Any other ADD/ADHD ladies?

[olivegoose]

I was diagnosed with ADD about a month ago. Looking back on my childhood I can definitely see how it influenced me. I am going to an adult ADHD support group once a week and seeing a counselor to learn how to manage it, on top of taking medication. I'm keeping a close eye on my kids because there seems to be a strong genetic link and my husband was diagnosed as a child.

[cruelsound]

How did you find a support group? You know my husband has it, he recently went back on his meds, and I've never thought of a group before. I will definitely suggest it to him.

[olivegoose]

cruelsound Through my therapist. You could look on CHADD.org for a provider as well.

[Deleted]

I was diagnosed with ADD in middle school. I've taken medication on and off for years. When my blood pressure started to sky rocket and I was taken off but I manage.
I've never been in a support group but as PP said CHADD is a good resource.

[mrsbuttinski]

Not me, but my niece, 33, was recently dxd. Which was partly my doing.

She moved in with me about 18 months ago to pay down her student debt. I always knew she was a sort of anxious kid who may have had some residual PTSD from a difficult childhood, but when she moved in it was like OMG- where I have seen this behavior before?

My mother has ADHD as does my DS, so it makes sense. When I started noticing the debris field in her bedroom, the chronically misplaced car keys, the routine of leaving and then coming back 5 minutes later to get the lunch, work computer or ATM card left in the foyer, etc. I turfed her to DS's psychiatrist who made the diagnosis after working with her over time. She's been on Concerta for about 2 months and is rocking her world.

[olivegoose]

Your niece sounds exactly like me

[rkang01]

Hello, I am active in S14, I was looking around at other boards and stumbled across this thread, and it kinda of got my excited. I was diagnosed with ADD in 6th grade, it is a challenge to deal with, most of the time. My Dr. recommended a book called Driven to Distraction. It is funny because for a book about ADD it is hard to read because it is very clinical, but as I attempted to read it I cried several times. There were "so many things wrong with me" that I thought were all separate issue but I realized it is all related to my ADD. I haven't been as hard on myself after reading.

I do not take medication anymore because I feel like most days I have good control over it, or maybe I am just more excepting of it. My biggest fear for my daughter is that I am going to pass it on to her like my dad passed it on to me.

[olivegoose]

rkang01 We suspect our (almost) 4 year old has it and are asking her doctor about it next month. Both my husband and I have ADD so our kids are screwed. Just remember that if she does have it there are even more options and more support for ADD/ADHD now than when you were growing up. You will be able to spot it when she's young and provide support early, which makes a huge difference.

[mama2a]

My DH was dx'd with ADD at the age of 32 (about 6 months ago). It's been so over-diagnosed (in kids at least) so I've often dismissed ADHD/ADD as merely a label, but I realize I'm just not educated on what it really means. I never would've suspected DH with ADD. Nevertheless, he's been reading books on how to help himself and very enthusiastic about it so I'm being supportive because I believe he's found a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. Thanks for the CHADD recommendation, I'm going to show him this website. Are there any favorite books you all like? Ultimately, I don't want him to be on medication for an extended period of time and am wondering what sort of non-drug treatments are available? He was looking into mindfullness exercises and learning to meditate....

[olivegoose]

mama2a I am in a support group that helps a lot. The books Driven to Distraction and Mindfulness for the ADHD Brain were suggested by the therapist who runs my group. There are "ADHD diets" and essential oils as well. Everything has a different level of effectiveness for every person. There's no shame in needing medication.