What is going on with me?

[Coach]

I joined this website for support with my daughter, and now I find myself needing advice for me.
Do I have ADD or something else? I have trouble getting around on this website b/c I don't organize things in my mind the way others do. Once I get where I want to go, I understand it. When I get overwhelmed with a project, I just shut down and can't seem to get it done. In my old job, I was great at what I did! It was repetative and I was basically my own boss. I got a lot of praise, but if I ever got criticism I would be devestated. Unless something is a passion for me, I have a hard time concentrating on it and if I get interrupted, I am extremely irritated since it takes a while to get my thoughts straight again. If I'm interested, I get lost in it and time just gets away from me. I am most productive when I drink caffeine. I've been on and off antidepressants since I was 15 years old. 6 months ago I started itching terribly and had to quit the medicine. I don't feel depressed, just disorganized, clueless and mentally tired. I have learned to cope from childhood by putting things in certain places to make sure I don't forget to do something. When something gets moved I go balistic, because I forget to take care of it. My husband likes for everything to be put away, but if I have papers to sign and send in to the school, they have to stay out in the open for me to remember to send them in. It drives him crazy. I started writing everything on a calendar a few years ago. Two or three days before someone's birthday, I literally write down that I need to shop for a present and wrap it. Worst, in the last few years, I've developed food allergies to dairy and eggs. I stopped itching right after I quit the antidepressants, but the itching came back. Part of it is from the allergies, but I notice an increase in itching when I'm stressed which seems to be a lot lately. Does this sound like ADD?
Thanks for any help you can offer,
Coach (Debi)

[Kaiti]

YEA, another caffine junkie

Anywho, I think that when you delve deeper into your child, your really seeing you for you. You are noticing all fo the little quirks for your kid(s) adn seeing ways to help them improve adn in the same light, uncovering the mask that you have made for your self.

It's not a bad thing, personally I think it is great. You see the coping mechanisms that make you , well, you. When you see these, you can really think about if you want to change some of the strategies, and since your husband and you differ on how you both do things, there is a point that you can discuss.

How can you better remember things then to have them left out into the open? I have to write everything down, and then I will hopefully get it done, as long as it doesn't get piled up and past due....like the bills I wrote out 2 weeks ago, only to find on the dining room table....filled out, AND stamped, just not mailed....

WHY, my piles. I have been good about not making piles. How? I take away the space to be able to make them. I dropped the leaves to the table, so now I HAVE to put things away. I have to mentally focus on what I am about to do before I do it.

Lists? I have a couple for the really important things that I HAVE to remember, BUT......I have just been doing what need to get done instead of sitting and overwhelming myself with the list of "to-do's".

As far as your itching, when I get really nervous about something, I tend to itch, more as a coping mechanism, sorta psyco-babblish, but it helps me cope. I put lotion on, and get back to the task at hand.

And I shut down when I get overwhelmed to, so I just start back up where other people think I should be. I don't depend on what I think of it, that just makes it worse. Then I get depressed thinking that I can't do something. I just suck it up and get it done.

I hope I haven't offended you, but I don't know about meds or anything, so that's why I didn't say anything about that. Although there are different ones out there, talk to your doc about it. See what he/she thinks

Good luck

[DANIEL]

adhd i went to this website and took an online test www.amenclinic.com/ac/default.asp also i looked up a bunch of stuff on the net, some interesting things to remember, thats the key word, remember is if you wet the bed after age 7 (i think) sleep walking, and a bunch of other stuff, a good thing to remember as well and i dont know how to explain this, is that perception has a lot to do with how you answer the questions.
daniel.

[Coach]

Thank you Daniel!
That website was a wealth of information.
-Coach

[Linda]

Boy Coach...it sounds like you are totally overwhelmed. The thing is if you think you are ADD or ADHD you probably are.

Interesting about the caffeine...Paul isn't on meds anymore but he sure likes his Mountain Dew ;D ;D ;D Get yourself checked out for your own peace of mind and let us know how it goes.

[Coach]

I did the online test with the help of my husband, since he's more objective. Despite our conservative responses to the questions, I am "highly probable" for ADD Inattentive Type. My sister is ADD, my daughter is ADD, my nephews are both ADD. DUHHHH!!!

I plan to call the doctor tomorrow and set up an appointment for myself. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks for the support!!!

Coach

[Kaiti]

Hi Coach, have you gotten your appointment yet, if so, let us know how you make out.

[AnneM]

Coach ... and not to forget that adhd/add is incredibly "genetic" ... in my experience 9 times out of 10 when you find adhd/add you will find a parent that matches it ... OR failing that then an Uncle or an Aunt or another close family member ...

Please let us know how you get on ...

[Coach]

:)I've got an appt. next week with a doc in my daughter's practice (not same doc since that would be a conflict of interest). Gotta go call MHN and get that all squared away.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks for all your kind thoughts and encouraging messages!
Coach