my first post.... | ADHD Information

I'm 43, married & three grown daughters. My family doctor wants me tested for adult ADD. I have been trying to get in to see someone for 2 weeks and can't even get an appointment. My family has been telling me for years that "something isn't right" and they think it's ADD. When I have conversations with people I cannot concentrate, I am busy looking at their mouth, their hair, their make up - whatever. On the phone I have to have the tv off - it can't even be turned down because I can see it, or I don't hear a thing that the person on the phone is saying. I did horrible in school, I barely graduated. I am a terrific reader - but I don't remember a thing I read & can't comprehend what I read. I look at magazines, and can only read the articles that really catch my interest, but ask me to explain what I read and I can't. My house is a disaster - the only way I can get something done is to set a timer for 20 minutes, clean til it goes off & "reward" myself with a 15 minute break - if the phone rings or a dog wants out/in, I'm screwed! - I have to reset the timer and start over. I used to have my own business in my home and couldn't handle the stress - I used to wait until the day before or the day of that the jackets had to be delivered to even start them. When I talk to people, I find myself interupting them because if I don't I will forget what I want to say - I know it's rude, so I have been trying real hard not to do it, so I cross my fingers so I can remember - I am so busy concentrating on my crossed fingers that I don't even hear what they have said - it is so embarrassing.... I am in charge of paying the bills - I wait til the last minute to pay them & they are usually late, the checkbook is always a mess. I avoid social functions and if I absolutely have to go, I worry constantly about it til it's over. I hate being like this. I hate living like this. We have no friends - we never have company...... I can barely remember when my girls were little - they ask me things & I cannot remember. They tell me things and days later I don't remember it - we laugh about it but inside it is ripping me apart. This is the first time I have actually wrote about this and I am sitting here with tears in my eyes and don't know how to fix it.
Hi Jun,

Please don't cry. I'm sorry you're feeling sad. You're not alone in the world with your challenges and frustrations. That's the first thing you should know is that you are not alone.


"Forgetful" is some of our middle names around here.
Oh, by the way, happy Mother's Day, loving mother.

Until you get in to see the doctor, try doing an internet search and look up "coping and managing skills" for add/adhd.

So many of us blurt, interrupt, forget, say goofy things that other's are clueless about, forget, misplace things, are late, oh, and did I mention forget?

You can also look up books to read at the local library or from a book store. The most important thing you can do at this time is to totally educate yourself inside and out on ADD/ADHD. There's some good books and off the top of my head are:

You mean I'm not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?

Driven to Distraction

Women With Attention Deficit Disorder


Keep up with getting a doctor's appointment but until you get in there do all you can to learn about this condition and to learn of some coping and managing skills.

You should also know there are some pretty cool and positive as well as interesting things about having ADHD/ADD, at least I think so and so do some others.

Here is a fairly good web site that I recently found with a wealth of information on it. Maybe you can find something there that is of use to you too. My thoughts are with you.
Goldie

http://www.addresources.org/article_adults.php




 I could relate to much of what you said. I hope you get in soon to see a doctor. It sounds like meds could really help. They have helped me so much and it has only been a month. Keep us updated. Happy Mother's Day. PS,

I want you to know also, that there are some very successful people with this condition. You're in good company (at least I think I am)

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/disorders/famous.shtml

http://www.additudemag.com/selfhelp.asp?DEPT_NO=404&SUB_NO=2 3

don't forget to read this link either:
http://www.additudemag.com/experts.asp?DEPT_NO=410&SUB_NO=1


This site might even be able to give you a location for a local support group to your area:
www.chadd.org



this is a good link to check out too:
http://www.focusonadhd.com/about_ADHD/positive_side_ADHD.jht mlgoldenmoment38480.2212847222Welcome- I love your avatar! There are a lot of us here on the board, who, like yourself, discovered they had adhd in adulthood.

I know things look kinda hopeless right now, but you are doing great to be able to look at the situation and reach out for help. That is often the hardest part and you have already taken that step.   

I'm glad you are looking for a doctor. Its pretty normal for it to take a while to get in to see someone, so you may have to wait. But, it is so worth it to get that done and start therapy and/or medication.

Good luck