Can it be ADD?

Parents Forum
1

<p>I have difficulty paying attention with most forms of learning. </p>

<p>Reading:</p>

<pre><code>Even last year, when I was super-motivated (in terms of amount of work done) and enjoyed school, it took me hours to read a textbook chapter. I think (I don't completely remember) I read in small chunks. Between pararaph-sized chunks, I'm not entirely sure what happened. I would just "lose" time.
When I outlined, things were even worse. My note-taking skills were terrible-I pretty much reworded the textbook. But, the problem was, it took me longer than if I had simply rewritten the textbook and I retained nothing. It took me 3-4 hours to read a US textbook chapter, for example. I'm pretty sure I outlined in one or two sittings. It took friends the same amount of time-when they included facebook time.
And, yet, I have no problem comprehending the books (mostly fantasy) I read outside of school. With many of them, I actually get really emotionally involved. I have no problem following the plotline or recalling details-even though it is impossible for me to recall the word before the one I'm on.
Come to think of it, I didn't have trouble reading for school, either. By the end of most of them, I had developed a means of interpreting all the events in the book.
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<p>Listening:</p>

<pre><code>It is worse in the classroom. I guess you could say that I habitually zone out. The problem is that I don't think about anything. I just zone. I'm barely aware of the passage of time. And yet I am somewhat aware of the lesson going on-I copy down the notes and do the problems and everything. I even do pretty well on the tests-but perhaps that's because I have learned what information is necessary to retain.
Also, there are my experiences with Columbia SHP. Last semester, even during the lecture, once a slide had passed, I could not tell you what was on it. Even on the occasions where I especially tried to pay attention, especially towards the beginning, I would give up by the end. I could not seem to remember anything from the beginning and apply it to the end. In other words, I didn't get it.
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<hr>

<p>I have trouble organizing my thoughts.
For example, we recently had a debate in English. I knew something was wrong with one of the first points made by the opposing side. I knew I could effectively rebut with a compact question. I tried to ask that question-and got a tip-of-the-tongue effect. I ended up stumbling/stuttering my way through two formulations of the question that fell short. The rest of the time, I gave up and zoned.</p>

<hr>

<p>I have a problem with procrastination.
This is especially true this year. Last year, I had anxiety issues to keep me on task. Earlier this year, without (or sometimes even with) the anxiety, it would take me hours to get started on my homework. I was constantly going to bed late just to get up early-without having done my homework. Without the extra pressure in the morning, I just could not bring myself to complete an assignment. Recently, I've completely given up doing homework at home. I finish all of it in study hall (besides the rare essay-which I turn in late, anyway).</p>

2

<p>You need to see a professional. We cannot help you.</p>

3

<p>Agree with Erin’s Dad that we can’t positively diagnose you, but I will answer your question this way: it <em>could</em> be ADD, but that doesn’t mean it is. My S has ADD and many of these symptoms. He has been very helped by medication. Good luck.</p>

4

<p>Where/how can I get tested? How expensive would it be?</p>

5

<p>Are you in college or high school?</p>

<p>If you are in college there should be an office of psychological or mental health services, usually affiliated with health services/the student clinic. Search your school’s website for those keywords. If you are covered by the student health insurance then an evaluation should be covered, and you can go see a counselor there who can help you. From there they should be able to refer you to disability services if you need special accommodations to finish your work.</p>

<p>If you are in high school (which it sounds like) then your school or your district should have a school psychologist who should be able to evaluate you. Talk to your guidance counselor or one of your more sympathetic teachers who may have noticed these symptoms and can give you a referral. The school psychologist should be able to evaluate you (they are paid by the school district) and if you do have ADD or ADHD, then draw up an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to help you complete your work. Additionally, talk to your parents or whoever else is your guardian for help in accomplishing this. You may also be able to see a private psychologist for evaluation, but that will likely cost your parents money at least in co-pays if they are insured for it.</p>

6

<p>Fawkes511…r u in high school or college? If high school start with a parent or guidance counselor. If in college, go see a counselor. What you describe is not “normal”.</p>

7

<p>As stated above, check with professionals.</p>

<p>If you want to do reading on ADHD (hyperactive and inattentive), Dr Hallowell books are helpful and very readable. His website includes “Criteria” list:
[ADD/ADHD</a> OVERVIEW Dr Hallowell](<a href=“ADHD 2.0 Now in Paperback - Dr. Hallowell”>ADHD and Productivity - Dr. Hallowell)</p>

8

<p>Fawks…We are not professionals but from what you describe it sounds like you need to make an appointment with a psychiatrist who can properly diagnose what sounds like ADHD of the inattentive type. A psychiatrist should be covered by your medical insurance. Many times they encourage that you also see a therapist so you can discuss the stress and anxiety that often comes with dealing with the frustration of ADHD.</p>

<p>The reason why parents are reluctant to make an armchair remark is because you obviouly feel that something isn’t really right so your instincts should guide you to the place you need to be. Listen to yourself…you have a good handle on what you are experiencing and it sounds almost textbook written for ADHD. However there are other things like anxiety which could cause similar behavior. </p>

<p>Good luck and let us know when you see a doctor.</p>

9

<p>Fawkes, I have many of the exact same symptoms as you and have often wondered if I have a mild case of ADD. The thing is, I never used to be like this: before, I’d always been extremely motivated and had no problem finishing assignments or paying attention in class.
I’m not sure if it’s a real issue, or if it’s just a lack of self-control. But many of your symptoms are <em>uncannily</em> like mine.</p>

<p>Anyways, let me know how it turns out for you, and good luck!</p>

10

<p>call your doctor and your high school guidance counseling office and get the names of several people who do testing. call them all and find out their prices. Sometimes, medical insurance will pay for some of it. Ours paid for about 25% of the cost, but you really will not know that until you submit the forms. But, do submit them, as you have nothing to loose.</p>

<p>It is also possible it is not ADHD/ADD, but a learning disability. Our daughter thought she had ADD, and the Doctor was about to start her on adderall, but then we all decided to have her tested, so did a complete PyschoEducational battery of tests, and she does not have ADD. She has a reading comprehension and decoding disability. There was a lot of helpful information in the testing results that gives her direction in how to study better.</p>

<p>Daughter then had some private “tutoring” with a college (daughter is in college) professor, who gave her lots of tips and tools as to how to study, how to read text books, how to take notes while reading, how to take notes during lecture, how to take tests more effectively (she gets test anxiety, too), how to work with her professors when she is having difficulty. She also met with Disability Services at her college to learn of resources and support there.</p>

<p>Also, you might want to have a check up with your doctor, and discuss the anxiety with them. Anxiety could be an issue, also (it is with the above mentioned daughter) that is playing in with your school difficulties. There are professionals that can help you - you may want to see a Psychiatrist and a therapist to help you deal with all these issues. It is very very common for ADD/ADHD and learning disabilities to “co-exist” in people with anxiety disorders. Please get this checked out! (same for the above poster with similiar symptoms) What often goes undetected for years, “catches up” with students as the work load and difficulty of the class load increases, along with the higher expectations and more responsibility that comes in high school and college.</p>

<p>See your doctor and get an appointment with a Pyschiatrist your doctor knows and recommends.</p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>

11

<p>Also, make sure your Doctor has you take a blood test, and have your thyroid checked!! It is a very simple, inexpensive test that the Doctor will get the results from in a couple of days.</p>

<p>Low thyroid can cause depression, memory “fog” and low concentration, fatique, as well as hair loss, dry skin, weight gain and other symptoms. </p>

<p>turns out above mentioned daughter did have low thyroid, and once she got on the proper meds, it really helped her a lot!!</p>