Help

[edcyr1966]

My life is collapsing because my ADHD has gotten far worse. I also have other mental illnesses which are under control. I lose 2 or 3 key items a day while focusing not to. The emotional part of ADHD up/down are a constant. I used to be happily married, great father, great son and good brother.

Today I have lost every single person in my life. My ex wife has alienated my children to the point I have no contact with them. This is the toughest of my problems to handle.

I need friends. I need support groups. I need a purpose for my life. I live in St. Petersburg and am on disability.

I take 60 mg of adderall a day.

Ed Cyr

[SkbOH]

Hi Ed:

Thanks for having the courage to open up and tell everyone how you feel and what you have gone through. I’m so sorry re: your family situation and the loss of friends.

I find the attitude toward mental health issues sucks, and am constantly shocked by the stigma that is still attached to the category by both the media and the very profession-docs and pharmacy workers-to be inexcusable. I understand your need for REAL friends and support; in that area I am in the same boat. My only advice is to look for a general mental health support group. I live in a very large metropolitan area and have not found any for ADHD/ADD folks, but a number do exists for general depression/anxiety/PTSD, etc., and I suspect that is where you will meet some who might end up being friends.

Have you asked your prescribing doc for a recommendation of other resources such as support groups? He/she might know of some, and if not, your asking might get them to do some research for you, something I think they should do anyway.

As for the family situation, I don’t really have any ideas (yet); hopefully others will. My own situation is only similar in that I have lost my sister and her husband. I live with my 84 year old Mom. She’s been pretty supportive, for the most part. My sister has estranged herself from her as well. We have no idea why, except that she’s a bitter, chain smoking old cow who is prematurely wrinkled so much that she could easily be mistaken as my Mom’s great grandmother. And those are the good traits.

I’be never been married or had any children, thus my lack of help in that area.

I do hope you can find some relief and solace from posting here as well as there in Florida.

I’ll close for now but I’ll pass on any sudden brilliant ideas, if they indeed come.

Scott in Ohio

[dgs2018]

HI Ed,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have family in Tampa Bay and it's urban enough that you may be able to find support groups. I have had ADHD since childhood and took Ritalin which is probably why I graduated and/or have been somewhat adjusted in life. I have not taken meds as an adult though. I don't have much advice on how to mend your family situation, but I will say that we as ADHD adults tend to be our own worst enemy. Totally agree that ADHD severely affects relationships since the brain wiring and our way of looking at the world is so different. You might consider brainstorming ideas of how to 'reopen' the lines of communication ? I agree with Scott in Ohio who said you need real friends, e.g. those who will listen before they speak when you explain what's going on in your life. Don't dismiss small victories in your life as being real and meaningful. Sometimes I wonder how in the world I graduated college and then got a Master's degree. That's all I've got and wish it could be easier for you.