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I just realized today that I may have adult ADHD. All this time, I always held a slightly skeptical view regarding psychological disorders -- it's all in the head, or so i thought -- and, in any case, I could not conceive that I would be afflicted with it.
But things have been going badly for last 4-5 years or so and today I came upon a symptoms list for adult ADHD.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm
I am usually a very skeptical person but the descriptions of symptoms were so uncannily similar to the negative habits/characteristics I have developed in last few years. I feel compelled to list the ones I really sympathized with and, to my dismay, I am almost forced to list all items that are listed on that website. I have bolded ones that are especially problematic/distressing for me.
- “zoning out” without realizing it, even in the middle of a conversation.
-extreme distractibility; wandering attention makes it hard to stay on track.
-struggling to complete tasks, even ones that seem simple.
-tendency to overlook details, leading to errors or incomplete work.
-poor listening skills; hard time remembering conversations and following directions.
-have poor self-control
-have addictive tendencies
-sense of underachievement
-trouble staying motivated
-feelings of inner restlessness, agitation
-trouble sitting still; constant fidgeting
-craving for excitement
-doing a million things at once
-getting bored easily
On the other hand, it also seems soemwhat possible that many of these descriptors depict most young, "geeky" males. Still, the symptoms are very real and I would like to find a way better to cope with them -- preferably without resorting to pharmaceutical solutions.
 
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Hong Kong9151 Posts
On March 23 2012 14:51 phosphorylation wrote:
On the other hand, it also seems soemwhat possible that many of these descriptors depict most young, "geeky" males. Still, the symptoms are very real and I would like to find a way better to cope with them -- preferably without resorting to pharmaceutical solutions.
TL is not your doctor. Go seek actual medical advice. That being said, relying on Wikipedia, self-tests, and potentially self-medication is probably a bad thing.
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I have almost all those symptoms as well. If you find anything please post of pm me. Very interesting.
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Its good you can identify it yo. we all being geeky males, myself included no doubt, identify with much of these characteristics but everybody got ways to manage it. Me, I just sleep right, workout, spend time with my girl, and always find a way to ask a question or participate in class. It's my 2nd week after quitting cigs cold turkey and I've never felt better. despite meme fagtastic reddit and /r/starcraft gets, I'd check out /r/getmotivated to start. one step at a time and soon enough you'll be unbolding that list u got. best of luck yo
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Stop right here. Self diagnoses is a terrible idea - just because you can read wikipedia, that doesn't mean you are capable of making determinations like this. Go to a psychiatrist, tell them your suspicions, and let them make a proper diagnoses.
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deafhobbit and itsjustatank: I never said I conclusively diagnosed myself with adult ADHD, just that I realized striking similarities between the listed symptoms and my own habits/characteristics. Do read more carefully before posting.
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As has been said, getting a proper diagnosis is really your best bet if you are worried about it.
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Nothing clears my head as well as strenuous exercise. How do you feel after an exhausting 30 minute run? For me, it keeps my brain running great for the next 48 hours.
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On March 23 2012 14:51 phosphorylation wrote:
On the other hand, it also seems soemwhat possible that many of these descriptors depict most young, "geeky" males.
I disagree. When I think of geeky people I don't correlate ADHD at all.
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dude i've been going through a lot of the same thing 
, you might want to look into getting a low dose of prescription adderall, i have tried it and it works in a big way. talk to your doctor dude, there exists a real diagnosis for these things.
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Going and getting checked out by a licensed Medical professional is the best option. But be aware that if you walk into a Doctor's office with any of those symptoms they will probably prescribe medication. ADHD is one of the most over diagnosed "illnesses" out there and due to the average person's lack of discipline, it is easier to medicate then fix.
There are cures besides medication (though they are harder) and there have been an increasing number of studies that show medication is more harmful then helpful.
In my experience, depression can have some of the same symptoms, as can having no goals. In fact, if you have a general sense of meaninglessness all of those things will follow. I would start by asking yourself what your goals are and when was the last time you achieved one of them. If it hasn't been for a while, you might want to consider reorienting yourself before you go see a doctor.
