ADDvancing ADHDitudes

[addvancingadhditudes]

I have medication but I don't want to take it. I feel like I'm taking medicine to not be stupid...I feel like I shouldn't have to take medicine to be a normal human being

Sooo first of alll

You’re not stupid even for not wanting to take your medsYou are already normal.Please understand that before anything else.  

No medication will ever fix the negative beliefs about yourself

It is a must that ADHDers have some kind of routine (which includes a daily time for taking meds)But you can also schedule a ‘no meds’ day*provided that no school assignments/bills pending*

Use that day to go find something new to do, a place to goFind something that interests you &ADHD.

Remember ADHD is a ball &chain if you let it weigh you down. Annnndddd it can also be used as a Skip-It, which swings you forward.

And I’ll prove it.

Have you ever seen those videos of babies &ladies who hear for the first time?Its because of a cochlear implant—A little thing that reverses their ‘disability’You’d think this would just float their little gravy boat, huh

Except they feel like they shouldn’t have to get one because they’ve already learned how to communicate (sign language), have strong ties to their signing community & their perception is there’s nothing that needs to be fixed; there’s nothing wrong with them. Which is true.

Taking meds is like having the chochlear implant:Without it you can still communicate, just in a different way.Now can a chochlear implant help someone who’s deaf hear the pack of panting wolves behind door #2?     Uuah yeahhAnd can medication help with someone with ADHD focus on doing the things they need to do so that they can be where they wanna be?     Super yeah

[addvancingadhditudes]

My friend is in her mid-twenties, I'm pretty sure she has ADHD tho she was never diagnosed. She's really hyper, has no attention span (can't even watch tv), interrupts everyone, does impulsive things, has mood swings, is excitable, crashes majorly when she runs out of her intense energy. I know they say she would have been diagnosed by age 12 but is it possible that because all the teachers thought she was just a dumb rudegirl troublemaker they missed it here in the urban UK state school system?

Yes.You have to show symptoms BEFORE age 12Its not that you have to be diagnosed before 12

I wasn’t DIAGNOSED until 15. 

And it was only after my younger sister was correctly diagnosed.I showed symptoms around 4 but more prominently around 8 years old.

Sometimes even adult parent’s will go their whole lives not knowing/wanting to believe that they have ADHD until their kid is diagnosed and they realize they fit the same symptoms!It has more to do with stereotypes about mental health, rather than the schoolThere can be a genuine misunderstand how to recognize and work with ADHDorSome fear what they will have to face if they are diagnosed. Which I don’t understand because it is MUCH MORE DIFFICULT if you don’t know what you’re dealing with.

It’s like playing poker—the poker game is your lifeSometimes life doesn’t deal you the right cards to make a “royal flush”but maybe you could still make something out of it like a “full house” or a “straight” You know somethings up; you’re not confident you were dealt all the right cardsBut mental disorders are mental or for weak people right? so you reject trying to find out what cards you haveYou fold, everyone turns over their hand, and you have a royal flush. Way to go. You just missed out on winning at life.Option 2: you get diagnosed and see what you’re hand looks likeits still a royal flush so no matter what you win

So look at your life. Look at your choices. They could be better if you know.

[addvancingadhditudes]

hey, recently i found out about adhd, i hadn't known about it (i'm 15). reading up on it, it seems that i have a LOT of the symptoms. i read through accounts from ppl with adhd on what it's like, and i identify with all of it. it's present in most if not all areas of my life: home, school, relationships. the only thing that makes me think i may not have it is idk whether i had it when i was little, since i can't remember anything from last year back, so. what should i do to find out about that?

Pt2: oh, i should mention: i considered asking my parents about it but they’re very much against mental disorders, so if i tell them it’s because of adhd suspicions they’ll completely brush it off and probably get mad at me, and i’m not really sure what reason to give for asking about it.

SOOOooOOooOO

First off,

you probably won’t be able to do anything until after 18

.

Secondly,don’t psych yourself up. It may be something else &you can mess up the diagnosis’s accuracy because you’ll emphasize ADHD-like qualitiesEspecially with the severe memory issue (not remembering last yr)

Trust me.The LAST thing you want is stimulant medication when its actually Depression(i.e. Faster thoughts of depressive symptoms-Yikes!)

You shouldn’t lie to your parents or ignore your mental health.But I understand (grumblemumble).Even undiagnosed ADHDers deny their diagnosis because of the stigma.

