Expert: Christine D. DeLoatch, MA CCC-SLP - 11/14/2004

Question
I'm an 18 woman and have for the past couple of years suspected that I may have ADD. All through my life I have wondered why it is I could never ever concentrate on school, retain information I shouldn't be forgetting, meet deadlines, stay focuse do reading, meet curfews, sit still, etc.. but never thought of ADD until last year. One of my best friends has ADHD(a male) and although I can't see the way he acts in myself it inspired me to read up on it and I've been almost in tears reading descriptions of ADD becuase I feel like it was written about me. Every checklist of characterists I have ever read I have been able to relate to almost all of the traits. I am not overly hyperactive, and I do sustain relationships quite well and it does not effect my social life, but when it comes to work, school, etc.. my life is nightmare.      I have always hidden that I have these difficulties as best I can, so noone other then myself seems to recognize them. I told my mom I think I have ADD and she said "maybe very minor but nothing to worry about". Are there different degrees of ADD? Is it possible I have hidden them so well that only I know about them? I don't know for sure I have add, but I would really like to find out because an explanation to why I have not been able to achieve all I can(I know I am capable of good grades, and have no learning disability- I was tested in the 3rd grade because I was so spaced out and it was found I was just as smart but coulnd't focus) would be a welcome relief. Any advice on this you can give me would be great! Thanks!

Answer
Dear Jordyn,

Thanks for asking me your question.  Sorry I wasn't able to respond sooner.  

The answer is yes.  It is possible to be very high functioning.  Whether or not you want to look into getting a diagnosis depends on two things.  The first one is whether or not you are interested in trying medication for treatment, and the second one might be just to know so that you know which types of strategies might work best for you.  

You can always just try some of the stategies and see if they help, but most people when they write me are at the stage when it is getting overwhelming and that they are seeking support and help.  If this is the case then I suggest you look into the diagnosis with psychologist that is familar with adult AD/HD.  

Hyper-activity is often not a characteristic in females - although we can be fidgety.  Hyper-activity and Impuslivity are considered the same type of trait.  If you have difficulty setting limits with your spending & your time, over-committ youself or simply find yourself attempting to complete tons of projests, you still may receive a diagnosis of AD/HD.  (Many women and girls are now just getting a second look from health professionals, because they thought that mostly boys got it and that they usually outgrew it; both myths.)

One of the guru's of AD/HD John. J. Ratey, has written a book called Shadow Syndromes, in which he describes having enough characteristics of a condition to impact your life, but not enough to have the diagnosis.  AD/HD like most conditions can either be mild, moderate or servere.  
No two people with AD/HD look exactly alike and therefore the strategies they need to use will be different.  Medication planning also needs to be individualized.

"I suggest you ask yourself two questions to guide you.  What will a diagnosis of AD/HD lead to?"  and "Will knowing the answer to whether or not you have AD/HD give you a sense of contentment?"  

I hope that I have been helpful to you.  

Many Blessings,

Christine