I think I might have ADD?

Question

I checked the symptoms for ADD online and the list matched my problems perfectly. I definately know I have a listening problem. I find myself trying so hard to listen and I can barely get info from it. I also find myself moving my legs involuntarily, I guess I feel comfortable constantly moving. Also I have a difficult time reading, I can never focus, I always trail off mid-chapter and the words become "blahs" when I read to myself. I can't focus on homework for very long and I can never study because I would get distracted by other ideas or I try so hard not to turn on my TV or go down and get something to eat but I always do. I cant help it. I also know that I have a family history of mental problems like alzheimer's and paranoid schizophrenia. Who do I go to to get a real diagnosis? Can I go to the Doctor where I usually get my physicals or should I go to a Psychologist

Answer 1

It depends on your medical insurance. Almost all of the time you will need to start with your primary care physician who will refer you to the appropriate mental health professional. Also, any medical problem that could be causing or contributing to the symptoms must be ruled out.

Answer 2

If you are in Australia...Under18, Developmental paediatricians are good. For any age group, Psychaitrists who are familiar or even better, specialise in Learning/developmental disabilities. I personally would steer clear of a psychologist who isn't prepared to offer you the option of seeing a specialist. But psychologists can be a good place to start. Another place to sus out docs is ask for recomendations from speech pathologists and occupational therapists, they sometimes are a part of the treatment of people with ADHD. Also some conditions can have similar symptoms so consider discussing other possibilities. With ADHD certain symptoms must have been present from a very young age. So you might want to talk to your parents and long term friends about some things (obviously your not going to go to your long term friends and say that you think you have ADD/ADHD, but you can casually discuss things like if you daydream/'space-out' you might be able to gauge whether or not it is only at certain times in your life/around certain stressful events or has always been the case). Also I know it might not be the most favourable option, but have a private chat with some of the teachers you trust about what they notice. Sometimes people with ADHD don't realise the extent of their own behaviours. ADHD is a permanant condition and it is difficult to think of the things you experience as being any different to the experiences of the people around you. It can take years to discover that some things just aren't all that normal for everyone else.

Answer 3

You could talk to your family doctor. If he can't help you he can refer you to someone else. I can't tell you if you have add or not. It kinda sounds like you do, but I'm not a doctor. I know one sign of add is starting something, and never finishing them. I was diagnosed with add. One thing I never finished was paint by numbers. I have about 10 of them. I have a couple of them that have 1 number not done. I can't finish them not matter how hard I try. Moving your legs all the time could be restless leg syndrome. You also might have a fast metabolism which makes us do things faster than others, including digesting. The most important thing you should know is this. Doctors will not give medical advice over the phone, or the INTERNET. They will want to meet you personally, so do not believe anyone when they say they are a doctor on here. Just go to yours. Hope this helps. I hope the best for you, and I'm sorry to hear about your family history. They are getting close to cures for those diseases you were talking about, so I wouldn't be to worried about you getting any of them.

Answer 4

If your insurance does not need referals to see a psychologist, then I would recommend making an appt. to speak w/ one. Your primary care physician will only review your symptoms w/ you, then most likely refer you to seek metal help. (Your reg. dr. does not specialize in mental health related issues, so before they would make a solid diagnonsis they would most likely reccomend you to seek out a mental health facility.) So save the co-pay for your primary care and seek the psychologist. However, if you need a referal from your primary care for insurance purposes, or need assistance locating a good mental help facility, then I would recommend speaking w/ your dr. first.

Answer 5

See a doctor first. Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, and a zinc one, daily. Coffee helps some. See http://www.help4adhd.org/ & http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/ (information/adhdmenu.cfm)

Answer 6

i have add and i had to go to my regular doctor to get referred to a psychologist because of insurance reasons.. it depends on your insurance.. i would call them and see if you are covered to go to a psychologist and if you are go there. when you go to the doctor they run test and ask you a bunch of random questions and then they find medicine to help the problem if you want ot take medicine.. i take my medicine during the week. i dont take it on weekend because im afriad i will become dependent on it and its addtictive...good luck and i hope this helps you....