Adults with ADD - What Did You Do?

I was diagnosed at 11, but aside from a couple week trial of Ritalin went med & therapy free until I was an adult. But since I don't actually fit your Q I probably shouldn't say more.

One of the best ADHD books on the planet, however, is SPECIFICALLY for adults diagnosed with ADHD. I often reccomend it to parents of kids with ADHD because it looks at things from an adult perspective over time which makes adhd understandable to parents as opposed to a "you should do x with your child blah blah blah" that a lot of books on adhd are. But, as I said, it is the *classic* diagnosed as an adult adhd book. And it's phenomenal.

Here's the book. Try and not throw it across the room as much as I did (SO frustrating to realize how much "better" things could have been if I'd been treated sooner instead of left to my own devices).

http://www.amazon.com/You-Mean-Lazy-Stupid-Crazy/dp/07432...

Yep, mine probably should have been diagnosed as a child, as I was the classic daydreamer, zoned out kind of little girl. I was very smart and could check in for a few minutes to learn the necessary material then check right out to be with my thoughts. What saved me was music. Playing the piano gave me a place to focus all that high energy, mind wandering curse in a constructive way.

Then I had a bad accident, bonk on the head, and ADD just became unmanageable. I was constantly irritable with everyone over everything. I cannot focus long enough to finish the dishes or hardly get dressed. I just would start something else, half naked. And sadly, I could not hold a long conversation with my husband, who loves to talk. I needed every one to get to the point, or I was outta there.

My therapist recommended a great book, packed now. But it really helped me understand that I had the problem, not others, as I blamed others for all things unfinished. And then I started Adderall....I hate to admit it, but I am so much better ON meds. It is a constant struggle for me as I try to live my life as naturally as possible and I have tried other mental alertness meds and alternative practices, but nothing keeps me more focused than that little blue pill.

I'm really a much nicer, more organized, less irritable person on meds. And I wish it weren't so.

I am a gramma... not young and an adult with ADHD. I knew that I was different than the other kids when I was young, and then what it was when I studied early childhood education in my twenties. But the formal diagnosis came when I went back to college in middleage. I was offered medication and declined it. I've made it this far by self-accommodation. The one thing I have done is request reasonable accommodation at college (quiet room for tests) and from employers who were intolerant.

A good place to find more information is www.ldonline.org
(Learning Disability on Line)

Hope you find the information you are seeking.

www.BestBreakFastEver.com.
First, know that some of the MOST influential people of our time were diagnosed with ADD/ADHD - Albert Einstein, Ray Croc (founder of McDonalds), Richard Branson (Founder of Virgin) and so many others.
I use nutrition. www.BestBreakfastEver.com

If you want to connect privately. Send me a message.

B.
Family Success Coach

I was diagnosed as a child and took Ritalin. I have been on and off Adderall as an adult. I don't really like taking it for too long as it makes me anxious. Medication definitely helps the ADHD symptoms, though.

medication, and it was life changing.

After years of issues I am just coming to face this affliction. I wish you the best and hope you got lots of helpful answers.

I don't have ADHD, but live with two who do (my husband and my son). My husband and son were diagnosed about the same time...so my husband was diagnosed as an adult.

Both have had a combination of therapy and medicine. Right now, my son (14) is meds only, and my husband has therapy + meds. It took a lot for my husband to be convinced to do something about it. BUT...like "mum4ever", he is a better person on his meds. He is more focused and doesn't have the moodiness he has without it. Quite frankly, our family has more peace when they take their meds. Would you go without meds if it was a heart problem? There is no shame in ADHD, and it is a valid diagnosis which can require medication.

We allow our son to go off his meds (if he chooses) on the weekends and school breaks because the vyvanse he takes does reduce his appetite. As a teen boy, he needs to eat to grow. As an adult, I would love to be on a med which would suppress my appetite (lol).

We very openly discuss it all at our house. It is something we all will most likely live with for the rest of our lives, so there is no reason to keep it hidden. When our son does not take his meds, we remind him countless times each day about controlling his impulses, "turning on his filter" (thinking before he speaks) etc.

If you want to send a pm...feel free. Good luck.