I have ADHD, but..

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Hi everyone,

I have ADHD, Social Anxiety Disorder, GAD, OCD, and MDD. I'm 20 years old, and was diagnosed with the aforementioned about 5-6 months ago. I just came across this site, and thought it would be the best place to get some input.. I know ADHD and AS can often be comorbid, and I would very much appreciate some insight regarding the two and myself.

First off, I have ADHD combined type (hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive). The reason I wonder about myself and AS is because of my social skills; simply put, I really don't have any. I'm very friendly and outgoing with people I know well, but I won't say a word to anyone I don't. If I'm in a room with people I don't know, I will just sit there and not attempt to talk to anyone. I don't even try because when I have, I just come across as very awkward. My friends will even tell me how socially awkward I am. For instance, if I'm at a friend's place along with others I don't know, I will just sit there and not contribute to the conversation. And if some friends invite me to a party, i would rather sit at home than go because I don't want to feel awkward when I don't interact. I'm also not a fan of change at all; I get uncomfortable when things change, and I take a while to adapt to it. I also have some (although I guess somewhat minor) empathy problems. For instance, sometimes I won't find something sad like everyone else in the room; I may even laugh or crack a joke about it (without meaning any harm of course). As for patterns of interest, I have a fascination (more of an obsession) with psychoactive drugs (learning about them, not using), neuropsychopharmacology, anatomy/physiology, and fitness/nutrition. Basically when I'm not at work, I am learning more and more about one of those topics. Instead of moving on to another topic or watching a movie, I would rather further my knowledge even more in one of those topics mentioned. As for repetitive motor mannerisms, I do this thing where I rub/flick my thumb, index finger, and middle finger against each other literally hundreds (if not more) times a day.

I could give more examples, but I'll start with those. If anyone has any questions, anything else they'd like to know, or any input at all, please post. For my "disorders" listed above, I have them all under control/treatment with Adderall XR and Zoloft (SSRI) so I am thrilled about that; my only problem now is in my social skills (or lack thereof). I really only know the basics on the ASDs which is why I am hoping some of you can help me. Everything I posted above is an example of a sign/symptom I saw linked with AS, so they may or may not be relevant. Again, any input would be great. Thanks!

Welcome! If those are your symptoms, you're gonna love this place. And I think you're right, you may have AS (I certainly would have guessed you do), but some of the more experienced people here will be able to give you better input about getting a formal diagnosis (if you feel you want to do that).

I'm an Aspie with ADHD and a touch of OCD (been pretty good at suppressing it for all my life). I am only recently diagnosed, and I guess it would never have happened if I didn't work with an ADHD woman who has interests similar to yours!

Now, since you've been into neuropsychology much longer than I have, please tell me what MDD and GAD are.

Thanks for the reply! GAD is Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and I was referring to Major Depressive Disorder by MDD..but I don't think that's an official abbreviation, ha.

Welcome to wrong planet!

It certainly sounds like you could have AS, as you have some of the more common traits. If you feel you absolutely need to know, the only way is with a professional diagnosis. If you simply want to get a "feel" for how far you are on the spectrum, there are several recommended online tests you can take. I apologize that I do not have the links in front of me (my home internet connection is down, so I am on my blackberry). But you can google "AQ test" and "Aspie Quiz" and that should give you an idea, at least.

I think a lot of ADDers are actually more likely Aspies...

I'd rather say a lot of AD(H)Ders are also, in addition, Aspies; or statistically more correctly, perhaps, a lot of Aspies also have ADHD.

But I do know what you mean. One friend of my clique was diagnosed ADHD only by the same psychiatrist who diagnosed me with both AS and ADHD; yet even his mother and other ADHD and Aspie friends reckon he's an Aspie too.

I also know a couple of people diagnosed with ADHD who don't strike me as Aspie at all, though.

In fact, I actually work with an ADHDer who is married to an Aspie who doesn't have ADHD, and the differences between them and also the differences between each of them and myself, is interesting, because as an Aspie with co-morbid ADHD, I can relate to parts of each of them. e.g. the wife's inattentiveness and the husband's meltdowns and need to stim. I love spending time with them, they're probably my favourite couple.

There does appear to be a large section of people with AS having comorbidity with ADHD, OCD, GAD and some form of depressive mood. I realise others have different comorbidity, but the aboveforementioned relate to me. I have only experienced a major depression once when I experienced seratonin syndrome from Prozac. The depression left once the Prozac was out of my system. My psychologist suggests I have experienced dysthimia all my life which accounts for my flat, low depressive mood. I have always needed constant stimulation, whether in the form of an interest or event to look forward to.

I believe that AD(H)D, OCD, and Asperger's are somewhat related, but they are all on different spectrums. Brains are incredibly complex organs...

I think that a person can have autism run in their family, but have their own traits manifest more as ADD...and I def. think the two are related. I was on ADD forums for years before ever hearing about AS...There are lots of people who were in those forums who would be right at home on Wrong Planet.

I do agree though that there are ADD folk who are not AS-ish..The ones I have met were generally very socially dynamic...and often somewhat exhausting to be around.