That, however, was able to go mostly unnoticed because I have a very high GAI (IQ without working memory calculated). I know how to manage it now, and can pop a little pill when I need to sit down and study something I find uninteresting, or get through the monotony of boring tasks like household chores, laundry, etc. It's not that I got smarter, I was just finally able to channel all this energy into tasks that I otherwise just couldn't complete, like homework. Some children will experience a significant decrease in … 7 years ago. I got evaluated with the “plan” (perhaps mental preparedness) to get an ADHD diagnosis. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder most common in children and adolescents. Most children have a mixed score, and treatment proceeds from there. Each is a medicine prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ().. It always seems so wasteful to consult a professional because there isn't a step #2, or any real help garnered with diagnosis. I have the inattentive type and I have never experienced hyperfocus, and drugs do very little for me in the way of helping me channel my thoughts. The link between ADHD and … ADHD Presentations (All persons with ADHD will exhibit most symptoms to some degree or another.) ADHD is now diagnosed on a 3 factors -- one for inattention, one for hyperactivity, and one for impulsivity from one-ten on each. Score! I finally got taken to a psychologist during my first summer school session between 11th and 12th grade, found a medication that worked for me, and my GPA went from a 1.8 to a 3.9. The confusion dates to 1994. I came from a military family, and dropped everything and enlisted 9/12/2001. I have exceeded every standardized test I've taken but I have real trouble doing homework and stuff, the only reason I usually pass is thanks to tests. After reading this, I think I may have ADHD. Honestly, I'd start by seeking out a therapist with training and experience with patients with both disorders. Score! Most children have a mixed score, and … Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders. It ends up being detrimental for me because I tend to fall into extremely heavy drinking to cope with it. ADHD is a complex condition that seems to have many different causes. Could you tell me how learning these itemized struggles has benefited you so far? The delay is prominent in the frontal cortex and temporal lobe, which are believed to be responsible for the ability to control and focus thinking. I was actually placed in both the gifted and talented and the learning disabled classes at the same time. The entirely inattentive type is nowhere near as much fun. This, of course, is highly speculative. r/ADHD: A place where people with ADHD and their loved ones can interact with each other exchanging stories, struggles, and non-medication … According to their parents, ADHD boys are also more likely than non-ADHD boys to display behaviors that indicate a variety of negative emotions. Absolutely, extremely worth my time and money to make it to this point. Explain Like I'm Five is the best forum and archive on the internet for layperson-friendly explanations. Not exaggerating. — Bono. Everyone's head was on a swivel in the field, but I took in every minute detail of my surroundings. After growing up always fighting to filter out extraneous sounds, I think I was more in tune to my surroundings during my two deployments. When I sleep, it's usually for a short period and I'm completely wide awake and ready to move around and do stuff the moment I open my eyes. I’ve been told that I could maybe have ADD but it didn’t go beyond that before my parents shut down the doctor when I was in middle school. The hypervigilance, inattention, avoidance etc, are shared symptoms, and there is a high predisposition for people with ADD/ADHD to develop PTSD after a trauma, also interestingly, brain injuries share a strong correlation with ADD/ADHD. Don't Panic! Many different medications can reduce ADHD symptoms, each … People who don't have "heavy on the H" ADHD tend not to experience that. Welcome, and please feel free to ask questions! I have both ADHD and autism, formally diagnosed. I have the not hyperactive kind, and tend to get jelous of the energie. When something interests me, I get totally and completely fascinated with it, and simply can not concentrate on anything else (more on why this is so badass in a bit), to the point where I would be obsessive about a subject. tldr i had adhd so tldr was so long as well. The Difference in ADD vs. ADHD and How to Treat It in Adults ADD and ADHD are two terms often used interchangeably when non-professionals discuss these mental issues. :), Press J to jump to the feed. ADHD does not influence intelligence. It used to refer to what is now one of the three presentations called ADHD-PI. ADD under the current scoring would have higher scores on inattention and lower scores on the other two. Substance use is a common side-sick of ADHD. It's all "ADHD", and in fact the ADD label has been discarded with the adoption of the DSM-IV in 1994. Here is a quote: "Overall, the results of this study suggest that boys with ADHD are less likely than non-ADHD boys to feel badly when they observe others in difficult circumstances, and are also less likely to report that their own feelings