From the article: A Personal Story of Adult ADHD
An About.com user recently diagnosed with ADHD as an adult made a wonderful request on our ADD/ADHD community forum. She became concerned after reading about so many of the struggles and frustrations faced with ADHD.
Her request: "I'm looking for the success stories. I want to read about people with ADHD who have turned their lives around and are living a life they never thought they could have."
Please help her (and others) out by sharing the triumphs and accomplishments in your life with ADHD. How has life improved since being diagnosed and involved in treatment? Share Your Success Story
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 and 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.
- —Guest finally okay
You CAN be Successful
- For me, diagnosis was the first part of success. Of course I had some mixed emotions about it, and sometimes even felt downright depressed. Overall though, there was a sense of relief that I wasn’t just a screw-up, or lazy, or irresponsible. The more I began to understand why certain things were such a struggle for me, the more I felt relief and began to be able to accommodate my ADD. In my humble opinion the second step to success is letting go of all the negative feelings you’ve been carting around about yourself for all these years. This is still a challenge for me sometimes, but it has gotten MUCH better. With the help of some therapy and ADD coaching, I was really able to change my attitude from ‘I can’t seem to do anything right’ to ‘Wow, I’m really learning how to get things done much better!’ Each small success (I got something in the mail on time!) gave me more confidence… so give yourself credit for the things you get right, even if they seem small.
- —averagejane
A Different Story
- I never knew that I had ADHD. I discovered it in a different way. One day my friend told me that I should visit a psychiatrist. It really pinched me from inside and I went into depression. I even felt like committing suicide. Then I finally decided to visit a psychiatrist. He diagnosed me with ADHD and prescribed me Ritalin and I have been taking it for a couple of months now. It has helped me a lot. Now I am very successful in my school grades and my teachers also tell me that there is lot of change in me.
- —Guest devendra shrivastava
Wish I Had That...Hope Still Remains...
- To be quite honest, I wish I had that success story. But to have that, I would have to become a hermit. In my country, ADHD is laughed at, scorned and generally dismissed. I'm trying though...I recognize that a lot of people were trying to help me, but I also see a lot of people trying to harm me at the same time...a lot of them are false; so I don't know who to trust. I wish I could control it so that I don't have to put my foot in my mouth all the time. All the same, I have no choice. I have to keep trying.
- —Guest Schezzie
Music Is My Inspiration!
- During primary school I was a very fast pupil. Math was my strongest. I was well ahead of all my class. I was still yet to be diagnosed! Got diagnosed and a teacher of mine didn't want to believe it. But I wasn't about to let her get the better of me, proved it with 100% exam results. Went off to secondary school, they put me in all the bottom classes. Ruined my math career. Or until I went to college, where I had a bad experience with a partner of mine. I needed a distraction! Math! Sad I know! My college lecturer didn’t see that one coming. Second year of college, he took me under his wing. He is absolute brilliant role model! Both of my math teachers are. Now I’m at Swansea university studying what I love. And may even become a doctor in math. My current exam results - lowest is 80% and highest 98%. Good thing about my ADHD is that I can cram. I dunno it’s like I can concentrate on so many things at the same thing. I have conditioned myself this way by using music.
- —Guest Daniel Williams
Overcoming ADD: Learn to Use the Gift
- I was diagnosed very young, at the age of 2, with ADD/ADHD. From then until 8 I was diagnosed with several other things, so let’s just say my parents had their hands full. It has been a long journey, but I have completely overcome them all and I have been symptom free and meds free for over 10 years. I used meditation, drumming, nature walking, and other mind-body practices as tools, but in the end the most crucial part was my beliefs about myself-about my story. I was told for so long that that I was sick with this illness and that illness, but the moment I let that all go and opened myself up to the possibility of seeing my obstacles as opportunities everything changed. We all have that power...to see weakness as strengths...to tell our story differently...to dream, to envision, and to live...The greatest gift is the human spirit's limitless possibility. Remember... "The greater the struggle...the more glorious the triumph" -The Butter Fly Circus ~Tom M, Life Coach
- —TheDaoCenter
ADD a Gift to Use
- When my son was diagnosed with ADHD/anxiety in first grade I was devastated. As a mental health counselor myself it just didn't seem possible that I would have this issue at home also. Went to counseling myself to try to help my son and deal with some of my own "not good enough" issues and realized I have ADD also. I see now why I felt like a misfit growing up even though I had many opportunities. I married a very left brained person who has helped me manage my ADD better and he has in turn become more adventurous and flexible. I am my son's biggest connection to the world and he is doing ok. There have been many trying times and teaching moments and just wishing he would just be "normal" and snap out of it. However, there have been more amazing times when I am so proud of him and how well he does despite the ADD. He does many organized sports and is a mostly A student and best of all gets his Christian faith. My clients benefit because I really "understand" ADD and can be creative. :)
- —amybz
I am Not a Screw Up
- I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 55 when I went back to college for a nursing degree and immediately ran into problems with focus and organization. In fact, I was sidetracked in the library and discovered a book about girls with ADD/ADHD. I saw my entire life. My doctor put me on a stimulant that helped right away. Because of my age and health concerns I would go off it at times. The very month I began a very demanding, accelerated nursing program we lost a daughter. I kept on with the program (and working full time) but as the demands increased, I fell apart. I pretty much failed out of that semester. I still did not continue my medication. I was given another chance 6 months later, but when the ADHD got out of control and I began to make critical mistakes I failed once again. I am now finishing a new, self paced program, which works for me. I know, now, I can't finish and then work as an RN without going back on my meds and staying on them. I deserve better than to suffer as I have.
