Re: Why is ADD such a sensitive subject for some people?

[billd]

>>having a neurophysiological condition that does not cause you any physical pain and the symptoms can be elimiated or at least greatly reduced with diet, supplements, coaching, applying techniques, educating those around you or medication and in most cases when the right combination of these factors are applied you can actually obtain funtionality and have a good quality of life overall should not be viewed as a bad thing. <<

Slow down a bit please sherri – no offense, but You might want to change the word “most” to “many”, and “elimiated or at least greatly reduced” also may be true for a good number (thankfully and hopefully) but is not true for many of us. The numbers of us on the many ADD forums is a testament to that, IMO.

My youngest son and I are pretty decent examples. Reduced somewhat would apply there. Manageable at times, other times, I’m on the edge of having work, or have a day where nothing goes right, and nothing gets done.

Like the sleep center doc (who also is VERY familiar with ADD and all the different treatment, believe it or not) said to me yesterday – “the drugs may help, it may take a lot of time to adjust doses, and some people just won’t get results from them”. She said it might help, it might not at all, or it might a little.

She bluntly told me looking me squarely in the face – “Bill, you are in this for life, this is a forever thing”.

Even in the ADD worlds – even the forums, there’s a big divide and misunderstanding….. in part because we are all different even without ADD, and with ADD – there’s very mild (can be controlled with good planning, changes in routine, etc.) to very severe (even meds help very little, thus planning and organizers are not used or can’t be used) and all those in between (probably the majority??)

I think the struggle here is that you mention “educating folks” where in the places I’ve lived and worked, that education falls on def ears, and at times, makes things WORSE. That’s the whole subject of this thread……… for some that “education” might help, for others, no, or even worse. Now my boss (and I pray he doesn’t read YOUR post here!) believes that since I’m on meds and some things have been suggested to help, I’ll be all fine and I should easily accomplish all tasks, and behave just like everyone else.

Right.

Also I’d argue that it doesn’t cause pain – because of the things that often accompany it, maybe are part of it, or are caused by it, there’s pain. Physical pain at times. Headaches, for example…….

My pain, my struggles are all very real. (and the neuro-psyc I see connected it all – said it was “part of it”.)

I’ve tried the “educate those around you” bit – it can backfire at times. Be VERY careful with that one, and some simply don’t want to hear it, or won’t believe it. (“there’s none so blind as those who will not see” is a favorite song verse)

Check with the folks in this forum who have spouses who still don’t really get it…….. I suspect the ADD party has tried hard to “educate” them……. some it works, and some it’s to no avail.

My successes are all very real, also. Some would even envy my position and accomplishments. (a lot of people I know envy my shop, even our home, modest as it is)

I”m working on it, it’s all I can do………

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