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Read books and do regular exercise. I honestly think that these 2 things help develop a healthy mind and body that will address many of the issues described.
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At least half of those fit me as well, but I'm not gonna waste my time looking for a diagnosis. I am what I am and whatever flaws I might have are part of me.
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as dumb as this may sound... i had this problem in 9th and 10th grade where my grades slipped and it was due to this. lack of focus and attention span. im not even very geeky just got adhd. what really helped me slow down and regain focus was gods green herb, the illegal plant matter, the sticky icky, ganja. it really slows down the minds pathways that would otherwise distract you. also it really really helped with the fidgeting. i dunno if the fidgeting hinders sleep like it did for me but leme say, you fall right asleep after a fatty bowl.
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On March 23 2012 16:18 phosphorylation wrote:
deafhobbit and itsjustatank: I never said I conclusively diagnosed myself with adult ADHD, just that I realized striking similarities between the listed symptoms and my own habits/characteristics. Do read more carefully before posting.
Yes, but you've still jumped the gun by going to the internet for advice on how to handle adult ADHD without by having been properly diagnosed with it. Moreover, the fact that you're correlating these symptoms with being "geeky" shows how unqualified you are to make this diagnoses. Finally, when a good third of the other posts in this thread are other people self diagnosing, the post might not just have been for you. I repeat, if you are seriously concerned about this, stop right now and set up an appointment with a psychiatrist (not a psychologist, since most treatment plans for ADHD involve medication).
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On March 23 2012 14:51 phosphorylation wrote:I just realized today that I may have adult ADHD. All this time, I always held a slightly skeptical view regarding psychological disorders -- it's all in the head, or so i thought -- and, in any case, I could not conceive that I would be afflicted with it. But things have been going badly for last 4-5 years or so and today I came upon a symptoms list for adult ADHD. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htmI am usually a very skeptical person but the descriptions of symptoms were so uncannily similar to the negative habits/characteristics I have developed in last few years. I feel compelled to list the ones I really sympathized with and, to my dismay, I am almost forced to list all items that are listed on that website. I have bolded ones that are especially problematic/distressing for me. - “zoning out” without realizing it, even in the middle of a conversation. - extreme distractibility; wandering attention makes it hard to stay on track.-struggling to complete tasks, even ones that seem simple. -tendency to overlook details, leading to errors or incomplete work.-poor listening skills; hard time remembering conversations and following directions. -have poor self-control -have addictive tendencies-sense of underachievement
-trouble staying motivated-feelings of inner restlessness, agitation -trouble sitting still; constant fidgeting -craving for excitement-doing a million things at once -getting bored easilyOn the other hand, it also seems soemwhat possible that many of these descriptors depict most young, "geeky" males. Still, the symptoms are very real and I would like to find a way better to cope with them -- preferably without resorting to pharmaceutical solutions.
If you feel you have ADHD you should seek medical assistance to determine if you are correct. Many of the traits of ADHD can be easily becaused by other problems and you should not self diagnose. The best way to deal with ADHD or any other disability is to find out what you are dealing with, understand it and then take measures to address it. Attempting to deal with it on your own, without outside imput, is the largest mistake you could make. You will simply get fustrated.
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No offense, but a lot of people who read symptons of a disorder they think they have, they usually tend to believe they have those symptoms and thus the disorder.
Go to a doctor or a specialist to get their opinion, it will be closer to the truth then your self diagnosed "analysis" on the disorder.
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Thanks all for your feedback. Inori: I have had these issues since I was younger but it really got worse as stress mounted and things went wrong.
I don't think ADHD is something that you either have or don't: there's a spectrum of how afflicted you are. I may be in the lower end of the spectrum.
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I worked at an ADHD clinic and one of the criteria for diagnosis is an early (childhood) onset of symptoms. You could find a specialist or a psychologist relatively easy, just ask your family doctor for a referral.
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EPT
