What Type of ADD Do You Exhibit?

Summary: Did you know that ADD symptoms can suggest a specific type of ADD diagnosis? It's not as complicated as you might think. Take this brief quiz to learn more--about ADHD and you.

Have you ever been diagnosed with or thought you could pass for having ADD? Have you ever thought your spouse, romantic partner, children or even your co-workers might have it? If so, answer these questions--on your own or their behalf--to learn more:

(1) How frequently do you struggle with listening to someone else speak?
A. Often: Whether it's a formal presentation or 10-minute conversation, I'm often thinking of something else the entire time.
B. Sometimes--but mostly because I want to jump up and invite them to an adventure.

(2) Do you often lose your keys, wallet, ID or other important items?
A. Yes, even when I create a 'system' to track them.
B. No, this isn't much of a problem for me ... unless you count intentionally burying them in the snow just for a laugh!

(3) Have you ever regretted an action even as you were doing it--but not been able to stop?
A. No ... unless it was the act of interrupting someone who was speaking.
B. Yes! (Please don't make me say more.)

(4) Do you frequently overspend your budget on items you don't need, even duplicate items?
A. I have done this before, but it's not a common practice.
B. I do this all the time.

(5) Do you tell little white lies (or big ones) without even realizing you're doing it?
A. Only when the story I'm telling is really, really boring and I need to obviously exaggerate to make it more fun.
B. I think I may have a chronic problem with this.

(6) Is reading a chore for you?
A. I have a hard time paying attention to anything I read, watch or hear.
B. It can be--usually because I can't sit still for that long.

There are three basic subtypes of ADHD: The first is known as "Predominantly Inattentive Attention Deficit Disorder." The second, true ADHD, is called "Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive." "Combined" is the subset of ADD/ADHD that features symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. (A fourth subtype is known as "Not Otherwise Specified," meaning it doesn't fall easily into one of the other categories.) What category are you in? Let's look at your quiz scores:

If you answered "A" 4-6 times, your subcategory is likely inattentive. If you answered "B" 4-6 times, your subcategory is likely hyperactive-impulsive. Of course, if your answers were fifty-fifty, 3 "As" and 3 "Bs," you qualify as having combined ADD/ADHD. But if you had a hard time identifying with any of the answers, your ADD may fall into that fourth subtype--or you may not have it at all.

NOTE: This test is not meant as a substitute for a psychological evaluation or diagnosis. Its scoring system has not been ranked by any psychiatrist or psychological association. If you believe you do have ADHD, please seek professional, accredited help.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

Poll Results: Do You Have a Challenged Brain?

Summary: The latest poll question has been answered and closed. You shared openly and honestly about your brain challenges. Now let's explore more together, over the coming weeks, about the communications challenges they present you and how you can grow to overcome them.

I've already asked if you have a challenged brain. Many of us do--most certainly when we're worked up emotionally. But other challenges can pressure our brains, our bodies, our outlook on life. Some examples you know are:

- Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADD or ADHD (for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): Commonly diagnosed in children, this brain challenge can also affect adults, especially those who have had it since childhood. It's commonly characterized by difficulty focusing or paying close attention to one subject at a time; simple mistakes in tasks or homework that are made even when the person knows the right answer or the correct way of performing tasks; chronic disorganization and forgetfulness. (Tara McGillicuddy, a blogger who not only coaches people with ADHD, but also has it herself, just posted about a workshop she'll be presenting this fall on self-advocacy strategies for adults and teens.)

- Mood disorders: These run the gamut from short-term and seasonal depression to Type I Bipolar Disorder, which can contain periodic hallucinations and psychosis. Substance-induced mood disorders can mirror other such brain challenges, but are only brought on by the intake of substances like drugs and alcohol and/or their withdrawal from the body/brain. (Some mood-related blogs I recommend are Julie Fast's "Bipolar Happens," "My Son Has 2 Brains"--a mother's perspective on raising a young child with a mood disorder--and Helia's health blog about Seasonal Affective Disorder.)

- Autism: A brain challenge that may or may not involve brain chemistry, but definitely involves the size and shape of the brain and its hemispheres, autism--like most brain challenges--appears on a sliding scale, or spectrum. People with High Functioning Autism and Aspgerger Syndrome have the ability to socialize, but are often somewhat confused by the hidden 'rules' of social life and society. This confusion becomes increasingly deeper the further you go into the autism spectrum; those with full-blown autism frequently seem to live inside their own heads, rarely communicating verbally with others, except via sound bites they may have taken from TV shows, music and movies. (From a parent's perspective, "The Joy of Autism" is an interesting blog; from that of someone with an autistic brain, visit "Aspitude!")

Of those who voted, only one reader indicated, "My brain is only challenged whenever I am emotional," meaning that several of you with additional challenges were interested in this poll.

What didn't I include in the poll? Psychiatric and personality disorders like schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder, Oppositional/Defiant Disorder and Histrionic Personality Disorder are just a few. I could also have listed other learning disorders or challenges that affect the senses like deafness or blindness. (Incidentally, the blogger at "Aspitude!", Elisia Ashkenazy, is also profoundly deaf.)

All brain challenges can be 'overcome' through hard work and a desire to grow. The first step is recognition. Over the coming weeks, let's look at some specific challenges to communicating clearly that these and other brain challenges give you. More importantly, let's solve some challenges--together!


© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010