Re: Driving, and dealing with anxiety

[Anonymous]

I have a sister-in-law who has ADD and whose sharing of experiences leads me to think I have it, too, I hate riding with her, as she does a lot of unnecessary braking, which makes me carsick really fast. We, in the family, always thought it was just something she never quite grasped about driving, but I was reading a book on ADD that said “false braking” can occur as a result of ADD. It was news to me! I told her about it, as she knows she does it. She was surprised, too. Neither of us ever made a connection between ADD and that.

One reason I am seeking treatment at my advanced age (68) is because, not only is ADD causing me a great deal of trouble in my life, but that it is also wreaking havoc in one of my son’s lives, as well. The whole extended family is disgusted with him except for his dad and I who know a little about what is causing most of his trouble. They just think he is lazy, stupid, and dumb. I know he’s smart. I bought him the book titled “You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?” or something close to that, but he’s not ready to read it yet. I have told my husband many times that our son and I are just alike. I’m hoping if I get successful treatment, it might encourage my son and my sister-in-law to both seek treatment for their ADD.

It’s funny. Now, whenever I read about some banjo player who was an alcoholic and a wanderer, I say to my husband, “He probably had ADD!! ” I look back at all the biographies I’ve read about drunken husbands, husbands who didn’t want to stay in one place, etc. and I wonder how many of those had ADD–maybe ALL of them? People act as if this is a “modern” affliction, but I really doubt that. And of course, the “hunter child” theorists also don’t think it’s “modern.” I know I’m a bit “hyperfocused” on ADD now, but it is fascinating to look back at the stories of many peoples’ lives and see the connection.

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