Hi okimom:

It kills me how many parents feel the need to share their 'opinions' on ADHD - and I think it's beyond inappropriate for any adult to tell a child his symptoms aren't real or are just an excuse.

ADDitude actually has a lot of great resources for parents who need a snappy comeback or some straight-up medical facts to throw back at these doubters. I would recommend...

7 Lies About ADHD

Silencing Skeptics: The Truth About ADD

Snappy Comebacks to ADD Doubters

I hope these help!

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HI I have two children with ADHD, one is a successful college freshman and the other a high school freshman. I understand exactly how you feel. For 12 years I have immersed myself in the world of ADHD, learning everything I can about it. My own family has made snide comments, not believing it is real and even someone at a bible study. The typical: bad parenting, bad nutrition, poor discipline etc. Well let me tell you: I was diagnosed this past year with adult ADHD. I am a very succesful board certified nurse practitioner in a very busy private pulmonary medicine practice. I've taught nursing at all levels and am viewed by people as a "mover and shaker", highly organized and successful. When I had my ah ha moment that what I've lived with my entire life, feelings of inadequacy despite my success, feeling like everything I accomplished was a fluke, living in fear that I would be found out, that if someone knew the real me they would not like me......It finally all made sense. More so, I was stunned that what I struggled with my entire life in school and interpersonal relationships was exactly what my kids experience. Surround yourself in armor, ignore their comments and use the opportunity to educate these people. ADHD is the number one studied and researched disorder of childhood. We see it as a gift rather than a disorder and are proud to join the ranks of those brilliant minds who've gone before us to change the world. Good Luck. Love your child for who he is, he's not ADHD, its a part of his make up, there is a little genius inside waiting to be discovered.

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Hey Lisa, God you sound just like me! I have recently had my 6yr old son dx with ADHD. The dx is slowly destroying my insides. All I can do is wonder how this happened and will this little boy be o.k. I,too am a nurse who is known as a "mover and shaker"- I can focus on jobs at hand and do very well under pressure. So when asked who is our family might have ADHD( trying to figure out the genetic componant) I was the last one on my own list. Now I am constantly evaluating myself and wondering if it is me. I just know that my attention is usually elsewhere in conversations that I am not interested in. I am always the one interrupting people (usually with humor- known to be a big-mouth) and blurting out the answers. I just thought it could not be me because I hold a very responsible job and do it well. I have an organized home and everything in my life looks great to the outsider looking in. Inside, I feel lonely, depressed,I have a complete compulsion with shopping and am overweight. So---what do you think?

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HI Well, I think you sound like you might know the answer. Have you done a checklist yet? I was stunned, but the aha moment: Priceless. I cannot even put into words how great it feels to have your mind quieted. Parenting a child with ADHD when you have it yourself is extremly difficult. Hindsight being the 20/20 that it is of course. When I think back to the times I felt that the only relationship or interaction I had with my kids involved screaming, yelling, tension and naggging. Now that I "get it" I can advocate for them even better and I am so much happier. I encourage you to go see a doctor, or read the book So I am not lazy crazy or stupid or any of the women and ADD books. You'll see yourself in them. Good Luck: Keep us posted. What area of nursing do you work in?

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