ADHD sucess
- We all with ADHD can go on forever explaining the aspects of our lives that are frustrating (we all talk a lot). So here is some good things that got accomplished this year by a dedicated medicated ADHD brain. I was able to quit smoking and drinking. Found what was making me feel so ill all the time, allergic to wheat. So I determined that ADHD brain going untreated only develops habits and doesn’t have the attention span to break them. Quitting smoking and drinking were just not possible. Example get up next morning after exclaiming, "I’ll never smoking again" and just lighting back up a smoke only to remember half way thru ohhhh yea I said I was gonna quit..... this also starts a guilt train, as I like to call it. Stuff you tell yourself but don't follow thru start you off feeling guilty... Get off the train seriously.... And get a new diet, exercise, and go see a doctor. I did and it was the best move I've ever made.... Look how boring that was. I did it anyway.
- —Guest Adm taylor
ADHD = Red Bull in your Bloodstream
- Hi, I was diagnosed with ADHD at a very early age as my Mother had it and they suspected that I did from behavioral issues I had as a child. When I was younger I was also in a documentary on the BBC and they made it out like I had no future due to my afflictions. I am writing this to you as I have just handed in my Dissertation at my third year of University and I am proud to say I haven't struggled with my condition, I just see it as having that bit of extra energy when everybody else is feeling down or tired. It has also come in handy in essay writing, in my first year of University I wrote an essay between the hours of 2am-6am and got a 2:1 for it. So maybe it was childhood ADHD, but as far as I know it doesn't wear off so good luck to you =)
- —Guest Luke Chapman
Second Wind
- I was fired from a high pressured Information Technology job when I began to lose focus and the ability to manage time. I was already seeing a psychologist for depression when I was diagnosed with adult ADHD. It explained so much about my life. I have rediscovered my artistic talents. I design web pages now and am writing a novel. My grandson has ADHD, too, and we like to say we have "super powers". Embrace your differences. Who wants to be like everyone else?
- —Guest IowaGuest
Taking Years to Sort It Out
- I am 65 yrs. old, and I'm just now getting onto a good ADHD treatment. My childhood was so dysfunctional that I thought all my attention problems stemmed from that. I always strained to keep my grades up to C or B average, but I was exhausted all the time. I took nursing and got my BSRN, but that didn't solve my problem like I thought it would. My shoulder muscles were always very tense, and I just couldn't feel happy like my classmates. After being married and having an ADHD child, I myself was diagnosed. There have been many problems thru the years and a lack of professional and social confidence. I worked 27 years in nursing, but quit as soon as I could. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 36. At age 50 I was put on Wellbutrin. I still have issues, but my doctor just put me on Ritalin this past week, and I hope I have as much success to report as most of you. I plan to keep on keeping on!
- —Guest Lefty
I feel better than normal
- Being on the right medicine for me has totally changed my life. I have had ADHD all my life but it wasn’t until I finally met a great psychiatrist who diagnosed me and prescribed me Intuniv instead of Adderall which was making me paranoid and very anxious. I have seen over 10 providers seeking help for living with a life time of feeling like a loser. It made me suicidal many times. I have been mis-diagnosed and mis-prescribed every medicine in the book. I am done with the hellaciousness of this brain disorder. I just can't believe how good I feel. No more anxiety, no more overwhelming insecurities, no more depression. I pray that you have the same effects as I am and even better. There is hope out there. DO NOT GIVE UP!!!
- —Guest Lisa
71 and Still Learning About Myself...
- All my life I thought there was something "wrong" with me. I was a chatterbox and a runabout as a young child, yet a surprisingly good student. However, as I grew older, life got tougher and I made a lot of impulsive decisions. I drank alcohol to quell the anxiety. Eight years ago, I faced and still face serious issues supporting myself. Even though having been in years of therapy since my early 30's, nothing seemed to help me cope. Then, a psychologist diagnosed me with ADHD, inattentive type. The diagnosis fit and with the help of appropriate meds and a skilled therapist, I now understand that nothing is "wrong" with me. I am slowly learning to be kinder to myself. It is such a relief to learn that ADHD is a neuro-biological disorder. I still have a way to go to consistently accept who I am: a creative and intelligent woman. Better late than never!
- —Copithorn
In the middle of my life
- I recently found out that I have ADHD. Now it’s been 1 year since that diagnosis was established. My life has turned around totally! Since I’m 50 years old now (this summer!), it would take me like a whole book to explain it all. The history, my life, my struggles, as "they" mistreated me for depression, childhood, and the whole spectra of how this has changed it all. Just want to add in this wonderful "add.about.com"-community: that my life began one year ago! Now, I’m able to see myself, my history, in a different light. Now I can start living the way I need to live, whatever others might think - because I know it’s important for me this way. I was "dreaming" about as a child, and sometimes as an adult, but never could make it come through! So it seems like, that deep down inside, some part of me has been aware of my special brain, its needs, and the surroundings I need/needed to feel calm, happy and enjoy life!! NOW I can realize all that!
