OK, so I have been looking into the possibility of my 4 year old having ADHD. In my searches, I have come across several websites talking about adult ADHD and I'm starting to wonder about myself now too. I am always loosing things, I have about ten thousand "to do" and "grocery" lists scattered around, I have to write out a packing list before I leave the house for even a couple hours because if I don't, I WILL forget something. I am also one of those people that others tend to stare at when i make a random jump mid conversation because they can't figure out how I got from point A to point B (neither can I most of the time). I always have several songs playing in my head at the same time, either on top of eachother or alternating one word from one song, then one from another (very confusing). I listen to music all the time because if I don't every little sound will distract me and send me wandering through the house trying to figure out what it was. I have even been known on several occasions to switch between print and cursive when I am writing, usually several times, and sometimes in the middle of a word.
I have thought about the possibility of ADHD before but always ruled it out because, if you give me a good book, i will be lost for hours. But in trying to research to figure out if my daughter might have it, I read some things about hyperfocus so now I don't know. I have never been hyper per se, but I fidget like crazy. Growing up i always made sure to paint my nails Saturday night so I could pick it off during church and avoid going crazy from boredom and sitting still.
So if anyone out there has adult ADHD and could either tell me I am just crazy and there is nothing wrong with me or point me in the right direction research wise, I would be very greatful.
Also, is this something that can be diagnosed at something like a community mental health center as I have no health insurance?
thats funny i was wondering the same thing about myself! i am going to talk to my doctor about this at my physcial. i am all over the place too. i can't sit still and have been that way since i can remember. I can't wait to see the responses. glad i am not alonee in thinking this.
Uhg. Go the the mental health center and ask if you can have an Adult ADHD evaluation. There is no longer an ADD diagnosis, it is all ADHD of various types, and it is just not true that you cannot hold still ever. Some people have the H, and can stay still sometimes, some less than others, but there are gross missunderstandings about what ADHD is, and isn't and there is no one thing that people always do or never do that either rule it in or out. It is a disorder of various types (inatentive type, hyperactive type, and combined type) and degree, some are mild, some moderate, some severe. Even if you are inatentive, and have trouble with organizational issues, this does not mean that you will have total abscence of all skill in that area. That you can concentrate on a book, only means that you either have the ability to hyper focus, or that process, reading, is not effected by the basic brain dysfunction. Like any other biological process that is impaired, some days, and some functions are better in some people than others.
Of those people with ADHD, some are very intellegent, and some not so much and everywhere in between. Some have one or more comorbid conditions that are very commonly assoicated with ADHD, and some do not. Some have trouble with speech and langaguge, some do not., and many have difficulty with visual motor and visual processing.
It is very common for ADHD to run in families, so it would make sense that you are seeking evaluation for your daughter as well.
Brain cells do not touch, there is a tiny space called a synapes between each one. When we have thoughts, our thoughts are carried over the brain cells by electrical impulses. When the impulses reach the synapes, our bodies make electrochemicals called neurotransmitters to carry the thought over the space to the next brain cell. It happends hundreds of millions of times a second. If your body does not make enough neurotransmitters or the neurotransmittler receptor is damaged, you have ADHD. Some people use movement to stimulate thought process, some just lose track. Some have more issues with controling impulses, they cannot seem to interrupt an impulse or activate what they know about right and wrong. Most have difficulty with something called executive function.
When you get your daughter evaluated, you need to find a way to own a private evaluation. Do not settle for a visit to a pediatrician, you need either a developmental pediatrician or a psychiatrist/ neuropsychological evaluation combination. It is possible to diagnose this young, contrary to popular misconception, but you do need a full evaluation from a qualified professional. Additionally, contact your local school district, it is their responsiblity to identify all children over the age of 3 with disablities who live in their boundaries. You should try very hard to own your own evlauation to keep them honest, especailly by the time she is school aged.
Look up CHADD, suscribe to additudes magazine, read anything by Dr. Russel Barkley ro Dr. Mel Levine, and log on to www.wrightslaw.com to learn about ADHD and school advocacy.
Good luck!
M.
I hate to say it, but you do sound like you have ADD, maybe even ADHD. The reason I say that is because I too have it and do most of what you do. People with ADD/ADHD are often sound and or light sensitive, even textures or patterns can be distracting. I'd start looking at a book or magazine at the middle, go to the end, then jump to the start. I'll walk down into the basement with a list of 3 or more things I need to get and forget anything more than three. You can tell how I'm writing this...jumping around in though and going from using numerals to writing it out. To others we may seem scatter brained, or eccentric and quirky, but the ability to hyper focus and multi-task are our strong suits. I'm an artist and I can work all night on a project and it will feel like an hour...yet ask me to sit down and take a test or practice an instrument and you might as well be torturing me. There are many possible causes, but it does tend to be hereditary. Diet can help. Cut out sugar, red food color, most all processed food, dairy and glutten. Hard to do, especially for your child. Fish oil, flax seed oil, vitamin B-12 are also huge helps. Eating a good protein source for breakfast and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day are critical.
