You know you are ADHD when you you leave at least one bag of groceries in the checkout area. Even worse, forgetting to take the cash due in the self checkout lane.

Don K Potochny

http://www.adhd-information-exchange.com

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This will probably only make sense to anyone who likes anime and/or has watched AMV Hell 3 and 4 on YouTube, but here goes...

You know you have ADD when...you can no longer listen to the original versions of "It's The End of The World As We Know It" or "Zankoku na Tenshi no TE-ZE" anymore because they're not fast enough. You HAVE to listen to it at SEIZURE-inducing speed!

Also:

You know you have ADD when...you skip to the next song on you iTunes list when you're barely even halfway through the first one!

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"You know you're ADHD when you always have to read the last chapter of books first, because you get too impatient to wait until you're finished to find out how it ends. "

Okay i thought for sure i was the only one to do that... and never ever associated it with my ADD-ness! LOL

The classic "me being ADD" story was a few days ago. Went to Target with my 4 year old. Helping her in the car seat I set my phone on the roof of the car & literally told myself "don't forget you put that there. you don't want to drive off with it up there" Got her in the car, walked the shopping cart over to the stall and then got in the car & started driving. I started looking for my phone. I couldn't find it & COULD NOT REMEMBER WHERE THE HELL IT WAS!!!! LOL seriously! I kept driving & just as i was getting ready to turn on the main road out of the shopping center it hit me! YIKES... thank god my PDA was still on top of the car!

And when i question if i have the H in the ADD element my friends flip out! So my entire life i have been teased about being a "spaz" or a "ditzy blonde" and really it was my ADHD!

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I am the EXACT same way with I-tunes... i always skip ahead. It drives my husband crazy! LOL

AND... you know you are ADD when you can't read every post in this thread because it is so long.

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You wake up and decide to return that (overdue) library book. Skipping the shower and getting dressed (that's ANOTHER story) you walk over to your dresser and try to find your chapstick because your lips are close to bleeding. You can't find it, and in the process of not finding it, you realize you can't find your cell phone either, nor your lighter. You look for one thing after another, and right as you're flipping your mattress, you can only remember 1 of the 2 things you were looking for. Eventually you leave the house. You've walked three blocks and realize you've forgotten the book.

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It's worth the effort to find the right health care professional for you or your child.

If you do a little interviewing up front, you increase your chances of finding a professional best suited to meet the needs of you or your child—which means you’re more likely to be satisfied with the experience. You need to feel confident in your health care professional. If you doubt the person, you’ll probably doubt the treatment plan. If you trust the person, you’ll be more likely to follow through on the plan. You can read a description of who might be involved in the evaluation process.

You may find it helpful to talk to other parents to find out what they like—and don’t like—about the professionals they’ve seen for their child’s ADHD. Use their thoughts to develop your own list of what is important to you. Your “Good Health Care Professional List” might include your preferences on the answers to questions like these.

• • How much experience does this person have with ADHD?
  • What methods does this person use to treat ADHD?
  • What insurance plans does this office accept?
  • Does this person and the staff make me feel at ease?

Collect the names of 2 or 3 professionals. Call each one and request a time to ask about the items on your list, either in person or on the phone.

Even after you start seeing one professional, keep your list handy. You may later decide to change. Change can be good—you should never feel “stuck” if you decide you don’t like the professional, or don’t like something about the office arrangements.

If you do change, write down the reason for the change on your list. Try to state your reason in a positive way: “I’m looking for someone who…” You may be tempted to just make a complaint: “I’m looking for someone who does NOT…” but then it will be hard to ask about it. Start the interview process again, taking any new list item into account when finding a new health care professional.

Learn how you can help the doctor in the ADHD evaluation process

kelvin

[url=http://www.drugstrategies.org/Treatment/Pennsylvania] Pennsylvania Drug Treatment Centers [/url]

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You guys totally get me! My brother got a tee that says, "They say I have ADD but they have no idea...hey look, there's a chicken!" Any time I randomly jump topics mid sentence my husband says, "hey look, there's a chicken!" So one night we're at the fair, stopped at the top of the ferris wheel watching fireworks and cuddling when I said, "Hey look, there's a chicken!" He wasn't amused by my sense of timing until he realized that I was pointing to an actual chicken. I haven't lived that one down yet!

BTW, when did this become a drug and alcohol treatment thread?

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DogLady said:

BTW, when did this become a drug and alcohol treatment thread?

