ADHD Weekly -- Grow Out of ADHD? Not Likely

[KarenADHDWeekly]

We used to think children could outgrow ADHD. Research and the lived experience of adults have shown us otherwise. Read "Grow Out of ADHD? Not Likely" at bit.ly/nrcdontoutgrow . Were you diagnosed as a child or an adult? What has been your expereince?

[Musicever]

As a 12 year old..my experience on what?

[Musicever]

My experience of add is very hard sometimes anxiety too and depression as well...I couldn't control and have tantrums very often sometimes like everyday and shouting like a small kid and I am just like a 3, year old kid even talking with cute voice that is my personality...maybe not my personality but my add symptoms...

[Musicever]

Because I feel insecure

[Musicever in reply to Musicever]

All or most of the time

[Musicever]

I just hope to find more people with add and share the same experience between us

[acrononymous]

Hi Karen,I'm a 56 yr old woman who was diagnosed in July. My first reaction was "well that explains most of my life." I have been in a fog as long as I can remember. I never seem to know what's going on around me. Even my grade school report cards mention needing to pay attention, among other things.

Time blindness is something I've sort of overcome. My grandma taught me how to use timers for everything, and that being late is being disrespectful of those who are waiting for me, so I'm rarely late and usually 10-15 min early. BUT, I lose entire days and sometimes weeks. I can know what day/date/time it is NOW, but I always have to figure it out before I get out of bed in the morning and often I'm quite surprised that so much of the week/month/year is gone. Before I actively identified what day it was, I could get hours into my day and be shocked that it was friday already and where did wednesday and thursday go? When I take the time to actively recall the events of each day, I can't deny that it's friday and my calendar really is correct. I remember when everyone's birthdays and anniversaries are, but no one gets cards because it doesn't connect until I realize that TODAY is the day.

Memory is something that is worse as an adult. I'm turning into my grandma, with notes for everything and anything.

I am definitely internally restless. It's like something in me needs to be set loose but I can't name it or find the gate to let it out. I can sit for hours but I need something for my hands to do (like knitting or researching online).

Relationships are difficult. I am fortunate to have loved ones with a lot of patience and several of them also have ADHD. It helps that we no longer live in the same house and no matter how much we set each other off, we are still there for each other.

I love my job (most of the time), so I perform well. I am fortunate to have a job that is varied and meets my desire to help others succeed. With that said, I've only been there about 18 months. I was a stay home mom for 32 years.

Since being diagnosed it's been a rollercoaster ride. I tried Vyvanse for 2 months. I'm now weaning off of it. It made my symptoms worse and I was getting great sleep in the middle of the day.

I also found out that what I thought was an ADHD testing was just an informal question and answer. So I've scheduled a formal testing with a different psychiatrist (one who won't do another thing with me until I have completed the testing) that seems to be a bit more stringent.

[MarimerCruz]

I was diagnosed at 25, but had the symptoms since little. I am 46, and I am still adhd. I just control it better. I use music, diet, exercise and supplements to manage it.