ADD in adults

[Brandy Hunter]

Before I turned 18, I had a youth-only psychologist. She diagnosed me with ADD. Of course, being diagnosed at 17 I was a little shocked and thought "If I had it, wouldn't they have caught it a LONG time ago?" and asked for a second opinion. She referred me to her colleague but I never ended up going.

I hadn't went back to her after that (it was RIGHT before my birthday) and since I turned 18, I can't see her anymore. We never had a chance to talk about how I could cope, or how anyone copes with this. I can't focus on anything to save my life, and I get so mentally exhausted that people wonder why i'm so tired, although I physically don't overdo myself. Add this to insomnia and I have quite the life.

So how do people cope with this, as adults? Will I forever be a scatter brain?

[vesper]

I was diagnosed to. The best thing I ever did for myself was write down lists of things to do... then do them. That and move away from the BIG city and find a peaceful hobby. I do not take any drugs and pretty much live a normal life.

Except for some excitability issues, I also have normal relationships when I get the motivation to have one (which is almost never... must be ADD).

For work I choose a more flexible career... I would suggest you find something you really LOVE to do, or can do when you are feeling up to it.

Having ADD has been a great thing for me, it can for you to, just don't accept other folks realities.

[Natalka]

It's a little unusual to be diagnosed as a teen, but it does happen. Usually it's caught in the school system, but I know it always can't be.
One doesn't just get it as a teen or adult, for a true diagnosis, it would have to have been present since childhood.

Just a note of caution here - I wonder how she diagnosed you, what she used as her criteria. There are symptom checklists and attention-span tests - but for a real, true diagnosis it needs to go deeper - to get neurological exams by a specialist. These need to be done because other conditions can be confused with being ADD, or can co-occur with it, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, or learning disabilities.

Adults with ADD have a wide variety of coping mechanisms they can learn - and they start with the basics of very healthy eating, lots of exercise, good sleep, meditation, and developing strategies for structure and good habits to deal with the necessaries of life - being organized, etc.
Therapy can be very beneficial, as well.

[vesper]

Wow good advice Natalka!

to get neurological exams by a specialist

I think that is what happened to me. I was passed around to a lot of people. Mostly because they thought some trauma I experienced when I was 18 was the cause. But it turns out for me, I am true 100% ADD. Never had any bi-polar experiences, aniety or anything... but I do have some learning disabilities, but it has never stopped me, I just try harder.

I think your advice about exersize, eating good etc is terrific! I use lists to keep myself organized.

The only things that still present a challenge to me are when I get rushed and confused at the same time. Like choosing to drive home from Dallas 2 weeks ago when I missed my flight, rather then just book another flight.

Rural Saskatchewan is great for folks with ADD!!!

[Brandy Hunter]

I was diagnosed to. The best thing I ever did for myself was write down lists of things to do... then do them. That and move away from the BIG city and find a peaceful hobby. I do not take any drugs and pretty much live a normal life.

Except for some excitability issues, I also have normal relationships when I get the motivation to have one (which is almost never... must be ADD).

For work I choose a more flexible career... I would suggest you find something you really LOVE to do, or can do when you are feeling up to it.

Having ADD has been a great thing for me, it can for you to, just don't accept other folks realities.

I'm definitely a list maker!! That helps so much! But i'm forever redoing my lists to add new things I thought of. Lol! Hobbies are hard for me, because I can't sit still and focus on just one thing. I love scrapbooking, but I do 3-4 pages at a time to shift about. Which is why I like the computer so much, so brain-stimulating lol! I don't have the motivation to have any friendships or relationships either. Aside from my BF, I just have acquaintances and 1-2 good friends. I've been having to look at possible careers at a different angle, because of it. I'll pick one then be like 'oh yeah.. that wont work'. Thinking along the lines of a Dog Trainer right now, that's pretty much perfect for me lol! Plus it's not a 9-5 which totally effects my anxieties of being tied down and 'stuck'.

It's a little unusual to be diagnosed as a teen, but it does happen. Usually it's caught in the school system, but I know it always can't be.
One doesn't just get it as a teen or adult, for a true diagnosis, it would have to have been present since childhood.

Just a note of caution here - I wonder how she diagnosed you, what she used as her criteria. There are symptom checklists and attention-span tests - but for a real, true diagnosis it needs to go deeper - to get neurological exams by a specialist. These need to be done because other conditions can be confused with being ADD, or can co-occur with it, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, or learning disabilities.