WHEN YOU FINALLY GET TO A DIAGNOSING DOCTOR YOU MAY NEED:2 peoples who know you across environments (work, school, social) to fill out a provided questionnaire = One person you’ve recently met (within the last 2-5 yrs) + One person you’ve known before 12 yrs old

For now you can ask for counseling or a mentor (therapy might be too harsh of a word. Dont brush off therapy as a good ADHD treatment. It makes treatment tailor-made to you. (fancy)

And when the time comes later on, say its for an assignment and hand them the questionnaire.Cause somehow grades are better than health but whatever (grumblemumble)

[addvancingadhditudes]

So I've thought for a long time I had ADD. But when I brought it up to my therapist, she says since I was not diagnosed with it as a child, I most likely don't have it, and my symptoms are likely just lack of motivation or depression. I think my lack of diagnosis as a child has more to do with the fact my mother didn't care at all, rather than not having it. Should I push the issue with my therapist to try to get medication? Or is she right and I would have been diagnosed as a kid if I had it?

-singsongy voice-mooost likeeelyy

Symptoms of ADHD have to have begun before the age of 12.

And trust me you’d know it back then because you’d have consistent inattention problems that affected daily life.Daily life= school life+home life+friend life+romantic life+work lifeAll of them, all the time. muhaha.

Since you may be caught in limbo, you could continue therapy for the symptoms your having. Medication is not a cure all for depression or ADHD.In fact, medication+therapy works better than just meds for both disordersDepression lasts in long episodes but can “let up” and you’ll feel back to your ol self or back to normal with medsADHD is constant. Even on meds ADHDers always know their ‘normal’ is not normal.

Depression &inattentive type ADHD

Both have mood problems, forgetfulness, inability to focus, lack of motivation &issues sleeping. The differences are the source of these symptoms.

Moods: — Depression’s negative moods are constant &can last weeks to months— Negative moods in ADHD are usually linked to specific situations &temporary because..well distraction.Lack of Motivations:— In Depression it feels like you don’t have the will or energy to start anything &accompanied by sinking into lethargy— For ADHDers its actually either not knowing on what to start first, getting overwhelmed &eventually procrastinating orr starting is mental anguish, like cleaning out a garbage truck. Its possible but you just reeally rather not.

Sleeps:— Depressed peoples usually have trouble falling asleep due to negative worries &staying asleep— ADHD brains never want to turn off so its usually trouble falling asleep not staying asleep

In short I’ll aproach this like diabetes:

First, aggressively try some lifestyle changes

Then when your doctor sees your not improving, try medication.

[addvancingadhditudes]

My 4 yr old pretty much LIVES on Mac N Cheese, They have this little packet of the cheese powder to put in it after its cooked in the microwave.  The powder HAS to go in within a few minutes of coming out of the microwave or it doesnt turn into the cheese right. I was making lunch &talking to a friend &trying to get the kids ready to go out. I get the easy mac out of microwave so I can mix it but I couldnt find the stupid cheese packet. So I start trying to backtrack &the packet isnt ANYWHERE in the kitchen, living room, computer desk, upstairs bathroom... I looked everywhere I could think [of] but nothing. I was well past the point where the easy mac would work so I ended up giving up and opening another one. As Im putting it in the microwave, I find the packet from the 1st one. So I decide to try it in the first tub &Id eat it if it was messed up. By this point the OTHER mac and cheese is ready. Guess what? I couldnt find the packet of cheese again! Took 5 minutes to realize it was sitting in front of me the entire time. Even better, my daughter didnt even eat it. She got distracted..

submitted by Anonymous for ADDvancing ADHDitudes

[addvancingadhditudes]

I bought a clock at the end of January with a gift card I got for Christmas that I procrastinated using. A month ish later, I finally remembered to buy batteries for it. A month ish after that I finally remembered to put the batteries in the clock. So if anyone is having a hard day with your adhd you can totally feel free laugh at that girl who had a clock on her wall for over two months without batteries.

Submitted by firagaproductions for ADDvancing ADHDitudes

[addvancingadhditudes]

I wanted to thank you, I have ADHD I have been diagnosed when I was six a seven years old. You are showing the world so much information and why having it could be incredibly difficult. You also show a lot of pros like the coffee thing. Again thanks

:D (this is my happy-brain face lol)Since this ADHD brain can be overwhelming I sometimes try to focus on positive things about it. Sometimes its cons: crying from frustration of how hard i try Sometimes its pros: I’ve never needed drugs to feel elated

[addvancingadhditudes]

Hypersensitivity of ADHD

It is not uncommon for ADHD-ers to be physically and emotionally hypersensitive.

ADHDers emotional hypersensitivity may stem from executive functioning issues & impulsive tendencies.

