Those of you with ADD -- did diagnosis change your life?

[Just Joshin]

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My uncle suggested I get tested for ADD. I've never been a good studier. I can focus for about 10-15 min. and then I lose my concentration and my mind races with about a dozen different things. Something that should only take an hour to study takes me about five or six because I need frequent breaks. Studying for the MCAT is a pain for everyone, but it was extruciating for me because I just couldn't concentrate.

Anyway, I don't know if I have it but my uncle mentioned the possibility. Those of you who have it, does this sound familiar at all? What happened after you were diagnosed?

 

[apumic]

Honestly? You'll be prescribed stimulants to help you concentrate. How do you expect a dx to change your life?! If you're having difficulty studying, see your uni's counseling ctr. Let them make a dx if necessary and they may refer you to a psychiatrist. Let the psychiatrist actually evaluate and prescribe the appropriate tx. They're not in the business to ruin your life or anything. If you're needing to take breaks every 10-15 min and can't maintain concentration beyond that point, it's possible there's an issue but you're on a premed forum and this is the internet.
We cannot make a probable dx for you. Please seek professional help.

 

[09javcar]

My uncle suggested I get tested for ADD. I've never been a good studier. I can focus for about 10-15 min. and then I lose my concentration and my mind races with about a dozen different things. Something that should only take an hour to study takes me about five or six because I need frequent breaks. Studying for the MCAT is a pain for everyone, but it was extruciating for me because I just couldn't concentrate.

Anyway, I don't know if I have it but my uncle mentioned the possibility. Those of you who have it, does this sound familiar at all? What happened after you were diagnosed?

I know exactly what you mean. My mind even while multitasking is always thinking about something which I'm trying to forget and it's not fun. I can't focus on homework or studying. I think I might get tested but I don't think It'll change one bit. Might I add, even if I drink a Monster the 32oz? I don't feel any effects because I'm already all hyped up.

 

[Jolie South]

Let's please keep this out of the realm of medical advice.

 

[Just Joshin]

I wasn't asking for medical advice. I was just trying to communicate with others who experience the same things so I can figure out who they cope, do they take medication, etc?

 

[MediCynical]

Yes and no. I was diagnosed with ADHD towards the end of my sophomore year of undergrad and began taking adderall. Took it until the end of my junior year and my grades went up significantly, but I became extremely introverted and didn't like the way the medication made me feel. Quit taking it after junior year and my grades continued to rise. I think for me it was just a matter of learning how to study/be organized.

 

[redsquareblack]

Yes and no. I was diagnosed with ADHD towards the end of my sophomore year of undergrad and began taking adderall. Took it until the end of my junior year and my grades went up significantly, but I became extremely introverted and didn't like the way the medication made me feel. Quit taking it after junior year and my grades continued to rise. I think for me it was just a matter of learning how to study/be organized.

I agree with this. Diagnosis didn't necessarily excuse my past poor performance, but it at least allowed me to regard it within a context, and identify the ways in which it affected me and my habits. Medication helped, somewhat, but what really made the difference was the recognition of habits, and a consistent, structured approach to tackling the bad one, and really accentuating the good ones.

 

[mic43]

well, a diagnosis would be pretty subjective based on what constitutes "significant impairment" as specified in the DSM-IV TR

what did you get on the SAT??

they would probably take a history (strong genetic component) and contact your teachers before making a diagnosis and may administer a CPT test like the TOVA (test of variable attention...though it may give false negatives since it only picks up major inattention/impulsivity or malingering) or do an EEG

i say go for it since insurance pays for it and you have nothing to lose but make sure your health insurance doesnt require a preauthorization code or primary care referral

 

[ponybreeder4]

i think i have ADD too..i could be multitasking but my mind is still racing through a million things. i am embarassed to get help 🙁 how do i tell lazyness from real add?

 

[Tutmos]

I think the average adult attention span is about 20 minutes. It sounds like everyone wants to be a victim as usual. If someone is genetically lazy does that mean they need uppers to be normal? ADD and ADHD is probably one of the biggest failures of the medical industry since lobotomies.

 

[Rapunzel]

You can learn strategies to improve your focus and attention, whether or not you have ADD. Your university counseling center can help you with this. If you struggle with something, that is a sign that you may benefit from getting some help with what causes you difficulty. Diagnosis is way more subjective than most people want to think it is, and much less relevant. Finding something that works is relevant.

 

[thesauce]

.

 

[Gabby]

Amen. I'm at the end of med school now and, from what I've seen, those conditions are a bunch of hooey.

What's that? You have trouble paying attention to boring lecture material? How unique. Give me a break.

Given that neither of you is a doctor yet (thank God), why don't you spare us the armchair diagnosis and actually READ the thread and the rules of SDN to realize the intent of this thread.

 

[redsquareblack]

Given that neither of you is a doctor yet (thank God), why don't you spare us the armchair diagnosis and actually READ the thread and the rules of SDN to realize the intent of this thread.

Oh, SNAP.

 

[dingyibvs]

My uncle suggested I get tested for ADD. I've never been a good studier. I can focus for about 10-15 min. and then I lose my concentration and my mind races with about a dozen different things. Something that should only take an hour to study takes me about five or six because I need frequent breaks. Studying for the MCAT is a pain for everyone, but it was extruciating for me because I just couldn't concentrate.

Anyway, I don't know if I have it but my uncle mentioned the possibility. Those of you who have it, does this sound familiar at all? What happened after you were diagnosed?

Eh, 10-15 is not bad. When I'm reading materials I really don't like, or writing an essay or something, it's EXTREMELY difficult to keep my attention for even 2 minutes. I find it easier to study when I'm moving, I always walk around when I need to really think about something. Tapping my foot or finger really help too. Usually I study the best when the pressure is on, when I am absolutely forced to study. Even then, somehow Hearts or Freecell magically pop up on my computer as I'm reading slides.....:sighs:

 

[loveoforganic]

On the plus side for you, there really doesn't seem to be much stigma at all with ADHD diagnosis, as compared to pretty much every other mental disorder.

 

[TexasPrincess]

It seems like most of my best friends growing up had ADD, even my EX. Not getting medical treatment when you need it can seriously affect your life. In my case, my ex self destructed and refused treatment when he clearly needed it. I also saw one of my best friends even on medication struggling in college to get her work done on time. There is no harm in being evaluated.

Google and you take some self evaluation tests on line. There are many other indicators for ADD. Also, some people consider having ADD an advantage because if you can get really interested in something, you can hyperfocus.