How does a psychologist distinguish ADD from a mere difficulty in concentrating?

Question

I've always had a difficulty in remaining focusing on something and people get impatient with me and it really affects how i feel about myself... so id just like to see if i can guage whether or not i might have add based on the provided differences between it and a mere difficulty in concentrating

Answer 1

ADD doesn't exist; it's just an excuse unmotivated people make.

Answer 2

any psychologist worth his salt will diagnose ADD (or any other mental illness) based on criteria and differential diagnoses found in the DSM-IV TR or similar diagnostic manual.

If a person meets the criteria noted in the manual and no other illness fits better, then the diagnosis can be given and monitored.

Answer 3

i'm from a family of 4 girls, and all 3 of my sisters have ADD, one with ADHD

I got tested and have only a slight amount of it, but not enough to be medicated, however i did take a ridalin one day to see what it did and OMG you can seriously sit for hours and study and not have to keep getting up or get distracted,

they test you by asking a series of questions and giving you memory tests and watch you & your behavour ...

if you think you have it, i would say go get tested as the medication for it really helps!! i've heard that if you don't have ADD and you take the medication you go skits so make sure you get tested by a doctor! and the medication is expensive so its not something you want to take just for the sake of it, if it is seriously effecting your job or study then it may be worth it...

Answer 4

I'm not an expert in ADD, but there are tests that a psychologist can give you  to determine if you have it.  

Answer 5

ADD is not real.  It is parents who lack control, an inability to actually BE a parent, and parents laziness.  They just turn their kids into drug popping zombies.

Answer 6

As someone who has ADD (which is by NO means an excuse for anything, in reference to an above response) I would personally describe ADD as something that is slightly crippling, in the sense that it disrupts daily acts that someone without it would find easy. By definition, it's just a lack of a normal attention span. (This is caused by a lack of serotonin in the brain. Fun stuff.)

My psychiatrist diagnosed me by simply having a conversation with me. He realized by my lack of ability to concentrate on this conversation that I had ADD. Other doctors can diagnose with written tests, flashing lights tests, etc.

Good luck with everything, and I hope you can concentrate soon. :]

Answer 7

thye have tests that are done... i am not sure what kind of tests but obviously they work... because they can get you on medication if it works...