FRIENDS OR FOES?

[RollingThunder]

How many of your friends have ADHD?

[Hidden]

Thank you, rollingthunder, for noting the beauty in the heavy shit. That is a really tough question for me, because I don't even know whether or not I have ADHD. I am 39 and was recently convinced in part by my psychiatrist - who told me that he thinks I have one of the most severe cases of ADHD that he has ever seen - that I have ADHD, and now I have tried three different ADHD medications including most recently Adderall but they don't seem to have done anything, so maybe I don't have ADHD. I have found Dr. Hallowell's books and podcasts helpful, including his comments on the course on this website on adult ADHD, and he often mentions how he has ADHD and he is able to function at a high level without medication. But, again, I don't want to disparage Dr. Hallowell or his great work in any way, but I confess to thinking in my mind that maybe he doesn't really have ADHD and that is why he is able to function at a high level. Sure, the American Psychiatric Association DSM-5 has diagnostic criteria, but they seem to my untrained and disorganized mind to be almost entirely subjective. I am curious how many of your friends have ADHD and how you would define it?

[RollingThunder in reply to Hidden]

The graph below is a very good description of ADHD

Graphic explaining ADHD

[MindElsewher in reply to RollingThunder]

Nails it. Judgmental people deny the condition even exists. They just think the afflicted are selfish and inconsiderate people.

[RollingThunder in reply to MindElsewher]

Man, are they stupid!Hugs 🤗

[Shirleytaps]

No idea. Diagnosed none. Actually probably a couple. How about you?

[Alan0127]

None.

[RollingThunder in reply to Alan0127]

Alan, Yes a function of my ADD. My creative, changing mind coupled with my need for new and exciting experiences is in conflict with my husband’s need for a calm and stable environment. My putting him down when he doesn’t get the big picture right away, doesn’t help. The ghosting I was talking about the other day, is not helping either. I think most of all, Is learning to apply the brakes when I can remember to. If I can keep that in mind I think things would be a lot better! Hugs 🤗

[Alan0127 in reply to RollingThunder]

RollingThunder - Maybe you can help me with the structure of threads on this site. Your reply starting with "Alan, Yes a function of my ADD." showed up as a response to "How many of your friends have ADHD". I think it was actually a response to another conversation going on about spouses dealing with ADHD partners.

[RollingThunder]

3 out of 5, why? The three are so smart, funny, intelligent and a woot to be around. I do have to chase them down because like myself, they tend to not keep up relationships! So, knowing that I can Keep up the relationship and ignore that they have not called me in 6 weeks, and pick up exactly where we left off! It is good to know your people!

[Hidden]

Thanks for posting the iceberg diagram! That is an interesting way of thinking about ADHD.