Do I have ADD?

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

Genuine question. I'm 48 and I've been known as "scatty" my whole life.

I'm a freelancer, as committing to a daily routine was impossible.

I used to smoke v v heavily, as without it I couldn't concentrate. I gave up 2.5 years ago but I'm now hooked on the nicotine mouth spray. Again, to concentrate.

I have a million ideas a day but never finish any of them. I'm good at short, last-minute deadlines. Anything that requires long-term dedication is out.

I have lost friends because I can't handle the logistics of sending birthday cards. I rack up hundreds in library fines. I bury my head, get overwhelmed a LOT. I don't know where to start so I overthink until I get distracted by something else.

My house is quite tidy but only because I found FlyLady. My personal life is challenging as I look for trouble when it's not there, find it impossible to hold my tongue.

I have two DC. Boys. They've both been noted at school for impulsivity, lack of concentration and failing to achieve their best.

My mum smoked when pregnant with me.

I'm anxious. A real worrier. Up one minute, down the next. It's exhausting.

The worst thing is that I constantly feel I'm not living up to my potential. I'm so creative and bright but I can never focus on one thing long enough to achieve it. All my work has been completed at the 11th hour, or later.

Is this worth seeing the Dr? I already have depression and anxiety in my notes so I don't want to be laughed out of the surgery!

Also, if this isn't ADD, it it's only mild and doesn't require medication, are there any natural solutions I could try?

I get so stressed and upset. The feeling of overwhelm is the worst. The internet has made it worse: I can lose whole days cycling through social media, chrome tabs, Netflix...

Coffee? RedBull? What can I try?

WOuld you consider yourself to be anxious?

Yes see you do. Sertraline is used for depression anxiety and ADD

Definitely go see a doctor. It sounds like ADHD and medication could really help, and if it doesn't, at least you tried. Ask to be referred because only a psychiatrist can diagnose it, and be firm with your GP if he or she is reluctant to refer you. Sometimes GPs have their own ideas about whether ADHD is "real" (despite the clinical evidence) but that shouldn't stand in your way of receiving a diagnosis and treatment if you need it. Good luck!

VERY anxious. That's got worse this year. I've had full-blown panic attacks where I ended up in an ambulance.

I could go back to the GP (again!) and ask him about that AD.

Oh no. I think I posted this wanting a "no"!

The thought of going back to my GP is cringey. I've been there this year with panic attacks, a feeling that food wasn't going down, horrific periods, low energy...

I'm a huge hypochondriac and it's just embarrassing.

Can I get a private diagnosis?

We really need me to start earning Proper Money and my lack of focus is 100% messing that up. I just can't focus, or think straight.

In many ways it's got better as I've got older and HAD to keep a routine for the DC. But complicated or dull or pointless things just make me feel useless.

I have a huge bookshelf with about 500 books. I estimated the other day I've read the first chapter of all of them, and that's about it - barring my v v v favourite books.

Adult ADHD UK (AADD-UK)

Come find this FB group and we can point you in the right direction for self-testing, diagnosis, etc.

Look at the current updated NICE guidelines too.

Much easier to cope with if you have a DX (unless of course, there's a different explanation) as you can adjust things to suit, medicate if need be and generally be understood.

No one here can diagnose you, it really is dangerous to try to without specialist knowledge or any idea of your medical (and social) history.

Are you a hypochondriac, do you have health anxiety?

Speak to your GP, but don't over focus on something that might not be relevant at all.

(Sertraline is not licensed for ADD in the UK.)