Reply To: This is my story: the good, the bad, and the ADD

[blackdog]

Hi @sketchesnscribbles. I love your screen name. Very creative. 🙂

You really have had a rough time. I am so sorry you haven’t found the kind of support you need. But like @jojosephine said, you are only 20, and you have the opportunity to turn your life around. You are fortunate to know that you have ADHD and be able to do something about it.

I would like to add to what jojosephine already said (excellent advice) that you need to create a support system for yourself. Joining TADD was a great start. Use your friends too, if you have any. I know making friends is a challenge we all struggle with. You could start by looking for an ADHD support group in your area or just trying to find people who either have ADHD or will be understanding and supportive. Surround yourself as much as you can with positive influences.

My story has some similarities to yours, though my home life was a bit more stable and I did manage to finish school. I started to type it all out but its just too long. Condensed version: I did okay in school, but never great, even though the work was so easy for me (except math). I had some teachers who were good and recognized that I was smart and tried to help me. Most thought I was stupid and lazy. I was bullied non stop by almost everyone, adults included. There were many times when I didn’t have a friend in the world except for my mother. And she wasn’t always much help.

ADD was a very new concept when I was a child. Mostly at that time the only kids who got diagnosed and put on medication were ones that were really hyperactive, which I wasn’t. It took a long time to identify the different subtypes of ADHD and figure out that it affects everyone differently. My primary problems are intention, memory, and organization. Especially organization. I would lose my head if it wasn’t attached to the rest of me. I have very mild hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

So….First thing you need to do is figure yourself out. What are your deficits? What are your strengths? What kind of treatment and support do you need?  What would you like to do with the rest of your life? Then go from there. This is a process that I am only just beginning myself, at twice your age! So take it from me, you want to get going on it now. Don’t do like I did and waste half of your life just struggling to get by, working at whatever crap job you can find just to get a pay cheque.

You are a star, and now is your time to shine. 🙂

 

 

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