ADD and ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Options

[Paradox of Life]

Introduction

I'm creating this topic to inform you all about ADD and ADHD. This is something that a lot of people don't realize they may have until diagnosed by a psychiatrist. I never knew until I took this test from my psychiatrist and she told me she thought I had ADD and now I take medication to help me focus.

ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Frequently asked questions

What are ADD and ADHD and what is the difference between ADD and ADHD?

Both cause forgetfulness, disorganization, distractability, difficulty following rapid conversations, completing schoolwork and assignments in a timely manner, keeping track of time and/or belongings, and low self-esteem.

Differences -

Symptoms of ADD:

- Sluggish or fatigued
- Well-behaved, quiet
- Underassertive, shy and drawn back
- Corteous and respectful, sometimes too much
- Modest
- Shy and unable to attract friends, trouble with relationships

Symptoms of ADHD:

To meet the diagnostic criteria, at least eight of the following must be present for more than six months, and they must have begun before the age of seven.

1. Often squirms in seat or fidgets, pulling fingers, twiddling hair, and so on
2. Has trouble staying put in his or her seat
3. Is easily distracted
4. Has difficulty taking turns
5. Often blurts out an answer before a question is finished
6. Has difficulty following instructions, even when trying to do so
7. Has a hard time paying attention to tasks or play
8. Goes from one unfinished project to another
9. Has a hard time playing quietly
10. Talks too much, without perceiving that this is bothering others
11. Interrupts a lot, can’t mind his or her own business
12. Doesn’t seem to listen much of the time
13. Loses things and has a hard time being organized
14. Takes risks without thinking; acts impulsively-

-- What's ADHD at Angelfire


Is ADHD/ADD considered a disability in a school setting?

No. It is usually not too much of a hold-back but still varies from person to person. People who suffer from ADHD are allowed free and regular classes because of a non-discrimination law. Levels of teaching rely on whatever seems appropriate for the student.

How does ADHD affect my schoolwork?

You are often forgetful. You may forget pencils, schoolwork, homework, books, forget instructions given to you 5 minutes earlier and can be impulsive. You may have trouble waiting your turn and often blurt out answers without thinking or answer before the teacher's even finished the question.

Are there colleges or scholarships available with people with ADHD?

There are very few scholarships specifically for students with ADHD. If you're medically diagnosed with ADHD, you may apply for scholarships under 'disabilities' or 'learning disabilities'. However, if the condition isn't too extreme, I'd imagine any scholarship would be available to you.

How do I control my ADHD/ADD?

- Use a timer or watch to remind yourself of what is needed to be done. Make a schedule to keep yourself on track.
- Find a friend that can help you develop better work habits.
- Don't be too passive. Find things to occupy yourself with and try not to be too easily distracted.

Where should I go for help?

Discuss your issues with a physician (therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, pediatrician, neurologist). You might need to find someone to help you along the way to keep your life in order.

Facts about ADD

- Children with ADD are often diagnosed after beginning school
- ADD is present at birth and continues through adulthood
- Heredity is a strongly suggested cause of ADD
- No medical tests to definitely show if ADD is present or not. Diagnosis includes personal evaluation and other information physician gathers.
- ADD does not affect intelligence
- ADD is a lifelong illness and not curable, but medication can help stabilize your mood

Facts about ADHD

- ADHD is a neurobiological condition
- Reports have varied but usually affects 3-9 percent of the school-aged population
- ADHD is a lifelong illness and can never be cured, but medication can help stabilize your mood
- Boys significantly outnumber girls in having ADHD.

--

Not all medications are alright for you. Ask your physician about what medication might be right for you. If you have a family history of ADD or ADHD, find out information on what medications worked for them because there's a high chance it'll work for you. Sorry, this wasn't the greatest essay I've done, but I hope you've learned a thing or two.

References

Shwab Foundation
ADD at About
What's ADHD at Angelfire

[*mzkandi*]

Good info, I will put this in our pinned topic.

[demolished]

1. Often squirms in seat or fidgets, pulling fingers, twiddling hair, and so on
nope.
2. Has trouble staying put in his or her seat
nope
3. Is easily distracted
yeah.
4. Has difficulty taking turns
depends.
5. Often blurts out an answer before a question is finished
nope. i hardly do that.
6. Has difficulty following instructions, even when trying to do so
nope
7. Has a hard time paying attention to tasks or play
sometimes
8. Goes from one unfinished project to another
o.o thats when i'm procasinating.
9. Has a hard time playing quietly
nah.
10. Talks too much, without perceiving that this is bothering others
i'm not expressive.
11. Interrupts a lot, can’t mind his or her own business
noope but i get nosey sometimes.
12. Doesn’t seem to listen much of the time
nah.
13. Loses things and has a hard time being organized
yep
14. Takes risks without thinking; acts impulsively-
nah.

i'm okay =)

[BrokenDream]

My big sis use to have ADHD, when she was around 5, or 4. She was so hyper. ALL the time. But now, not anymore.

