Adult ADHD? What can I do?

First off, yes, I know I can't officially be diagnosed over the Internet.

Anyhow, I'm 21, female, and a college student. I've already been diagnosed with unipolar depression and anxiety. As you might imagine, I'm a low-energy, though sometimes antsy person.

However, I was going to a new facility and had a somewhat informal intake exam. After asking several questions, the professional asked me if I'd ever been diagnosed with ADHD, as "it would explain some things".

I'd told her that I had the hardest time focusing on anything. My grades are pretty bad because I can't really study. Many people have told me that it's tough to follow me in conversations (or sometimes in my writing) because I jump around too much. I get distracted easily and find it tough to follow things like lectures for too long. I often space out. The only way I seem to get things done is when I do them intermittently or multitask, so I have several things going on at one time. I'm almost legendarily unorganized and my memory is absolutely horrid.

But like I said before, I'm rather low-energy (partially because of the depression) so I never though that have ADHD could be the case. I also thought that the depression and the anxiety. I don't feel like I'm too impulse, either. But my symptoms have persisted even when I was receiving CBT and medication for my depression and anxiety.

Frankly, I'm sick of my subpar performance in school and feeling like my mind is always mixed up. Lately I've been wondering if my having ADHD could be the case. But even if I do have it, testing for it a few hundred bucks and I can't afford that now. Is there some alternative treatment I can do until I can get seen officially?

You could have ADHD minus hyperactivity, which is what I have. I didn't get diagnosed until I was 17, but it's been better late than never. I was diagnosed with bipolar depression and anxiety, and put on medication for those, but the most noticeable improvement to my mood and overall behavior came when I started meds for my ADD. Not everyone has every symptom of ADHD, I think. In any event, being able to focus on schoolwork (and driving) absolutely boosted my mood. The stimulant effect didn't hurt, either.

Unfortunately, I really don't know a good alternative. I'd look into a free testing facility, or one that's covered by your insurance. If you do have insurance, most of the medication (if that's the route you choose, of course) is pretty cheap. I think I pay about $7 per refill for one of them.

To me it sounds like you could have a case of Primary disorder of vigilance. I'ts a fairly new one and I'm not sure if it's recognised to law or anything but it's said to be characterized by poor attention and concentration, as well as difficulties staying awake. These people tend to fidget, yawn and stretch, and appear to be hyperactive in order to remain alert and active

I was about to ask the same question! I have the exact same issue regarding focus, not just at college, but in my life! It's driving me crazy and my anxiety is sometimes too much.

Anyway, the answer above me was quite informative. I think I will be heading to my college's health centre.

There are some forms of ADHD that don't involve hyperactivity. It used to be called ADD, but got moved under the ADHD label. I think it's worth looking into.

Since you're a college student, see what your health services center offers anything. They usually have psychological services for students, but I don't know if they'll test you. You may have to push a little to get the attention you deserve. There's also a small chance you could get some information from the psychology department of your school.

Good luck!

ADHD and Hyperactivity are very much misunderstood. One type of ADHD is called "Inattentive type" - these are particularly low energy people. There is a lot of information of this on the internet. But don't get frustrated because I know how frustrating it is to want to do well in college but not know how to balance everything each day enough to get some studying in.

It's hard to say what your options are because of your co morbid disorders being present. Until you can see a professional again I would stop by your learning assistance office at school. They can help you set up some sort of schedule to help you get things done. But it takes a lot of mind over matter to do it, especially when you have ADHD or other mental illnesses.

Best of luck. Utilize your resources on campus, they can be extremely helpful and they are there to help you be successful!