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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Babak on April 3, 2013, at 17:09:45
Hi everyone,
I have been trying to get a diagnosis for ADHD for the last god know how many years.
I am still trying because it has been confirmed by all the on-line tests. I even had an on-line diagnosis through a US specialist which was inconclusive but I was recommended to ask to see some one in UK.
Through out these years I have read a lot on the subject and I have noticed that I fit so many symptoms especially that I have tried so much to change some of my "habits" without success although no one believes me and everyone thinks that I am just being manipulative.
Anyway I have a big problem with keeping secrets. Not always but when it comes to something that I must keep inside for my good, I tend to fail.
I have tried to convince myself that I am just too much of an honest person and I have actually tried to be honest because it is just so much easier anyway.
But recently I have heard that too much honesty could be a symptom but the devil's advocate in me tells me that I seem to find everything as symptom of ADHD when I look for it.
So I am having doubt, especially that I think it might just be something that I have inherent from my mother.
So I guess my question is can too much honesty really be considered a symptom or am I pushing it too far now?
Thanks
Babak
Posted by Phillipa on April 3, 2013, at 18:17:53
In reply to Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD, posted by Babak on April 3, 2013, at 17:09:45
Babak I'm a totally honest person and don't have add. Just the opposite anxiety. Phillipa
Posted by Babak on April 3, 2013, at 19:58:04
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD » Babak, posted by Phillipa on April 3, 2013, at 18:17:53
I am sorry but are you trying to be funny? If you are then please don't bother because I am not.
Posted by Babak on April 3, 2013, at 19:59:03
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD, posted by Babak on April 3, 2013, at 19:58:04
Would you like me to send you the links?
Posted by Phil on April 3, 2013, at 20:55:26
In reply to Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD, posted by Babak on April 3, 2013, at 17:09:45
I haven't heard of that being a symptom and I have ADD/bipolar. Usually being too upfront or 'honest' is an inability to set healthy boundaries with people. Like telling a virtual stranger something that most people might only share with a trusted friend. Or sharing against your own best interest being self-sabotage.
It sounds like you almost need this diagnosis. Some doctors will only see drug seeking behavior.
Don't have any answers but if I did it would be therapy.
Posted by Phillipa on April 3, 2013, at 21:52:06
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD, posted by Babak on April 3, 2013, at 19:58:04
No I'm not trying to be funny. It's just what I feel from my perspective. I tell all and have anxiety. So I feel it's a personality trait. Also agree with Phil about the personal boundaries. Phillipa
Posted by 10derheart on April 4, 2013, at 0:57:40
In reply to Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD, posted by Babak on April 3, 2013, at 17:09:45
Do you mean the *way* in which you are 'honest?'
In other words, is it a blurting out of things you wish you hadn't said, or know you shouldn't say, or don't even particularly want to say, especially in certain settings? Through being impulsive and unable to *stand* holding in the information one second longer, or at all? Being unable to help yourself from interrupting, especially with information that may surprise, startle, or otherwise get people's attention? (yet at the same time feeling anxious about sounding stupid and not *really* wanting attention-yes, it's a contradiction) Often goes hand in hand with "talking too much?"
Is that what you mean?
Or, honesty in the sense of being overly blunt, according to much (most) of society? As in, little or no filters and/or not understanding social cues well enough to even imagine when you are supposed to use a filter?
If these sound familiar they are hallmarks of ADD in adults. Believe me, I know, and so do so many others.
But that may not be what you mean at all :-)
Dealing with it all my life....diagnosed in 2002.
-- 10der
Posted by 10derheart on April 4, 2013, at 1:05:26
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD » Babak, posted by Phillipa on April 3, 2013, at 18:17:53
> Babak I'm a totally honest person and don't have add. Just the opposite anxiety. Phillipa
Believe me, anxiety is not in any way an opposite of ADD. More like its best friend. My anxiety and ADD are completely intertwined. It's hard not to constantly be worried, alert and scared when it seems your brain works in a totally different way than 90% of adults you meet and most have no earthly idea what you mean when you try to explain your difficulties.
Most adults with ADD have a comorbid condition - depression and anxiety being the winners of the popularity contest. I think most studies say it's well over 70%, but that's from memory from a long time ago...
I don't recall ever meeting, in person or online, anyone with ADD who was not unusually anxious, actually.
Posted by 10derheart on April 4, 2013, at 1:06:51
In reply to Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD, posted by Babak on April 3, 2013, at 17:09:45
...symptoms.
Far superior than the stuff in the DSM...
Posted by Babak on April 4, 2013, at 6:32:35
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD » Babak, posted by Phil on April 3, 2013, at 20:55:26
Thanks Phil,
Don't you think that being too honest can be related to impulse control which is the basis of ADHD/ADD?
