[That Guy with ADHD]

Thanks wiredonjava,

I will have to check it out. As for hording tendancies I would have to say yes ( or else I would be lying). My father was the same way too but I thought it was a learned behaviour having grown up in Europe during and after WWII. I’ve since come to the conclusion that he also had ADHD although mostly inattentive. I just can’t seem to let anything go and also have difficulty passing up a good free-bee whether I need it or not.

Regards

Richard

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[That Guy with ADHD]

Hi rixina1000,
If those are your symtoms we have a lot in common. Based on the description of what you are facing it would seem as if you could have ADHD but it would be a good idea to get a formal diagnosis. Rick Green mentioned that there are other disorders that have similar symtoms so it’s best to be sure before seeking treatment. Is ADHD in your head? Absolutely! That’s the problem. We don’t think like others do. It does take time and effort to develope strategies that will work for you. Some take medication, others change their diet, throw in some councilling and meditation… Or maybe a combination of them. I personally haven’t responded to stimulant therapy and a change in diet didn’t seem to do much for me but others have found it to be helpful. I have found CBT helpful but often lose track of what I learned and fall back into old habits. I am currently being treated for depression which for many seems to go hand in hand with ADHD. I don’t know if it’s because I have a low self esteem but CBT has helped with that. And fatigue? I have that in spades! I was diagnosed with Hyper-somnolence so I am always tired regardless of the quality and quantity of sleep I get.

I managed to get through two university degrees but struggled every day. That was back in the eighties. I always thought that I was different. At first I thought everyone was like this but as I got older I was sure that I had a brain tumor or something. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me until I happened to hear a radio interview where both the person being interviewed and the interviewer had ADHD and described their symptoms. I replayed the article over and over because I couldn’t believe that I was not alone and that others felt the same way I did. I’ve since joined my local ADHD support group which has made a big difference in my life.

Here in the forum you will find many brilliant people who have shared their thoughts and insights into their condition. The website also has great blog entries from Rick as well as helpful videos (some are free and other longer ones are for sale). I lurk in the forums regularly and have learned a lot. Last year when I first thought I had ADHD I found this sight to be my biggest source of decent information. I was finally diagnosed this month but have already gone through some treatment with the
Psychiatrist who is treating my Hyper-somnolence.

I hope you find the material helpful as I did.

Best regards

Richard
AKA That Guy with ADHD

And no, I an not affiliated with this site. Just a big fan.

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[That Guy with ADHD]

That’s hilarious! And I know exactly how it feels. I could check all my pockets ten times to no avail and on the eleventh time they are right there. It’s as if gremlins hide my keys and, just to mess with me, put them back where they found them. By the way this does not apply only to keys. Anything capable of being lost has disappeared and reappeared as if by magic many times including my car! I’m still looking for a tire pump and a container of Ice tea mix. I think Elvis has them.

Richard
AKA That Guy with ADHD

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[That Guy with ADHD]

Hi ginson18 and welcome!

Thanks for sharing the book you read (heard). I will have to check it out. Like you I thought I was just a normal person and that everyone functioned like I do. It wasn’t until last year that I came across a radio interview and found out that how my brain worked is quite a bit different than most people. After a year of being self diagnosed I was positively tested for the combined subtype of ADHD. I struggle a lot but at least I know what I am up against and have started to work on things. Hopefully you will find ways to function better. There are many good suggestions in the forums, Ricks blogs, and the many top quality videos available (both free and for sale). I frequent the forum pages here looking for some insightful tips or words of wisdom (Rick, are you listening? lol). I hope to hear more about you and your journey through the ADHD world. By the way I was a teacher for a while too.

There is a thread on ADHD books, etc. Please feel free to let everyone know about the Peter Shankman book.

Best regards

Richard
AKA That Guy with ADHD

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[That Guy with ADHD]

Nice to see you on the forums again Rick. I hope to reap the rewards of your wisdom.

Boot to the Head

Richard

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[That Guy with ADHD]

Hello AddThatsMe and welcome,

I was 53 when I first figured I was ADHD and I just received my official diagnosis last week. I am much like you in that I was (and still am to a great extent) overwhelmed by everything since I thought I might be ADHD. There are so many voices telling you This or That. When I’m overwhelmed by so many choices it seems my choice id “D – None of the above”. In general I am quite laid back as well but ADHD has made my relationship with my wife a struggle. It has been my first priority for years and I worry that I can’t improve my symptoms fast enough to hold on to her so going with the flow isn’t an option for me.

I hope you find some wisdom throughout this forum.

Best Regards

Richard
AKA That Guy with ADHD

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[That Guy with ADHD]

I agree with Scattybird. What you discribed are classic traits of us ADHDers. Welcome! Read the forums, meet people in your local area. Many cities have ADHD support groups or Meetup.com groups. I have found it very comforting and supportive to know that I am not alone in this world.

