Communication nightmare: Too often have... - CHADD's Adult ADH...

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Communication nightmare

12 Replies

Too often have I butted heads with family members because I either don't remember things they've said or believe they said something else when they didn't.

I act a certain way out in public because I work hard to repress my ADD and at home I act differently because I do not repress it and it makes life for others in the home a living hell as they often describe. I'm beyond frustrated because I do not intentionally do this it's just a natural thing I've done since I was little. I do everything to seem normal outside the home and I'm fine but I'm also expected and encouraged to be normal around home too. I've run out of solutions so... Help? Advice? Please?

12 Replies
Daydai profile image
Daydai

There are so many times I simply cannot remember people, conversations, places I’ve been etc. and I agree with you it causes frustration and problems bc one plp something think your lying. And then other times I’ve been blamed for things I didn’t even do but since plp know I can’t remeber things and I’m easily confused I’m an easy target. Adhd/add sucks!!

Challengingbut profile image
Challengingbut

As I become more aware of my add symptoms, I tell people if they want me to remember something to send me by txt or email. As I write I am also going have to tell friends and family if the txt me me n no response txt it again. As for me, I behave the same in public as in private. What I am beginning to do is to notice my behavior in both . I am learning to be n the moment so when I am being unreasonable I try to see it. When I don’t catch it in time, I do apologize. However you can only go to that well so many times. Are you getting therapy or coaching?

in reply to Challengingbut

No, I have never had Therapy or coaching; never even thought about it as an option before. Really it's only been recently that I am really putting more effort than I ever have into controling my ADD. In some areas I've improved greatly but others such as communication and remembering certain things (sometimes important things) I'm still having trouble and the solutions my family have tried to give me only sometimes work out.

Musicever profile image
Musicever in reply to

Same here as me...

DAVIDkd profile image
DAVIDkd

Oh GAWD!! I wish I could help you. Then I could help myself. The truth is I never have been good at inhibiting myself - basic ADD - so I have not done very well in my work life generally. Vocationally, my life has been one big disappointment.

You are the very first person I have known of who describes the exact problem that has made my life at home so difficult for my family. Both my wife and 23-year-old son, as well as other, have become so impatient with me. It makes things hard.

DAVIDkd profile image
DAVIDkd

Since this little bunch seems so interested in deep understanding of ADD. Allow me to share this YouTube link. Russell Barkley is my hero!

youtube.com/watch?v=_tpB-B8...

Also, Thomas E Brown:

youtube.com/watch?v=4RbYEuJ...

Ami00 profile image
Ami00

Yes, I can be the best husband and dad one second and a raging temper tantrum with insults and emotional, agressive and frightening behavior at lightening speed. ANd I often even forget the reason the temper/rage started. No self esteem, unable to work for more than a few weeks until depresssion hits with major anxiety and unable to literally leave my bed. Wouldn't even eat if my wife wouldn't bring me food. We have 2 flats so she can do a runner with the kids when she notices I've started on one. No ADHD diagnosis from my clinic in London. Bipolar and depression. Definitely ADHD as I can hyperfocus on something useless but really intresting for weeks-until I lose interest and move to the next momentary intersting subject. Library brain that i will probably never get to use cos I lose intrest once I learn something intresting-at hyperspeed.

Ami00 profile image
Ami00

I can#t remember what I said a few minutes ago sometimes. Or change what I said so it fits whatever I am saying now. Don't even try to rememberr names.

Lovinit profile image
Lovinit

Just try your best and learn new strategies to improve on what you’re not doing right at home. And who you are. If you start going though your life hiding who you are because you don’t believe you’re good enough one day you may brake down trying to be something you’re not and then you might even not know who you are anymore. Hope that makes sense. I speaking about my own life and your post I thought related to how I was growing up

Musicever profile image
Musicever

Me too but I can be weird at home and my parents understand it...just I feel so unhappy to pretend normal outside sometimes when talking to people and afraid of them and being uncomfortable

Musicever profile image
Musicever

I don't know whether I forget about things is caused by taking medications or not

Musicever profile image
Musicever

Most of the time I am very blur in my mind...I am blur like nothing going on...

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