Adults with ADD have a wide variety of coping mechanisms they can learn - and they start with the basics of very healthy eating, lots of exercise, good sleep, meditation, and developing strategies for structure and good habits to deal with the necessaries of life - being organized, etc.
Therapy can be very beneficial, as well.

I was homeschooled since 7th grade (went back to a regular school for 1-2 weeks in between a couple times) so I didn't have much room to be caught, as before that, I didn't go to school much because of a phobia of school. (bullied really bad in the 3rd grade). She was the head psychologist at CHEO for youth, so I just took what she said as sufficient.. but i'm thinking now I maybe should have seen the other doctor, incase. Although I do have all the 'symptoms' of ADD, and have, for a while.

I'll try those suggestions, I didn't know exercise could help.. but good to know!

[Brandy Hunter]

I DO have horrible anxiety and MDD (major depressive disorder), but the 'worst' of all this happened after that diagnosis.

[vesper]

CanadianBella, I really hope you will seek help for that. At your young age, help now will be a lot easier then later on in life. There is help out there, I hope one the ladies on here can push you in teh right direction, I have no clue.... but I promise you, you will never regret getting treatment.

Bless you!

[Brandy Hunter]

CanadianBella, I really hope you will seek help for that. At your young age, help now will be a lot easier then later on in life. There is help out there, I hope one the ladies on here can push you in teh right direction, I have no clue.... but I promise you, you will never regret getting treatment.

Bless you!

Thanks Vesper. I've got the rest under control. (maybe, kinda..!) but i'm getting a new doctor now that i'm 18, but it seems like there is a wait list in Ottawa. I had refused it until recently, because of bad experiences with psychologists. (first one I ever went to, a very traditional English lady called me a wh-re for wearing shorts above my knees. Not even kidding! (they were bermuda's, RIGHT at my knee)

[vesper]

I'm sorry you had such bad experience. Them folks are a bit strange arn't they.

I've seen people get treated, and find peace. And seen people go untreated and get worse. Our minds change around 25 years old, habits and ways of doing things become harder to change after that.

A good night sleep is a sign that your mind is at ease, hope you get that good night sleep young lady!!

Yahoo!

[Andit]

Hey, Bella.

My friend's BF just got diagnosed with ADD - he's 51. My friend has got him eating healthy food, exercising and helped him organize himself to have a regular schedule - all of which has helped a lot.

Not sure if you can get yourself into a routine? For example, every morning when you get up, exercise for a half hour (doesn't really matter what you do - walk Sparky one day, dance with him another, or both!). Try to schedule meals at more or less the same time and eat regular meals - even if not full meals, it helps with metabolism which has an impact on everything, including ADD, anxiety, etc.

As for career choices, the only bad thing about being a dog trainer (I apprenticed before I realized I physically didn't have the stamina to do it) is having to deal with people. Dealing with dogs is only 25% of the job, dealing with people is 75% - and can be verrrry frustrating. Just keep that in mind.

Have you considered being a dog walker/cat sitter? The folks here in downtown Toronto make a decent living at it, the hours are pretty flexible, and there's not a lot of interaction with people. Especially if you go through an agency (the company does the leg work & gets the clients, the dog walker only has to deal with the pups).

Or what about learning to be a dog groomer? I think you worked in a hair salon? That would be a perfect match. And if the canine clients are a tad b****y, well, they should be, right?

In any of these careers, be careful of "schools" that promise you all sorts of things. Best way to learn is to apprentice with someone who's been in the business for a while. There are certifications you can get, most of them require you to put in time on the job.

Good luck!

[Brandy Hunter]

Hi Andit

I had thought of and decided on being a dog groomer, until one night I decided to try grooming Sparky.

three hours later I was bawling, trying to find my way to the shower because I couldn't see and I was turning into a giant hive. LOL. It's also a lot more stressful then one would think! lol

I think a routine would be good for me, i'll definitely try to set one up, although it'll be easier when I live on my own.

[curt81]

Exercise helps. Ever try Yoga? That's good for a lot of things, from what I've read about it.

[vesper]

I bought a Wii Fit last year and it has Yoga. I think I might give it a shot.

[curt81]

I've tried the Yoga on Wii Fit Plus and it keeps telling me I'm shaking too much.

I bought a Wii Fit last year and it has Yoga. I think I might give it a shot.

[Brandy Hunter]

Exercise helps. Ever try Yoga? That's good for a lot of things, from what I've read about it.

I'm not bendy.. LOL

I've tried the Yoga on Wii Fit Plus and it keeps telling me I'm shaking too much.

hahhahah.. oh boy. Well, to be fair, some yoga poses look pretty darn hard to hold!