Expert: Christine D. DeLoatch, MA CCC-SLP - 3/17/2007

Question
Okay so here's the deal.
People think I have ADD/ADHD. It was mostly just my friends joking around but I never really knew about ADD before.

Now I am an extreme procrastinator because homework bores me. I begin it then half way though I'll either give up because I'm not making progress or I'll be day dreaming about something else and not realize I'm not working. Day dreaming seems to be running my life.

Now it's not like I can't concentrate whatsoever. I can spend hours on the computer doing things that interest me but that doesn't help much for school. After long convincing of my parents I went to my doctor. A quick chat later he showed me a psychologist I could go see...

But then my parents turn on me and decide he might mess with my head. Make me think I have problems that I don't. So I never was able to head there.

I really want to know if I have Add!! If so I can do the certain diets or take certain medicines because my concentration is failing immensely. I forgot my backpack at my friends house 3 times in a row. I'm loosing things like crazy ect.

I'm very confused and not sure what to do.

15 year old boy,
             Joel

Answer
Dear Joel,

Thanks for asking me your question.

I suggest that you start with a website called www.amenclinic.com and go onto the self-test area.  Answer the questions and see what the results are.  

Then I suggest that your ask your parents for a real family meeting.  Tell them you are trying to take responsibility for your weaknesses and want to improve.  Suggest that if they are uncomfortable with just any 'psychologist' that they go see the psychologist themselves and just ask questions.  

This is not a reflection on their parenting - it is you wanting to take responsibility.  Tell them that as parents they have taught your to improve yourself and you just want to do that and see an expert in the field to rule it in or rule it out.  

You just want to seek more tools to help yourself. Try that approach and see if your parents will be willing to re-consider.  Don't be afraid to let them know how frustrated you are with forgetting so many thing and not being able to 'study.'  

It is hard to share that turmoil with other people - but when they start to get it, it makes all the difference in the world. Good Luck to you.

Many Blessings,

Christine