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What if it's not ADHD?

What if it's not ADHD?2011-08-20T16:54:36+00:00

The Forums › Forums › What is it? › Do I Have it? › What if it's not ADHD?

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  • August 20, 2011 at 4:54 pm #89939

    Tiddler
    Member
    August 20, 2011 at 4:54 pm
    Post count: 802

    I’m being tested on Tuesday and, although I’ve been feeling really good now I’ve found something that explains how difficult my life has been, I’m getting worried about the appointment.

    What if it’s not ADHD? Or what if it is but the doctor doesn’t see it in me? What if I get really into the tests and do really well on them when it’s usually stuff I find hard?

    My self esteem has soared since finding out about adult ADHD – but what if I really was just a f* up all along?

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    August 21, 2011 at 12:27 am #107479

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    August 21, 2011 at 12:27 am
    Post count: 14413

    I had the same worries, I thought maybe I was wasting everyone’s time, including my own. It took 3 appointments before the ADD specialist said I was pretty much a textbook case.

    I thought I’d screwed up the testing too.

    My husband went to one of the appointments and had to fill out a questionnaire and was also asked to confirm or deny my responses during the interview. There were some things I had no idea I was doing, but that were definite symptoms. It was both embarassing and funny at the same time! (for example, apparently I tap my foot on the accelerator pedal when driving and it annoys my husband to no end).

    I also didn’t think I had the restlessness as bad, but during the testing, my foot was tapping a million times a second as I was trying to stay focused on what I was supposed to do (which I screwed up). In the evenings now, after my meds have worn off, I often have to move my feet and shift my body. At least now I know why.

    So good luck with your testing on Tuesday and hopefully you’ll move a bit further towards a diagnosis and treatment recommendations!

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    August 21, 2011 at 9:58 am #107480

    Tiddler
    Member
    August 21, 2011 at 9:58 am
    Post count: 802

    Thanks! The doc hasn’t asked to speak to my husband, which is a shame because he’d be able to confirm it all, and remember stuff if I go blank.

    I don’t think I tap my feet, but I do destroy things that I’m holding! Beer mats in pubs get shredded while I’m talking, pens get chewed to bits, labels get pulled off bottles. And when I worked in an office, I used to peel the backing off the sponge mats on the desks.

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    August 21, 2011 at 2:36 pm #107481

    caper
    Member
    August 21, 2011 at 2:36 pm
    Post count: 179

    If my doctor hadn’t diagnosed ADHD, I would have continued to obtain and take concerta on my own as well as seek a second opinion. It makes such HUGE difference in my frustration tolerance/impulse control that there is no question about taking methylphenidate in situations which I’ve learned test my temper.

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    August 21, 2011 at 2:46 pm #107482

    Tiddler
    Member
    August 21, 2011 at 2:46 pm
    Post count: 802

    My husband told me that if the doc didn’t diagnose ADHD he’d want us to look for a second opinion. He’s as convinced as I am. Because of other drugs I have to take, I’d be reluctant to self medicate in the meantime in case there are any problems.

    I told him I was worried he’d just say that I was lazy with a bad attitude to work but he thought it was ridiculous that anyone would think that. Everyone thought that when I was a child though!

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    August 21, 2011 at 3:59 pm #107483

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    August 21, 2011 at 3:59 pm
    Post count: 14413

    I wish you well Tiddler. One of life’s challenges (for me) was to become intimately aware of who I am, and become comfortable with that……ADD or otherwise. My life became infinitely different after that and the ADD was just a thing. I know that likely sounds very minimalist but fact is, it took years of hard work and determination to get there. So regardless of how I process things, or whether I’m short, tall, near sighted or 20 /20……..it was self discovery, self acceptance and my perspective that gave me peace.

    toofat

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    August 21, 2011 at 4:12 pm #107484

    Tiddler
    Member
    August 21, 2011 at 4:12 pm
    Post count: 802

    Thanks, toofat. That’s exactly what I’m hoping for.

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    August 22, 2011 at 9:31 pm #107485

    Tiddler
    Member
    August 22, 2011 at 9:31 pm
    Post count: 802

    I’m having some time out tomorrow and my husband said he’d take a few hours off work to look after the kids while I relax. I’m going to get there a few hours early and have a wander round, go for a meal, read in peace then hopefully go to the appointment feeling calm and confident. I’m almost looking forward to it!

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    August 22, 2011 at 10:30 pm #107486

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    August 22, 2011 at 10:30 pm
    Post count: 14413

    Good on you Tiddler…….enjoy your day, sounds like you have it in hand.

    Hmmmm…nice meal… and some reading time…..perfect.

    toofat

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    August 23, 2011 at 8:59 pm #107487

    Tiddler
    Member
    August 23, 2011 at 8:59 pm
    Post count: 802

    Thanks. It is ADHD. Going through every emotion under the sun at the moment but I know it’s a good thing to know finally…

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    August 24, 2011 at 12:08 am #107488

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    August 24, 2011 at 12:08 am
    Post count: 14413

    yay!!! now the more rewarding step of moving forward and improving life ! =)

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    August 24, 2011 at 1:03 am #107489

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    August 24, 2011 at 1:03 am
    Post count: 14413

    No more wondering for you now! Last week my therapist said the nice thing about a label is that it comes with limitations, meaning, you learn more about what you can and can’t do, and how to work with it. GREAT NEWS FOR YOU!

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    August 24, 2011 at 2:08 am #107490

    nellie
    Member
    August 24, 2011 at 2:08 am
    Post count: 596

    Yes, what’s that old idiom? Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t :-).

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    August 24, 2011 at 12:56 pm #107491

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    August 24, 2011 at 12:56 pm
    Post count: 14413

    and my ADD IS THE DEVIL 😈

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    August 24, 2011 at 1:20 pm #107492

    quizzical
    Participant
    August 24, 2011 at 1:20 pm
    Post count: 251

    Congrats on following through and getting your diagnosis!

    Judging from your other posts, I’m guessing this is a huge relief for you. I know it was to me – I’m only about a month ahead of where you are in your journey, and the memory of shedding tears of relief in the doctor’s office is still very fresh. Like you, I’d done a lot of consideration on my own before I got into the doctor’s office at long last, and the WHAT-IFs were just agony. Every day I knew, and yet every day I doubted. I said the exact same words you did: “What if I was just a f*** up all along?”

    We are all here for you!

    (((HUGS)))

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