Delivered from Distraction | ADHD Information

*bcgirl1978* Juat had to say that I am the same way - I have two real best friends, one friend I talk to during the week and hardly ever on the phone and stuff - and the rest are just people I smile, say hey and be nice to - I always thought it was just me so it was nice to hear you say that too!Hey bcgirl, where in BC u live yo?

I just recently ordered in the driven to distraction book from the chapters on robson st.  Hopefully I dont lose it like I lose everything else.. hmm..

anyway.. is it weird that I rotate my friends a lot?  I used to have a problem in social situations.. (social anxiety) but I've pretty much kind of overcome that and I now have a lot of friends..but I go through stages where I see certain ppl for a lot..then I just start hanging out iwth someone else a lot..then I just keep doing that.  I can't seem to balance it very well.

People get mad at me for that..

But I can't help it..
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Hey Simi....Welcome to the club!

I too went most of my life not knowing that I had ADHD and was diagnosed about 3 or 4 years ago...(can't remember )...anyway I was in my 30s...my whole life I knew I was different and knew that something was wrong and that I was pretending when I was around others....

I think it is a relief to find out there is a name for whats going on with us.  I know you feel mixed emotions because you wish you knew earlier because it would have fixed tons of situations I am sure...but it is good to know now...Meds make it soooooooooo much better...but I am sorry to say for me the meds only help the people disconnect thing a small bit....anyway wanted to say Hi and hang in there.....

Also The Jane Pauly show had a great special on Adult ADHD on Tues the 15...she had the author of that book and some adults with ADHD as well as one mother that is going through the same thing you just did...her children were diagnosed and she read the book and figured out that that was her...that author diagnosed her prior to the show, but announced her results on the show and she was ADHD or ADD (Can't remember) anyway she went through what you are going through...and her mixed emotions were discussed on live TV with the Dr...you might want to see if you can get a copy of that show...it was great!!

 

AmyLeigh

Hi there

I can totally relate to how you are feeling. I just diagnosed myself also after reading Delivered from Distraction after someone mentioned that maybe I am ADHD from how I was explaining how I was feeling. I"m 37 years old and a stay at home mom. I have a a 4 year old and a 7 year old.

I went to my first psychiatrist appointment yesterday and he says that I have anxiety and not ADD. IF it was ADD then I would have been diagnosed when I was much younger. Whatever!!!! Good news is he gave me Wellbutrin which is one of the meds for ADD. IT's been two doses so far and I am already feeling some relief. My mind is clearer and it feels like the fog has been lifted. I'm able to maintain more control of my emotions too.

Life is easier having support online. I too have few friends and am also drawn to people who think like me and understand me. SCary part is as much as we understand each other it is hard to listen to them at times. We are such discontented people. I'm hoping the meds will bring some joy into my life. I love my kids to death and they give me joy but beyohd that nothing. Not even from my hubby. Poor guy!

Good luck

Thank for your support!! 

I'm sort of scared to try meds.  I also was really uncomfortable giving them to my son.

So much so that I visited every alternative quack to prevent the drugs. 
After spending thousands of dollars on the doctors and their natural potions I decided to try to get a diagnosis for him one more time.  I origionally got a borderline diagnosis from Mr. top Doc who has been on all the talk shows, written books, and even has a column in an ADD magazine.  If he had given me an actual diagnosis instead of saying well maybe your son does or maybe your son doesn't ahve ADHD, he would have saved me years of heartache.  It was the second diagnosis (6 yrs later) that was the turning point for us.

In the end he got the meds and is doing better.  I tried his medicine once and went crazy cleaning the house for 2 hours.  I didn't like the feeling.  He has no side effects.

After spending my college years playing with all sorts of recreational drugs, I've done a 180 and am reformed and try to be as healthy as possible.



Simi




< =""> I purchased the book driven from distraction to help me  manage an 8 yr old who I suspect has ADHD.  I also have a 14 yr old who was diagnosed with  it.  He is doing great in school now that he is on meds.