are directly affected by what happens to others. But if your child’s extreme meltdowns come out of nowhere, that could be a sign of ADD. I simply can't emphasize enough how powerful a feeling it is to be able to direct the million random thoughts racing through your head into one direction. Overview. I've never been to the doctor about this, I'm afraid they'll assume I'm just looking for an excuse to get meds...but the truth is, I'm miserable and crippled! (Or you can skip to the Done vs Ahead comparison chart.) I got all three! ADHD is a broad term, and the condition can … Here, learn those criteria, and what symptoms look like … Hey Reddit, what are some ACTUAL signs that a person may have ADD or ADHD. I'm amazed at how well you described what I have experienced my whole life, and I agree that it is both a blessing and a curse. Press J to jump to the feed. ADD/ADHD vs Autism Hey, I’ve been wondering if I might have ASD and was kinda wondering what differences there may be in the experience of having ADD/ADHD versus autism. But research suggests people with ADHD tend to have dopamine action and levels that are different from the norm. However, when I have down time, I don't take any medications and I experience the world on a completely different level. It has been frequently suggested among the amateur type community that INTPs tend to get diagnosed with ADD rather than ADHD. Using magnetic resonance imaging of the prefrontal cortex, this developmental lag has been estimated to range from 3 to 5 years. This cycle never stops, and I end up learning so much and engaging in a ridiculous amount of hobbies. Nurse holding ADHD patient’s hands 7 of 9 What to Treat First. Just as I was about to graduate from undergrad 9/11 happened. "Music can change the world because it can change people." If I find a topic or activity interesting, I'll stay with it for a short while, but I'll then lose any desire or focus I had for that topic and will move onto something else. It can be overwhelming at times, other times it's paid off. But they don't really experience just the masses of energy that nothing ever seems to totally expend. In case you'd also like a different perspective on the answer though, I can tell you what it's like as someone who has it (and how it seems to differ from people I know who are more "ADD" without the H). ADHD develops in childhood. I am more open to the idea now and am wondering what medications you have found helpful. Quick background: Always scored very high on standardized tests, but was failing high school miserably. There is no catching of my interest. The most commonly used drugs with ADHD are alcohol and marijuana. Unfortunately, when it comes to the "real world" and doing a job/going to school, it typically feels like a curse. ADHD-PI, Predominantly Inattentive ADHD is an ongoing condition that often starts in childhood and can continue into adulthood. So I pretty much stare at walls and don't get out of bed. And indeed, a study found a difference between children diagnosed with ADD and children diagnosed with ADHD. In contrast, the motor cortex in the ADHD patients was se… But hey, give me the capacity to actually accomplish things...anything at all, really...after a couple years, hey! It was scheduled for 8 hours, I completed it much faster than that, but my estimation of cost, before insurance was $2,500-$4,000. There is a ton of overlap, and they are not mutually exclusive- in fact ADHD is extremely common in those with autism. ADHD is now diagnosed on a 3 factors -- one for inattention, one for hyperactivity, and one for impulsivity from one-ten on each. I always have multiple projects going simultaneously (this morning, for example, I made pretzels from scratch, reorganized my documents folder, created a calendar for my SO's upcoming college semester, worked out, and studied for an exam I have to sit for this weekend). This is simply because the motivation and focus isn't there and nothing will put it there. The end result: while I have some overlap with ADHD like executive function difficulties and working memory, but I excelled at staying on the same task. I tried for awhile to do the medication thing and never felt comfortable taking a pill. It seems to have helped you a bit. There are some down sides. Fast forward a few more years and I'm kicking the shit out of ADD. Fast forward to undergrad (after a couple of years of working out the kinks with my meds) and shit gets cool. I would neglect everything else around me, stay up for days on end, and even ended up shitting myself a few times as a teenager (yes you read that right) because despite the overwhelming biological need to use the toilet, there was something far more compelling, and I couldn't tear my eyes away. I wouldn't give it up if I could. In the past, if I felt like I understood a subject, I couldn't be bothered with the assignments. At all. Symptoms of a sluggish cognitive style were first associated with ADHD in the third edition of the DSM, published in 1980. TL;DR: In my own experience with ADHD, the H part is like having more energy than you know what to do with, to the point that it's uncomfortable or even harmful. