I can sit down and study for 7 hours the day before the test (which I don't think someone with ADHD could) but I can't will myself to study before the day before.
Sounds like textbook ADHD-Inattentive type. It's a common misconception that ADHD is a total inability to focus or that it always comes with hyperactivity or impulsivity. At its core, it's an inability to control when and what you focus on. Most people with ADHD perform better at the last minute, because adrenaline gives their brain the stimulation it needs to focus properly. This is what stimulant medication does as well, which is why it's the first-line treatment for ADHD. It would be well worth seeking a second opinion.
You sound like you know what you're talking about. Is there a difference between childhood and adult therapy? I, like many in this thread, identify with others inability to "choose when to focus". I'll often dedicate large parts of days to "work" only to meet a total lack of impulse to actually do it. Going to a coffee shop helps, as I feel that is a place for study and those around would judge me if I'm not studious. I have on and off days in this sense. As a recent college grad, who has never been diagnosed or tested for ADHD how can I find out more?
What I'm asking is how to find a professional near me that will help me to understand myself and to identify areas to make improvements.
Fourth year clinical psychology doctoral student here. I'll try and answer some of your questions.
There are many differences between childhood and adult therapy. In fact, therapy should be tailored to the individual's needs. While therapy (in all senses) shares underlying traits, the interactions between the goals of the client, the client's worldview, the therapists theoretical orientation, etc. result in each individual client-therapist relationship being different. Children differ from adults in many ways, and therefore therapy needs to use strategies that appeal to these developmental differences. For instance, children can often speak through play, so therapists will use play with them rather than speech.
How can you find out more? I like the previous reply that suggested you go to a general practitioner. That individual could probably give you a few screeners and give you a diagnosis, but if it's a wealth of knowledge you're looking for then ask to be referred to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist has specialized in these kinds of disorders and will have much more information for you.
The last line of your post is different. To me, it indicates you're looking for more than just how to understand your ADHD symptoms. If you're searching for ways that you can better yourself through understanding and actions as a person, then I suggest you see a counselor/psychologist. As stated above, if you're communicative with this individual then this experience can be full of self-exploration and discussions about ways you can manage these symptoms. You might learn a whole bunch of other stuff while you're at it.
sup. We're on the same team, professionally. You may not hear it enough, but thanks for all you do, along with everyone else working in mental health specialties.
Some people with ADD have hyper focus too, and will block out everything around them, I heard of a guy not hearing a fire alarm because he was working on a project, someone had to grab and break his attention on the project so he could hear it.
Just going off of my own experience, but depending on your insurance situation, you may need to go to a GP first in order to get a referral to a psychiatrist. If your insurance will allow it, you could just go straight to the psychiatrist probably. I went to my GP first, who then referred me to a psychiatrist, who is now treating me, BUT the psychiatrist referred me to a psychologist for official testing. The psychiatrist told me they will usually start treating patients with medication if they're confident that they have ADHD, but then require that they get an official diagnosis from a psychologist within about 6 months in order to continue (or change, depending on the diagnoses) treatment.
TL;DR - Find out if your insurance will let you go straight to a psychiatrist and, if not, make an appointment with your GP first.
Exactly. I have ADHD, and the only way I can seem to get things done is, just like Dr. Barkley says, when they are imminent. I estimate a task will take me 16 hours to do, so I give myself that last weekend before it's due to work. Not talk to anybody. Eat little. Then, when it takes longer, stay up all night finishing.
I can focus for a long time with my medication and knowledge that something must be done. But if there is ever the notion that it's not actually due, I relax and can't focus the same way.
It doesn't just apply to schoolwork, that was just an example.
Another example... I know the exact time I need to leave for work, and I always try to leave at that time. But leaving at that time requires that I rush the whole time. Even when I'm awake, and ready to go, I find myself waiting til the last moment by doing something else. In fact, I'm doing it right now by writing this reply instead of getting out of bed. I should go now. Bye bye.
the guy in the video dr. barkley doen't think inattentive type is an adhd disorder. he thinks (and researchers think) it's a different disorder that might be currently named as concentration deficit disorder or maybe sluggish cognitive tempo; i'm not sure. the reason why inattentive type is not adhd is because there is no executive functioning deficit which is where all the adhd symptoms stem from.
Ritalin didn't work for me but others did, keep trying to find one. I ended up taking an antidepressant, that as a side effect helps ADD and it seems like it works for me.
450 which is the highest dose, I just kept telling them to step it up, I still have a issues but at least I can study. And you have to be on it for a little while to work , at least it is supposed to, for me at the higher does I can feel it when it hits my brain, and I know people (Dr) will say that's not how it works but that's the way it does for me.
You know when your arm goes to sleep and then you move it and then it feels tingly, like that but with out the pain. I used the get the same effect on some other add drugs, but I cannot take those cause it made my heart shitty, plus I got grouchy on them.
I have had no side effects, although it can increase your sexual desires. But if that had happened to me, I don't knowtice.
I also use an alpha stim that seems to work well too, and can give me a boost. Its a electro cranail stimulation, it's been around since the 70 s , and has some pretty good ruslts from it in studies. I thought it was crazy at first, but for me it works really well. I think it basically puts your brain in more of an alpha brain wave state, which is what you gut when you meditate. The brand names in the US are expensive, but there are some knockoffs on Amazon.
At its core, it's an inability to control when and what you focus on.
lol I got that so hard. Let me describe my day. It's all music related.
Time to learn a new scale on guitar, goes to plug in cable, gets reminded of other cables that I want to solder. I start to get ready to solder the cables. I go to the garage to get tools, notice some speaker builds I need to finish, so I start on those. Remember I need to make cables, try to make cables. Get sidetracked while making cable to start cleaning room. Go to garage to clean up cabinet build mess, go back to room and pick up guitar and noodle. Guitar reminds me of those tracks I need to work on, so I do that. All the while I forget my soldering iron is plugged in.
All that happens in the course of an hour and I repeat it a lot. It's fucking maddening but hey whatchu gonna do I got cables to solder.
3.8k
u/[deleted] May 30 '17
[deleted]