• College son thinks he may have ADD
• ADD Diagnosis for college student

College son thinks he may have ADD

Dec 2009

My 19-year-old son came home from his second year of college to say that he experimented twice with Adderol, which made him feel ''normal'' and able to prioritize and focus -- for instance, able to outline and plan a paper, instead of panicky writing down multiple related thoughts, whatever came to mind, and trying to connect it up later. Now he wants to get officially diagnosed as ADHD for a mild prescription to improve his concentration. He's setting up the medical appointment. I'd just like to know if this sounds weird to others, and what I should do.

No professional ever previously said he should be tested for ADD or ADHD. His temperament is spontaneous and a little careless, though he can work hard. He's always been energetic, spirited, physical, verbal, easily bored (even bored with video games!), with a short attention span, but he did very well in HS and college. He loves people and has great guy friends, but has only short term girlfriends. He also smokes pot and drinks alcohol, I hope moderately (maybe an addictive personality-- maybe self-medicating-- maybe a typical frat boy). Any thoughts? Wondering mother

My child, a sophomore in College, was recently diagnosed with ADD. It is while in college that a student realizes that his/her learning skills are different from others: doing work at the last minute, having ''too many thoughts'' that prevent focusing, inability to organize work, and related anxiety. Have your child tested. If he is benefiting from Adderall in the way he says he does, he might very well have ADD. Parent of an adult ADD

It's a common misconception that people who have AD/HD don't do well in school. In fact, many do, but at a heavy price. AD/HD makes it harder and more stressful to do many things, including academic endeavors. It's a great idea that your son wants to get a professional evaluation instead of self-medicating or ''borrowing'' medication from others. If it turns out that his suspicions about himself are correct and he gets good treatment, he will have a much easier time living up to his full potential and he stands a good chance of having many fewer problems in his life. There is a new book by Russell Barkley called Adult ADHD, What the Science Says, which is the bible of research on this condition in adults. Check it out of the library if you want to know how it turns out for adults with the condition. It sounds like your son's life has been working pretty well so far -- but life gets more complicated as people get older and the toll taken by AD/HD can be harsh. Education is the first, and one of the most important, steps you can take to be helpful to your son. There are lots of readable books about adult ADHD! You can find them through the website of chadd.org. Good luck! Linda

ADD Diagnosis for college student

Oct 2001

Can anyone who has been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD as an adult give me some idea of what kind of professional you approached to arrive at the diagnosis? and what kind of help was recommemded? drugs, strategies, etc. I have checked all the web sites, heck I wrote one for my young child who has ADHD, inattentive type. I need help for a young adult now who just feels unable to concentrate for long periods of time and just feels she doesn't get it the way others do because she somehow misses key info. She skated through BHS, now college is proving a serious challenge and she sees the difference close-up (dorm living) between what she can do and what the other kids seem capable of.

While I was in therapy it became apparent to my therapist and me that my husband has ADD. It took time, but he finally went to a psychiatrist (Dr. Wm. Dickman, (415) 922-9492 in SF). After meeting with both of us three times and filling out questionaires, he was diagnosed with ADD and given medication. We met a number of times since then to adjust the medication. This can be a long, frustrating process. Dr. Dickman suggested other therapy. We finally started marriage conseling about a month ago. I hope this leads to my husband getting individual therapy with emphasis on ADD, but he hasn't agreed to this yet. Most professionals I've talked to about this suggests that you need the combination of medication and therapy. In some ways it's not only phsychotherapy, but occupational therapy helping him cope with the consequences of the physical disorder in handling his day-to-day tasks. I know one brave woman who is coping with just behavioral changes and no medication, but I don't know how she manages. Again it is a long, hard process. We have been working on it for almost a year now. We've come a long way, but have a long way to go. I wish you luck. If you want to talk, please contact the moderator and I am happy to talk with you directly.

My husband was diagnosed with ADHD about 2 years ago (he's 48 now). As with the young adult you mentioned, he went through life feeling like he didn't get the whole picture. He was diagnosed by Dr. David O'Grady in Walnut Creek (phone number is 925-256-9696). O'Grady is a Ph. D. (psychologist or psychotherapist, I'm not sure) so he can diagnose and make recommendations, but he can't prescribe meds (you'll need to go to your primary care physician for that). I do think that he has a good approach to how to deal with ADHD and better organize your life. His wife, Dr. Susan O'Grady is also a counselor and specializes in ADHD. They have offices together.

My husband has been on medication since he was diagnosed and says they help him focus somewhat better (meds don't work for everyone). He also has seen a counselor, in conjunction with his medication. I think combining counseling and medication has the greatest impact on ADHD, or so I've read, but it is a personal decision the individual must be comfortable with.

As I understand ADHD, a consistent daily routine is the best approach for stabilizing the symptoms. Any change in lifestyle makes daily tasks more difficult. I'm guessing your friend is a freshman, which in itself is enough to make you feel like you don't get it! We also have a daughter in college (sophmore), so I know the experience can be very overwhelming. Please tell her she's not alone! If your friend would like to talk more, she's welcome to call or email me. Sue

Last year, I was diagnosed with a significant weakness in the area of auditory processing, as well as other strengths and weaknesses determined by a series of varied assessment tests. I was referred by the Disabled Student's Services office at UC Berkeley to Reach for Learning, on Marin Ave in Albany. The testing agency's phone number is 510-524-6455, speak with Corinne Gustafson, M.Ed., CET. Following the testing series, Ms. Gustafson provided me with a report that included; specific information on the evaluation, general educational suggestions and strategies, and other recommendations. Good luck to the young adult you write about. Ana

Learning differences and ADHD are different creatures. However, the Schwab Foundation has bunches of resources and ideas for adults with learning differences. You can reach them at the 1660 South Amphlett Blvd. Suite 200,San Mateo, CA 94402,+1 (800) 471-9545. Maybe she can gain some learning and organizational skills that will help her handle all the material she has to process and learn. It can be done! Dori