[jackizzle]

some people can be ADHD at chilhood but then lose the hyperactivity.. or it get less noticeable in adulthood.. i think.. pretty sure yeah

edit: i thought that boys didnt outnumber girls with ADHD.. it was just that more boys are daignosed then girls. or something like that

[*RiC3xBoy*]

If you want to, you could add that:
1. You can not be diagnosed with it. The only way you can have it is if you have symtons of it in 6 months or more.
2. Both Ritalin AND Amphetamine actually decrease activity in children with ADHD.

[BrokenDream]

^ I don't think you can stop having ADD or ADHD.

Oh. Well, all I know if that so took medications..

[jackizzle]

If you want to, you could add that:
1. You can not be diagnosed with it. The only way you can have it is if you have symtons of it in 6 months or more.
2. Both Ritalin AND Amphetamine actually decrease activity in children with ADHD.

^ what do you mean not be diagnosed with it? the symptoms have to presist for like 6 months or more if thats what you mean but i dont get the you cant be diagnosed part

[*x____duckii*]

Well, let's see if I have ADHD...

1. Often squirms in seat or fidgets, pulling fingers, twiddling hair, and so on – Yes
2. Has trouble staying put in his or her seat – Yess
3. Is easily distracted – Yepp
4. Has difficulty taking turns – Not really
5. Often blurts out an answer before a question is finished – Nope
6. Has difficulty following instructions, even when trying to do so – Yes
7. Has a hard time paying attention to tasks or play – Yupp
8. Goes from one unfinished project to another – No
9. Has a hard time playing quietly – Yes
10. Talks too much, without perceiving that this is bothering others – Nope
11. Interrupts a lot, can’t mind his or her own business – Sadly, yess.
12. Doesn’t seem to listen much of the time – Yes
13. Loses things and has a hard time being organized – Yes/No
14. Takes risks without thinking; acts impulsively – Nope

Aww, shoot, I might have ADHD. =(

[jackizzle]

^ err i couldnt tell if you were joking or not but i just thought i'd tell you that just because you answered yes to some of those questions doesnt automatically mean you have adhd. thats just like. critiera(sp?) type thing.

[*RiC3xBoy*]

^ what do you mean not be diagnosed with it?  the symptoms have to presist for like 6 months or more if thats what you mean but i dont get the you cant be diagnosed part

Oops, when I mean you can't be diagnosed...its just that...you can be diagnosed with cancer until cured, but not with ADHD. I'm sorry if my definition is vague.

[*x____duckii*]

^ err i couldnt tell if you were joking or not but i just thought i'd tell you that just because you answered yes to some of those questions doesnt automatically mean you have adhd. thats just like. critiera(sp?) type thing.

Err, that's why I said I MIGHT have ADHD.

[jackizzle]

^ sorry.. and i think i understand that uh dianogse reply to

[Mulder]

honestly, i think people are just trying to solve everythign with medications.

but, i shall take this test:

1. Often squirms in seat or fidgets, pulling fingers, twiddling hair, and so on 2. Has trouble staying put in his or her seat
3. Is easily distracted
4. Has difficulty taking turns
5. Often blurts out an answer before a question is finished
6. Has difficulty following instructions, even when trying to do so
7. Has a hard time paying attention to tasks or play
8. Goes from one unfinished project to another
9. Has a hard time playing quietly
10. Talks too much, without perceiving that this is bothering others
11. Interrupts a lot, can’t mind his or her own business 12. Doesn’t seem to listen much of the time
13. Loses things and has a hard time being organized
14. Takes risks without thinking; acts impulsively-

...shit.

[*RiC3xBoy*]

^ sorry.. and i think i understand that uh dianogse reply to

Well, its just basically that you can not be diagnosed with MEDICAL tests.

[jackizzle]

^ i get it i get it. thank you for clearing that up

[emazing]

Hum. Let's see, shall we?

1. Often squirms in seat or fidgets, pulling fingers, twiddling hair, and so on.
I twiddle my hair sometimes.
2. Has trouble staying put in his or her seat
Mmm-mm.
3. Is easily distracted
Oh yes.
4. Has difficulty taking turns
No.
5. Often blurts out an answer before a question is finished
Uhm, no.
6. Has difficulty following instructions, even when trying to do so
Sort of, sometimes. Yeah.
7. Has a hard time paying attention to tasks or play
Nope.
8. Goes from one unfinished project to another
Mhm, that's me. Eh-oh.
9. Has a hard time playing quietly
No.
10. Talks too much, without perceiving that this is bothering others
Nahh.
11. Interrupts a lot, can’t mind his or her own business
I'm curious, though. :X
12. Doesn’t seem to listen much of the time
Mm'mm.
13. Loses things and has a hard time being organized
Not at all.
14. Takes risks without thinking; acts impulsively-
Sort of.

