How do you tell if you have ADD?

[Becky89*]

I think I have it but not serious enough for medicine. I am usually extremely hyper and jumpy and extremely full of engery

 

[Wifezilla]

I know what you mean about conversations....LOL....fortunately one of my best friends is autistic and doesn't like face to face conversations. We can IM for hours...each taking time to wander off and do something else for a bit the returning to our conversation

 

[citrusdreams]

There is a questionnaire available for trying to diagnose ADD or ADHD.

There's one on this website:
http://www.add-adhd-coaching.com/adult-adhd-questionnaire.html

 

[ve]

ADD ? How can you tell? If you attend public schools, they will decide for you and prescribe lots of ridelin or some other drug to 'help your development'. If you attend private schools, or, if you have parrents focused on your upbringing, they will say "look at me and listen when I'm talking to you" and that, starting at an early age to instill good habits. By the way, what are we talking about anyway?!

 

[FrenchHen]

I've had students with attention issues. The boys are more likely (in my experience, take with a grain of salt) to be stereotypically "ADD" in their behavior. The girls tend to be more inwardly distracted and not as fidgety.
Some folks do need meds, but lots can be taught some focusing skills to make it easier to concentrate.

In Oregon your school or school district (even if homeschooled and sometimes in private school) can do evaluations. They can't force any actions, but they can help evaluate. Only a physician can prescribe, but (s)he may take into account what the schools say.

Many, many students don't need the meds, but I have a few that can't function without it.

I have to force myself to pay attention in softball. I always got good grades, but I'm so easily distracted that I probably have a minor case of it.

 

[Blackbird]

Quote:
Ugh! I am just like that! Drives my family crazy! However, I don't think I have any form of ADD or ADHD, I'm too bland. Lol.

 

[Dr.Doorlock]

Seems to me you have been on the same subject for a good while now. I was waiting for you to ask a different question. For some of us ADD is not a big problem. I am lucky enough to have a multi-task job. Actually, I can bounce from one task to another and wind up getting all the jobs done. Just tell everyone you are a multi-tasker.

 

[FrenchHen]

In our school it's actually a bit under recognized. Not that kids need meds, but some need different instruction techniques to hold their interest.

 

[mamaKate]

I think "ADD" is WAY overdiagnosed. One of my kids was diagnosed (then un-diagnosed!). Most of the others have the typical behaviors to one extent or th other. The are now all high functioning adults who can learn anything that sparks their interest. Some people just don't fit a regimented public school classroom. Too much screen time-of any kind- does hinder concentration.

 

[Linda in San Diego]

Quote:
Really? Have you lived with or raised a child wiht ADD or ADHD? Or do you have experience with "normally" distracted kids?

The two boys were in first grade when my son's best friend was hospitalized and taken off all meds because of a rare syndrome, I truly experienced ADHD with this child. While on "meds" this child would listen to me and conform to what I expected from him and my son. He was still twitchy, but he would do what I expected. On a trip to the zoo when he was off his meds I told him to stay where I could see him. He looked at me, nodded, looked away and then darted off - time and again. Previously he would have listened, looked around and then dashed back up the canyon in my direction - staying within sight - but dashing none the less.

In later years I could look at him and say, "Caleb, did you take your meds?" simply based on the behaviors I could observe. 100% of the time I was right, he had missed his meds.

Previous to that, I was the "nanny" for 4 children for 6 weeks. One of the girls was ADHD - but no matter how many times we "missed" her meds I could see no change nor could her siblings. I was astonished that she had been prescribed anything, did she have a learning disorder? Probably. Was it ADHD - I doubted it.

I could go on - but please know- schools and teachers can ask a family to have ADD or ADHD checked - but they cannnot diagnose nor prescribe. Each child must be evaluated by the people closest to them and then a physician consulted.