Brief Answer:
Symptoms of attention/concentration problems DOES NOT EQUAL ADD

Detailed Answer:
Hello young lady...

Sorry, you're having difficulties....BUT...CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROMOTION! That's exciting...and a bit challenging from what you're describing...but look at it this way...someone sensed that putting you into this position was the right thing to do for the company and for you as well. So let's see if we can make some sense out of what's going on.

First off...so sorry that your transition is not going as smoothly as you'd like. Sounds like things have gotten a little overwhelming for you in the sense that maybe you were having some of these problems before but it wasn't so egregious that you'd necessarily be singled out in any given situation..like now when you're in charge....is that a fair assessment of things?

So let's just look at the entity of ADD a little. It's defined as a neurological condition
characterized by a consistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning in at least two settings — for example, work and home.

So, if your troubles that you've described ONLY happen in the workplace...or ONLY in school....or ONLY when you are selected to be the NOTE TAKER at a meeting or conference then, you wouldn't fit the definition. In that case, you may be stress, anxious, or otherwise suffering from difficulty concentration....but it would only be to that situation or circumstance and thus would not be diagnosable as ADD. If, however, you are having all the difficulties you mention in both work, home, out with friends, at PTA meetings where you are on a committee, etc. etc. Or even on vacation...then, there may be a problem.

First and foremost whenever I see patients for this sort of thing before getting into the litany of questions, surveys, screeners (and there are a thousand of them on the internet) I always get a nice HISTORY of when the problem began and how it's progressed through time, and how it's affected the person. Second, because it's considered a NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER as a neurologist, I perform a complete neurological examination to be sure we are not seeing someone who ends up having something in the central nervous system that shouldn't be there such as a LESION in the brain, etc. Finally, if the first 2 elements of the consultation are considered "good to go" then, I look at labs and diagnostic studies that are indicated based upon the history and the neurological examination. We want to make sure that your thyroid, adrenals, electrolytes, and nutritional elements (B12, folate, D, Mg, and Ca) are all in good working order because if not then, we need to focus attention on those things and correct them before a diagnosis can be made.

I caution you....taking Internet Surveys and questionnaires in Good Housekeeping or Mademoiselle on this topic and then, diagnosing or thinking that in fact, you HAVE ADD is a huge mistake and could lead you down all sorts of bumpy paths before someone finally finds you walking around out in the wilderness and reels you back in....make sense? Please see your doctor or the specialist and MAKE SURE they don't cut corners either by just diagnosing you based on surveys/questions......You must be fully evaluated with labs and biochemistries and sometimes imaging before coming to any firm conclusions.

Therefore, in your case kiddo- although it is true you seem to have SYMPTOMS that are consistent with what one might see in a patient validated and being treated for ADD....in your case, it is much too early and there is far too little clinical information provided to make such a diagnosis in a sensitive or specific way. So far, I believe the best we can say from what you've presented is your a newly appointed head of affairs in your company or department and you'll benefit greatly from some time to get acclimated and maybe someone you can hang with a little for awhile till you get your bearings. But I think you can get it, don't it? Sure you can young lady....Go get 'em Tigress. I once had an Orchestra Teacher (Mr. XXXXXXX Patti....still quite around and in fact, we're trying to get a reunion together of everyone this summer for a pool party.....we haven't the foggiest notion WHOSE pool we plan to hijack!) who said and insisted...."When you make a mistake....MAKE A REAL MISTAKE....MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS IT WAS A MISTAKE AND THAT YOU MADE IT! And he told us not to be scared of it, or worried, or ashamed....RATHER, use it as a BOOKMARK to go back to and perfect so that the next time around....the same audience just might say, "Pretty good XXXXXXX ...he didn't make that funny mistake he made last time!"

Don't you think that's very cool? Of course, people have varying levels of patience and tolerance when you're in a company...I get it....gut just keep plugging away and find your GOTO partner who's going to help back you up when you need it.....you'll be FINE!

If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you the best with everything and hope this discussion has aided in your understanding of a few concepts related to your problems and given you some direction as to which way to go for an evaluation. I'd invite you to XXXXXXX OH but I gather from the map you're not just a stone's throw away! HA! Actually, this year's XXXXXXX ACADEMY of NEUROLOGY is meeting in XXXXXXX in a bout a month from now. If you go be boppin' downtown by the convention center you could potentially FEEL all of that BRAINPOWER and energy....who knows? Could that possibly ZAP these bad humors out of your system???? 'Ya just never know.... LOL....

This query required 33 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.

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