I would have thought that it was obvious that I needed to have a diagnosis since I stated it very clearly in my opening post.
AS you may know ADHD/ADD is one of most misdiagnosed conditions and therefore it would only be natural for me to make sure that I have a correct diagnosis.
Finally I didn't understand what drug seeking behaviour has to do with my posting?
I wouldn't like to elaborate on your comment regarding drug seeking behaviour purely on my presumptions. That would be not controlling my first impulse. But if you would like to clarify your comment, I may have something to offer.
Thanks again.
Posted by Babak on April 4, 2013, at 6:37:16
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD » Babak, posted by Phillipa on April 3, 2013, at 21:52:06
Thanks,
But as I mentioned to Phil you may want to revisit the issue from an impulse control perspective. That could help with new insights regarding my point.
I think that is quite important because of twin aspects of ADHD, i.e.: neurological as well as psychological prespective.
Thanks
Posted by Babak on April 4, 2013, at 6:48:59
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD » Babak, posted by 10derheart on April 4, 2013, at 0:57:40
Thank you 10heart
Good at least some one seems to have taken the time to think seriously about it.
You have kind of hit the mark.
But let me explain by giving you a sort of example.
Imagine you know or even guess at something about the other person but you need to keep that to yourself until you are sure one way or another. Or you might need something from someone who might not appreciate you blurting out some truth or assumption about them.
So I would imagine that in such a situation it is best to keep your idea to yourself until you have got what you want first or made sure of the validity of your assumption.
This means that you are planning to say something only after certain event or not saying it for the time being.
I tend to blurt it out and give the game away which have caused me a great deal of problems at times.
So this is what I mean.
Again, thanks you very much for you consideration of my point.
But there again here we are; Look at the last previous responses which seem to be totally typical. So isn't everyone like that and if everyone is like that then why is it considered a symptom?
Babak
Posted by Phil on April 4, 2013, at 6:52:13
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD, posted by Babak on April 4, 2013, at 6:32:35
I had a doc put in my chart that I had drug seeking behavior when I wanted to go higher on an Adderall dose. It was ten years ago. I'm back on Adderall at 60 mg and if I took the whole dose when I wake up it would put me right back to sleep. Looking back, that's why I thought I needed a higher dose.
I was just saying that some doctors are wary of a new patient saying they have ADD. It's stupid and it's their job to DX it but still.
I think you're right about impulse control. It's gotten me in trouble a few times.
Hopefully you can find a doc that will treat the symptoms.
Posted by Babak on April 4, 2013, at 6:53:38
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD » Phillipa, posted by 10derheart on April 4, 2013, at 1:05:26
Fantastic 10derheart.
Agree with you 100%.
Controlling your impulse is bound to create anxiety and the more difficult it is to control the more anxious you get.
But anxiety is more often to do with not knowing what it going to happen or when it is going to happen which is totally out of your control anyway. So impulse control becomes irrelevant.
Well done. This is why I asked them to revisit it from impulse control perspective.
Babak
Posted by Babak on April 4, 2013, at 7:03:57
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD » Babak, posted by Phil on April 4, 2013, at 6:52:13
Thanks Phil.
Yes, they do. I don't know what my pdoc thinks. Being a regional NHS pdoc I don't think he thinks that much anyway.
But if I had to guess; I think Pdocs like what so many of the general public think: i.e. everyone has that kind of symptom. They just don't understand that the severity of the symptom within the context of pathos is totally different to that of general public.
For example when I tell a doctor that I am lethargic, he probably thinks of how he feels like on Sunday mornings or when he has to take the dog out for a walk on a rainy night, i.e. lethargic which has nothing to do with the kind of lethargic feelings that I am trying to get across.
Thanks
Babak
Posted by Phil on April 4, 2013, at 9:44:01
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD, posted by Babak on April 4, 2013, at 7:03:57
Psychiatry in general can be f*ck*ng frustrating. That's where I'm at right now, I'd like to throttle my doctor because he deserves it.
When I finally, with the help of my therapist, got him to prescribe stims he gave me this 20 question sheet to answer questions a 5 year old could cheat on if they wanted stims. But I was honest and he prescribed them. I had to take it before appts for several months.
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2013, at 18:31:54
In reply to Re: Can too much honesty be a symptom of ADHD » Phillipa, posted by 10derheart on April 4, 2013, at 1:05:26
Couldn't have been a magna c*m Laude RN and on the Dean's List & recipiant of all the awards and given scholarship if not able to concentrate and maintain control both with staff & patients. When I'm absorbed and loving what I do anxiety disappears also. But not all are the same. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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