Need help

[Donaven]

Going to get tested tomorrow but I’ve been told by a previous doctor that I might have adhd. Is this a bad thing that will effect my life ?

[Hidden]

Donaven

Medication will help over the medium term, try not to worry. There will be many on this site who have the same problem, you are not alone

BOB

[Donaven in reply to Hidden]

I appreciate it, I just am not a fan a medicine because of all of the side effects that comes with them. Is that the only alternative ?

[Testarossa1975]

I think undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is much worse than getting an ADHD diagnosis which could then lead to getting effective treatment and learning new behavioral strategies that typically help people with ADHD.

Regarding the effect of ADHD on your life, if you have ADHD, it has always had some effect on your life even if you were not aware of it. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which symptoms must be present before age 12.

It is possible for someone to have not had significantly impairing symptoms as a child, but these symptoms become impairing at a different stage in life. A child with ADHD symptoms might have a very structured and supportive environment and/or the demands placed on him are not so great that the child's symptoms do not stand out as significantly impairing.

As a person enters a different stage of life, ADHD symptoms may become more impairing. For some, going to college and not having an imposed structure might be enough for the person to begin experiencing significant consequences from their ADHD symptoms. For others, managing adult life with many and varied responsibilities, as well as not having the safety net of parental structure and accountability, may make ADHD symptoms become relevant and cause problems in daily functioning.

So if you are diagnosed with ADHD, that does not mean you are going to all the sudden have new problems that you have not experienced before. It's not like getting a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimers which results in increasing problems with cognitive functioning. There is no cure for ADHD, but If you do have it, getting the diagnosis is the first step that can lead you to improved functioning.

[Duckncover in reply to Testarossa1975]

Very well said Testarossa1975

[Donaven in reply to Testarossa1975]

Yes my everyday life is difficult, from college classes to work. It’s like I function different from everyone else. Attention span in class is horrible, one minute I’m paying attention next minute I doze off into a dream land lost in space for the whole class and not even know it. I do not know if I have ADHD or not I just know I have a lot of things that I feel are related to it.

[RyanStotz]

Whatever you have, it's clearly already affecting you if a doctor spotted it. So the only change comes from a diagnosis, which has up and down sides.

The down sides first. Being officially diagnosed may, at least at first and possibly longer, make you more aware of how you have a more difficult time with some routine tasks and everyday living than those who don't have ADD. It'll likely also make you hyper aware of how your ADD impacts others and makes their lives more difficult. It may mean expensive drugs, and will almost certainly mean months and months of trying different drugs to find the right one for you. It'll mean spending too much time and energy hunting down pharmacies who have your prescription in stock, and worse, if you live in the States at least, it'll mean remembering to keep track of difficult to replace paper prescriptions since almost nobody will call in a prescription for a controlled substance. It could potentially mean having to deal with abuse or addiction to your meds. It will, many times, have you frustrated at your lack of progress despite your best efforts.

You'll also experience the overwhelming sense of accomplishment and peace at being able to do normal things like a normal person for the first time. You'll be euphoric about it, and that ain't the meds, either. Your friends, family, co-workers, employers, and casual acquaintances will see you in a whole new light, and personal and professional opportunities you'd never considered possible will open up to you. You'll learn a lot about yourself, and others, and be a kinder, more empathetic person. You'll be smarter, funnier, more caring, and a better friend because you'll keep your thoughts straight and not forget things, allowing you to access that part of you that really makes you who you are. You'll accomplish more than you ever imagined you could, in so many different parts of your life. You'll understand yourself, to the extent anyone really can. Most importantly, you'll see that you've done something for yourself that's objectively improved your life and the lives of others close to you, and it'll show you that damn it, you *can* take charge of your life, and it'll spur you to do so more and more as you understand the limits and freedoms of being properly diagnosed and medicated.

[Donaven in reply to RyanStotz]

Woah that was a lot. Well said I appreciate each and every piece of information you just shared with me. I’m still very nervous towards pill taking or any other type of medication.

[Hidden]

You need to know how to control your illness, your GP will introduce you to a pathway you need to take, medication can be part of that journey as may some form of Therapy.

Most people may only take medications over the short or medium term, although sometimes, people may need drugs for most of their lives.

I have been on medications on and off for most of my life, I have taken drugs for a long time after developing Chronic Illness. I do feel ok and normally now I have no side affects. Now I will need these medications up to my death, they are a prop that will help you move on.

BOB