- —grannymedic1
How I Got Better with My ADD
- It all started when I saw a therapist. At first I was lost and confused, but now I can make friends and keep them...and it comes more naturally. When I meet someone new I listen, I study the person. And I have a good memory and the ability to learn quickly about personalities. So I use that skill now. I call them or chat with them on a regular basis. But I always tell them about the ADHD. And you would be surprised about how much people that care about you can understand. And if they don’t, it’s ok, I move on. It wasn’t meant to be. Rejection doesn’t bring me down anymore. And that is my key for success.
- —Guest so
Feeling Less Alone
- There is so much written on ADD for children...not adults, but things are changing, thank God. The success stories, I have just read are an inspiration and a testimony to all of us that struggle with it daily. I could pretty much hide mine, being in a creative business, all my life...but then it, for me...expanded into my social life and everyday living. It seemed like every one I came in contact with I was apologizing to for my ADD or leaving something somewhere. Trying so hard to remember, to remember. My opinion of myself goes from success to semi- failure even still. But what I have - has a name - and I'm not alone. That, in itself, is comforting.
- —susanilj
Undiagnosed But Aware
- I was 30 when the idea of ADD occurred to me. Before that consideration, I was known to have QUIRKS. Boredom is a personal enemy. I cannot stand in a line or sit for any amount of time without growing antsy or irritable. I can't wait for the toaster or microwave without aborting the process early. I'm constantly forgetting appointments or obligations, to remember after the fact and then have to deal with the fall out of guilt and anxiety. We changed the lock on the house to a thumbprint reader. Now I only chase my cars keys down daily. I spend hours cleaning the house to accomplish little in the end. I have trouble paying attention to anything that doesn't pique my curiosity or interest. The bright side- I'm very creative. A constant stream of thought (though sometimes maddening) means quick and creative problem solving. I'm 35, a mom, and a Visual Artist. I get through with a supportive husband and creative solutions. I'm determined to be successful on my own with what God gave me.
- —Guest Diane
ADD: Embrace It
- I am a twenty year old university student who was diagnosed with ADD last year. I basically diagnosed myself and have constantly been educating myself on the matter. I have begun to embrace it and see all the beautiful things about it instead of the negatives. I still have issues with time-management but I am moving forward and it is an immense help to meet your difficulties with understanding and then compassion. I really have learned to love myself as I am. Embrace your ADD and it will embrace you. You can succeed in life.
- —Guest Angel
ADHD Great Story
- I lost my husband, business partner, freedom and my company all within a 5 month time period. I found that the pain medication that I was prescribed had become a problem and so I went to a hospital in Florida for help. While treating me they did tests and brain scans and informed me that I was ADHD. Wow, it was hard to take but certainly explained my hyperactivity and struggles with alcohol in my early years and my then Opioid dependence. I learned to stop self medicating and started Vyvanse. I can only explain it like someone peeled window tint off of my eyes (really) I could see clearly and respond very quickly. I found that I could do the impossible that I had always believed I could, but failed because I would only complete 60% of everything I did. Following through was not my bag. Vyvanse saved my life, thank you!
- —Guest Crystal
Been Told It's All in My Head
- I've always been told that I couldn't have ADD because I'm so good in school and work. My wife says that I simply don't care as much about our family and the house as I do my work - that if I cared more, then I'd remember all the details. That I just need to try. If I had ADD, then I wouldn't have an MBA. And to me I've been "trying harder" for a long time now. I can remember the details of a $200 million budget down to an impossible degree without taking a single note. Yet...I don't remember where I agreed to go for vacation without being reminded. I remember the values of my baseball card collection, but I can't remember to tell my son to clean his room, even when I'm standing in the middle of the mess. I live in a constant low fog most of the time. I don't remember specific conversations. I remember the impression and some key words that I can fake as though I remember. And Wednesday morning, I'm going to see someone about it and find out how to get out of this fog.
- —Guest DoctorHim
I Don't Have a Success Story Yet
- I think I have ADHD. I’m 36. Just started waiting tables again after 8 years. I find I am going to the wrong tables to serve food to the wrong guests. I'm getting things backwards or just plain wrong pretty frequently. I don’t feel confused at all, just maybe distracted. For example, I know the table numbers perfectly but somehow I end up going to the wrong tables. I keep thinking it’s my very active imagination. So active that I become creative with the logical easy things that seem boring, like going to the right table number is just too boring? Or maybe it’s that my mind is never in the moment so I periodically follow an old thought to the wrong place. I have almost 15 years experience waiting tables but I feel like a newbie again because I act like I'm in the weeds even though I feel totally fine! Imagine not feeling stressed or overwhelmed or confused at all but showing symptoms of all 3 to the point where people around you get upset. I don’t have health insurance. What can I do?
- —Guest surferdance
1-15 of 24Next