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You know you have ADD when..... you cant find your keys, you look every where you can think of then notice they are in your hand, so you go about getting your purse, glasses, etc, only to realize you lost your keys again, so the search is on again, and again your find them in your hand....

or you run to your closet to grab a jacket as you dash out the door, just to realize once youre out the door that you have a hanger not a jacket in your hand. Back in the house you lose the hanger and grab the jacket, but the keys are missing again (duh they're in the door you just unlocked)

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You know you're ADD when you are 62, and still don't know what you want to be when you grow up! Life just seemed to happen to me, because, to this day, I still don't know what I want to be. I don't have a clue what job would be best for me. I have so many interests, and change my mind so frequently, I never could zero in on a career pattern. I never could figure out what college major to pursue, either. I think I'll probably be the only one in my family without a degree in anything. That used to bother me, but, now I'm just taking some free online non-credit courses in subjects I'm interested in, just for the fun of learning something new.

As for my job...I'm a mis-fit, I hate it (with the economy I should be thankful to even have a job, I know), and I'm just trying to hang on a few more years til I can retire. If I lose it, I don't know what I will do. Who wants to hire an older person with ADD, especially with my job-hopping pattern.

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beautifulday45 said: ...you have people coming over tonight and you really need to get the house all spiffed up, but instead of vacuuming, washing the dishes, sponging off the counters and just simply getting things organized, you organize the pan cabinet. Or wash the cat. Or rearrange the hall closet that nobody will ever see. Or paint a wall that nobody will even notice. And, at the point you should be finishing up the appetizers and have dinner well underway when everyone starts arriving, but you're at the grocery store because you couldn't decide what to serve them until 15 minutes before everyone was supposed to get there. Or you're in the shower.

Or is it just me? ;-\\

Wash the cat, I LOVE it lol:) My fiancee has gotten irritated with me many times over something like this, we'll be trying to clean up our apartment before his mom shows up in the next few minutes, and I'm in the living room painting my toenails....because I suddendly realized while vacuming that my toenail polish is chipped, and I get this panicked feeling that she'll notice that, but NOT the messy floor....sigh.

I've also been known to go to Taco Bell, order my food, go to the first window, pay my money, and then drive off without stopping at the second window to get my food. Last time it happened I just kept driving, too embarassed to go back and have to explain what I did, so I left with 5 bucks less in my wallet, and still hungry.

Last thing...when I'm on the internet I always have at least 3 browser windows open, because if I just use one, I'll forget all the other things online that I needed to do lol

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I've been on hold (on my cell phone), forget that I'm even using it and then remember a call or a text I need to make. I start looking for my cell in all the usual places. Cant find it. Get frustrated, "Where did I leave my cell phone!" Then realize, duh I'm holding it up to my ear. Hmmm, that's why I didnt see it on the coffee table. Ha!

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Gemini62 said: You know you're ADD when you are 62, and still don't know what you want to be when you grow up! Life just seemed to happen to me, because, to this day, I still don't know what I want to be. I don't have a clue what job would be best for me. I have so many interests, and change my mind so frequently, I never could zero in on a career pattern. I never could figure out what college major to pursue, either. I think I'll probably be the only one in my family without a degree in anything. That used to bother me, but, now I'm just taking some free online non-credit courses in subjects I'm interested in, just for the fun of learning something new.

As for my job...I'm a mis-fit, I hate it (with the economy I should be thankful to even have a job, I know), and I'm just trying to hang on a few more years til I can retire. If I lose it, I don't know what I will do. Who wants to hire an older person with ADD, especially with my job-hopping pattern.

I think deciding on a college major and on a career is the hardest thing in life for many people. So many people are unhappy in their work, I would advise you not to beat yourself up. Keep searching for something which inspires you, and perhaps you will find an interest which you can pursue now and after you retire. I recently started taking an art course which is given at a local bookstore by a couple of local artists. My problem now is finding the time to devote to this exciting pastime!

Best wishes,

Paul Alpert (www.deltaplanner.com)

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kan65@ct.metrocast.net said: You know you have ADD when you realize you have 5 years worth of Christmas cards nicely printed, stuffed, addressed, and NEVER mailed!!!!

I keep saving the same ones for the next year and I always buy new ones when they are on clearance. So I currently have about 14 boxes of NEW cards Christmas cards ready to go out that need about 8 more cents to get mailed due to the rising cost of postage.

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Finally becoming officially diagnosed!!

I have had myself self-diagnosed with ADD for years. I have never gone to the doctor to get medication for it, because I figure I am getting on pretty well without it. I mean I am a nurse...with 3 other degrees (one in marketing, one in biology and chemistry and the beginning of an MBA). I mean who says I can't commit to anything.

