Adults with ADD - What Did You Do? - Murrysville,PA

J., I didn't figure out that I had it until my first son started having issues and I started researching it. It was the a-ha moment for me. I've been successful with career but school was tough for me and I was very mediocre, even when I tried so hard. Alll of my procrastination, duh moments, losing things, no sense of direction, etc. It finally made sense. My son started meds in 4th grade and it helped him in school. His pediatrician understood that i had it too and wasn't afraid to start me on meds. So I took it for a while and it did help me get up and go and get things done. Better time management, but I stopped taking the meds. I guess I also developed coping skills through the years. It's a very personal decision...try meds or not. If your ADD is that severe that it is affecting your life, maybe meds are an option for you. Good luck.

Meds have improved over the last few years.
Also, you have a good head start on this situation better than your mother had because you have some awareness and comprehension of just what you are up against. I think you can help yourself by making some lists, charts. FLYLADY might be helpful, not specifically about clutter -- though that might be useful, too -- but about breaking tasks down to very small parts, by not getting stuck when something seems too large or difficult. By tackling just one thing at a time, as you are able, without worrying about everything else while you are focused on that one thing.
About seeking help . . . . it couldn't hurt!
And maybe you'll learn some new techniques and/or get some specific support, both for yourself and for helping your son.
I may say more later.
Good luck.

I was on anti-depressants for YEARS at the advice of a family doctor. After being on the same one for a long period of time, I was working for a family practice doctor and telling her how I didn't think it was working anymore. She sent me to see her Psychiatrist colleague for evaluation. Turns out I was not depressed at all. I live with SEVERE ADD! She started me on a very low dose of Ritalin, and slowly increased it to the correct dosage. I stopped taking all of the antidepressants and only take the Ritalin. It has done wonders for me. I have a very hard time getting anything accomplished if I don't take it. My problem is that I just can't seem to stay focused long enough to finish something. For example...I start washing dishes and suddenly have to pee...get to the bathroom, do my business and realize as I'm washing my hands that the mirror is a mess...wash the mirror and throw away the paper towel...realize that the garbage could use emptying...go downstairs to get a bag...realize the dishes are still waiting. Now throw in there the normal distractions of 4 kids fighting/asking for homework help/asking about dinner, plus the phone ringing and the dog getting into things...see where I"m going here? My husband thinks its funny how I buzz around from one thing to the next all while talking out loud to myself about the order in which I must do things...for me its a very harsh reality that if I don't do this, I won't get any of those things done.

I wish I had seen your earlier post maybe I could have made you feel better sooner! I can tell you what you want to hear..I have ADD and am doing great!

I'm 38 and wasn't diagnosed until a year ago. Being diagnosed is the first step. Then meds if you need/want them. Education is key. It's much less scary or daunting that way-and since people with ADD are easily overwhelmed and put things off-that is key!

Also-read some books-Driven to Distraction is great, visit the CHADD web site..and find a good therapist or dr who understands ADD.

You also sound depressed-so I would seek some help with that too.
I take antid's as well as focalin for my ADD and together it helps a great deal-and I am so much better able to be a good parent to my kids and work with them if/when they have the symptoms.

ADD isn't bad-isn't a different way of thinking. Baby steps. Make a list of what you need to do: call the dr/find a therapist, etc and start checking them off-once you start you will feel empowered and that's a great first step.

also-I'm surprised your mom was given no recommendations-and coming from a person who's father has alz her symptoms seem to show alz more then ADD. Maybe she should find a different dr too for a second opinion-since if she does the sooner she is on meds the longer they can supress the advancement of the disease.

I was recently diagnosed with ADD and I am on medication, since it is still new I recently had to have my level of medication raised. I can see how it is helping me but I think I still need time before I can say I am doing great.

It is not to late for you, you aren't on your death bed? Ok I'm exaggerating, get help now you will be glad you did.

HI!! You had responded to my question so I was checking out yours. It felt like I was reading about my own life! I am so glad I'm not the only one. I always felt bad about going to the doctor so I never did. I thought they would tell me that I was lazy or just absent minded or why am I just NOW going to the doctor. My main reason for wanting to go is that I see some symptoms in my son and I can't help him if I can't get handle my own life. I don't want him to have to go thru it and struggle when he sincerely can't help it. It's hard to keep anything straight.... he just started kindergarten and when he brings home any type of homework, I almost panic because I am afraid I will forget. Anyway... thanks for posting... it's nice to have support from other mothers. Wish you the best and hope it all works out for you!

Those problems run in our family. When my children were small I switched to a totally organic diet and took all the sugar out of our diet. Not even cakes on birthdays had sugar in them. How did it work out. I was the healthiest and most balanced I'd ever been in my life.
I used no mixes no prepared food and did my own preserving. My children thrived on that diet so I would recommend it to you most highly.
No one has ever used meds for behavioral problems not my children, not me, not my nieces.
I have an everything book and I write everything in it. No order just lists and information and when something is done I cross it off.

Updated

Those problems run in our family. When my children were small I switched to a totally organic diet and took all the sugar out of our diet. Not even cakes on birthdays had sugar in them. How did it work out. I was the healthiest and most balanced I'd ever been in my life.
I used no mixes no prepared food and did my own preserving. My children thrived on that diet so I would recommend it to you most highly.
No one has ever used meds for behavioral problems not my children, not me, not my nieces.
I have an everything book and I write everything in it. No order just lists and information and when something is done I cross it off.

I'm glad you posted this question. My daughter has been having issues in school this year and her Dr wants her tested for ADD. I started researching it and I'm pretty sure that's what she has and as I was researching it, I realized I think I have it. I read the information to my husband and he agrees I have it. I'm not going to go to a Dr to try to be diagnosed but I do want to learn ways to deal with it. I do have an appointment for my daughter though, I don't want her to struggle all the way through school like I did.

I look forward to reading your responses!