What? ADD? Me? No one would ever believe it!

[jackwilliambell]

My life has seen fit to remind me recently that I am probably ADD. Most specifically in the sense that ADD (of the type I probably have) has genetic origins. Plus my boss has suggested I get evaluated for it by a professional.

After discussing this with scarlettina I took an ADD quiz she found. Results below. Are you surprised?

Comments

My experience

[dsgood]

Since I've started taking meds: I'm not less brainy. I think I'm more so, though the only really hard data I have is that I've gotten better at solving crossword puzzles.

I'm still able to hyperfocus.

Re: My experience

[jackwilliambell]

Do you mind saying which med you are taking and what positive and negative effects you have experienced?

Re: My experience

[dsgood]

I take nortriptyline, an anti-depressant. It's an off-label use, but it works well for me.

Positive effects: Much more patience. More ability to focus. (When I go a bit too long before taking the next dose, I get something much like coffee nerves.)

Negative effects: Dry mouth. Some effect on libido, but at my age it would be diminished anyway. If I were likely to be in a relationship anytime soon, I would try getting something done about this.

Note: My reactions to meds can be rather unusual. The first time I took a once-common OTC decongestant, I got pleasantly high. (That effect wore off completely within a week.) This is not among the listed possible side-effects. And a prescription decongestant I was trying out made me depressed.

[mysticalforest]

If more than one person says "you need help" then, yes, you do. What kind, how much, it's effect, these are all things to be addressed later, are currently unknown, and don't need to be worried about now.

Step one: Get help.

[jackwilliambell]

Part of the problem is that I am questioning whether I have a problem that needs 'help'. I have issues living with this, yes. I also have a bad back, which I live with.

But the bad back is an actual chronic condition, a health problem. Whereas ADD seems more like being differently cognitive. Not a health problem. More like being left handed in a world of righties.

[dsgood]

Having ADD and being lefthanded, I don't find the two that much alike in that way.

[jackwilliambell]

Just a metaphor. (See! I'm not entirely literal all the time.) The point I am trying to make is that I am not sure it is something that needs to be 'fixed'. Just a way of being different.

Re: on a slightly different tangent..

[jackwilliambell]

Aspergers has specific diagnostic criteria, including an unusual walk. Thing about ADD/ADHD is that they are pretty loosey goosey diagnostically, but allow the doctor to diagnose something that isn't really autism. Then there is PDD NOS, which means the doctor is certain it is full blown autism, but it doesn't completely fit any of the known diagnostic criteria for any of the 'labeled' conditions.

[nancylebov]

Afaik, the effects from the meds go away completely if you stop taking them. This means you could view medication as an experiment.

[jackwilliambell]

Good point.

Re: Nasa Tweetup deadline approaching 4 hours from now.....

[jackwilliambell]

And I missed it.