How can I tell if I have adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?

Question

I have read up about this on websites and seem to be reading my life story - it makes a lot of sense. I have had many of these symptoms since childhood (N.B. not the hyperactive variety):

Chronic procrastination, lack of self disciple/motivation
Over eating, binge eating, comfort eating
Internet/TV addiction (usually both at once all day long)
Terrible sense of direction
Poor memory
Lack of intimacy with wife (sleep in separate rooms, very uncomfortable with intimacy)
Very untidy, always losing things
Compulsive spending
Never finishing things, interest switches from one thing to another
Depression

How can I get tested to see if I actually have this or not?

I should add that I've had several years of cognitive therapy (CBT & REBT) as well as a spell in hospital for depression and haven't managed to ocercome it.

oh - and I've been on virtually every antidepressant under the sun starting from about 10 years ago

As time has gone on, I've realised that I get depressed because of the chronic procrastination, overeating etc (things i should have done but haven't, things I shouldn't have done but have) rather than the other way around (i.e depression causing lack of motivation, procrastination etc) which is more common.

Sorry - long question and lots of additional details - I'm at my wits end!

Answer 1

I should first say that my son has ADHD, so according to milliondollarguy my answer is worthless as I am so stupid......... That's the problem with this sort of media - it's full of twits!

ADHD is caused by a dysfunction in the brain. The left side of the brain and the right side of the brain work at different speeds, The worse the disorder is, the greater the gap. Suppose you had a "gap" of 5 minutes. So you could be walking along and smack your hand on a railing by the side of the road, 5 minutes later you would feel the pain but not be too sure what you had done. Now when you look at your list of symptoms they make sense ......

This is why something like ritalin works, rather than slowing the fast side of the brain down, it speed up the slower side so that it's possible to understand your environment. (We personally decided against Ritalin, but that's another story...)

If you still think you have ADD, want a diagnosis and are in the UK, then you need to to go to your GP and get a referal to to a psychologist.

Until then, there are things that you can do to alleviate the symptoms.

ADD and ADHD can be affected by environmental factors, the commonly recognised one is food. Don't listen to the myths about colourings and additives - my son's worst reaction is to oranges! Get some facts about food and try the diet route first. I'd be happy to give you pointers if you are interested.

60% of ADD/ADHD sufferers have co-morbidity with dyslexia, so a test for that would be a good idea. (Dyslexia does not only affect the ability to read letters, but also discalclia, organisation, putting things in order, understanding time and so on)

Train yourself in consequences. EG. Use mnomics as to why you shouldn't spend such and such.

Only start things that don't take long so you can have the accomplishment of finishing it! Or start something that you started but put down 6 months ago.

Explain the problems you have to your wife. Ask her to help you to learn how to communicate. Start slowly. For example, put aside half an hour to talk to each other only about feeling words

CBT and REBT may not have be the correct therapy for someone with ADD. Try person centered counselling or pschotherapy from a good therapist.

All the best

Answer 2

attention deficit disorder is not just for kids and nor is it an excuse to be lazy selfish or irresponsible

You say you are a grown man then get a grip wake up and smell the coffee as they say

We could all b selfish or depressed bout life cos its a drag but you've got a wife sssssurely that's good!

If you really feel like you are struggling to cope with real life then do seek medical help living in a Prozac Valium or lithium daze is not really the best answer tho.

so nything u can do to help feel good about yourself is better. I don't mean binge drinking or comfort eating either!!!

Make a list if things you are good at and enjoy then when you have a chore get it over with then do something you like. You get a sense of achievement and doing something you enjoy will make the chore less arduous.

Trust me I'm lazy selfish fairly irresponsible and unreliable too! not to mention messy scatty huffy easily distracted....what was I sayin???

Answer 3

Talk to your doctor and get a referral (if needed) to a specialist. A specialist is most likely the best qualified to help you figure it out and provide you with different possibilities of working your way through it.

There are many other things that this could point toward, all of which can be treated in some way.

Don't lose hope - no matter what, you are NOT alone.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You don't give your age.

I think you could have ADD. The good news is that it's treatable and manageable.

Start with your family physician. If you have a health insurance plan you need a referral to be treated. Beware of too much self-diagnosis, but be honest with any specialist you see.

Be sure to include your wife in your treatment plan. She can be a great deal of help to this process if you do have ADD, or if you have any other treatable condition.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Adult attention deficit disorder (AADD) refers to the psychiatric condition currently known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD)) when it occurs in adulthood. Although the exact prevalence in adults is unknown, epidemiologic studies thus far reveal that the condition, marked by inattentiveness, difficulty getting work done, procrastination, or organization problems, probably exists in about 2-4% of adults. The condition persists to adulthood in about half of children diagnosed with the disorder.[citation needed]

Although most diagnoses of ADHD are made for children, the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) definitions of ADHD do not confine the disorder solely to childhood and in fact many adults are also diagnosed. Although the disorder may not have been diagnosed in an individual during childhood, it is also currently thought that all adults with the disorder had it in childhood. There are three subsets of ADHD in the DSM, and one is a form which does not include hyperactivity.

Because symptoms tend to diminish with age, a lesser number of adults are thought to have ADD than children. Current studies indicate that approximately 50% of children diagnosed retain the condition as adults. However, there have been only a few studies, and results varied widely from as low as 9% to as high as 66%. An ADD/ADHD diagnosis is also dependent upon an impairment of functionality. Thus, an individual (adult or child) meeting ADD/ADHD criteria may change through various combinations of maturity, medication, education, and learned behavior to no longer be so diagnosed.

Professionals have noted that adults with ADD/ADHD have often developed coping skills and other forms of adaptive behavior which make symptoms less noticeable to themselves and others. [citation needed] Sometimes also found to be a gift, often accompanied by hyperfocus, the condition is thought to have been a factor for historic figures and persons currently well-known in a wide range of fields. Apparently many of the factors which define the disorder have also been successfully used by individuals to turn a potential problem in their lives into an advantage.

Answer 6

I dont think this is ADD. this sounds more like depression.
Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:

* Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
* Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
* Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
* Restlessness or irritability
* Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
* Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
* Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

go to a psychologist and/or psychiatrist. Ask about a drug called cymbalta

Answer 7

If you intend to learn your son or daughter and she\he has between 2.5 and 7 years of age then a great program is this https://tr.im/7El5p , Children Learning Reading.
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With Children Learning Reading program you and your youngster will be able to invest enjoyable time together while they learn how to read. No forcing your child to sit through tedious ‘check marathons ', the instructions are so short they are easy to suit in to your day-to-day routine. The entire class consists of 50 classes and the lessons were created in ways that it won't matter if you skip a few days between them. So your child can continue on the path to reading accomplishment even if “life gets in the way”'.

Answer 8

It could be ADD. But before you need to go and get yourself tested (go to a GP), see if you can change some of these symptoms. Usually you're just over-worked or severely depressed. I'd say go on a nice 3-week holiday and try to find yourself and if that doesn't work, go to your GP and explain how you feel. She/he might prescribe something, but tablets ain't gonna do the job properly. it starts with you, so try and begin changing. Good luck.

Answer 9

Speak with your doctor and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. Some of your sysmptoms could also be pure psychological and with counselling, you may overcome some....Cognitive therapy, where alternatives are used to control the urges for certain activities, such as the spending, and comfort eating may also be useful, good luck!

Answer 10

You need to see a doctor. Go over with them and make a list before you go so you remember what to discuss. There are lots of ways to treat this but if it is a wrong diagnoses the meds could do harm.