADHD.  Change your diet from sugars and white flours to lots of grains, good dark green vegetables, and unprocessed sugars and eat healthy.  Exercise and work out regularly.  Talk to your doctor about natural ways to balance out your hormones through this period.  It's possible.\n\nIt's okay, you're going to be alright.  You'll make it through this, even though now it doesn't seem like it. \n\nIf it is bipolar, you would have known at an early age, before this time.  Since you're 14 and starting to experience these symptoms, I would say most likely it's that your hormones are turning you into a woman.  Hang in there, girl!
279983
The syndrome Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) defies a concrete definition. There are no blood tests, brain scans, or psychological tests that definitively diagnose it.\n\nNot all Attention Deficit Disorders display the same exact symptoms.  There are many combinations of cognitive and behavioral problems that may exist.\n\nADD/ADHD is not an imaginary disorder.  It is a chronic developmental disorder which is genetically based.  It is not a learning disability, but can co?exist with learning disabilities in approximately 25 to 33 percent of those diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.\n\nIn general when the public deals with issues concerning children, they don’t want to believe that ADD/ADHD is a real problem that requires medication because it is often treated with Ritalin which is a controlled substance.  \n\nStudies have found that stimulants are the single most effective way to treat this disorder.  \n\n\n\n\nIs that enough or would you like more?
147275
i think add is highly over diagnosed and unnecesary. people will blame anything on add, when really there is usually another problem. add was not even an illness in the DSM until recently (even considering the fact that it was changed from adhd) people need to get over this whole add obsession and figure out the real problem as to why their child isn't doing well in school. if i were in school today i would probably be considered add (which i'm not)
476338
I'm surprised that your doctor can't provide any answers. Is this a your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist? Your primary care doc may not have the best information, but if it's your psychiatrist, geez... \n\nGo back and get more specific. Ask for options or reading material. Do a Web search (www.webmd.com is a good place to start), and get your own information. Sometimes you have to take charge of your own care. \n\nYou also should ask the school about adaptive teaching for you. This is a disability and they can make accommodations. My son has ADHD and needs extra time to complete papers becuase he has trouble focusing. He also takes his exams with a headphone playing classical music. It helps keep him from getting distracted by other things in the classroom. \n\nGood luck, and I wish I could offer more insight. I know there are medications for this, but you already may be taking them. One key is to take them all the time. People with bi-polar disorder tend to drop the meds when they're in the "good mood" phase.
444265
Well the first thing is to ask if you have hard time concentrating?  more than is normal?  do you misplace things often? it affects people in many different ways. For example, some people pace or walk around in circles unable to concentrate.  Others are amazingly hyper and totally out of control.  I guess what you really need to ask yourself is do you feel in complete control of your actions or to you do things impulsively without knowing why?  If you do you might have it?  Just a note.  Many doctors are very much against recognizing add and many are much more lenient so if you are not getting officially tested but are rather discussing it with a doctor first you should probably get a second opinion to make sure you are getting the correct treatment.
933054
If and only if what ever I am concentrating on is interesting to me, and if I take some breaks if it gets boring! I to have those letters they say you wont be able to concentrate on nothing (ADHD), this is not so! Just have to find ways around your limitations, like taking breaks....
468651
I have a son with ADD/ADHD.  Sometimes it is tough but you always love your child.  Honestly, I see my son for the wonderful kid that he is because he might have ADD/ADHD, it doesn't have him.  He is on the honour roll at school and he is active in his youth group.  Everybody loves him!  As for lax parenting, not a problem, I have a background in Psychology...Personality Profiling so I know how to get him out of his episodes.  I recommend to you to volunteer at a children's shelter or a mental hospital and make your own observations.  You might be suprized what you learn.  It's a real disorder and 96% of our population lives with a mental health disorder.  What mental health disorder are you living with or are you 4% of the population as a product of lax parenting yourself?