The turning point came when I was taking my two boys to the therapist for their consultation. I showed up 40 minutes late that I thought I was 20 minutes early for. I left her office only to realize 2 hours later that I had left my cell phone there. I left the paperwork that she gave me to complete in the car, which is no big deal except I forgot to shut the sunroof and it rained that night. I have showed up at the incorrect time for everyone of my children's visits...no matter how sure I am that I finally got the time right. I was given a questionaire to complete on my ADD symptoms and only had one box not checked as having the symptom. I just sat there laughing hysterically at myself. When we were in our "read out" session for my first sons' testing she looked at my sheet and said "have you been diagnosed with ADD"? I stated not officially. She the said "I am not diagnosing you, but you might want to look into testing. ADD does not come from the water".

While this is all humerous, I do realize that it is impossible for me to help my 2 ADHD boys without getting myself under control. The most important thing I can do is provide structure and consistency. WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?!?!? I am pretty sure Structure is a place to buy clothing and consistency is what I determine when making gravy. AND focusing???? That is a job for my camera. So, I have been diagnosed and started on medication...obviously (by reading this reply) I have not totally got all the kinks worked out, but at least we are on our way.

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That t-shirt is awesome, where did your brother get it??? Quote:

DogLady said: You guys totally get me! My brother got a tee that says, "They say I have ADD but they have no idea...hey look, there's a chicken!" Any time I randomly jump topics mid sentence my husband says, "hey look, there's a chicken!" So one night we're at the fair, stopped at the top of the ferris wheel watching fireworks and cuddling when I said, "Hey look, there's a chicken!" He wasn't amused by my sense of timing until he realized that I was pointing to an actual chicken. I haven't lived that one down yet!

BTW, when did this become a drug and alcohol treatment thread?

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Hi, there's a catalog called What on Earth that carries those T-shirts. Online name is www.WhatonEarthCatalog.com. The link to the shirts is http://www.whatonearthcatalog.com/whatonearth/Item_They-Say-I-Have-ADD-But-They-Dont-Understand-Oh-Look-A-Chicken-Shirts_AP5661G_ps_srm.html I've looked at it several times, but somehow, always get sidetracked on the way to check out my Shopping Cart... :) My bank account thanks me. Anyone else have a problem with impulse purchases? I have a wonderful, barely used Total Gym looming behind me as I type this....

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You Know You ADHD When, wait what? Pretty Colors Zoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom Gone.

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You drain the can of soup you just opened for lunch. :)

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spazmom said: You drain the can of soup you just opened for lunch. :)

Darn! I did it again today UGH! :(

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You put the movie you just rented down on the window ledge outside your apartment because your hands are full as you return home. Then you search all over the apartment, can't find the movie, and get mad at your sweetie because you think HE lost it!

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By the time your ready to walk the dog, you've already walked him for twenty minutes because he's followed you all over the house as you look for his leash, bags, gloves, and keys.

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you captured the mind of ADD perfectly, this was my first visit here and when I read your post I signed up, so I have quite a few examples to read. I'm really tired at the moment, it's about 4 am, I started researching something earlier, and decided to research ADD, because tests I took said yea, borderline, I am in my 40's now and found out late.

I was also reading tonight about the Edison Trait which fit me very well, as do many of these stories.

Here is one of mine.

You know you are ADD when you have 40 to 400 little notebooks and pieces of paper stuffed in every box in the garage from the last 20 years.

We are special and carry the greatest ideas to our graves I am sure.

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So....I read all the wonderful postings, said I want to remember them, and found a way to copy all 15 pages into Word and will probably edit and put in headers and footers so it will be easy to reread over and over again. Maybe I will re-read them after six months when I am cleaning up my computer desktop, edit them again and save them til my next reread six months later. I don't know any other 72 year old ADDers.

I sat down at my computer originally to find the synopsis of an opera I am seeing tomorrow. Now I don't remember the name of the opera. Maybe I should edit........maybe I should find the synopsis.........maybe I should floss my teeth before my dental cleaning in the morning..must remember my checkbook tomorrow...maybe I should bring something to read in the waiting room...better charge my cell phone......what should I wear.? Better get the wet clothes out of the washing machine. Oops tomorrow is garbage pick-up day......................................

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When EVERY time you leave the house (or attempt to), as soon as you get outside and lock up you realize that you left something inside and have to go back in and get it. I usually have to make 2 or 3 trips back inside, and every time I come out I'm so sure that I have everything I need... until I get to the end of the driveway and oh sh--, I forgot my phone.....

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