Re: Life is worse than ever since being diagnosed. What do I do?

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your very kind and supportive advice. I’m lucky I got to read it because, in true ADD fashion, I totally forgot I posted this. I just happened to be browsing the forum, saw the subject, and thought to myself – hmmmm, that sounds familiar. Weird.

I have recognized much of the advice given by you all as good advice for some time. I just don’t end up doing it. My biggest problems from ADD have always been getting started, stopping if I do manage to get started, and/or finishing what I start if I can’t do it all in one sitting. Its worse now because of the depression which, of course, makes me feel even less motivated.

I suffer from obsessive thinking (possibly OCD in the opinion of Dr. Brown). In the past it was a positive trait because if I got interested in something I would get absorbed in it and learn everything I could until some new subject came along to replace the current one. I learned a lot about many things to a level as high as some PhD’s. Unfortunately, that obsessive thinking is focused currently on the problems I’m having at work (I disclosed my ADD and now they are trying to fire me) and the sense of betrayal and anger at how I’m being treated by people I thought were my friends who now treat me like I’m “crazy.” I’ve tried to educate them but it falls on deaf ears.

I start every day with a plan to do certain things I know would make me feel better, but the moment my wife leaves for work and I’m left alone my thoughts immediately turn to the issues with my employer. I obsess over them and usually end up spirally down into depression and getting nothing done (which just makes me more depressed). That’s why I think a coach would be good for me, because it would provide someone to spur me on and help me to act on my intentions instead of just think about them.

I have contacted the local chapter of CHADD. Unfortunately, they’re small and don’t have much going on in the way of support groups, at least not near by. So I asked if I could volunteer. They’re very eager for volunteers but are currently trying to get their taxes filed (they have only two people running everything right now) so I’ll have to wait a couple more weeks before I find out what I can do. Just having something to do will help my mental state greatly I’m sure.

I’ve also contacted some ADD Coaching organizations for information. I figure if I’m going to lose my job anyway I might as well get all the help I can while I still have some income even though we really can’t afford it.

So that’s my update. Please continue to provide advice and support. It really helps. I hope to be in a mental state soon where I can turn my attention more to helping others going through similar problems as me. I’ll “pay it forward” ten-fold, at least.

Sincerely,

Glen

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