Are You Struggling with Self-Doubt and Cognitive Challenges?

[rootX]

I'm not sure where you pulled that from...some European system perhaps? In the states, GPA is calculated as follows:

Must be that. My school doesn't use GPA. We get percentages (100% is max)

 

[elect_eng]

I do not like this test. By answering 'Not at all' to the majority of questions and 'Just a little' to a few of them, it diagnosed me as 'Borderline ADD.' That's complete BS, and it mirrors my feelings about diagnosis of ADD in general.

I think you misunderstood the purpose of the test and the meaning of the categories. Although, the wording they use is very confusing, so this is understandable. This test is not a diagnosis, but just an indicator of the probability that you have some symtoms of ADD. The "borderline" category means that you are on the borderline of a very low probablity of having a mild form of it. I took the test and scored 24 which is almost on the borderline and I don't think I have ADD. However my wife, who has been diagnosed with ADD, scored an 86. So the test has some validity.

You are right that diagnosis is very difficult and ADD is often use as an excuse. However, it is a very real disorder and creates real challenges for those who truly have it. The important thing is to not use a diagnosis of ADD as an excuse, but use it for understanding how to develop coping mechanisms. My wife and son went through extensive testing to be sure of a correct diagnosis because we did not want to put our son on needless medication. The medication worked wonders on our sons ability to focus and do well in school, but he eventually decided not to take it any more. We respected his wishes, but his symptoms are obvious without medication. But, now that he is older and has developed coping strategies, he does fine. The end result is that a person with a 140 IQ works flipping burgers, but that was the choice he made and he seems happy enough. However, the OP is clearly unhappy and needs a solution. That test may put him on a path of discovery.

 

[elect_eng]

I do not like this test. By answering 'Not at all' to the majority of questions and 'Just a little' to a few of them, it diagnosed me as 'Borderline ADD.' That's complete BS, and it mirrors my feelings about diagnosis of ADD in general.

There is an interesting experiment you can do with this test. Retake the test and force yourself to answer "not at all" to all questions and get a score of zero.

Now ask yourself what a boring robot you would be if you really could answer this way. This shows that all of the symptoms of ADD are basically not bad at all, but a normal part of being a thinking human being. The symptoms are a reflection of how the creative mind works. So ADD is a case where the useful functions of the mind have gone to an extreme uncontrolled state and hinder functionality and happiness.

 

[Moonbear]

ADD is a mental disorder, not a behavioral characteristic. There are a lot more plausible explanations for why someone would frequently change the topic of a conversation...such as making small talk and not really caring about the subject. A lot of people (girls in particular) also just have a habit of running their mouths non stop. That doesn't make them mentally deficient any more than a guy who mumbles or says "um..." a lot.

And some people just refuse to accept the diagnosis, so dismiss the trained psychiatrists rather than understand the disorder...which IS behavioral. You also seem to lack any understanding of ADD...it is NOT a mental "deficiency." You make it sound like someone with ADD is defective rather than simply having a mind that works differently. If you actually READ my entire post, as well, you'd see that the diagnosis was NOT based on just one criterion...in fact, that was the entire point I was making, that there are many criteria required beyond just some internet test.

 

[Evo]

I find it rather comical that the first thing a lot of people here suggest when someone says that they don't like school or like to learn, is that the person has a learning disability. Especially now that he says that he doesn't even want to work for a living.

 

[elect_eng]

I find it rather comical that the first thing a lot of people here suggest when someone says that they don't like school or like to learn, is that the person has a learning disability. Especially now that he says that he doesn't even want to work for a living.

I can't speak for anyone else, but my comments are based on the fact that his description of how he feels sounds very similar to how my wife and son described how they feel with ADD. Comments like ...

"fog" in my head;

can't engage my mind

hurts to think

my mind shuts off

like to ponder, fantasize, imagine

I can't say that my explanation is correct since I'm biased based on limited experience, but there is definitely some issue here. His posting is a call for help, whether he realizes it or not. We cant' be sure of the cause or the cure, but we can encourage him to try and figure it out.

 

[Evo]

I can't speak for anyone else, but my comments are based on the fact that his description of how he feels sounds very similar to how my wife and son described how they feel with ADD. Comments like ...

"fog" in my head;

can't engage my mind

hurts to think

my mind shuts off

like to ponder, fantasize, imagine

I can't say that my explanation is correct since I'm biased based on limited experience, but there is definitely some issue here. His posting is a call for help, whether he realizes it or not. We cant' be sure of the cause or the cure, but we can encourage him to try and figure it out.

My comment is in reference to the first thing that someone that enjoys learning seems to think - that anyone that doesn't enjoy learning has to have a problem...they are not normal. Where as on another forum the first thing that might come to mind is that the person just doesn't like learning. Those phrases can easily mean that someone can't grasp things because they aren't into it. But we, here, tend to jump to the conclusion that it must be a disability because not liking learning is foreign to us.

there is definitely some issue here. His posting is a call for help, whether he realizes it or not.

No, not at all. You are imposing "your" viewpoint on his comments.

I use those terms all of the time. And I am an expert in my field and have no problems.

 

[Moonbear]

I find it rather comical that the first thing a lot of people here suggest when someone says that they don't like school or like to learn, is that the person has a learning disability. Especially now that he says that he doesn't even want to work for a living.

People are suggesting that it is a possibility and that he should talk to a physician to find out. I would rather have someone who has nothing wrong with them go talk to a physician and find that out than have someone who has a learning disability or other psychiatric issue be told he's just lazy until he ends up homeless. The attitude that these illnesses aren't real and that people are just lazy just contributes the stigma that prevents people from getting properly diagnosed.

 

[Evo]

People are suggesting that it is a possibility and that he should talk to a physician to find out. I would rather have someone who has nothing wrong with them go talk to a physician and find that out than have someone who has a learning disability or other psychiatric issue be told he's just lazy until he ends up homeless. The attitude that these illnesses aren't real and that people are just lazy just contributes the stigma that prevents people from getting properly diagnosed.

Absolutely, I just found it humorous that since we all love learning, that someone that doesn't, usually has a learning disability thrown out as the reason, instead of pursuing the possibility that they just aren't into it.

 

[elect_eng]

No, not at all. You are imposing "your" viewpoint on his comments.

I'm doing more than imposing my viewpoint on his comments. I'm considering his comments in light of my own experience. Given that I only have his words and am not talking to him personally, I consider a wide range of possible reasons why someone would generate a post like this. Then I make my best judgement.

I use those terms all of the time. And I am an expert in my field and have no problems.

You are being disingenuous. I've had people tell me they were going to kill me, and I didn't worry about it because I knew they didn't mean it. But, if someone did mean it, I'm sure I could tell the difference, or at least be suspicious enough to be cautious.

I don't need to be 100% confident to make a judgement that someone may need help and to offer some advice that may be useful, or at least send the message that there are people that care and don't find a serious issue comical. Yes, I may be wrong, but it's better to err on the side of caution.