Anyway, as I was reading the book, I kept saying this is describing ME!   I started to cry as I thought how I can't believe that I have spent my whole life not realizing that I may have ADD.  I know that it is hereditary and I suspect that many of the things that I do and feel must be because of add.  I know that I can't self diagnose but my conclusion points in this direciton. 

Lately, I've have been wondering why I feel so disconnected with people all the time and I am only appreciated by people just like me.  I either hit it off with people immediately or I immediately don't like somone. 

Please tell me - Is this a common feeling?


< =""> That's pretty normal- the people disconnect. I've always immediately known whether I liked someone or not, and my best friends all have very similar personalities.

I had the same sort of revelation as you did. I read Driven to Distraction and voila- there I was. Didnt realize why I looked at the world so differently than everyone around me until my 30's. So,I understand where you are coming from. To suddenly realize you've had add your whole life and never known it is very shocking.

You'll find a lot of people on this board who have gone through the exact same thing, so there will be many who can answer questions or lend support.

HI,

I am currently reading the book now, however, like it was noted on the first page I too, will probably not finish it...oh the joys of ADHD. I am 21 and was just recently diagnosed after almost flunking out of my second college; yeah imagine the relief, but now I am making up for what seems like 20 years of lost time.

 I found it neat that you were reading for your kids and think you may have it yourself. As I am reading it I am fully convinced my father has it. It may be worth it to you to get tested yourself but think if you have made it this far successfully, would you want to take that risk. I read a mans story on the internet one time (I cannot remember the site) and he said although diagnosed he was a successful politician and didnt want to start medication and treatment in fear of a change in character...which I am sure wouldnt happen...I guess one has to think - how great is the risk and would I fell better knowing?

Good Luck with your children - I am sure I will also be an ADHD parent one day! Just to give a little heads up - I have done some research around my school  and have found a lot of help, I meet with a psychiatrist that visits our health center for .50/hr. to get my perscriptions and I have full access to a personal counselor for free - this may help since your daughter may be in college before you know it!

determined0738396.4867361111Thanks chocoholic for your support.  Yes, I am finding that there are numerous people on the board that I see have a similar story to mine.

Determined07, I just wanted to respond to your college dillema.  Don't ever give up.  After attending 4 different colleges and 90 credits, I gave up.  Then at age 30, it just bothered me so much that I didn't have that degree.  I was successful in my career by that time but was extremely bothered by not having  the degree.  I went back and 2 years later I graduated.


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Simi

Thank you. I feel like giving up so bad! It's my fourth year, I have had who knows how many majors and I am still considered a sophomore - It was good to here that I'm not alone - Congrats on graduating - hopefully I will make it to that point soon!

If you dont mind my asking - what did you end up majoring in and do you use your degree today? I switch majors every month it seems like!

I majored in  marketing/business.  Yes, I did work in the capacity that my degree is in.  Now I am a full time mom.  My youngest is almost 3 and I am thinking about going back to work part time.  I really don't want to return to a marketing career.  I need to do something that would be more creative.   < =""> As Chocoholic said, "To suddenly realize you've had add your whole life and never known it is very shocking."

After years of joking that I "must have ADD", (much as a person who forgets something jokes that they have Ahlzeimer's), I finally decided one day to look up symptoms of ADD. What I discovered literally shocked me. I was riveted to the articles I read, feeling like I was reading a life story. EVERYTHING suddenly made so much sense. Last week I got out my old grade school report cards and read my teacher comments. What I read made me both laugh and cry at the same time.

I am reading Driven to Distraction right now too. I can relate to so much in that book. I am also suspecting that my mother and sister may both have ADD as well.

I've always known right away if I like someone too. I can speak two words to somebody and know whether or not there will be a connection. My boyfriend is 12 years older than me, but for some reason I kept going out on dates with him because we just clicked so well. And I either have extremely close friends, or general acquaintences. No in between. You are either my bestest friend, or you get a mumbled "G'morning" at work.