Explain to someone w/out ADD? | ADHD Information

Thanks for the positive feed back. I think maybe he automatically thinks this diagnoses is passed out for everything and used too often. (probably saw a special about it that didn't have a positive spin on it and has formed an opinion without having all the info). Since time constraints are a big problem, I am trying to figure out a way or find something short that he could read that could open his eyes to what a problem it is for people who are "TRUELY" ADD. Me just telling him this probably won't cut it, although it should.

I won't actually be able to get approved for my meds until Thurs (appt with med dr for the rx).... I am pretty much counting down the hours. I have been reading Driven To Distraction and can so relate to so many things.

You're lucky you can read. I can't. Well, i'm literate, I just can't remember what I read. I tend to start to read something then skip around b/c I can't focus, go to the bottom, then end up reading it straight thru anyhow. It's annoying...

Anyhow! Seems to me a lot of 20 and 30 somethings are being diagnosed now as adults b/c it wasn't really known about when we were kids. Only the really hyper ones were noticed, and then medicated. Now that we know so much more about ADD ppl are noticing that they have symptoms and want help.

I would ask your doctor when you go thursday if there's something that he can suggest to help your husband understand. or perhaps have him go to a visit with you.

An ADD brain is missing a chemical or racing so fast that your brain cannot process the thoughts that you so desparately want to think. Your brain is lacking a chemical that you need to process thought. Being on medication is nothing more than giving your brain something that it is lacking. When you are anemic, you take iron pills; when you are ADD, you take strattera, or adderall, etc. It's nothing to be ashamed of. If you choose to be on meds, your DH will notice a difference almost immediately...mine did. I am more patient and calmer with the kids.

I wasn't diagnosed until age 23. My brother, 10, was diagnosed in March. My dad, 45, sees the positive changes in my brother and is convinced he is ADD also and wants to be diagnosed as well. He was dead set against giving Chase meds for ADD but has since changed his mind... and I'm glad that Chase has been given an opportunity to succeed in his young life.

Have your husband take a peek on this site... perhaps he'll want to join to help support you. Best of luck to you and your new journey.

How do you explain to someone (your husband) who does not have ADD? I have just been diagnosed at age 35. I don't know how to explain to him the difficulty to process something in my brain that is so simple for him to process. Does anyone know of any pretty short read material I could get for him (as I know he probably won't read anything that is "too long"). Ubeggs39028.3902546296Thanks for the suggestions. However, for financial reasons I need him to not miss any work. He is unable to take just an hour or so here or there. He basically has to take the whole day. So I am trying to gather info that might help him to understand what I am learning about ADD without him already having an opinion before I get it out of my mouth. I probably won't approach him about it for a while. Let me get medicated and see how it goes. Maybe then I will be able to gather my thoughts without forgetting them before I get it all out.

[quote]Maybe then I will be able to gather my thoughts without forgetting them before I get it all out. [/quote]

i hear you there! i'm constantly forgetting stuff I want to say.

and you never know... he may just notice a change too!

Here is a great link that helped my boyfriend and me out ALOT... It talks SPECIFICALLY about ADD and relationships. Hope it helps

http://www.adult-adhd.com/relationshipstory.html

[QUOTE=chasesbigsis]

I would ask your doctor when you go thursday if there's something that he can suggest to help your husband understand. or perhaps have him go to a visit with you.

[/QUOTE]

I have never read a book all the way through because of my ADD. And I never ever ever remember what I just read, so I have to re-read the page 10 times before I can turn to the next page. I thought this was normal behavior?"

I guess not.

I don't know of any short matieral but from my own experience ADD is like being drunk. You are not coordinated. slow response time. Say the wrong things. annoying to other people (sometimes.) But when I take my Adderoll its like a pill to sober me up.

Also I read this somewhere. If your friend wears glasses have him take them off and look around. You feel unfocused. Put them back on and thats how I feel on my meds.

I know these are just analoges (SP) but maybe it can give your friend the feel of how frustrating and detaining it can be.

my husband knew i had ADD before i did so i never had that problem,i think he will understand it once he sees the changes after you start the medication