I think I may have ADHD?

[nerdygirlyy]

<p>I was tested once when I was 10 and another time when I was 12, and both times the proctor just sat me down in a room and told me to click on the screen whenever a 2 and not click when a 1 appeared. I was also being tested for gifted the first time and situational depression the second time, so I think there might have been some adhd-related tests put into those, but both times adhd came out negative with flying colors. However, there were no distractions in the room both times and I was also under the mentality that I was being tested. I have always had a hard time concentrating and CAN control it, but it takes a great deal of work and exhausts me. I also find myself pacing often especially when I'm talking to someone on the phone or have a lot of thoughts at once. My parents just take the test for what it's worth and don't listen to me, but I really think I need medicine for it. I have always had this problem, but any stress whatsoever takes away alot of motivation for me, and I end up not studying as much as I'd like to. When I was younger and had less going on I was able to cope with it alot better, but now I feel like I'm wasting time. I still usually ace tests because I'm a good listener, but homework takes me hours to finish an assignment that should take maybe 30 minutes because of side-tracking. Help!! what do I do</p>

[stradmom]

<p>Think carefully before you used meds as a quick fix. It sounds like you have a good behavior modification program worked out for yourself that could be the foundation for a few refinements (like structuring working on homework). But do you really want to deal with the side effects of meds? This is from WebMD:</p>

<p>

Adult ADHD Medication Side Effects</p>

<p>There are four stimulant medicines that are FDA-approved for adult ADHD: Adderall XR, Focalin XR, Vyvanse, Quillivant XR, and Concerta. Ritalin, which is prescribed for children with ADHD, is also used to treat adult ADHD symptoms. There’s also one nonstimulant medication, Strattera, approved for adult ADHD. But while the drugs are different, they tend to cause a similar set of side effects.
Trouble sleeping. ADHD medications can rev you up and make it hard to fall asleep. First, try taking your medication earlier in the day, so it’s worn off well before bedtime. If you’re on a long-acting stimulant, you could ask your doctor about a short-acting one – the effects will fade more quickly. Caffeine is likely to compound the problem, so limit – or cut out – your intake of coffee, tea, and sodas. Finally, practice good “sleep hygiene.” That means following calming rituals before bed and removing distractions (like TV sets) from the bedroom.
Nausea. This is a relatively common complaint from people who take ADHD medications. To reduce the risk, always take your medicine with food. If you’re supposed to take it in the morning and you’re not a breakfast person, you may want to find something you can eat anyway.<br>
Loss of appetite. Stimulants such as Adderall, Concerta, Focalin, and Vyvanse can reduce your appetite and, sometimes, cause weight loss. It’s one side effect that some people like. However, keep in mind that the weight loss is modest and the effect tends to diminish over time – so your ADHD medication won’t double as pills for a miracle diet.
If the weight loss is a problem be sure to discuss it with your doctor. You also might try eating a number of small meals during the day instead of three bigger ones. Protein shakes are one easy way to take in nutrients. Try eating dinner later in the evening, after the effects of your medication have worn off and you are hungry.
Headaches. ADHD medications can trigger headaches in different ways. For some people, they happen after taking a medication on an empty stomach. For others, headaches come on as the medicine wears off. Your doctor may be able to ease the problem by tweaking your dosing schedule.
Dry mouth. Aside from trying a different dose or medicine, the best solutions are pretty obvious – drink extra fluids and use lozenges to keep your mouth moist.
Dizziness. Sometimes, dizzy spells can be a sign that your dose is too high. Check in with your doctor. He or she may also want to monitor your blood pressure.
Irritability and mood changes. Some people find that their medications make them tense and cranky. Like most ADHD medication side effects, this may fade in time. If mood issues are bothering you, see your doctor about adjusting the dose or changing your medication.
Tics. ADHD medications don’t cause tics, exactly. Rather, they can sometimes bring underlying tics out – maybe a tic that you had in childhood will return. Usually, the tics will fade once the medicine wears off or over time.

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[Sudsie]

<p>ADHD is not diagnosed based on a single test such as that one (which measures impulsiveness primarily). And your symptoms could be due to ADHD but also could be due to other things. It would be helpful to have a professional look at your past results and see if they point to deficits in any particular areas. You could also ask your parents if you could have a new evaluation. But jumping to medication without a diagnosis (especially when in the past professionals have felt you don’t have it) is not a reasonable option.</p>

[Vctory]

<p>Talk to the health department at your college. </p>