P31Gal wrote:
Lisa!!!
Based on your story, I went to look into ADD management techniques, as I said I would, to see if any of them applied to me. Well, almost ALL of them apply to me! And not just a little bit. At first I was just looking for helpful tips, but since everything seemed so spot-on, I did a little digging into ADD itself and I have almost every single one of the "symptoms" associated with it! My mind is absolutely blown! As I said before, I never considered it. My main complaint with myself was my lazy, unmotivated attitude. I always imagined ADD being hyperactivity, like "chasing squirrels" so to speak, so I didn't think there was any way I could have it. I also didn't realize that hyper-focusing was part of it either. I have always had trouble putting down things I WANT to do, even to eat or go to appointments. I thought that was the opposite of ADD, but it turns out it's not. All of the emotional symptoms I have, which I've been to counseling for, the anxiety, depression, dissatisfaction and low self-esteem etc, are all related to the ADD and it's like a light bulb!
The point is, I'm completely relieved! Thank you SO MUCH for mentioning it to me! Just being able to label it, I now have something to fight against - battling the ADD instead of beating myself up for being lazy and unfocused. And now I can start looking for specific strategies for my problem instead of throwing a bunch of things at it, hoping something sticks. Thank you!
Wow! I was almost afraid to mention it because I don't like to sound like I'm "diagnosing" people, even though it's hard not to notice people who show symptoms of ADD when you are so acquainted with them yourself. I used to think it didn't even exist and was blind to my symptoms and my kids', until one day it clicked and all the puzzle pieces of my life fit together. The undiagnosed ADD and anxiety. It wreaked havoc on my life for many years, and still does to an extent, but knowledge is power. Of course, it's good to get a professional diagnosis, since things can mimic each other and symptoms can overlap. But yeah, once you know, you just know.
I try to be open and get the word out as much as I can, because it's such a common, yet often overlooked, condition. It makes me so incredibly happy to know all my rambling has helped you. It's really hard to battle against an unknown enemy, but like you said, it helps to know what you're fighting against, so you can stop beating yourself up. I remember the day that lightbulb went on for me and it has helped me to learn so much about myself, my childhood, my family, etc. I hope you are able to find strategies that work for you and your family. It's great that you know all this about yourself, going in. It's a continual learning process. Trial and error. Let me know if I can be of any help or if you have any questions.