What to do about undiagnosed ADHD in college

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
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<p>I don't even have a diagnosis. I was actually diagnosed when I was a child as ADHD, but my parents never did anything about it and just insisted on disciplining me. After I insisted numerous times during my junior and senior year, I got a shrink- THE WRONG SHRINK. He specialized on interpersonal counseling and somehow turned my ADHD problem into a conflict between me and my mother (my ass. We both realized there is no problem and ended the appointments). After five minutes of talking and having me draw a picture, he decided my problem was "focusing too much" on one thought or activity and not being back in reality. He tried to pin my problems on my feelings of inferiority- there are many, of course, I had some truly humiliating experiences in school where the Chinese local teachers publicly made a public example of me because I did not focus in class or hand in assignments on time. But that's not the crux of the issue. And here I thought hyperfocus is a symptom all along.</p>

<p>While I run out of fuel on many assignments that require concentration, I will never allow my grades to drop and will pull even consecutive all nighters. Once, in an interval of two weeks, I think I had about 4 nights where I got less than 2 hours of sleep and 6 where I got less than 5 because I had to get things in on time for an A+. The experience of being consistently on the bottom of my class in elementary school, 47th in a class of 48th, is still a painful reminder that I never want to be down there again. I know I am smart and hardworking and do not deserve the label of "slacker" or "dork" - my SAT scores fluctuate wildly, from a 222 PSAT to 2000 and 2030 on the first two takes, and 2260 on the third- all with minimal studying. My GPA, however, is 3.57 as I just could not figure out how to get good grades, yet most teachers adore me and always lament about my "inconsistent work" and "Brilliant; I wish she'd apply herself". Either this, or "she is a polymath". Hearing that infuriates me- I AM APPLYING MYSELF, and not coming close to getting the result I wanted. I feel invalidated.</p>

<p>I'm now in some good colleges even though I did not report. My counselor told me not to because i never got any accommodation for it. He took one look at my decent grades in a highly competitive school and high SAT score and said: What's the problem? The way you talk, write your college essays, behave etc. none of it points to hyperactivity... My colleges are good, but I got into none of my reaches. Many people find my preoccupation with transferring into my reach schools irrational. I have even made plans about what I would do in my first year so that I can apply for it right away. I know that if my problem had just been acknowledged and adjusted for, maybe I would be in three or four of those five schools that said no to me.</p>

<p>I have the fanatical urge to "right" this somehow. I am always irrationally angry whenever I think about my life and stunted potential, at my parents, at my school, at my counselor, the go-to guy who's supposed to be on my side who refused to believe I have a problem, because I'm doing fine in school, I'm articulate and can talk in a coherent fashion. I wondered what they would say if I had actually slept at 11 and let my grades slip to a C for late and missing work. Would they do anything THEN? My mother always says she had the same symptoms as me, but by "hard work and determination" she overcame them and found moderate success. At 47, she's suffering from a truckload of health problems because of years of "overwork", as suggested by her doctors. Maybe she has ADHD. Maybe I'm going to end up like her, a workaholic who destroyed her health.</p>

<p>I've written so many posts on so many forums about this, yet I still can't get over that I could have gotten into my first choice. I had everything, according to my counselor who's seen my application, stellar recs from both teachers and himself, great essays, high test score, decent ECs, went to their summer school and showed persistent interest, and a 3.54 GPA by the time I applied (also, quit math after junior year), which surely killed me at many schools. What I know is that after matriculating to college, I will of course try to get as close to a 4.0 as possible, while playing my three instruments and participating in some ECs. I will try to get a diagnosis (my mom finally consented to find me the right shrink. She sees the problem now) and treatment- this underachieving, for the sake of my sanity at least, cannot continue in college. But the unstructured nature of college is likely to aggravate my symptoms and I have no idea how to go about obtaining accommodation...</p>

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<p>I just want to say that I hear you. ADHD is a real disability. Medication can definitely help. Colleges often offer time management, study skill and organization workshops or courses which can be helpful. To get accomodations at college, you need to provide documentation of a disability. Check with your college’s disability services office web page or call. Below is an example of what one college requests. As you can see, you would need to see a psychiatrist, psychologist or neuropsychologist and have appropriate psychological or neuropsychological testing.</p>

<p>"In order for the College to provide appropriate accommodations for your disability, you must provide complete and current documentation. Assessment of AD/HD should include a psychoeducational evaluation within three years with a psychoeducational evaluation and within six months for an MD evaluation). Appropriate diagnosticians include licensed professionals with experience treating AD/HD in adults such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or neuropsychologist. The diagnostician may not be related to the student.</p>

<p>Please provide a typed report on letterhead paper that includes your credentials related to diagnosis and treatment of persons with AD/HD.</p>

<p>A complete history of prior psychiatric diagnoses and treatment. This history should include copies of psychiatric records or summaries from the treating professionals and any prior academic accommodations.</p>

<p>Appropriate psychological and/or neuropsychological testing which supports the diagnosis and indicates the specific symptoms that have occurred as a result of the disability.</p>

<p>A complete, current DSM-IV diagnosis.</p>

<p>A comprehensive description of the impact of the disability on learning and living, with and without medication, including evidence of current impairment.</p>

<p>A current treatment plan that addresses recommended interventions to alleviate or control the disability.</p>

<p>Each accommodation recommended should include a rationale."</p>

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<p>My step-sister in law was diagnosed with inattentive ADD in her second or third year of college. She has had a lot of success with her medical therapies, and is currently doing very well in graduate school.</p>

<p>Please stop kicking yourself about the college admissions that you “might” have had if your ADD had been under control. Work with your guidance counselor, the resource teachers at your school, and whoever else joins your therapeutic team, to devise your own best ways of living with your brain’s chemistry.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>

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<p>Wow. I can’t imagine how successful a young lady like yourself is and what it has taken for you to be where you are. Your awareness, courage, veracity and candor are exemplary for most adults never mind a teenager. I wish I had your character and determination when younger. …I invite you to feel accomplished and satisfied with what you have and are in your life. </p>

<p>In you I see some of the most important traits one can have in order to succeed with ADHD. You doggedly manage to get up after repeated knock downs. Too, you want more from your life and are willing to travel the earth to get what you want. </p>

<p>I imagine (know) you will keep it up. I recommend you do. </p>

<p>However, as you denoted, mom may have lived an equally determined life and is now having to deal with possible consequences of doing so. When will you feel satisfied with what and who you are? What is your dream for yourself and do you honestly think you will be satisfied after you accomplish it? Not to judge either way, just throwing questions at you, to ponder.</p>

<p>A fantastic book I think you will enjoy and that will change your life is Change Your Brain Change Your Life, by Dr. Dan amen. It speaks of traits similar to yours and offers a variety of recommendations one can implement in order to higher levels.</p>

<p>Too, if you choose to take medication (look at it like you were choosing to wear a pair of glasses for near sightedness) also look at a good ADD coach to support smoothing the edges and learning the perspectives necessary to take your quality of life to those next levels. </p>

<p>For coaches, some resources for you:

<p>All the Best,
Keith Kosierowski M.Ed.</p>