Adult ADD Awarness

[rjb999]

This is only my opinion, being made with the knowledge of my own ADD.
I feel that being aware of your own ADD and making a positive move to control it is the answer.  And the one positive thing you can do is bring discipline and organization into your life.  You may seem to be a bit "anal" to others, i.e. everything in its place, but it has worked for me.
My daughter also has ADD, but she has no discipline and is not organized, consequently her life is always in a state of turmoil.  She starts things only to be side tracked into something else which sidetracks into something else, etc, etc.
So the final outcome is that nothing gets done.  This is where the discipline should come in, but she can't get organized.  Never ending cycle.
So to control this PITA of a problem, slow down.  Don't let life overwhelm you.  If you have to make lists, do so. If you have to leave yourself notes, do so.  Start and finish one chore at a time. And the most important of all is to be aware when you are being pulled away from the chore at hand.
This how I've had to live my life for 65 years, and it has worked for me.  I hope it will work for others.

[teacher4life]

hadn't heard the genetic info--can't afford testing, tho.  I've never cycled and never had depression problem.  The talking, tangenting is what made a Dr diagnose it.  But that's ADHD, too.  I don't think I really am bi-polar or hypo-manic as was said.  Or doubt it anyway.  My mother's family is rife with neurological problems.  ever heard of the wrong dominant eye?  supposed to be dominant eye, hand and foot on same side.  ADHD may have the dominant eye on the wrong side.  Those I have met have the situation, but Drs. don't know of this, but true.

[teacher4life]

not fair.  medication has it's place, most definitely.  I can organize, but can't stay with the plan over time.  meds are a great help to me and many victims.  you are one person, not everyone.  big difference.

[SeriousSam]

Have you had genetic testing? Bipolar has actually been identified in through a marker gene and can be tested for.  If not, it may be that you have a different problem and more accurate diagnosis could help you.

[tiggerbottomak]

I also agree to this. I had a problem keeping organized and I once never thought to have ADD so I did just start leaving notes for myself and finding ways to stay organized. I really makes me wonder why people have to resort to medications for this.

[teacher4life]

This is teacher's mother.

I agree.  I was told I was bi-polar because I talk a lot and tangent.  Later a different psy. said he felt it was my personality and would never change.  ???  those meds didn't really do anything for me.  Bi-polar is often found along with ADHD.  I eventually, because of the wrong dominant eye situation (see other post) looked into ADHD and Straterra made me feel better.  I can't afford it now, tho.

Along the way, once I realized what the talking problems were, I worked on them.  (Northern people were tolerant.  When I moved to the South, they were intolerant and told me so.)  It was hard and a long time, but I am much improved and people don't avoid me.  But I think adults have years of experience recognizing their problems and the results in their life.  It is easier for them to thereby realize what changes can benefit them.

liz
I also make lists and post notes to myself.  Otherwise I forget to do things.  And I try to complete one chore at a time.  I used to do several things at once and not finish some of them.  It all takes disipline and is rewarding.  But again children don't have the years of hindsight or the maturity to deal.  They really don't know what their behaviors mean in the long run.  And they are MORE ADHD than adults are.

[nunu1977]

I agree that discipline can play a huge part in helping ADHD! My stepson is 8 and still young but I hope that helping him to be self reliant, organized and disciplined for himself now and not not rely on us as parents will help him later in life as an adult and take control of his ADHD.