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Hello catr,
I am 60+, and I was diagnosed about 4 years ago.
If I was going to give any advise, it would be to give yourself some time to come to terms with your diagnosis. In many ways, it is like being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
WHAT?!
DID HE JUST SAY THAT?!?
yep.
The good news is nobody dies from ADD. But it has been affecting your life and you haven’t been aware of it. You have been aware, something’s wrong, or you wouldn’t have started asking questions. Now you are aware of what might be happening to you. Most people self diagnose, and get a formal diagnosis, then start on meds and counseling. So. If taking meds scares you, don’t take them, yet. Get your diagnosis, get a psychiatrist who specializes in ADD to prescribe medications.
Eventually, you will have a diagnosis and a bottle of pills. Get some counseling. They can help you get going, and deal with all of the emotional stuff going on. They can also start working on coping mechanisms. Remember the pills. Taking those will help you get some control over your brain. Recognize when your ADD symptoms are triggered, and give you time to react appropriately.
Medications that work for me, and some others here won’t necessarily work for you. Work with your psychiatrist to figure out what works for you.
Read about ADD. Become an expert. The more you know about the condition, the more you will be able to participate in your own treatment. Oh yea. BTW, there is no cure for ADD, we just work around our symptoms.
Counseling: both psycological and occupational. That will help with the feelings and coping mechanisms.
Medication: Help your brain function more normally, which will give you a chance to employ your newly learned coping mechanisms and gain some control over your life.
Read and study about ADD: Give you the knowledge to help in your treatment and work with the doctors and counselors.
I am sure there are a million things I haven’t covered, but this will get you started…
You are going to be OK
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