How do I know?

[Quinn31027]

I am twenty years old and currently in college (somehow, hah)! I have been to therapy in the past, to deal with trauma. Never had any discussions about my spacing out or my impulsive decisions because they seemed to be consequences of me disassociating. Nearly three years later, I'm still spacing and racing and feeling disconnected from everyone around me. How do I go about figuring out whether or not I have ADHD?

[Akuji001]

Thre is an audiobook on Audible called "I Always Want To Be Where I'm Not" Successful Living with ADHD by Wes Crenshaw, PHD ABPP. Go see your doctor and talk about it to see about getting a diagnosis. From a 50 yr old to a 20 yr old don't wait, please go get help. You don't want to risk not finishing college at any cost. It may help finding someone you can run any decisions by before you make them.

[Quinn31027 in reply to Akuji001]

Hey, thank you very much for responding. I am currently seeing a therapist but I'm scared that asking to take an ADHD test will actually discourage my therapist from diagnosing, you know? Has this been a problem for anyone else?

[Namzug2 in reply to Quinn31027]

It hasn't been a problem.It usually consists of a bunch of questions if you get a majority Of them right your Add or ADHD. What I have a problem with is I have post traumatic stress disorder which sneaks in and stirres things up. Making things complicated.

[hammock_lvr in reply to Namzug2]

I hear you on the PTSD.

[Akuji001]

The test really amounts to answers to questions about your behavior. Are you able to complete task you start ? Can you focus on a single task to completion? There are many more questions and behaviors that are looked at and it’s hard. I would ask if you can’t talk to your therapist about your thoughts and how you feel then maybe find one you can open up to. Is that an option?

[Hidden]

You can do the neuropsychological test for ADHD with another psychologist. And about school....just think that not finishing is not an option and obligate yourself to do it.

[Quinn31027]

Thanks for all of your responses, guys! I really am thankful to have this communicative space. School really isn't an option for me!! I guess it is that way for everyone, haha. As far as my therapist, I do like her and I do think I can open up to her. Is it just a matter of saying "hey can you please administer this test?" I don't want her to be skeptical of my asking you know? I come from a very religious family and thee majority of my life I've just been told I was lazy and just need to 'do better.'

[aindricrow in reply to Quinn31027]

Hi I'm 22, and I finally got help a year ago...after I drove my car off the road... apparently I was lacking focus that day. It scared me so bad that I faced my fears and started seeing a therapist. The key is having the right therapsit, and I just told him everything that was going on. He told me it was ADHD and then asked me questions from the DSM 5 to confirm it. I come from a family where mental disorders are an excuse and are not real. It's been a long road getting past that, but getting a label to explain all my struggles has been worth it. Hope it all goes well for you.

[Quinn31027 in reply to aindricrow]

Hello there! Thank you very much for your reply. It's good to have a community. My family was also very anti-disorder and it hasn't really skewed things for all Of us. I made a list (I love lists haha) and brought it to therapy. She seemed really excited about t and I'm hoping next session we look at the DSM. But my insurance expired so if I don't get more, before my next meeting, I will have to postpone ): I hope y'all are enjoying the fall. I'm here to talk if you guys need it <3

[Akuji001]

Hay Quinn31027 hope all is well. Speaking of families I can see the disorder in my father as I look back at many things and situations. Unfinished home projects my dad started along with every tool a carpenter or plumber would have. Needless to say, he was neither of those people. If you can find someone to run big decisions by before you make them that may help. Perhaps a close friend of a friend that would be honest with you and wouldn't mind telling you the truth.

[Namzug2]

The best way is to have a Doctor psychologist or a medical doctor test you. Hopefully you have one of these for diagnosis.