Adult ADD

All week I have been thinking about how hard it has been for me to focus on any one thing. My thoughts seem scattered, I feel frustrated and confused. I find myself yelling a lot because everything and everyone annoys me. Everything that happens hurts my feelings and I take it personal. Like how dare Andrew’s coach end practice 10 minutes early on Wednesday! So far every practice that I go pick him up at I have to wait because the practice runs over. I was rushing to finish washing my car right before I picked him up and I was right on time, but to Andrew I was late. Stuff like this bothers me way too much than it should. Like I will think about it for days. What is the big deal?

I feel like the only time of day I can relax is about 9pm at night when the kids are going to bed and I force myself to leave my laptop sit at my desk (because I really want to work!) and indulge in some nonsense television. Nothing like the good humor of comedy to take my mind off things right? I typically watch a TV show or movie on my desktop computer while working on my laptop because that is the only way I can stay focused or at least stay in my chair long enough to be productive. I work better if I can listen to something while I work. Not music though, usually that stresses me out!

All this just got me thinking…what is going on with ME! Is this signs of early menopause, is 37 too young? Could I be pregnant…Ken had a vasectomy, but I think it’s been like a 40 days since my last cycle. Is this just what happens with old age? Then something made me wonder if this is what Attention Deficit Disorder feels like. I thought what the heck, let’s google it. Very first website I come to has a nifty quiz. Perfect!
Here’s my score:

Results of your Attention Deficit Disorder Quiz

You scored a total of 79

It is highly likely that you are presently suffering from adult attention deficit disorder, according to your responses on this self-report questionnaire. You should not take this as a diagnosis of any sort, or a recommendation for treatment. However, it would be advisable and likely beneficial for you to seek further diagnosis from a trained mental health professional immediately.

Yikes…well put it this way. Out of the 24 questions…these are the ones that I am pretty much feeling all the time.

At home, work, or school, I find my mind wandering from tasks that are uninteresting or difficult.
I find it difficult to read written material unless it is very interesting or very easy.
I have a quick temper… a short fuse.
I am irritable, and get upset by minor annoyances.
I say things without thinking, and later regret having said them.
My moods have highs and lows.
I have trouble planning in what order to do a series of tasks or activities.
I easily become upset.
I seem to be thin skinned and many things upset me.
I usually work on more than one project at a time, and fail to finish many of them.
There is a lot of “static” or “chatter” in my head.
Even when sitting quietly, I am usually moving my hands or feet.
In group activities it is hard for me to wait my turn.
My mind gets so cluttered that it is hard for it to function.
My thoughts bounce around as if my mind is a pinball machine.
My brain feels as if it is a television set with all the channels going at once.
I am unable to stop daydreaming.
I am distressed by the disorganized way my brain works.

On top of all of this I have been having trouble sleeping. I wake up several times throughout the night, especially the last couple of hours before my alarm goes off. I have this panicked feeling like I am going to be late for something, but then I do go right back to sleep.

I read the list and honestly I figure that most busy moms or even people in general feel these things. Maybe not all the time, but often. Yes? No? Maybe I need some meds or alcohol…or both!

Please know that I am not in anyway trying to make light on the diagnosis of ADD. I know this problem affects many kids and families.