Reply To: Has anyone else had their entire life affected?

[blackdog]

Okay, let’s try this again….

Hi @xephier, welcome to the forums.

If you have ADD then you have definitely had it your whole life. You must have been born with it, unless it was caused by a brain injury. In most cases it is genetic so there would be signs of it in other members of your family as well.

The answer to your question is yes, most of us have had it affect our whole life. The diagnosis of ADD didn’t exist when I was young. I was assessed by a psychologist at my school once and he determined that I may have a learning disability and/or emotional disorder and made a whole bunch of recommendations to the school, none of which they ever followed.

I have never worked at anything except minimum wage food service and retail jobs. I have even resorted to telemarketing and door-to-door sales. I have never been really successful at anything. I don’t have any real world friends at the moment. The only social life I have is in cyberspace.

I wouldn’t say that having ADD is like being retarded. Quite the opposite actually. Though there are some learning disabilities associated with ADD there is usually no significant intellectual impairment. Many people with ADD actually have above average intelligence.

But I know what you mean. I have been frustrated my whole life by the lack of help, or even a bit of sympathy. People are more sympathetic towards an alcoholic or drug addict than someone they see as just plain lazy for no reason. No one ever seems to see that I’m drowning here and I need them to throw me a freaking rope.

If you believe that ADD has had a negative impact on your life I would suggest you get an assessment done and get an official diagnosis. ADD/ADHD is a recognized disability and getting a diagnosis could lead to getting some help, at least in the form of medical treatment. And you will find lots of info, resources and moral support right here. You are not alone.

And trust me, life would not have been better if you had been born with an intellectual disability. Especially if you had the misfortune to be placed in an institution. Trust me, I’ve seen what life is like on that side of the fence.

 

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