[lbjshaq2345]

1. Often squirms in seat or fidgets, pulling fingers, twiddling hair, and so on
***yeah
2. Has trouble staying put in his or her seat
***nope
3. Is easily distracted
***yeah
4. Has difficulty taking turns
***nope
5. Often blurts out an answer before a question is finished
***yeah
6. Has difficulty following instructions, even when trying to do so
***yeah
7. Has a hard time paying attention to tasks or play
***yeah
8. Goes from one unfinished project to another
***yeah
9. Has a hard time playing quietly
***yeah
10. Talks too much, without perceiving that this is bothering others
***yeah
11. Interrupts a lot, can’t mind his or her own business
***yeah
12. Doesn’t seem to listen much of the time
***yeah
13. Loses things and has a hard time being organized
***yeah
14. Takes risks without thinking; acts impulsively
***yeah

damn...

[BrokenDream]

i might as well test myself.

1. Often squirms in seat or fidgets, pulling fingers, twiddling hair, and so on
yes.

2. Has trouble staying put in his or her seat
sometimes.

3. Is easily distracted
nope.

4. Has difficulty taking turns
nope. well, if they are so dang SLOW yes.

5. Often blurts out an answer before a question is finished
never.

6. Has difficulty following instructions, even when trying to do so
never.

7. Has a hard time paying attention to tasks or play
never.

8. Goes from one unfinished project to another
eh? sometimes.

9. Has a hard time playing quietly
no.

10. Talks too much, without perceiving that this is bothering others
haha! um, sometimes. but mostly no.

11. Interrupts a lot, can’t mind his or her own business
nope.

12. Doesn’t seem to listen much of the time
nope.

13. Loses things and has a hard time being organized
uh.. yes.

14. Takes risks without thinking; acts impulsively-
never.

do I have ADHD?

[ParanoidAndroid]

oh god I have both...

[jackizzle]

ok well im bored so i thought id do this

1. Often squirms in seat or fidgets, pulling fingers, twiddling hair, and so on
i tap my leg like constantly and tap my pen
2. Has trouble staying put in his or her seat
eh not so much in school but at home yeah
3. Is easily distracted
wow you have no idea
4. Has difficulty taking turns
sometimes
5. Often blurts out an answer before a question is finished
i used to but only sometimes now
6. Has difficulty following instructions, even when trying to do so
sometimes but if there like wayy confusing(which is alot thenyeah)
7. Has a hard time paying attention to tasks or play
i guess sometimes i get really bored
8. Goes from one unfinished project to another
ha yeah all the time
9. Has a hard time playing quietly
yeah my mom tells me to stop talking loud all the time
10. Talks too much, without perceiving that this is bothering others
ok you really have no idea (24/7 talker here)
11. Interrupts a lot, can’t mind his or her own business
im very nosey lol
12. Doesn’t seem to listen much of the time
i live in a dream land
13. Loses things and has a hard time being organized
i am the most unorganized person in the worlddd
14. Takes risks without thinking; acts impulsively-
eh not so much.. sometimes tough

ok well that was intersting.. my family thinks i have adhd but i dunno.. w/e

[*My Cinderella.*]

I think I have A.D.D. Although I do miss some of the symtoms, forgetfulness and non multitaskable are some of the words.

Symptoms of ADD:

- Sluggish or fatigued > Fatigued
- Well-behaved, quiet > At times
- Underassertive, shy and drawn back > Depends
- Corteous and respectful, sometimes too much > Yes
- Modest > I dont know
- Shy and unable to attract friends, trouble with relationships > Shy

I can only pay attention at one thing at a time, or else I'll risk the chance of breaking my neck.

[voguelove]

i have ADD. wooo!

[imnoxonesmemory]

that's a good post! some people don't even understand about people who have ADD/ADHD. my best friend has it and sometimes he's off the wall.

[kimmytree]

ADD

- often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
- often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
- often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
- often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
- often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
- is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
- is often forgetful in daily activities

ADHD

- often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
- often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
- often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
- often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
- is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
- often talks excessively
- often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
- often has difficulty awaiting turn
- often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

Yesterday, I went to the doctor... and was diagnosed with ADD. I'm 17, and I've obviously gone years without being diagnosed. I seem to have a somewhat severe case of it. I also show a few ADHD symptoms as well. My doctor put me on Stratera.

So, does anyone else have ADD / ADHD, or a similar disorder?