The scenario’s get ugly and include: •Unproportionate sudden outbursts of yelling &physical attack to nearby objects (road rage) • Becoming intensely animated when happy • Feeling wanderlust • Hyperfocusing episodes on self-criticism (short periods) • Perception that others disapprove of them (without merit) • Mood swings • Difficult to settle down when excited or upset • Suddenly quitting (job, walking away from a relationship) • Impatience for minor irritations (repetitive/background noise)

Emotional Regulation DESR (Deficient Emotional Self Regulation) involves short bursts of intense anger, frustration, impatience, or excitability.

The key difference: Brains that display DESR may not have the inhibitory capacity to censor emotional reactions in any situation (happy, stressful, or at baseline aka ‘just fine’) Not just when feeling stressed.

They’re able to recognize their emotional response is not equally proportionate to the social situation, so it is not an excuse. Just an inability to control the intensity of the emotion.

[addvancingadhditudes]

Hey there I have been reading through the stuff on your blog and i have noticed some of the adhd characteristics in myself especially around hypersensitivity. I also noticed that my voice gets loud for no reason. I dont know of that a symptom or not. I was diagnosed with dyspraxia about 8/9 years ago. I dont know wether any of the characteristics overlap at all but i would be intrested to know if may or may not have adhd/add based on the stuff ive noticed

Ah yes, perfect clarification tool.Hypersensitivity is not because you have ADHD. Hypersensitivity is its own thing and ADHD is another.EX: You have a piece of cake. Most people also have ice cream with cake. Having ice cream doesn’t mean you had cake. And vice versa. Its just that when you have one you are more likely to have the other.

Also I CANNOT diagnose anything about anybody in anyway!¡ ! Its not even about the legal part. Proper diagnosis means proper treatment. You have to get info from you, yo teacher, yo momma, your childhood friend, yo new friend, yo family history. And if a physician doesnt include all that in his evaluation tell them about it.second opinions from physicians are also nice :)Related to you:There are about 2 symptoms that overlap about Developmental Coordination Disorder (dyspraxia is not clearly defined in DSM). But there are major differences. DCD is super about motor coordination issues &its forever. ADHD is either inattentive (no motor issues) or hyperactive (hyperactive impulsivity can interfere with motor coordination). Also 50-70% of ADHD kids don’t show symptoms as adults.Your voice getting loud for no reason is not a criteria for any mental disorders widely studied. That just might be your personality. My sis and I both have ADHD and my grandpa can always hear her but asks me to speak up.

[addvancingadhditudes]

I'm so glad this blog exists. I've been struggling with ADHD since I was 7 and people always thought I was some stupid hyper kid. Thank you, thank you so much.

:D Messages like these make my brain look like this :D And also I, too, felt stupid, lazy, &crazy until I my diagnosis at 15 So I understand how important it is to let people know that they are not stupid hyper kids, just hyper kids.

[addvancingadhditudes]

Do you have any tips for starting projects? I'm a terrible procrastinator/avoider.

Yes. Lie to yourself.(This is the only time its ever gonna be okay to do so)If you get a syllabus for all tests/projects during the year, look for the first thing due &replace it with an earlier date. Oh that paper’s due on the 20th? Scratch it. Its now the 16th. You’ll go through all the night-before frenzy a few days ahead. 

Remember dont think “I’m gonna do this early” You’re a repeat offender of breaking that lie. For you, the actual due date doesn’t exist but was instead moved to your earlier date.

Why its gonna work:

ADHD brains often need stimulation/panic/excitement to do tasks.Like gas for tasks..Task-gas. Its prob why you don’t pick up the idea to do it until the day of. When you don’t want to do it, let your worrying push you to start and pull you through to finish.

If you don’t finish by your mock deadline still lie to yourself that the professor gave you a chance &extended it a few days. Don’t wear out your chances.

*May not work if you have group projects.

[addvancingadhditudes]

Hey, I was wondering: is it true that caffeine has a calming effect on those with ADD/ADHD? I've heard that drinking a lot of coffee can be a way of self medicating for those with ADD.

Caffeine AKA Starbucks's stimulant is less effective on ADHD brains than Neurotypicals because our brains need more gas to start the ol engine (which varies). So we can have a couple of cups & feel fine whereas normal ppl feel twitchy lolCalming? Eh. Research says you should prob avoid too much caffeine if you've got combined or hyperactive type it makes motor skills clumsier. It also be saying that medication stimulants vs caffeine gives waaay more of an advantage in functioning overall and minus the caffeine craps &woozy tummy.

[addvancingadhditudes]

Hypersensitivity of ADHD

It is not uncommon for ADHD-ers to be physically and emotionally hypersensitive.

