I'm just starting to try to explain my recent adhd-diagnosis to friends and family. Found out, that I only talk about this issue, when I'm fairly sure they will react in a positive manner. But I know I can't hide it forever, and I feel it is in a way the responsibilty of us adults with adhd to help children in the same situation get the help and the understanding they need.
I could sooo relate to what fukaiotaku was asking:
Someone keeps their energy built up inside for an extended amount of time in a certain environment and then release all of that energy when they're in a free and safe environment like home? Is this typical of those with ADD/ADHD?
Thinking back, this was very typical for me at the age 15-19. Very quiet at school, but talking very much at home, and very active in sports in the evening. Due to a physical handicap (caused by juvenile rheumatism) I played tabletennis in a sports club for handicapped people and often thought: if my schoolmates could see me now!
I wrote out my list - which I had posted here on the board. It prints out to 2 full pages. I gave it to my husband and a couple of friends. It makes it more understandable to them to read it.
Before I did that I tried to explain to my husband what I go through all the time and he kept saying "I've done that", "I do that too". It's like he didn't want to face the fact of what I have to deal with constantly. Like he feels bad that he didn't know, that he didn't realize that something was so different about me.
I told my husband that when it's in your head and you've done it your whole life, you don't think it's 'not normal'. You think that everyone deals with these kinds of things. Sure I know that I"m different but I thought I was different in that everyone is unique. Not that I fit an actual disorder... What a shocker.
There are times when I try to explain my ADD/ADHD to non-ADHD to people like my family or other people but I have a feeling that they'll never understand. They seem to think that..ADD/ADHD=hyper activity, but if they think that way should I even bother explaining it to them if they won't even take the time to truly listen? I've tried to tell my siblings about the things I do, but they think it's bull, and I can get over it. Like the hyper activity, some of it I can control..other times I can't. Sometimes I'm very impulsive and do things without thinking. I am even this way sometimes in public, I can get hyper when my mom and I go out to eat, etc. Is it hard for anyone to control their ADD/ADHD sometimes, or maybe I should say this: Someone keeps their energy built up inside for an extended amount of time in a certain environment and then release all of that energy when they're in a free and safe environment like home? Is this typical of those with ADD/ADHD?dunno! yeah most people won't believe you....but YOU know it's real and that's what really counts?Tell them its like going to a rock club which is in full swing and trying to read a book. Ask them if they could do that and then give a coherent book review.
Its like driving through heavy fog or a major blizzard when you can't see what's right in front of you.
Its like trying to listen to a talk show on the radio when there is another station that keeps interrupting and there is a major problem with static.
Need I say more?
Actually, most people won't believe you anyway so why tell them unless you have to for some reason?
barb38567.837974537Wordwoman-----I hear you about boring people----I spent a good portion of my twenties hanging out with a strange crowd----people with issues---they give me something to listen to----it did however have my now exhusband and both of our families up set---why would you hang out with those losers??? I was always kinda like that though---In school I was one of the pretty people---I know yuck---anyway I was expected to hang with the other cheer leaders and jocks----and I did most of the time---but I often went through times when my friends(right-ha-friends) would bore the hell out of me and I would find some fasinating artsy guy to "hang with"----the kind of guys who my friends ignored----oh but these guys were so talented and smart---and weird--I loved it---I have always been drawn to that in a way---but never really lived it-----ok I am rambling ---and forgive the typos pleaseI put it this way: I hear the words. I understand them individually. But I don't know what someone is saying to me.