Recently an About.com reader responded to an article about living with ADHD and she shared about how the diagnosis of ADHD at age 27 turned her life around. What she wrote is so poignant and is especially timely with this being ADHD Awareness week. I really appreciate her words and her strength and wanted to share it with you all.
Letting Go of the Fear
“I was 27 when I was finally diagnosed with ADHD. After more than a decade of seeking help, after years of relationship disasters, job losses, drug addiction, alcoholism, and depression, I felt finished. I spent so much time hating myself that I destroyed my relationships to avoid having others come to the conclusion that ‘well, yup, she sure is irritating, and really not reliable.’
Now, it's been a year and a bit since I started taking Ritalin. I went back to work in November (I had not worked for two years since having had a nervous cocaine induce breakdown) and last week I got a promotion and a raise. And now, I feel like life is okay.
So, I guess my comment is that finally my potential matches my ability, and finally I don't have to always feel like I failed to live up to what I could have been. I'm getting a chance to be who I could have been, and all because I take a couple pills in the morning. ADHD left untreated is an emotional cancer. Get help and live your life.”
This reader's experience further highlights the continued need to raise awareness about ADHD and the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment. Life can be better for those struggling with unrecognized, untreated ADHD. There is hope. Let's continue to get the word out about ADHD awareness and education.
With warm wishes to you all,
Keath
I am happy for you.! I am 59 this month and did not get diagnosed till about 7 yrs ago.School was hell,my grades were always d s thought I was soooo stupid. I always seemed to like to learn and did go on to 3 yrs of collage from 1976-98 three different certificate programs which Im proud of. The thing is I dont remember much of what I learned. But I also started on Ritalin for 6 yrs and a few months ago it had no effect which was scary to be back in that hellish mode so I saw a Dr. and now Im taking dexadrine spanule which is working very well.Im on a new antidepressant and told to take that at nite which hasnt worked out the last 2 wks no sleep. so thats changed to the moring starting today. and boy do I need my sleep!!! Also want to say a coulpe of months ago I tried a new job that just had tooo many in consistant steps ie working in a kitchen in a seniors home. Two different shifts and they kept switching my shifts so I got canned before 3 months but it was tooo stressful so its ok.My point being there are lots and lots of things I can do and do better then before but the drugs are not 100% perfect at least for me but my life is much easier and Im thankful for that my analogy adhd is like trying to climb up a wall with water running down it and no equipment. have a good day valerie j.
I understand or heard that you cannot take Ritalin after a heart failure. Is that true?
my life still stinks!diagnosed in 95,at age 39 after being kicked out of Nursing school.meds haven’t been real reliable for me,tried stimulants,antidepressants,just started on dexmethylphenidate,see if it helps.been through 4 divorces,gone through 30 jobs in 14 years,it HURTS!relationships-don’t even SEE my daughter or granddaughter anymore,no family or friends to speak of,broke……my hope is in God,somehow He always brings me through.
thanks for sharing your story. I’m fortunate to have a mom that gave me coping skills, for over 30 years with no diagnosis or clue. I’m blessed to have medicine that works and i understand how it feels to have medicine that helps me focus and be like you, feeling capable to be the person I felt I could be. Counseling helps too. Thanks for sharing and don’t give up.
my comment or question is tht i live in a neighborhood were all children know each other they go to school togther all families know each other but for about a month or so back the neighbors kids and families have been on each other cases because of a little boy who has adhd this little boy is and i mean and i do mean violent the violent has excaletted to the point tht a little girl was taken to the hospital cause she got cut and had to get stitches i personally dont have children with adhd but, is it normal for a child to be tht agressive and violent im affraid tht he might hurt my children or somebody really bad
conserned parent
graciela garza
Your story was exactly what I have been through . . . misdiagnosed for so long with bi-polar disorder and was not getting any relief from any meds. Now I am happy to say I’m on 1 med and it is for my actual disease
and I am able to live a full life with my 3 kids.
To all you moms / parents out there. . . take care of yourself and get help if you know you are not “yourself”. Taking time to do things for ourselves is not a trait we usually embody. But by getting my “self” back, I was able to see that my 8 year old daughter was also suffering ADHD. Now I have the tools to help her and myself lead a healthy life.
I know there is a lot of discussion around medicating kids. I chose to go the organic, homeopathic route for her. And she has shown improvement. I am not closed to meds, but for now she is doing so well
Anon,
The best person to talk to about this issue would be your physician. He or she can make the most informed decision about whether or not stimulants would be safe for you.
Grace,
I am sorry the neighbor boy has become so aggressive. I understand your worries. You will need to supervise your own children when they are around this child. You may also want to talk with the boy’s parents about your concerns.