Does it get worse?

[Anonymous]

I have not been professionally diagnosed, but am almost 98% sure that I have ADD. I seem to be getting worse, especially now that I’ve moved out and I’m studying at Uni. Do more responsibilities make ADD worse? I am becoming a lot more forgetful – it almost seems like I’ve lost half my memory, which is scaring me. Also, I’ve realised that I’m becoming more impulsive in social situations, and sometimes I can’t quite control my behaviour (I might say something wrong, or know that I’m being a little rude, but unable to control it). I dread to think of what I’ll be like when I have a household to run!

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[munchkin]

I believe it does get worse wtih stress – for me at least…

Also, moving out and starting university is when I suddenly realized how hard it was to function without being in the structure of my family’s home & support.

And… university – upping the ante with bigger workload, less structure, much more time management needed.

I suggest seeing someone about a diagnosis – meds and/or ADD friendly strategies could make the difference for your college success!

Did you try the test on this site – it’s under “Tools”

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[Anonymous]

Yes, it definitely does fluctuate when stress is involved. I’m finding the work load a major hindrance at the moment – it gets to the point when I know I have to get down to it, but I just can’t seem to find the motivation. It feels like an invisible force working against me. I don’t know if that’s to do with ADD either, or other issues.

I’ll get things done in bursts – if I have a spontaneous idea, then I’ll go for it (often unfinished, heh…), and it often works out better. I HATE planning things. This is why degree work is hard.

I am in the process of being diagnosed. I am half way through my journey. It’s more complicated than I expected, as I had to initially visit the doctor, then I was referred to a clinic nearby to be assessed. I am being referred to a specialist centre as my last and final trip for the professional diagnosis. I know it’s known as “dangerous” to self-diagnose, but I feel as if it has really helped. I’m starting to accept myself more, and life is actually easier than it was. I take things slower – write things down (because I know I’m going to forget), hold my ideas in (because I know they’re going to JUMP out in mid-conversation!), and try to plan my time out more. It’s coming to terms with it all that makes the realisation much easier.

Yes, I tried the test – I got a full 9 on the Predominantly Inattentive Type. I always knew this though

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[kc5jck]

I would say that the problems a normal person has with the freedoms attained by “leaving the nest” are magnified by having ADHD. You are no exception. You now have to do everything for yourself without human or familiar environmental cues to remind you. This eats up time and you start to get behind. As Munchkin says ” bigger workload, less structure, much more time management needed.” I, and I think everyone else on this site “in the know”, would agree with everything Munchkin says.

A diagnosis and meds for ADD, if you are anything like my son, which it sounds like you are, are going to be crucial for your success.

Strategies include develop a routine so things become automatic, use a cell phone with alarms that remind you when to do things, like eat. Make a list, hopefully which can be stored on a cell phone, in the evening for the next day of things you need to get done and refer to it frequently. Trust nothing to memory, write it down. Do these things often and they will become habit.

Check out http://totallyadd.com/forum/topic.php?id=2083 on this site for resources.

Get some good books and learn about ADD. Once you can start to identify what problems you have that are ADHD, then you can begin to address them.

Know that you are not the first to go down this path and that we, this site, is here for you.

Good luck.

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[Anonymous]

I didn’t have much structure at home, and I’m actually finding it less stressful (in some ways) to live in a small box room (University halls). There is less space for things to go missing, and a lot more emotional freedom (my family stressed me out a lot, which consequently had an affect on my potential ADD). I am only paying my living costs every term. There are no extra bills, or faffing around. It is a very easy life, in one room. I imagine a house would get complicated for me, without additional help.

The work load, however, is what is overwhelming me. The responsibilities are also making me more forgetful. As I said, I can’t often seem to sit down and get my work done – even though I should, and everybody else is.

Hopefully I’ll get my appointment for the diagnosis in January (it’s a long waiting list). More lists would be a good idea – and I already do create lists on my mobile phone – but not all the time. I can fortunately say, I almost never forget to eat! I get very hungry from University and being so busy, so it’s hard to ignore. However, there are a lot more things that I should make alarms for.

Storage containers really help. It might sound strange, but the more I can box and organise certain things, the less scatty my room is – and voila, I know where things are! I have bought the biggest keyring in existence that is now attached to my key – so I do not lose my key like before. I sometimes leave my key IN my door – all night. I am a threat to my safety!

I plan on getting some books about ADD, once my diagnosis has been confirmed. I have researched a lot about it, and I know almost for sure that this is something I have.

