Readers Respond: Share Your Worries About Having ADHD

Are you an adult with ADHD? Sometimes it helps to have a place to share worries and concerns about the challenges ADHD can bring into one's life. It is so easy to become isolated and keep these worries buried deep inside. The problem is holding in worries and stressors only makes a person feel worse. Sometimes a “Stress Dump” can help.

The "Stress Dump" is a place to share anxieties, both major and minor, about living with ADHD. Feel free to dump a big load of your own worries by posting here.

When I mess up it's so upsetting

I spent a year trying to get up on time and trying to get to work on time and was still late over 12 times. My alarm clocks would not wake me! I read that ADHD can cause an inability to wake up from alarms. I finally went out and bought two new ones with chirping noises that are working. Unfortunately though I got a poor rating at my job and no one understands.

—successms

Why me?

I have concluded that God created all of us, but not necessarily equal. Maybe every person starts out with inherent right to life and liberty. But when it comes to brain power, skills, and opportunities, I say...NO WAY! I attended traditional schools, and college, always feeling like I was the dumbest person in all of my classes. I struggled with paying attention and retention when it was test-taking time. Yet, when I had a genuine interest in some things -- which I could take my time and feel good about my accomplishments, and not be rushed by all of those around me -- I did some very satisfying things. I love gardening-including pulling the weeds. But, I look at how brilliant some people are with reading a book in no time flat...and remembering it...it makes me feel worse. Both gardening and book-reading are hobbies and relaxing to different people. To me, reading a book is a waste of time; short articles are better. To sum-up, some of us have less brain power than others.

—Notasyoungguy

Over looked by professional assessor?

I’ll try and keep this brief as possible; my 9year old son has been passed from pillar to post I feel and now we are left just dangling…as the child behavioral service say all is normal but he is just behind in his school work as he can't concentrate. These are his characteristics: He is such a loving and caring boy he has had and continues to have a 1 to 3 pupil teacher throughout his 5yr at school. His difficulties are: concentrating, writing and reading. He has a structured day as he gets more in his own world if he doesn't. He needs constant attention outside of school and interrupts conversations every time. He is reassured constantly he is a confident little boy and well loved by all around him. He climbs everywhere! And can't seem to keep still, has problems winding down, cannot sit long enough to watch TV etc. Though he excels at science and is a well mannered lad. I look at ADHD symptoms and he, I feel has it. But wouldn't the professionals be right? Over me?

—Guest confused mother

I was born with ADHD

For the past few years, I've been doing research and I find that I have the symptoms of ADHD. That's because I'm hyperactive at times, I'm mentally slow in some areas and sometimes, I move too slow in things I do. I must have been born with ADHD, because the symptoms click, when I read about them in my research and I think I've been misdiagnosed. I've been diagnosed with Personality Disorder NOS and Asperger's Disorder. But, I definitely think I was born with ADHD, because the symptoms click. It has to be ADHD. It has to be.

—Guest Tom