The Forums › Forums › I Just Found Out! › My Story › 27 year old Norwegian girl with newly discovered ADD(SCT-SluggishCognitiveTempo)
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June 6, 2011 at 3:01 pm #89673
AnonymousInactiveJune 6, 2011 at 3:01 pmPost count: 14413Hi everyone
I have been suspecting that I have had some kind of ADHD for 8 years, and tried back then to have it examined by a psychologist. Without even meeting me, the clinic turned me down, explaining that- as long as I’m not in danger to myself or others, I don’t need the examination.
Being 19 at the time, I didn’t press on, I regret that today.
I have an older brother that had a bad case of ADHD when he was younger, hyperactive beyond belief, I didn’t cause any problems (well behaved and all that…)so I was sort of left to fend for myself. People would say so many mean things about my brother, and although he was a major pain sometimes I couldn’t wish for a better brother.
8 years later (May 27-2011, or the first day of my new life as I think I will call it), I’ve finally got the diagnosis, after being turned down another two times (didn’t give up this time, thougt atleast they (whoever they are) should meet me before they turned me down…). And I have a sub-sub of ADHD called Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (or SCT, Sluggish Cognitive Tempo sounds so… so… well… stupid, like I’m stupid…)
I found this forum yesterday and was so relieved when I read all of your stories and struggles, and I could not stop smiling:) It was like reading about myself… And I also found that some of the things I had a hard time with, but didn’t relate with the ADD-diagnosis, was something some of you also struggled with, like laundry (my jaw dropped when I read that).
For a long time (after being turned down the first time) I thought that maybe my dificulties had something to do with me and my family constantly moving around, thought that I never had a real chance to grow roots and find stability.
I now live with my boyfriend (lived together for nearly 2 1/2 years now), we’ve had our ups and downs because of me (although as many others in here I don’t beat myself up so much anymore about my shortcomings). He knew when we became an item that I struggeled with depression and was taking antidepressants (I thought and my psychologist thougt that it was depression), and it was ok with him. But after not getting better, and I started thinking that it might be ADD, and then going through the diagnostics, he’s not interrested in learning about ADD. I find that very frustrating.Anyone else have the same problem?
I think he believes that I will use ADD as an excuse, not true. For me it’s an explanation, and it keeps me from hating and beating myself up.
The psychologist who diagnosed me with SCT said that medicines might not help me, but I didn’t tell her that I’ve already tried a friends medicines, and they worked. It’s something I normally wouldn’t do, but I was so insecure, anxious and curious. And it was so strange, the busy bees in my head was gone, and suddenly I felt like doing chores! I’m going back to another doctor that specializes in medicine within a few weeks, can’t wait. Now I’m trying to educate myself as much as I can on ADD and SCT, and what types of medicines is out there.
I’m very interested in getting in touch with lazy, stupid, crazy people like myself:)
What an indroduction? I can’t post this, but I will anyways, I don’t want to start over. So it is what it is…
REPORT ABUSEJune 9, 2011 at 5:47 am #104731
AnonymousInactiveJune 9, 2011 at 5:47 amPost count: 14413Thanks for posting, Elisabeth! I never knew about SCT until you mentioned it. Sounds like me! I’ve been reading posts from here for a few weeks now and could relate to most everything from those with ADHD-PI except…. my mind is not in hyper-drive. Feels like it’s very much in slow motion…. like the gears are rusty and get stuck often. I feel so much like I belong with this group here, but I thought my “sluggish” mind disqualified me from ever getting an ADD diagnosis. I’m meeting with a neuropsychologist for testing and will discuss results next week and see if further testing is needed.
I meant to post a few minutes after your post first came out, but I kept editing and re-editing…. I’m sure you know how it is, but I just had to thank you for bringing up the subject! I’ve been reading online what little info there is on SCT. I was just excited to know that I can have ADD even if my mind is not in hyper-drive.
I’d like to say I will post an update on my diagnosis, but I don’t trust myself to not flake out! Hoping to get this “brain fog” lifted, if even just a little!