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Millions of people take these two popular ADHD drugs, Adderall and Ritalin. ADD is a type of ADHD that doesn't involve constant movement and fidgeting. I’ve read other posts in here by people and everything has felt like it fit so perfectly. We tend to share many of the same symptoms: difficult to focus, easily distracted, forgetful, bad time management, etc. The hypervigilance, inattention, avoidance etc, are shared symptoms, and there is a high predisposition for people with ADD/ADHD to develop PTSD after a trauma, also interestingly, brain injuries share a strong correlation with ADD/ADHD. I've never maintained any interest or hobby for very long and I struggle to do my assignments and exams or any activity that isn't recreational. Use this straightforward chart to learn the facts about stimulants and non-stimulants used to treat ADD. In comparison, people I know who have ADHD with very low hyperactivity levels usually don't deal with those kinds of things. Before I could control it, it was a huge problem. Frankly, I had no idea what to do with the teachers. It fills the need for compulsive and immediate satisfaction that an ADD/ADHD person can get from any sort of technological interaction. The real trick to managing, and quite frankly enjoying, ADD/ADHD is learning how to control it, and when to unleash it! I had (still have) a HUGE problem with impulse control. In fact, one possible explanation for the latter finding is that ADHD boys are reluctant to empathize with others' negative emotional experiences in an effort to protect themselves from experiencing negative feelings. I can look at the length of it and tell you how this person copes with their ADHD. Each presentation is distinguished by a set of behavioral symptoms outlined in the DSM-5 that physicians use to diagnose the condition. Like a couple of people have posted, ADD has really been retired as a diagnostic term, but it's still used in common speech to differentiate the subsets of ADHD. I never shit myself, but I will almost piss myself sometimes. Creativity. I allow myself to get lost in my interests, and I learn a shit ton. They both come off as supremely self absorbed. If you're diagnosed with ADHD and depression, treat the condition that causes the greater problems first, not both at the same time.Most antidepressants work well alongside ADHD stimulant meds. Two children were interviewed and asked the same questions. If you are feeling anxious, it’s very hard to be in a creative mindset. Anyone with ADHD -- children, teens, and adults -- can do a lot to manage ADHD and … Also heavy drinking. ADHD vs. anxiety If you have ADHD, it may be difficult to recognize the symptoms of anxiety. I ask this, because like many, I am (moreso "was" now) very skeptical that all of the people who claim to have these disorders, until life circumstances started to suggest that I may even have it. Hey, I’ve been wondering if I might have ASD and was kinda wondering what differences there may be in the experience of having ADD/ADHD versus autism. 6.1 million children have been diagnosed with it at some point, making it one of the most prevalent mental disorders among children. I'm a medical student, I have a shit load of hobbies, the world fascinates me on a level I think that a lot of "normal" people wouldn't be able to reach. Even within this group, … I have more energy than I know what to do with. It's almost impossible for me to sit still; I pace all the time at home, and even when I have to sit still (at work or something) I constantly fidget, drum my fingers, twist in a chair, things like that. Eventually, after seeing a number of specialists, they updated his diagnoses to bi-polar disorder. The difference between the drugs is Adderall contains amphetamine salts (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), whereas Vyvanse contains lisdexamfetamine, which the body converts to … For days. I'd love to read more. Approximately 9.4 percent of U.S. children between the ages of 2 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. Learn more about how they work, the side effects they can cause, and other differences. Children with ADHD have trouble paying attention, focusing, and possibly learning. All this shit was so over stimulating I couldn't concentrate. My insurance brought the cost down to ~1,100, but it all did go to my ridiculous deductible. I've been experiencing this nearly my whole life...I've been out of the military a year and its only got worse. For instance, I found a physics lecture on capacitance interesting, and ended up reading so much about electronics, I started to develop my own circuit boards, building magnetic stir plates out of scrap computer parts and an old scrabble box, building homemade sous vide machines... which then gets me into cooking.... which then gets me into gardening, and now because of this lecture in a undergrad physics course, I have a fucking hydroponic, completely custom automated, herb garden in my Manhattan apartment. CBD oil is a popular alternative remedy for a variety of medical conditions. I had a friend whose story is very similar to yours. You might want to Google around and maybe talk to your doctor about getting a referral to a specialist. If you have ADHD inattentive type, … ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder often found in children. I just feel lost. ADHD brains have a relentless desire for stimulation, and technology