2/3 of ADHD children have additional co-occuring disorders.

The ones that may explain Hypersensitivity include: •Anxiety Disorders •Hypokalemic Sensory Overstimulation (occurs in less than 50% of ADHDers) •Mood Disorders - Bipolar Disorder &Major Depressive Disorder (Boys with ADHD combined type more likely to have mood disorder) •Restless Leg Syndrome •Sensory Processing Disorder - Incoming sensory information is either overloaded or dulled (40% of ADHD & 40% SPD kids displayed symptoms for both disorders)

COMMON PHYSICAL HYPERSENSITIVITIES  •Hair brushing •Certain fabric materials that feel coarse on skin •Tight clothes around certain parts of the body •Tags on clothes •High-pitched (squeaky brakes), loud (fireworks or thunder), or metallic noises (clanking silverware) •Bright lights (camera flashes, fluorescent lights) •Swimming in Lakes •Sticky hands or feet •Being touched or hugged •Bothered/distracted by sounds from the background environment (clocks, hum of lights, lawn mower outside) •Odors become overpowering (scented detergent) •Being outside &walking barefoot •Difficulty swallowing pills •Dislike when someone moves them (wheelchair) •Minor odors become overpowering (scented detergent)

[addvancingadhditudes]

[addvancingadhditudes]

Hello! I'm so glad I found this blog. I was wondering, how do you recommend coping with ADHD in college? any tips or recommendations on staying organized? I start off organized and motivated but end up staying motivated depending on the professor and passion towards those subjects. But also in general, what are some things you recommend for college students with ADHD ?

Yay I'm reaching an audience! Even with my sporadic timing lol.Half of the college struggle is making sure you trip your over-critical-worry-brain before it grabs on to the "H" in ADHD and you cant keep up with its distressing thoughts. Otherwise, first of alll,1. STOP BASHING YOUR BRAIN—GIVE BRAIN COMPLIMENTS INSTEADYou're married to your ADHD brain. In the 'til death do us part' kinda way. So beating up your ADHD brain &calling it names doesn't help the relationship. What we silently say to ourselves about doing a task has a strong impact on how (or whether) we do it. So try to say at least ONE positive thing about your working method/pace/style as you're doing it. You gotta work WITH your ADHD. 'Coping' with it is like trying to deal with your marital problems by smiling& ignoring it like a 50s housewife. It might work out for a while but you're only deluding yourself. Accept that ADHD puts you in certain limitations (many) but privileges you in other areas (many more).

2. PLAN YOUR PLANNERS WITH BACKUP PLANNING PLANNERSEvery semester, you should put the following into Google calendar: Every class time, room #, every syllabus test/quiz/paper date. If you drive to campus put the school address too.Put all the readings in Google tasks, where you can make separate class lists (it scratches them off when you're done so you can visualized what you've accomplished. Its like my grownup star chart &mini rewarding)

Why the Google overlords? Google is so accommodating among different systems without 'authorizing this device'. It's constantly syncing everything into everything &learning your habits.That stupid microsoft college email? BAM synced your professor's email info to the phone. The address you put with your class? It'll tell you when you should leave, adjusting for current traffic, weather &based on your habits (like if you're always arriving late, if you take transit etc).3. ACTUALLY JUST PLAN TO PLAN EARLYSpeaking of habits, all this will help you develop daily routines &rituals.

Get up around the same time EVERY DAY. Class or not. ADHDers take longer to do new schedules. But you only have 6 months before it switches again. The more practice, the less likely to forget. 

Plan transition time: From waking up from morning grumpies to just got home unwinding time.Switching tasks for ADHDers takes longer no matter whut. Dont underestimate that you can always get ready in 12 minutes or even just 30.

Start getting ready for class 2 hours before your departure time.Walking/driving takes you 20 mins? Class is at 11:00? Then you should be getting up around 9. (see transition time) &leaving at 10:40

Set "ten minutes left" timers before "LETS GO NOW" timersThe "ten minutes left" timer is so that you stop & just grab everything you need to head out the door. Its go-go time. Not to be used as a wake up call.

Plan daytime study timeYou know, not an hour before the 11:59 dropbox due date.

If you take meds: Schedule difficult tasks for times when your symptoms are "fully covered"

ALWAYS REMEMBER BEING EARLY MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER THAN BEING LATEAt least when it comes to school

[addvancingadhditudes]

Sorry for the wait

There was a long hiccup in internet service probs so now I'm back. Posts coming soon. -ADDvancing ADHDitudes

[addvancingadhditudes]

7 Types of ADD - Dr. Amen