- —Guest Sanemind
I Never Could Focus
- I am 27 and have been job hopping for the last 7 years because it was fun at first but then it became tedious, the same damn thing over and over with no real challenges. My fiancé suggested seeing a psychiatrist and after seeing him a couple of times he sat me down and suggested that I might have ADD. After confirming that I do have ADD he's put me on Ritalin and for the first time since I can remember I can focus and have now decided to start my studies. I wish success for everyone here and hope that you all get to focus on life as much as I can now....Never take life too serious, you'll never come out alive....As I was reading through the replies on this forum I could identify with almost all the stories.
- —Guest Chris
ADHD at 31
- My life has been a struggle for as long as I can remember - school reports have been low, coming from a broken home raised by grandparents in a neighborhood riddled with drugs and gangsters. During school, teachers would tell me how lazy I am and how I would not amount to anything and being the poor kid in the class made it worse as teachers would treat me with less respect as the other kids in my class. High school was worse, mixing with wrong friends and bad choices. I started abusing drugs and alcohol and almost started dealing. After thousands spent on tests I was diagnosed ADHD. They prescribed Ritalin LA 20; I have been using it for three months now. My thinking is so much clearer and it feels that I have received a new lease on life. My boss has seen radical progress. My wife noticed major changes. I am following through with tasks. I am enjoying my studies. My marks have increased from 50% to 68%
- —Guest Al
How Do I Not Resent My Life
- I could not study in school and kids and teachers all thought that I was stupid. I could not even finish High school because I lacked the right amount of credits. I spent 4 years in the military and could get no promotions and after I got out. College was a joke. I could not even finish high school. Got work as a laborer in a factory but one personnel manager thought I had a chance to work in a development lab and from there after 41 years and ended up a technologist in research one of the only ones left without at least an AA degree. I had one patent and even then had to share it with others that had college background. Even today, a recovering alcoholic and retired I still feel cheated because I could not study, I did not know how and was just a few years ago that I wondered if I had ADD/ADHD and no one had seen it in me. I still feel cheated and constantly wonder what I would have done if someone would have known. I am 72 and do not have much time left but am not bitter.
- —Guest cranerh
It is not all bad:)
- I have had ADHD all my life. We struggle to stay on track in school but many of us are very intelligent. We often have a perspective not afforded to the so called "normal." We have to work harder to achieve goals and even though most of us have the extra energy, it is hard to use it efficiently as we are all over the place. Regardless of how good a person we may be, we are still perceived as different and usually don't have many friends so it can be a bit lonely. We may get bored with many of the myriad of things we get involved in but there are always many more to take their place. We are usually never bored ourselves as the mind is constantly working on something. I am going to try the prescription drugs as I finally did get my BBA at age 56 and am always looking to expand my horizons. I've had to take a step back and seriously look at what I am doing and analyze my situation. Becoming more mainstream is important. I would say I have succeeded considering and I have a wonderful family.
- —TPatricW
Acceptance
- I had myself diagnosed after my gifted daughter who was struggling in school was diagnosed with ADHD. I saw so much of myself in her. I have had a reasonably successful life, but was constantly down on myself for not being able to handle things that I felt “everyone” else could do and for doing what I perceived to be stupid things. After being diagnosed and researching ADHD I realized most of the things I get upset with myself about are typical adult ADHD behaviors. Medication has helped some, but just accepting that ADHD is a part of who I am has helped even more. For example, a few days ago I was having what we call a “dizzy and twirly day.” I was distracted while making dinner and messed up the measurements. I tried to fix it by increasing the other ingredients, but then realized I didn’t have enough, because I had forgotten to put something on the grocery list. There was a time I would have gotten very upset with myself and berated myself for days, but instead, I put everything away and we ordered take-out.
- —Guest ADHD mom
Success in a Different Way
- I grew up in a small town...often at times I would find myself getting distracted (i.e. iPod or video games). I was the guy who played sports but talked to everybody and just didn't give a s*** in general. I set myself up for failure trying to identify with others time and time again...letting little things get to me and making an a** of myself. My success is that I have a good group of friends that respect me for who I am now, versus my past. Aside from my room being clean for the most part and keeping up with work, school, etc. I have also managed to live somewhat peacefully with two undiagnosed and in denial attention deficit parents. What makes me most happy is that I have set myself free in the sense as to think about positive things and move forward instead of being paranoid. Just a reminder to whom it may concern...you can choose to keep your mind off bad things and stop beating yourself up on the inside...not letting others get you down or see you sweat has helped me.
- —Guest guest44
Wish It Was That Simple
- As much as I love these stories to see that people have been put in the same situation as me - getting a job, keeping a job, meeting a partner losing a partner, holding a friendship, people not liking them, people not understanding, people no matter how you know you’re a good person they see another side to you, letting your friends and family down, some cases proving them right that you’re a loser. I can relate to these in the biggest scale possible. I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD myself about a year ago. I’m 30 years of age. I’ve put my family through hell, been in trouble with police, in prison once for 3 years! Lost family that disowned me, friends I’ve never had, and partners that seem to feel sorry for me more for what I’ve been through but still left me! Sorry I’m just letting off steam here! All my life I’ve had it drummed into me that I’m not all there, there’s something wrong with me, I’m crackers, crazy etc, worst one the black sheep of the family! Where’s my help?
- —Guest lee oreilly
Success I Can Not Have
- I have had ADHD since I was a child now I am older and it is not easy living with this even on Adderall. People find ways to stigmatize as if you had a label on you. My intelligence IQ is 130.
- —Guest cyber
