Do I have ADD?

I always seem to struggle to pay attention in school. I always have done well in school and got good grades. I absolutely cannot go for one day and feel like i really did my best job listening and paying attention, and I feel I need some sort of medication. I have had my teachers survey me twice. The first time they decided I should be on medication but at that point I was in denial and refused. Once I admitted to myself I was wrong, they tested me again, but all my teachers did not think I needed medication because I was doing so well in my classes. What would you suggest as far as speaking to my doctor about it. I don't think they can get accurate results from talking to teachers in high school anyway. I just wish I could reach my full learning potential.

[jscottb]

RE: Do I have ADD?

I believe it's imperative to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist to be diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.  School teachers are just flat-out unqualifed to diagnose a student based on their layman's observations.  

I'm of the opinion of most in the field who believe that this disorder can be hereditary.  My mother and father were both ADHD, although they were never diagnosed as such.  My mother is a psychologist and my late father was a M.D.  They were both gifted students and they particularly excelled in fields of personal interest.  

I was not diagnosed until I was 31, although I know I had suffered from ADHD my entire life.  My parents told me I was tested when I was in the first or second grade, but were informed I DID NOT have ADD/ADHD.  I was an average, and lazy, student all the way through college--the classic underachiever.  Now that I'm properly dianosed and medicated, my life has taken a noticeable change for the better; I'm organized, on-time, and more effecient when it comes to handling life's daily duties.  

If I were you, and I strongly believed that I may have ADD, I would research it thoroughly and then find a psychiatrist who specializes in ADD.  

Good luck.

[SueNYC]

Wish I was on adderall (adderrall) sooner.  I used to self-medicate alot.  Ephedra was my otc of choice.  See a doctor - if you suspect it - you probably have it.  these are fast acting medications - except Straterra which I hated - you will know soon.

[margypops]

Do not rely on Schools and Teachers to Diagnose you, go and see a specialist,if you are concerned, you dont sound as if you have it to me,and because you dont pay attention does not mean you should be labelled ADD what you say is quite common but there seems to be this trend to labelling all children ADD and putting them on powerful drugs , go online to a search engine and do some research you will be amazed what is going on.Trust your Gut feeling and dont let anyone drug you.