[munchkin]

Another point to mention – watch out for tough love… Some things that would seem age appropriate for a normal kid might not be for the ADHD kid. Friends might say – he’ll clean his room when he gets tired of it being dirty, or let him make mistakes so he’ll learn… Some of this may be true, but a child shouldn’t have to suffer in squalor or sustain emotional or physical harm in an attempt to “learn” a lesson.

I knew all the lessons, I just couldn’t follow through with the tasks. No matter how bad the consequences, it wasn’t going to help. It was just going to heap on the shame and feeling of failure.

There is a kind way to build in helpful consequences without the child having to suffer indignity… some of the books mentioned above and other resources can help with ideas of how to do this correctly.

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[munchkin]

I had “heart palpitations” which was kinda’ scary (am I having a heart attack or what?) and magnesium supplements got rid of them completely. They also seem to help my digestive problems…

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[munchkin]

Wow – 7 months of Munchkin history in this thread! It’s been quite the journey. For those who don’t know, I did get good diagnosis, a referral to a psychiatrist, and have been on meds and learning more and more. I am relieved to have more of an answer to the struggles I’ve had all my life. I am pleased with the improvements I’m seeing, although I’m impatient for more progress. Sometimes I let my expectations get the better of me.

I’ve had some very rough times, and some extremely amazing successes and experiences in my 40 yrs on the planet. Kind of the whole rainbow…

I have so much gratitude for this site – in every way – the creators, the film, the videos, the humor, even the sharing of frustrations, and of course all of the wonderful people who have shared their experiences and touched my life on this forum. Much love to the people who were posting when I first joined the site, as well as the fabulous newcomers.

This is the place where we are accepted, and we know that it’s real, and none of that lazy, crazy, stupid stuff.

-Munch

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[munchkin]

It just came to me in therapy this week – that I act chirpy and happy all the time as a defense mechanism of not knowing the appropriate response to the situation, and also just being too distracted to notice or follow what’s going on in the room socially.

Like I just had someone say something to me yesterday, and I just didn’t follow it, but I smiled happily and nodded and laughed – like “right on, man!” and then I realized right at the end that he had been talking sadly about someone who died, but saying it in a happy sounding tone of voice. I felt so bad, but there was really nothing I could do but move on.

I want to try to start paying more attention to people – build up some confidence that I can follow what’s going on… The faking it thing is probably not serving me as well as I think it is.

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[munchkin]

I think I’m over senstive to the social cues I detect, and/or misunderstand. I tend to take everything as negative (like the silent treatment) if I’m feeling anxious. When I’m feeling good, I tend to take everything positive or ignore anything I don’t understand – also not ideal, but happier.

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[munchkin]

Yes – I would say 56 made me in a way depressed. Also, any coffee during the day brings that back on, even though I’m on 36 now.

I have quit coffee except for occasionally in the late afternoon/early evening.

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[munchkin]

Great Stuff – You should be a DJ

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[munchkin]

Ha ha! I never read this thread before When dealing with ADD, you may not get things done quickly, but persistence is everything!

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[munchkin]

You can put a CD in for me – I love The Police & Neil Young! Turned up to eleven!

I hate when my head pops off because it’s really hard to get it back on straight again

2/16/12 7:25 PM PST

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[munchkin]

I love these descriptions – so accurate to what my impatience goes like! Would be funny if it wasn’t so true!

Yes – I think medication has helped, but long held habits die hard…

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[munchkin]

The worst thing is to suddenly realize – hindsight 20/20 – that I’ve been jumping all over the place, and everybody stopped listening quite some time ago… I feel like my zipper was open, but nobody was kind enough to say “xyz.”

I think I’m going to start taking medication in the evening so I don’t turn into a blab-mobile after 5pm – I’m trying to see if my husband can help me realize what’s happening without hurting my feelings… tough thing to ask him to do.

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[munchkin]

Tiddler – I know exactly what you mean! I made a decision like that and it was a breakthrough for me. You have to look it in the “it’s all relative” way of thinking. Or… the lesser of evils? I’ve been deliberately working like what Scattrd describes for years, and getting a better quality of work from it. (However, I have suffered from multiple stress related ailments as well)

Also, I think that learning to work with your ADD traits and not against them is like – going with the flow. Why swim against the current when you can go with it?

I think that by letting go of how other people say you should do things or what is “the responsible” way of doing things and just doing what works – it’s a positive mindset – one that honors you and nurtures you! You are your own fairy godmother! (That might be stolen from Fly lady LOL)

I also think that when I finally was able to get on medication that worked, it was that same attitude of positivity, independent thinking and figuring out what works for ME, not someone else that has made me able to make better use of the medication experience! I already had a toolbelt in which to hang the new tools. metaphorically speaking…

Keep working smarter

-munch

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[munchkin]

I have a very administrative job, and I really want to try to stick it out – at least for a respectable period of time so i dont’ seem like a “job jumper.”

I’ve been upgrading to computerized systems – more “paperless.” For example there are project management programs that are used in construction. I don’t know if you are in a position where you can make decisions like that, but if you can’t institute it company-wide, maybe you can do it on a personal basis.

I rely heavily on Outlook – synced with an iPhone – with reminders and alarms throughout the day. I’m still trying to find the right balance, but my work has improved just learning about ADD, getting onto meds, and trying not to worry about past failures. I am trying to remove all distractions from my work environment, and avoid meeting with people on the spot – I try to always work things into the schedule and do less and less spontaneous stuff.

I hope it helps

-munch

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[munchkin]

I love the termite and hippo sayings! I’m normally way too serious – I need a few more “dog with it’s head turned sideways” moments in my life – THANKS!

My best joke was when they tore down a portion of the strip mall by my house (I didn’t know you could do that without tearing the whole strip mall down). What they tore down had been a bingo hall. So I kept saying we got a “bingo-ectomy.” I couldn’t believe people found that hilarious. (Me? Hilarious?)

I think humor is like one of those social cue things I suck at – but I sure do like it when it happens… I’m the kind of person who would buy some academic book on the linguistics of humor… ugh!

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[munchkin]

Yay Robbo! High Five – Slap!

Are you seriouly deleting old ones? Don’t delete something good… your story has been fascinating!

-Munch

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