My doctor said my inability to concentrate is because of anxiety...

[Deja Q]

But I've been tested for concentration problems; as early as age 4, notes had been made that I was unable to follow directions.

Does this mean I've had anxiety problems since age 4? (the terror at school didn't begin until 2nd grade, though I never realized the malevolence until 3rd grade...)

Or something more reasonable like a learning disorder?

[miss_american_pie]

1. Kids can have anxiety disorders

but it's not really uncommon for four year olds to not follow directions.

I think the current thinking is that ADD can't be truly diagnosed before second or third grade. Is there a family history of hyperactivity/attention difficulties?

[Nikia]

2. They like to blame everything on anxiety

Anxiety does cause people to have trouble concentrating and memory problems. If you have anxiety, it is the easiest explanation. There might be another explanation. I forgot if you have said in the past, have you been tested for ADD.

[Deja Q]

6. Yup...

Originally ADHD, then ADD, but Asperger's Syndome has superceded those.

But there is a concentration/memory issue and while these days I accept anxiety is a factor, I am not sure it was borne from anxiety.

[RevCheesehead]

3. I'm beginning to think that that's a doctor's new catch-phrase

that really means "I have no idea."

Don't know the diagnosis? Blame it on anxiety, stress, or depression. Why not? It seems to keep the customers happy, and keeps the drug companies in business. :eyes:

[RedOnce]

4. Do you have a diagnosis? I saw that you tried Lamictal...

were you taking it for mood stability of anti-seizure?

[Deja Q]

5. Stability. It also rendered me a stable depression...

Had some flare-ups too.

Drugs and I don't mix.

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. I had school anxiety as early as kindergarten

'Course, they didn't call it "anxiety" back then. They called it "He cries when there's a substitute teacher."

Gee, maybe it was because I got lost in a grocery store in Oregon when I was 4, so I have separation issues. :eyes:

[Floogeldy]

8. You're probably just bored, like me.

;)

[NMMNG]

9. My friend Mike has been plagued by anxiety since he was in kindergarten

It can indeed begin very early.

[bif]

10. What? I lost my train of thought there...

[Spider Jerusalem]

11. Um...Asperger's Syndrome...

you've already mentioned that you've been diagnosed with AS, I believe. One of the associated features can be poor concentration, with an exception when it comes to subjects of personal interest. It may be not so much a lack of concentration as it is a lack of ability to shift focus rapidly.

[BikeWriter]

12. Pard, you are a beautifully complex person. I will enjoy knowing you...

and leave the diagnosis to everyone else. :hug:

[leftofthedial]

13. what was the question?

[bridgit]

14. you got it...

[sandnsea]

15. My son never could follow directions

If you're talking about those tests where they tell little kids to do like 3 things in a row. He couldn't do it, he was diagnosed with a cognitive learning disability. I suspect as he's grown and that problem is still with him, depression has come along with it. But his memory stuff is still there, he's almost 30, and it's got nothing to do with stress at all. He does stuff like get me and him a refill of coffee, and come back and give me his cup instead of mine. Regularly, all sorts of things like that. He's smart, has excellent long term memory skills; it's just that daily, easily distracted stuff. I had him tested for ADD in jr. high, but he is so completely mellow, they just didn't see it. There's NO hyperactivity at all.

He has a few good friends, and his family. He seems to just roll with it, for the most part. Don't know if that helps, but thought I'd share anyway.