I was tested by the school psychologist when I was in the 11th grade. My parents suspected it for years but since I got good grades the school didn't believe there was a problem. When I was tested, they found out there was. Getting the diagnosis was crucial for getting into college since even though I had all A's and a few B's, my ACTs weren't so good. Once in college, I was given the opportunity to take big tests in a separate location with unlimited time. I signed up for the Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic where I was able to get all of my textbooks on audio cassette, since I learned best by hearing what I was reading. I was finally able to comprehend my readings the first time through, which was awesome!
Everyone has different ways of learning. All this is, is a learning difference. I will be checking out a place http://www.insightwellness.org/web/ for my son...maybe myself too. Just be cautious of the medication. Some people do better on something, others not. The Amen Clinic has a good web site on the differences in brains and there are several categories of ADD/ADHD, according to them, that act and are treated very differently. I was put on Ritalin, but had a bad reaction to it. I'm not a fan...but perhaps I have a different brain type. A lot of doctors are quick to prescribe, so my suggestion would be to try the natural approaches first, especially without health care. Sometimes, surprisingly, it is all a food allergy. Sometimes a bad reaction to a vaccine. http://osteomed2.com/children.aspx .The state may have programs to look into. Best of luck to you and your child. It isn't easy, but you learn "tools" to cope and can great lives. Definitely more interesting ones. ;)
People who are truly ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) can not hold still even if interested in something. Some part of them is moving, fidgeting even when reading a good book. I was diagnosed as a child with ADHD. As it turns out I was just a kid who was mildly ADD and full of energy, because if something did catch my attention I could sit still for hours as well. ADD for me is mostly a internal brain thing, I can feel myself getting mixed up inside at times, feel my focus slipping, I forget things unless I write it down or if I'm not fully looking at someone when they tell me something, it just doesn't stick. You may also not be ADHD but simply ADD, it sounds like you might be.
As for your daughter, be careful about believing a diagnosis, it is very easy at such a young age to be misdiagnosed. Because if it's possible for her to be still when something has her attention, then it's likely she's just a energetic child who gets bored easily. If it turns out that she is actually ADHD then there really is better ways to deal with it besides medical, though a very low dosage could work if she turns out to be. The pills they gave me I hated, partly because I wasn't ADHD, they were downers and while they were nice for my teachers, made me still, my mind was still wandering and I still wasn't doing well in school. If your girl is simply ADD it's better to get your child into an extra study program that will help her work around her ADD, something that will help her understand that she can focus if she puts her mind to it and what times are the right times to focus. It helped me, but unfortunately too late.
I hope this helps.
First off.. if you haven't already go read this book:
"You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?!?" by kate kelly & peggy ramundo
http://www.amazon.com/You-Mean-Lazy-Stupid-Crazy/dp/07432...
I often recommend it to parents of adhd kids because it puts things in a long view perspective... but it's specifically written about and from an adult adhd perspective.
Here ia an amazing website:
http://addclasses.com/
A lot of these "classes" and information are free. This website is a virtual support and education resource helping people affected by Attention Deficit Disorder lead happier and more productive lives. They offer Live TeleSeminars, a convenient ADD Audio Library, and ADD Support Programs.
Good luck!
I don't think you are crazy at alllllllllll!!!! If you don't have insurance and don't want to take meds, I would look at your diet or go to a herbologist or alternative medicine. I know fish oil helps me to concentrate and remember things better. I think you you may have ADHD, but I think you can try other techniques to help you.
There are some natural ways that you might wnt to try before you do anything else. My daighter was not diagnosed AD/HD but ADD. She was not hyperactive but she was very attention deficit. After we had her tested and the diagnosis was completed her Dad acknowledged that he probably had the same problems. A natural food store can often help with finding something to try before you go on any other medications. I am sure that you can research this on line as well. I am sorry that I cannot remember the name but I doknow that they exist.
A couple of things I have tried... Change to Olive Oils and olive butter and eat less carbs. I also try to go to my chiropractor, it helps me relax and keep myself calm. When your spine is in line you feel fine! I can concentrate and focus better. There are so many things you can do to help yourself before medications. Remember you are not crazy, you just have a different way of doing things and handeling life. We are all different!
You sound more ADD than ADHD to me. :). ADD is e same thing without the hyperactivity piece. Some people are one or the other, many people are a mixture of both. My 5 year old is both-- she can be lost in her own world or inappropriately hyper depending on the situation.
You are not crazy. I know what you are dealing with is hard but sounds like you have some survival skills. I have it too I know Even though I haven't been diagnoised I also have C.F.S. so ADHD. isn't a high priortiy.
But I have found some info on a treatment that might help not only my C.F.S. but our ADHD too. It's called the 'Marshall's Protocol' You can find him on Youtube & there are some testimonials on www.bacteriality.com
Peace :)
Catt
____@____.com
My brother had ADHD growing up, along w/ a processing disorder- they tried so many avenues to help him, but they never honestly thought he'd finish school. My mom found a company called "Reliv" when he was in H.S. and she was getting great health results w/ their nutrition product, so starting giving him the kids shake (has brain food & Omega 3's, fish oil, etc) in place of his meds (b/c he hated how he felt on them,and no one saw improvement when he was on them.) The teachers started emailing home within a week that my bro had better behavior and focus. His grades improved. He finished H.S. with much less trouble than what he had had growing up!
I've since gotten involved w/ the company, and have found that adults w/ this disorder do great on the product as well. If you have questions or would like more info, let me know (money back guarantee)
Best wishes no matter what!
