Posted by Stacy on January 26, 2000, at 11:11:48
In reply to Re: A.D.D (Noa), posted by Barbara on January 26, 2000, at 0:34:19
> I was diagnosed with ADD two years ago at the age of 51! Now that is what I call a rude awakening! The medication (Dexedrine and Celexa with Cytomel and Wellbutrin for good measure) helps measurably. But no matter how well the meds work you still have many symptoms of ADD which go unchecked by meds.
>
> Has my life changed since the diagnosis - oh yes! And do any of my friends or my children understant whad a trauma it was in my life and to find that I hsd learning disabilities was an added blow. It has been a rather lonely struggle and I find myself withdrawing more and more as I become more aware of symptoms and I dont want to be around people all the time. But you adapt yourself to your environment and then it is so much easier, I am a paralegal and the law is a most unforgiving and unforgiving career. However I can see the difference in my work product and so I am more hopeful.
>
> May I ask all of you a question? Do you tell your employer, coworkers or friends about your ADD. If you do what is the response - my friends wont believe it - and if you point out a symptom to them they say - well everyone does that! -- oh yea? Thanks.
>
> b.Barbara-
When I was first diagnosed, it was more or less
a relief. For the first time in my life I knew what was wrong with me, & that I wasn't just a bad person. I wanted to go & tell the world -make people aware, & pave the way for others with the disorder so they wouldn't have to suffer like I had. I wish I could tell you it had been a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, there are a lot of nay-sayers out there! People who don't have it do not realize that though they may make mistakes now & then, a person with ADD/ADHD lives every minute this way! As someone else with ADHD related, it's like being put into a dark room without a flashlight, with objects you could trip on strewn all over the place. Everyone else gets a flashlight, but you trip around the room, bumping into everything & falling down. When you finally learn the layout of the room, you're moved into a new one; & it it begins all over again. Also, ADD/ADD-H isn't tangible. Those who have it look just like everyone else, are intelligent, etc.; but we act differently (especially when we're not on medications, etc.) People who don't have it often believe we're choosing to act that way. Before I was diagnosed (& treated the physical aspect of it, as well), I would do things that seemed to annoy others: i.e. I'd constantly interupt people & not even realize it, miss key phrases of what people said (which would be interpreted as intentionally not listening to them), blurt things out, "talk to think", etc. I honestly could not help it; but no one seemed to believe that. Worse yet, when I finally found out what was wrong, did something about it, & let people know what the problem was, I found out that many didn't believe it was even a real disorder! Instead of viewing it as a physical brain (neurotransmitter) problem, most saw it as an excuse instead of an explanation. I think S. Suggs summed it up well - those people haven't walked in our shoes & don't know what it feels like to have it. So be careful who you confide in. Many of us have learned the hard way that what you say may be used against you.Good luck, Barbara - I hope all goes well for you! Please keep us apprised; & remember, we're here for you. Take care!
Stacy
poster:Stacy
thread:19199
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000112/msgs/19730.html