Ironically, I just forgot what I am about to ask, but now it has come back to me. Memory – are huge memory issues a lot to do with ADD? I can’t seem to remember a lot nowadays – not even much of my childhood, or birthdays….holidays….everything. It’s getting me down hugely. I try to keep journals to keep a record of each day, but I never seem to continue with them.

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[kc5jck]

I’m thinking that maybe the memory issues are not so much as forgetting but not remembering in time. How many times have I gone, “Oh, wait… ahhh that was YESTERDAY!!” or “Oh, what time is it? I should have called them back two hours ago.” Right?

It’s not a memory issue, it’s a time issue. Does this sound familiar anyone?

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[Anonymous]

Sometimes. But I’m more of a “WHERE DID I PUT THAT?!” person.

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[billd]

Stress, and changes. At least for me. I’m like a cat – if something changes a little bit, I can freak. I dislike change.

A change in habits, SLEEP PATTERNS, NOT ENOUGH SLEEP – can all lead to ADD-like symptoms or a deepening of that which goes with “real ADD”.

Some find out that what they believe is ADD is caused by other things – lack of sleep, inconsistent waking times, etc. HOEVER, it can go both directions.

Different FOODS can even cause it to “feel worse”. Get fresh air, exercise early in the morning, get plenty of sleep, wake up at the same time every day – EVEN weekends, within an hour is best.

Concentrating can make it worse, Look up DAF and see if that applies at all – “directed attention fatigue” – can cause memory issues if i recall.

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[Anonymous]

Even on a refreshing sleep, I am still forgetful. I have had a lot of ADD symptoms throughout my entire life, right from childhood. It has just got worse since starting University. As I have not been professionally diagnosed, it’s getting harder by the day to understand what’s happening – yet easier at the same time. Often I’ll think, “Ah, that must because I have A.D.D”…”wait, I haven’t been diagnosed, so perhaps I’m just forgetful”. It’s really difficult without a proper diagnosis, it’s taking over my daily thoughts. Once I know one or the other, I’ll be able to deal with things better.

I haven’t yet noticed any patterns in my diet/sleep that make my situation worse. Well, apart from not getting enough sleep. I am 100 x worse on no sleep. Diet I have not noticed so much.

If DAF has anything to do with this, then I’ve been suffering with it for my whole life! My forgetfulness has always been ongoing. My memory, both short term and long term, is getting worse.

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[billd]

You may have ADD – I can’t say, and won’t say due to not wanting to cause you MORE problems by an unprofessional, misguided diagnosis, however, sure sounds like it. I can relate a lot……. and i’ve really got it.

Take the test at the top of the totallyadd.com web site – the virtual test. It’s quite good. Find ’em online, take them, print them, and go to a GOOD doctor and get a referral to a professional. Get the diagnosis, learn what it is, how to cope, how to improve, how to make life better (and you CAN, trust me – it’s possible to be a huge success in spite of. And you can even leverage some things and turn them into things that work for you)

I find it comes and goes at times – well ,some symptoms do. Suddenly one day I’m remembering a lot, more than my wife even, then the next week, I can’t even remember to put shoes on before I leave for work.

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[Anonymous]

I’ve taken the test on this site, and it claims I’m 9/9 Inattentive. Woo! I already knew this though, from lots of other tests/realisations from reading through symptoms. I’m awaiting my referral to a professional, it’s just taking a horribly long time (I’ve been waiting for more than a month now, since my last referral). I’m 3/4 there!

I’ve noticed that symptoms do definitely come and go – I’m glad to know others are like this actually, because there are times when I remember quite a bit, then think “I have memory! I can’t be ADD!”. It’s just incredibly difficult with a proper diagnosis. I just need to move on and learn about myself more, but I currently feel stuck, because I can’t do all this on a self-diagnosis.

My biggest fear about the diagnosis is being diagnosed without ADD. I’d just be a natural ditz. Brilliant.

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[Anonymous]

sorry, I meant *without a proper diagnosis!

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[Anonymous]

Berry, been there, do not over think … that is how i make myself nuts … just saying.

Of course, by Saturday I’ll forget saying this.

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[Anonymous]

You will indeed

It is hard not to over think when I’m battling between the potential of ADD or not eek.

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[billd]

Berry – it took me nearly 6 months – through a chain of doctors and referrals. And I’m told that was FAST.

I got “worked in” at the neuro-psychologist as he had a cancellation just a week after I was referred there…… otherwise it would have been 3 MORE months.

Tea – I think you just explained a lot! HAHAHA.

Over-think? Isn’t that what ADDers do?

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[Author]

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