Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about ADHD that are still believed. My husband was diagnosed at age 45 even though he has had it all his life. Being treated made a tremendous difference for him. Personally, I enjoy educating others about the true facts of ADHD but it can be frustrating as well when others don't understand or believe you. Here in America, there are varying levels of understanding, which are beginning to improve some. Unfortunately, the media sends out a lot of incorrect information that people believe. No one has the time or the interest to devote to researching what the experts know about ADHD. They rely on what the media tells them or outdated information. Educate yourself so you can better answer them. www.chadd.org is a good place for up to date information and there are a lot of good books out there. One I would especially recommend is "The Unfocused Mind" by Thomas E. Brown. He has a website too but I don't know what the address is offhand. I'd have to get back to you on that if you are interested. Good luck, Elaine

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Thanks for that, I would love as much info as possible, I have also found that the media portrays ADD/ADHD in a very negative way, and that medication is really bad!!! I believe there is a time and place for meds and that if nothing else has worked ie alternative therapy, then more damage than good can be done. I have also found that normal peaople think that ADD is a physical disorder, and that if they can't see it, then it is not there.

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There I go again, I have not got my thoughts through properly, I don't want anyone to misunderstand me. What I mean is, I think the media portray a very negative image about medication, to the point where when faced with the medication question, it makes it a far harder decission because of all the bad press. For me meds have been life changing and I only wish I had had this opportunity when I was younger. I do believe that as parents find out and learn about their children, there will be a growing knowledge of adult ADD, but it certainly is not happening very fast in my country.

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When I try to explain how ADD effects me I get the response "that sounds like laziness to me" which is extremely deflating. I have friends that think I use the diagnosis as an excuse for procrastinating. They just don't understand that even though I could verbalize the steps I intend to take to organize my closet, when I stand in front of it I turn into a deer in headlights and don't have a clue what to pick up first. It is very frustrating to speak about with normal people. They just don't get it.

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I have done so much reading lately because my son is having so many problems with middle school. I understand ADD and know that my son is struggling because of it and because his doctor decided to change his medication. He was doing well with it. I do not know why the doctor has to go changing it. My husband does not understand ADHD and thinks that my son is being difficult and lazy. The funny thing is that I think my husband has ADHD too. I am printing out alot of articles from this site and I will give it to him to read. I think or hope that it will help him understand what our son is going through. It is very difficult for others that do not have ADHD to understand what it is like to live with this disability. I get very frustrated with my son sometimes and yell at him and then I feel horrible because I know he can't help being the way he is. The most frustrating thing is when you have certain teachers tell your child ADHD is no excuse. My child has a 504 plan, how do you get these teachers to soften up and help your child. They think because a child has done very well on their standarized test, that they are capable of doing well in their class without any help.

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I only discuss add with this forum as a venting board and my wife. thats it! It's personal. kindest regards, Paul

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Dear Paul,

I am an extremely disciplined person, with a tireless work ethic, and all the tools necessary for competence in my personal and professional life. In spite of all these virtues, without medication I would be able to function at only 50% capacity. Medication has changed my life. ADHD is a disability that substantially limits the ability to learn and work. I agree with you that one must be creative and tireless in employing strategies to compensate for the processing deficits associated with ADHD. Still, many of us require the additional support of medication in order to function in the world. In the case of ADHD, discipline is necessary but not sufficient.

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RE: without medication I would be able to function at only 50% capacity =============================

Good point Wounded Healer. =============================

All of us are so different. =======================

different jobs ===================

different business' ===================

different lfestyles ======================== different interests ======================== different upbringing ========================

with all that said, what works for one MIGHT not work for all. ============================== And one question I ask myself... what is my EXPECTATION for myself today. I write out 10-20 on a to do list. And do the 1-3 or 5 MOST important things for EACH day. ================================

Thanks for bringing up capacity at 50% issue. ==================================

We all sure need to bring that up! ===================================== Whether you choose meds or not, a system and a support system is a must. ======================

Kindest regards, Paul Happy holidays!

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And you know what...they generally understand what I'm talking about. I'm wondering if all folks don't have bit's & pieces of dis-organization in them...I see others experience moments when they too are clueless about what to do next, losing things...etc. My Wife who is generally supportive, but sometimes over the years has gotten angry and said stuff like...just take your Ritalin & DO IT! .... which in public is a bit disconcerting....she doesn't mean any harm ... she just doesn't think much about what she says and how it sounds...or what her tone of voice might be.

Anyway, I'm unemployed again...but that's pretty common around here (Detroit Metro Area) and even with mba's & Ph d's we're sitting around enjoying the fireplace on a cold winters day...

Except...I'm never sitting around. I'm constantly scheming & planning...my vision leads me to data research...actually, data extraction from textual sources...which tends to roll most folks eyeballs back-wards when I very quickly describe it...

Whoever started this thread wished for a spell checker...I have one for you (I'd better use it too) that works with browser forms like this...really a help...it's called ieSpell...just google ieSpell and you should be in business...

Your wish...& I'll find an answer....

Lost in SighBer$pace

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I don't tell anyone. Only my significant other and he was diagnosed as a kid so he had some idea of what it was all about. Even then, he had a lot of misconceptions. We've spent a lot of time talking about it. Everything I've learned, I've told him about which has helped considerably.

No way would I tell anyone else. It's none of their business. Besides, I've come to realize most people are members of the flat earth society (that's a joke.) It comes up in conversation every now and again and what drives me absolutely batty is when someone says they don't "believe" in ADD/ADHD. Really? I didn't know it was a religion. But those kind of comments aren't worth wasting my breath on.

Than again, some people are worth educating. You've just got to figure out which people are worth spending all that time and energy on to educate. And do they really want to be enlightened or are they happy just going around spouting off what we all know is nonsense? You've got to pick your battles wisely.

And know that once you tell someone, they're opinion of you will be forever changed from that moment on. That can be good or bad, usually it's not too good. Are you willing to live with that? I'm not. Even if I were to take the time to educate them, they'd still think what they think. It's a basic truth that you can't change other people, only yourself.

But mostly I just don't think it's anyone else's business to know about my medical problems or conditions. And since I think we're all superior to people without ADD/ADHD, it would just be cruel to rub their noses in it anyway. It's enough that I know.

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