Best wishes

Richard
AKA That Guy with ADHD

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[That Guy with ADHD]

There are things we can do to help ourselves which do not cost much. I just need the drive to remember to do them. Things like eating more protien in the morning (eggs, peanut butter, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt are good examples). Another thing is to get active. Excercise is good for reducing the symptoms of ADHD.
That being said I have found strength in meeting other people with ADHD. In forums like this I get to know you and dozens of others who share similar stories that validate what I have been going through. I have also attended monthly sessions put on by the local ADHD awareness group (ADHDEdmonton.com) where I have personally met many people who share similar stories and some sugestions for self improvement. I have also started going to a new Meetup.com group that was setup in Edmonton for people with ADHD.
I also took part in some group sessions for CBT (cognative behaviour therapy) which was not specific to ADHD but was a good resource (and inexpensive).
Learn as much as you can about ADHD from forums, people, books, articles, etc. While you may get overwhelmed by all of the advice out there pick just one and try it out. Something may work while others don’t.
I still wish there were more formal services here. I haven’t been able to find a local ADHD coach. There are a couple of doctors in the city who know about ADHD. It takes a while to get in to see them but when you do you can get a diagnosis. Psychologists in the area seem to know what ADHD is but don’t know how to treat it. One told me that she would explore my childhood for the cause of my ADHD suggesting that I was traumatized as a child which resulted in my disorder.

Just don’t give in and keep working. Rick mentioned in his blog that he has been at it for many years and still has to work hard to improve so it’s not goung to be easy. Just hang in there! 😀

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[That Guy with ADHD]

I can certainly relate CaptainMaryMary,

At 54 I decided to get tested although my psychiatrist (who is treating me for a sleep disorder) strongly believes that I have the combined subtype of ADHD. I’m finding that as I get older my age related memory loss has compounded my ADHD symptoms. And while I have several projects on my to do list I spend more time looking for things than actually getting anything done, or get sidetracked and do something else while completely forgeting what’s on my list.

Get tested. You paid your taxes now enjoy some of it’s benefits.

Good luck

Richard

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[That Guy with ADHD]

There are many people, including my wife, who do not understand the difficulties associated with having uncontrolled ADHD and will deny it even exsists claiming we are hiding behind a fake diagnosis. This is not something we can “Pull up our socks” to fix. It takes time… A long time, effort, and money. Unfortunately when your partner is at the end of their rope time isn’t something you have, money eludes me, and procrastination seems to trump effort. While I don’t want to disolve my relationship I can’t help but think of the problems I have created in our marriage. Honestly if you think of the things you did, or didn’t do, due to your ADHD you can understand your partners frustration. I don’t want my wife to suffer through any more of it. Unless I can discover a way to curb the more problematic symptoms soon I will have to agree to the permanent end to the marriage. Fortunately for me my wife and I get along O.K. as friends so I still will have that.

The challenges we face are real.

You can’t change their minds about ADHD. They have to do that themselves.

Richard

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[That Guy with ADHD]

I’m sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time. It’s not much different here in Alberta for finding support for ADHDers. I too work very hard to provide for my family and have struggled with my symptoms. I work two jobs. One as a business analyst (challenging with ADHD) and the other in retail (easy and enjoyable but low paying) I am currently separated from my wife of 22 years because she doesn’t want to deal with another child (a common refrain from spouses of ADHDers). I wish I had a good answer for you. The only thing I can say is that you are not alone. There are many of us who struggle daily. Fortunately you have found the strength to seek advise. While you may not find it on this forum I encourage you to keep asking the questions wherever you go.

As for editing the posts I think you can only edit the last post you made while you are still in the forum. Once you leave the forum the ability to edit it seems to go away. In the top right corner of the post it will say “Reply”. It will also say “Edit” if you can change things. Just click it and you will go back to and be able to add/edit your work.

Kindest Regards

Richard

• This reply was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by That Guy with ADHD.

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[That Guy with ADHD]

There are some “Find my Phone” apps out there but I think you have to have data and GPS enabled for them to work which reduces battery life but it’s better than walking around trying to dial it listening for the ring tone. I like my Google Home. I can get it to ring my cell when I can’t find it but that’s just for around the house.

Good luck

Richard

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[That Guy with ADHD]

From what I’ve read job loss is common ammongst ADHDers. While I haven’t been fired I have been on the receiving end of a couple of downsizings at the businesses I worked at. I was the only one in my department to be cut each time despite good performance evaluations and several commendations. I don’t know much about finding employers who are willing to accomodate for ADHD. I’m still on the side of keeping my condition private.

Good luck with your job search.

Richard

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[That Guy with ADHD]

Thankfully psychology has come a long way since that book was written. Yes everyone, adults can have ADHD! We’re not lazy, crazy, or stupid. In fact far from it. You still find ignorant people out there though. One YouTuber, upon hearing that Leonardo DaVinci is suspected of having ADHD, declared that if DaVinci had it then it is proof that ADHD isn’t a problem at all but a gift. He failed to mention that DaVinci didn’t make too many paintings in his life and in fact failed to finish some commissioned works which got him into trouble. If you look at his notes he clearly couldn’t stay focused on one topic long enough to finish a thought and had to came back to things again and again. Imagine what he could have accomplished if he could focus!

I’m pleased to hear that you have found a dose of medication that works for you. I’m jealous of people who have had that AH HA moment when they discover the right treatment. It’s been over a year of trying and still no Eureka for me.

Here’s to finding the right stuff!

Cheers

Richard

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[That Guy with ADHD]

I have worked from home on and off for years now. While I did find it distracting I was able to get my work done because I wasn’t tied to the clock. I prepare weekly reports (a terrible job for a person with ADHD) so as long as I got the work done on time there was no real issue with how and when I did it. I would get distracted at home all the time. It was too easy to be hungry or tired or bored at home. I found myself ducking out for tea or a sandwhich or to find a different playlist of music… At the office I can focus better but still end up in the lunch area often to make tea or to chat with coworkers about something.

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