OT?: ADD

I know this is kinda off topic but this is kind of bothering me.

Firstly I have always had trouble both starting and finishing projects and papers all the way back to elementary school. However the work load was always so light and/or easy that it was never really a problem. However now that I am starting Grad school (Took my first grad class this summer). I am growing increasingly concerned. I don't feel its a matter of simple laziness or procrastination, I really don't. No matter how much I WANT to start a project I really have trouble sitting down and doing it. Its only when I need to get something done that I am able to eek it out, if I am lucky. I was wondering if anyone else here has had something similar.

To be perfectly honest I have tried some friends ADD medication and found it very helpful however I am embarassed to ask a doctor, mostly out of fear that they will think I am just looking to get ahead/cheat/get drugs...etc... Has anybody else faced something like this?

Better to work with a doctor on this one, if you think it really is ADD or something like that. Those drugs are powerful. If you think its more of a time management thing, your school might have some grad student resources who can help you with coping mechanisms or time/project management strategies.

You shouldn't be embarrassed or scared to ask your doctor about ADD. I work in the mental health field and have for 6 years now. You should talk to your doctor about symptoms and ask if he/she thinks that you have ADD and ask what your options are.

You may very well have ADD. There are 2 types:hyperactivity and inattentive. With the inattentive ADD you tend to "space out", have trouble staying focused and organized. Unfortunately many people who have this are hard on themselves (lazy, non productive etc.) There are non medical strategies such as sitting in the front row in the middle seat---it helps you not to be distracted. Finding an organizational method--I use a palm pilot and Outlook like a religion. Go to a doctor, your right, many are biased about these drugs. There are a couple of non amphetamine drugs that have mixed results. Go to some of the ADD web sites also.