Cut off from “normal life”?

[ThatCat]

Does anyone else feel like they are looking up at the world from the bottom of a well, and none of it looks familiar? I read news stories about the latest fashion, or a new book or film, or watch a rom-com and I think “Do people still do those things?” I almost feel like an anthropologist observing another culture. I can’t care about anything the people around me do: entertainment, politics, sports, science. I can barely see them from down here. All I do is ADHD, 24/7. Some aspect of it or its side effects.

[Onthemove1971]

Interesting perspective.. I am not sure the age of you child. But for us, once we got everything "stable" ( 504 plan, thearpy, medications, etc) things are much better. Our son is in 8th grade and in middle school and is doing much better. It could also be he is gaining maturity...

I also know for me it had been very important to go out to dinner with my friends or have coffee with them or shopping to really take a breath away..

Thanks for your perspective..

[Janice_H]

Yes, I can totally relate. I just read over my sons' IEP meeting packet. He is in the 7th grade and functioning on a grade 2-3 level. It is all so disheartening and overwhelming - the evaluations, assessments, psychological testing, doctors appointments, medication trials, checklists, trying to organize him, the checking, the re-checking, the constant repeating of directions, worrying over his impulse concerns..... The list goes on. Last night I found him outside in the back yard singing----he was supposed to be taking the trash out. Other times he disappears without saying anything. I have to ride around the neighborhood to locate him and bring him back home. I too am feeling cut off from the world because of this ADHD life.

[anirush]

Well I will say we hardly ever have an outing without some kind of meltdown. And I spend hours researching the latest on mental disorders. But I have to have a life. I have my favorite TV shows, read when I can, go shopping sometimes after everyone else is in bed just to go by myself.

I think you are a better caregiver if you have "me" time. You can get overwhelmed and bogged down by all of this at times.

[asieslavida]

Yes, I can totally relate. My son is in second grade, severe ADHD combined type. Most of the time I’m dealing with something related to his condition. Some days I feel all my energy just gets sucked out of me. However, I work hard to try to keep my sanity. Like another poster, I have my favorite TV show that I watch sometimes, or listen to audio books to shift my focus to something else. I pray too...

I really have to push myself because it can consume me. I love my kid so much and I’m his main caregiver. I have to be “well” for him.