[QUOTE=fukaiotaku]I feel like right now I'm in the "fork in the road" of my life. I'm 21, I'm trying to deal with these following problems: ADD/ADHD, Asperger's, some learning disabilities, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder........... I know that I'm creative with my ADD/ADHD, like drawing. And there are times when I'm funny (but I don't know it). ......... The dream career I want to have is to be an illustrator of any kind[/QUOTE]
Hey, I know a guy who makes good money in Medical Illustration. Actually, he now teaches it a the local community college. You've gotta take anatomy and stuff like that, and of course, art & drawing...
I remember I used to LOVE drawing detailed diagrams of insects when I was taking entomology.
I don't think it's too early to start thinking about what you might want to do, given your 'unique capabilities'. I am 48, only just discovered I have ADD. For the past 20 years I've been trying to suceed in a field that really tweaks my ADD (finance and accounting) and frustrates the hell out of me. I know I'm intelligent, but I sure haven't capitalized on it professionally, because most people think I'm a space cadet, I'm sure.
My brother and I fought a lot growing up. He actually had me convinced that I was adopted and that my parents really hadn't wanted me, had only adopted me out of pity because no one else would take me! Ignore your sister and love her anyway. My brother died when he was 20 and it was only then that I realized what a special bond we actually had. He had his own problems (I think he was bp and not diagnosed). Maybe your sister is jealous. It sure sounds it to me. You were hand picked, she wasn't!
As for all your problems, just live your life the best way you can. Use your strengths as much as possible. Most people will never even realize you have a recognized disability. Everyone is different in some way. You will fit right in! LOL
I realized one day that everyone I know has something about them that others would consider weird, and I know names you would probably recognize, and if you didn't recognize the names, you would recognize their positions in government, business, etc. (I know them and they know me but I am not saying we are buddies)
I am old enough to be your mother and I wish I had known the things about myself then that I know now. I would have been able to channel my life in a direction in which I could succeed.
With meds and counseling, you can control a lot of the things you listed to some extent. Do what you can to control them and go for it! I let so many opportunities pass me by which would have enabled me to use my ADD traits to succeed. Instead, I went for the wrong things, thinking that because I enjoyed them, I would succeed. I had too many ADD days to be successful with them in the outside world. I didn't have the luxury of walking away from a project until I could think clearly. I too actually created a comic strip at one time. I ran across it a while back and laughed my butt off. I think it would have been successful then, but I have too much going on in my life now to pursue it.
Don't worry about what others think! Its your life and if it hurts nobody, is not illegal or immoral, go for it! We ADDers must start utilizing the special talents that ADD and its comorbids give us. We have to show the world that a diagnosis of ADD is not a cop out and excuse to let society support us, but that it is an opportunity to do things and make contributions that only we can do well!
I would love to see a comic strip about the fun and foibles of living as a person with ADHD. We could laugh at the stupid things we do and bring attention to the things we do well, such as creativity. It would be an opportunity to show the world that ADHDers are wonderful, lovable people capable of contributing to society.
When you think about sitcoms, etc, you can see ADD traits in many of the characters but people still love them. Think Everybody Loves Raymond and that show of Tim Allen's about Tool Time. They are often accident prone, forgetful, spacey, etc. Look at the "Pooh has ADD" post. Cartoons are full of ADD! Its time those consistent traits were properly labeled.
If you want to try it, go for it! Maybe we could get Admin here to set something up where you could post it. I'd love a comic strip here. I for one would not mind if you used my posts on "you know you have ADHD" for ideas. I doubt if most of us would.
barb38562.4301388889Thanks everyone and barb, all of your comments really lifted my spirits. As for now, things are doing much better at home. My sister will leave within 3 weeks to go back to her dorm. I have a hidden feeling that she may be bipolar, but that's just me. Anyways, thank you all very much.There is a book that helps me.... I just went to get it...and for got to get it...
'WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU TALK TO YOUR SELF' By Shad Helmstetter, Ph.d.
I don't tell too many people about my ADD, or other problems...(out side of family, close friends ,and this forum) I'm just unique!
LTC138531.9438657407Hey fukaio-
I think it's many things that makes me guilty. Growing up and being the only child with ADD wasn't too helpful. Had the entire family yelling at me to calm down too many times, but that's happened to all of us. Plus, I'm adopted which I'm grateful for, but there were some issues within the family and siblings. My younger sister really hates me for what I have the ADD/ADHD,etc. she has labeled me since childhood anything close to an idiot or below..verbally and there have been physical fights between me and her. I don't know why I worry so much. I guess I feel guilty to have these things, I was born really tiny 1 lb 11 oz. but I am thankful I'm alive. There are times I don't mind having these problems. I just wish I had more respect like I did in school when I was in special education, but I'm realizing that there's no special education in the real world. Which is a huge kick in the head. I don't know why I do these things.
I think instead of seeing yourself as "damaged merchandise" just think ofI think it's many things that makes me guilty. Growing up and being the only child with ADD wasn't too helpful. Had the entire family yelling at me to calm down too many times, but that's happened to all of us. Plus, I'm adopted which I'm grateful for, but there were some issues within the family and siblings. My younger sister really hates me for what I have the ADD/ADHD,etc. she has labeled me since childhood anything close to an idiot or below..verbally and there have been physical fights between me and her. I don't know why I worry so much. I guess I feel guilty to have these things, I was born really tiny 1 lb 11 oz. but I am thankful I'm alive. There are times I don't mind having these problems. I just wish I had more respect like I did in school when I was in special education, but I'm realizing that there's no special education in the real world. Which is a huge kick in the head. I don't know why I do these things.
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I very much understand those feelings, I'm always telling people to give themselves more credit, yet I have trouble doing that myself. Those beliefs about yourself took a long time to create, so they will always be there a little, but guilt is not appropriate if there is no malicious intent on your part. Sounds like your younger sister has as many issues as you do and maybe more. What on earth would she *hate* you for? ADD? If so, then it really is her problem. Sounds like you all grew up in a sortof hostile, high pressure environment.
I feel like right now I'm in the "fork in the road" of my life. I'm 21, I'm trying to deal with these following problems: ADD/ADHD, Asperger's, some learning disabilities, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I have actually been over obsessive with these even since I found out I had these either in childhood or in my teen years. I'm thinking to myself, what if one of the symptoms show up in public? Will anyone recognize any of them? What I'm trying to say is I'm paranoid of these problems, have been since I was diagnosed, I tell anyone I meet I have these problems. Should I not even worry about these and just live my life normally like others have been telling me? I know that I'm creative with my ADD/ADHD, like drawing. And there are times when I'm funny (but I don't know it). The ADD/ADHD I'm trying to be happy about, an inspiration I find would be Robin Williams. The dream career I want to have is to be an illustrator of any kind, I love drawing cartoons. I am too impatient to draw realistic or landscape. Actually, the thing is is that I never tried. I think I've been using my problems as an excuse like when I was a child and trying to get something called "sympathy". I feel guilty, everyday I do.You definately worry too much, and it won't help you. Just relax, enjoy life. Alot of people who come here who are terrified of what might happen because they have this or that, and suffer needlessly. It's very hard to act constructively under stress. Things will happen that are beyond your control sometimes, that's ok! Don't worry about it!
What is it that makes you feel guilty?