Welcome to the Forum.....I'm having similar problems....you are not alone...I don't have the answers....but there are others on the board that have great advice.
Hi everyone! I was diagnosed in May. 48 year old woman. I also went through early menopause and I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid). I am convinced that these endocrine problems were greatly contributed to by the stress of living with ADHD. At first the whole thing was such a relief - to find out that I'm not crazy or rife with character defects that I can't seem to control. I am taking between 10 and 20 mg. of Metadate a day and it has helped me enormously with both anxiety and depression. I notice that it really helps with the negative self talk that would churn in my brain all day long. I didn't even realize what a drain that was until it stopped. I have recently started working with an ADHD coach and I hope to make some headway on the behaviors that still seem to plague me.
Now, I'm feeling such mixed emotions about the whole thing. On the one hand, I feel like I finally have a chance to get a life and I so look forward to accomplishing things. On the other hand, I see more clearly now the self defeating behaviors more clearly and I still can't seem to stop them. I'm referring mostly to procrastination, isolating myself, inability to have a clear direction for my time and efforts. I'm also frustrated because I find it hard to talk to people about this - their eyes just seem to "glaze" over or they act like I'm delusional. Especially if the subject of medication comes up - most people seem to think that's a bad idea. I get the feeling that people think I've bought into some "fairytale" of Adult ADHD - yet another "designer" disease and a way to push more pills. I feel so alone with this.
I'm also very worried about my 21-year old nephew (he lives with me) and I'm sure he has ADD-Inattentive Type. As a matter of fact, I think it's run undiagnosed in my family for generations. He is in his fifth year of college - ironically to teach special ed. He has no social life - and doesn't seem to care. He has a summer job and works very hard in a camp for needy children. This camp is packed with other young adults his age with exactly the same interests. He seems to have no interest in socializing with them. He doesn't drive and doesn't seem to have any desire to do so. He's very smart and prolific reader and writer. He is quite heavy and doesn't seem to even notice this. It's like everything goes over his head! Most of the time he walks around with a blank look on his face. He can't seem to follow the simplest of instructions. All his life I've said to him "your middle name should be : "I forgot" because he says this constantly. When he was a little kid his nickname was the "Absent Minded Professor". I've tried to talk to him but he completely shuts me out. I've given him books and very heartfelt things I've written about ADHD and - nothing! In typical ADHD fashion, I feel I need to "get the word out" to anyone and everyone - especially family members - but nobody seems to give this "theory" and credence. Any suggestions? Sorry so long - Thanks.
Hi, wanted to welcome you - I'm new here too. I'm sure you'll like it here, I dont' have any advise with your nephew, sorry. Sounds like he's in his own world and doesn't want to leave................I'm sure someone will give you some advise to go on.
Hi MoonMaiden, welcome.