REPORT ABUSEJune 9, 2011 at 9:46 am #104732
AnonymousInactiveJune 9, 2011 at 9:46 amPost count: 14413Hmmm…that partner-not-believing-you or not being interested problem is familiar. I am nearly 40 with a 14 year old son who has just been disgnosed with ADHD. Just prior to the diagnosis, when it was suggested that he be tested, I did lots of research and found that the symptoms matched perfectly with my son AND myself. I brought it up with my husband and he certainly agreed that the symptoms described us both, BUT not long afterwards, he made some comment about a person not being able to use a diary/calendar/organiser is because deep down inside themselves, they really don’t want to!!! I could have killed him. I struggled for years to integrate a calendar into my daily routine, and I also keep a small diary on me and generally I manage to match the two up so things don’t get missed. But it only works for appointments things with set times/dates. I can’t use a diary to set myself a list of things to do, because it doesn’t work. Even a list under my nose doesn’t often work. Things still have to have a time limit, and the end of the time limit must be imminent before I will act….you know, that mad last minute rush to do things?!!!
Anyway, back to the topic, I worry that my husband will let that sort of attitude show and it will affect our son’s self-esteem. It certainly affects mine. I beat myself up enough about not being a good enough mother, wife, friend, etc without having others make those sort of comments. A diagnosis will go a long way to helping me come to terms with my “failings”. At least my son has been diagnosed, we have an appointment in a few weeks to discuss medication, and we have an “educational consultant” arranged (who also has ADHD) to help him manage his school work. I have to wait until September for my psych appointment. I can tell you, it’s going to be hard trying not to “test” my son’s medications just to see if they’d help me!! I am hoping that my hubby will read some of the information I have left lying around the place. I made sure to pick easy to read stuff that stresses that ADHD sufferers are not lazy, they just lack the inbuilt “self motivation in the absence of consequences” that others have (incidentally, humans are the only animals who can sustain lengthy mental effort for “the future good” rather than immediate gains – which is what those with ADHD struggle with).
Far out, I didn’t mean to waffle so much. Just wanted to say hi and let you know you’re not alone
Kat
REPORT ABUSEJune 9, 2011 at 6:43 pm #104733
AnonymousInactiveJune 9, 2011 at 6:43 pmPost count: 14413Hi ge
I know, there is very little information about SCT, however there is more about ADD and nobody has all the symptoms. SCT will hopefully get more known in time. (Editing myself as I’m writing, slow process. And english isn’t my first language…)
I do have racing thoughts though, it’s just that I can’t seem to catch them, so they appear more like static. Exhausting… I’m probably going deaf soon, cause the only thing that works for me is to either daydream or listen to music, or both… Drown it all out…
SCT is primarily issues with work memory and processing speed, maybe that will help you even more when you try to find out more about SCT.
Good luck with the meeting
Hi KrazyKat
Have you checked out TotallyADD’s YouTube channel? Rick Green’s videos
“Excuses” http://youtu.be/vP74rAOxG9I
“It’s all made up” http://youtu.be/nX35RMunAL4
I wish I had his ability to speak my mind.
I love deadlines That way I at least know that things will get done, but that is mainly other peoples deadlines, I can’t seem to take my own deadlines as serious
Lists doesn’t really work for me either, my boyfriend put up a list of what to do around the house for the summer (repaint, fix and such…)on the refrigerator a few weeks ago, I can’t look at it without feeling like the room is caving in on me. It’s too much! Makes me feel like crying, it’s so weird… And knowing that so-called ‘normal’ people wouldn’t have any problem with that makes me mad about myself. Maybe if we took one project at a time I would feel better, but having that list almost makes me wish it was autumn already…
I feel the same way about not beeing a good enough girlfriend, daughter, sister, friend, aunt ect. ect. But I’m sure we’re all doing as good as we can. We’re willing, but not as able as we wish to be. I really hope medicines will help me with that.(Right now I have really high hopes that I will be like a whirlwind that’s everywhere doing everything that needs to be done and pleasing all along my way!)(Not sure if that ever will happen, might disapoint myself though…)
I think, maybe, not sure though, that Dr. J said something about trying your childrens medicines in the Webinar: The Truth About Medication
Waffle as much as you want, I seem to do it too
Thank you, I’m so glad I found this forum, almost makes me feel normal
Good luck in September
REPORT ABUSEJune 9, 2011 at 10:17 pm #104734
AnonymousInactiveJune 9, 2011 at 10:17 pmPost count: 14413About the medication thing. I already know it is completely and utterly illegal, but doesn’t make it any less tempting
Will have to check out the videos, when I have more time (have to go out soon). Thanks.
REPORT ABUSEJune 10, 2011 at 11:06 am #104735
AnonymousInactiveJune 10, 2011 at 11:06 amPost count: 14413I totally understand, having a possible solution within arms lenght, but not being able to try it because it’s illegal. Frustrating.
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