I have been doing alot of research on ADHD lately as I think my daughter probably has it. While I was searching, I kept coming across sites about adult ADHD and I'm starting to think I have it as well. I have thought about this before but always dismissed it because I have no problem focusing when I'm reading a book I like but I have recently found information about people with ADHD being able to hyperfocus on certain things and when I'm in a good book, I am completely lost and the rest of the world doesn't even exist. I have always been "scatterbrained" and I tend to loose things alot. I have about 50 different to do lists scattered around and if I don't write something down right away, it's gone. I even keep a notebook and pen next to my bed because I also tend to have insomnia and if I'm worried about forgetting something I just thought of, writting it down is the only way I can get close to being able to fall asleep. I am always fidgeting or bouncing my foot. I have a tendency to jump around in conversations to the point that people usually end up giving me that "where on earth did THAT come from?" stare. I also have a history of clinical depression (under control at the moment) and I beleive most of the women on my mother's side of the family do as well (undiagnossed but I'm good at recognizing it at this point).
My problem at the moment is that my husband is one of those people that isn't sure if he even believes ADHD is real and I don't know who I could go to for a screening because I have no health insurance. If anyone could give me advice on talking to my husband or some way I could get screened that isn't going to cost alot (2 kids and fixed income) I would really appreciate it. And I appologize for any typos, my brain tends to get ahead of my hands when i'm typing/ writing. :)
My first thought is that you certainly have some of the symptoms of ADHD or ADD. And, of course, if you have it (or your husband) - it dramatically increases the chances that your daughter could also have it. You are probably fairly intelligent or it would have/should have been picked up in school. Although girls, especially girls with ADD, don't get noticed as easily as all of those bouncy boys.
It sounds like you have learned to compensate fairly well. However, Ashley (in the book I recommended that you get for your daughter) states that 10 to 30% of children with ADHD are depressed. Frankly, I think that in undiagnosed adults it is much higher. Check out this link - http://www.ncpamd.com/adultadd.htm and this - http://www.ncpamd.com/ADDComorbidity.htm
I honestly don't know what you can do without health insurance. I do think that you can learn more about ADHD and how to deal with it. The two sites I listed above have numerous other references that look like they could help you. There is also a kind of crazy, wonderful site for adults with ADD called - http://jeffsaddmind.com/for-first-time-visitors
It really worth checking out. Perhaps have your husband watch the video by the young lady with ADD (on the above site). It makes a pretty good case for it existing and what it can do to you.
Anyway, hope some of this helps. Information is key. I've got other very inclusive sites if you need more info. Best wishes.