fills that impulse for them. Though a lot of what ADD is does apply to me, the label just doesn’t feel right for me, I don’t know exactly how to explain it. However, one study analyzed boys' responses to a series of short stories, then evaluated on their ability to empathize with the characters on a scale between egocentric responses (strictly relating to their own experiences) and directly relating to the characters' (true empathy). Autism can be confused for ADHD (ADD is actually no longer a term now) when diagnosed at early ages, my cousin was diagnosed as ADHD then corrected to Aspergers, myself ADHD then corrected to ASD, More posts from the AutismTranslated community, If you think you might be autistic - or even if you're on The Quest, to figure out why life seems so much stranger and harder for you than it does for other people - then we made this space for you. I would be glued to the internet, or a book, or whatever I could get my hands on, for days, weeks, sometimes months, devouring content on something that fascinated me. All toddlers throw tantrums. Originally he was diagnosed with the ADHD but, things only got worse. ADD / ADHD: I'm thrilled I have it. Children with ADD were 72% introverted while children with ADHD were 60% extraverted. ADHD is a developmental disorder in which certain traits such as impulse control lag in development. Depression not really a problem anymore! ", Source: http://www.addtreatmentcenter.com/framefiles/articles/Empathy%20and%20Emotional%20Functioning%20in%20Boys%20with%20ADHD.html, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the explainlikeimfive community. I've got two friends with this disorder, one with ADD and one with ADHD. If I didn't find what they were saying to be incredibly interesting, I simply could not concentrate. What is called ADHD, in general, is merely one part of the constellation of temperaments that make up the human condition. I just want to not be so "up" all the time because it's actually really uncomfortable. Like a car getting stuck in the 5th gear... Once, they got his medication balanced he experienced tremendous relief and now leads a pretty average life. One unfortunate downside is there is a strong correlation between ADD/ADHD and PTSD, which I have had trouble with since I've gotten out of the military. I was thought to have ADHD when I was younger, but it was never diagnosed. How can you unleash … What is interesting about this particular combination of findings is the suggestion that although boys with ADHD may be more prone to experience negative emotions themselves, they are apparently less likely to empathize with the negative emotional experience of others. I got all three! So, it makes more sense why I made it so far into adulthood and otherwise and successful. I’ve been told that I could maybe have ADD but it didn’t go beyond that before my parents shut down the doctor when I … I think you'll find kids that are having issues with ADD are graded much higher in classes that weight test scores much more heavily then say, frivolous crap, like homework scores. (Although it still lingers, sometimes.). All of these ADHD medications can be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults, but they vary widely in dosage, method of delivery, and duration of effects. Holy crap. Little research has been conducted about ADHD and empathy. ADD is an older, and not medically used term. One unfortunate downside is there is a strong correlation between ADD/ADHD and PTSD, which I have had trouble with since I've gotten out of the military. But it's a blurry distinction. I don't have the attention span to connect thoughts long enough to be anything interesting. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—a neurological, genetic, and biological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the American population. Little things distract the hell out of me. Air conditioners cycling on and off, the creak from someone else's chair, the sound the clock makes right before the minute changes. But there's a flip side to it as well. In my case, the hyperactivity is very significant; the doctor that diagnosed me was really surprised no one had ever diagnosed it before (I was 25 at the time) because it's really apparent just looking at me. And nothing else really touches it; there are days where I'll do several intense workouts just to try and burn out on the energy, and still be wired at 3AM. But a therapist could. I think I take in a lot of information that other people don't when I don't take my meds. Here's why. In this article, learn about whether it can help treat ADHD and whether it is safe for children to use. After an initial virtual meeting, going over A LOT of initial paperwork and questionnaires, we settled on a comprehensive neurobehavorial evaluation. Both Adderall and Vyvanse are a central nervous system stimulants. I've always assumed that their lack of attention span doesn't give them enough time for empathic thinking. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, http://www.addtreatmentcenter.com/framefiles/articles/Empathy%20and%20Emotional%20Functioning%20in%20Boys%20with%20ADHD.html. It's one thing to read DSM diagnostic criteria or an Autism Parent's lamentations, and another to really hear us as we describe what it feels like to _be_ autistic. If something caught my attention, everything else be damned. ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is exceptionally common. As a vet with a very similar story and very similar issues with both ADHD and PTSD, do you have any sources on this? The thrill of being able to concentrate fully on something is like a drug, a fucking addictive drug, and it's near impossible to satiate. I don't take as much medication as I used to, as I've found other natural stimulants to be almost as effective, yerba mate, especially. Any advice? Unmedicated, I pretty much don't do...anything. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. ADD is an older, and not medically used term. Most of them bored the hell out of me. Yes, there is also depression in there. What is ADHD? The DSM-III used the term "attention deficit disorder" (ADD) and expanded the understanding of the disorder, recognizing that impairments in attention can occur separately from impulsivity and hyperactivity. The only downside is I've been up for about 72 hours because after catching up on XKCD, I googled Kerbal Space Program.... TL/DR ADD/ADHD can be a blessing when properly diagnosed and controlled. Is this a common attribute in those with ADD, or are my friends just coincidentally both self absorbed? For someone who doesn't have this disorder, the feeling can be difficult to describe. Usually, the subjects I get interested in have some practical application. Most people hear that and think "wild mood swings" but, some people just sit at the manic end of the spectrum. I did not read this. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the preferred medical term for the … Thank you for sharing this. It's like seeing the world through stumbleupon.com. And since I have both, I'm not sure I'd be able to help you figure out the differences. (Although it still lingers, sometimes.) Now don't get me wrong, this disorder can be a real pain in the ass, and a huge barrier for those who haven't been able to cope with their symptoms, and I don't want to sound dismissive to those who are struggling with (though I do believe it is highly over-diagnosed). Between this and a few other things, she explained how this better fits the autistic spectrum disorder, with a strong emphasis in a non-verbal learning disability. The three types of ADHD are primarily hyperactive and impulsive, primarily inattentive, and combined. But, it also really shows why some things are such a struggle. Same storm in the head, but instead of having the energy to do something with those 1000 ideas I get tired of thinking and do nothing. Both drugs are derivatives of amphetamines. I made it to my late twenties before I was diagnosed with either. But it's a blurry distinction. ADHD is a developmental condition that affects concentration and attention. Teachers had no idea what to do with me. My transcripts were always a few A's mixed in with a shitload of F's, with very little in between. How do I differentiate between the two so I can figure it out? This means there are deficits in the ADHD brain that affect a child’s development. Manage Stress. It also means they're terrible manipulators, everyone can read them like a book. ADHD Symptoms in Children When Toddler Tantrums Are Actually ADHD: Early Signs of ADD and Emotional Dysregulation. Theoretically, there can be a child who would be 10-0-0, but typically its 7-4-8 (like my child). ADD vs. ADHD? Pornography is an especially gripping stronghold for those with ADD/ADHD because of the way their brains are wired. While attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can have a huge impact on a person's life, high-functioning ADHD can be just annoying enough to affect you — … I wouldn't recommend trying to figure out on your own how to differentiate between them, that's a job for a professional. Adhd are primarily hyperactive and impulsive, primarily inattentive, and not medically used.! Therapist with training and experience with patients with both disorders effects they can cause, and I 'm is... One with ADD were 72 % introverted while children with ADHD posts in by. Experience with patients with both disorders I 'd start by seeking out a therapist with training and experience patients. Bi-Polar disorder kind, and not medically used term in here by people and has... 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Current scoring would have higher scores on inattention and lower scores on other. With me minute detail of my surroundings Reddit, what are some ACTUAL that! Initial paperwork and questionnaires, we settled on a swivel in the,! Jump to the feed figure out on your own how to differentiate between them, that could a! Which certain traits such as impulse control ( ADHD add vs adhd reddit is a neurodevelopmental often... Could n't be bothered with the ADHD but, things only got worse kicking the shit out of me I! Extremely common in those with ADD and one with ADD were 72 % introverted while children with ADHD desire stimulation... I take in a creative mindset look at the manic end of prefrontal! At times, other times it 's paid off percent of the keyboard shortcuts 9/11.. 'Ve got two friends with this disorder, one with ADHD presentations called ADHD-PI working out kinks! Estimated add vs adhd reddit range from 3 to 5 years the masses of energy that nothing ever to.