Anyone have insight?

[AmethystRain]

Wasn't sure how to ask this but I'll try, bear with me How do you feel when someone says to you that reading more about ADHD makes their symptoms worse and less manageable, than if they hadn't read up on all their symptoms? Is this paranoia or what, not sure what to say to the person. I would think that being informed though would be important so I'm confused. TY.

[quietlylost]

I think that sometimes when you read things you read yourself into them and you start to find that you have more problems (or believe you do) than you had before. It's like people who self diagnose with Google. You can really rev up your anxiety and also feel like you're incompetent or struggling more than you actually are.

I also found that for me, when I started learning about ADHD I spent so much time reading and learning that I stopped doing all the things I had done in the past that helped me cope with the ADHD before I knew I had it. I gave up structure, routine, exercise, managing my budget, etc. I fell into the "ADHD explains it all" category and got distracted (ironically) from things that had actually been helping me manage my ADHD.

So, I think it's a combination of things. We start to believe we have more problems than before and we can also stop doing things that are helpful because we put all our faith in and on the diagnosis. A diagnosis is just that, though. A way to inform our care and a direction for how to get additional support. If we are reading too much or getting too anxious, it's good to step back for a while. Put the books down. Talk to your therapist. Get support from family. Don't let your mind run away to dark places all on its known. As Dr. Hallowell says, "Never worry alone."

[RenewedAt42 in reply to quietlylost]

I agree with how easy it is to fall into the habit of letting productivity go to the wayside. There's a fine line between cutting yourself some slack when you're overwhelmed, and making excuses when you just don't want to do something.

I zone in more to the emotional aspect when I'm reading up on it. I don't have anyone in my daily life that can actually relate to how i struggle. So, If I'm having a pity party, reading someone else's story that i can relate to often zaps me out of "nobody understands me" and reminds me that i have to buck up and keep moving

[StoneJeweler in reply to RenewedAt42]

Have you ever looked into ADD/ADHD groups? Check out CHADD

[AmethystRain in reply to quietlylost]

Beautifully said... I’ll keep this in mind for myself and others. I want to help others and remind myself of this. Thank you quietlylost, and I totally feel that name, more than you know...👌

[StoneJeweler]

I agree that the more you know the better you can help yourself. But there are some people that think they need more symptoms to prove they have whatever. Doctors know very little and don't want to spend the time to learn about ADD. So it is important to know and understand what you have because when you are faced with people who don't know and say whatever. you will be empowered to know what you need.

I remember my parents and most other people believed that Doctors were Gods and they followed what ever instructions they were given. I have worked with many doctors who really think they are Gods, so you best not disagree. I have never worked with any doctors who really were Gods, they just think they are .

[StoneJeweler]

Do you really know what your saying? I think Alzheimers might work for total ignorance. Maybe if you were smarter life could be better? You live in this world and it might be better to rise above all the crap in the world than try to ignore it.

[AmethystRain in reply to StoneJeweler]

There’s great value for compassion as well

[StoneJeweler]

Some people are "hypochondriacs" and paranoid too. Then sometimes you read things and this can bring a great clarity to you. It all depends on the person, personally, I want to know as much as I can. By doing that I can understand what is happening to me and I can be informed enough to face my doctors, critics, family etc. Whether or not they believe me or not I feel it helps educate them in some way. some people listen but most don't and if I feel so I inclined I will give them some more information with research to back it up. or I may tell them of some famous people who have it. Einstein, John Lennon, Dwight Eisenhower, JFKennedy, Prince Charles of Wales or others there so many. Imagination, creativity, inventors, musicians, they use positive aspects of ADD to shine in our world. Sometimes when I am depressed I will pick one of these people and look them up on the internet, books, autobiographies, etc... And see if I can discover how they became famous or inspiring, like Galileo or Winston Churchill

I have a lot of time to read and explore because I am retired. I also find that the older I get the better I am, and things that use to bother me don't anymore..its a type of freedom that I don't worry about what people think of me, all these things are petty now, when before I would get frustrated, angry, sad etc.. This happens to most people as they age, you've lived long enough to see through the pettiness of it all, and it doesn't matter anymore- you have better things to than get bogged down with all that crap.