Newbie

[GoTarheels]

Hi, I'm new here. I'm hoping you can give tips on dealing with ADHD. Mine is significantly affecting my life. I have read books, watched webinars, and have had therapy. I want real tips from people within this struggle. I wasn't diagnosed until 2021. It gave me a complex. I'm grieving the life I could have had, if I'd known. I've been a parent and teacher to kids with ADHD, but I didn't know how different it was for women. I've since left teaching, due in part to my ADHD, but I have so many other health problems too. I would love for you to give me hope, as I am in a really dark place currently. I want to hear from folks who are in a similar condition. I haven't been able to connect with a community of folks who only have mental health difficulties, as I have both...

[Zilmita]

Welcome to the club. I was diagnosed with adhd, learning disability, and slightly dyslexia when I was 6 years old. I turned 43 September 16th. I went to a special school in Miami, Florida (which I was born and lived there until I was 34 I believe). I graduated from high school in the year 2000 with great grades. I went to Lynn University and got a degree in Human Services and minor in Early Childhood Education. I graduated with a 3.5 g.p.a in the year 2004. I didn't need to take pills until my mid 20's. One day I just kept getting headaches and I went to the neurologists. He diagnosed me with anxiety issues. So, now I'm taking two pills for my anxiety issues. From what I've read on line (other peoples experiences) it affects females differently than males. Mostly (from what I've read/other peoples experiences) due to the fact that females get their periods. That can make the behavioural issues of adhd even more obvious since we get emotional much more easily. I keep reading that more females are diagnosed with add/adhd than males. I have no idea why though. It's only now in my 40's the I'm really pushing myself to be more talkative/social. I'm starting not to care really what others say/think about me once they find out that I have add/adhd. I used to get offended about people staring at me like I'm some sort of retard or virus that needs to be gotten rid of. It's still a bit painful how people view us. We're human just like everyone else. We want the same things that others want. Good paying jobs so that we can pay our own bills, buy our pwn cars, house, etc. We don't want to depend on others financially all our lives. We're capable of many things it's just that maybe certain family members don't want us to succeed. I've joined this website called Meet up (it's also an app for your cell phone). It's basically people creating social groups for others that have similar interests. For example: I've joined two meet up groups that meet once a month and play board games. The next two meet up's are next week on the 28th and on Novmeber 8th. It's fun. I also love to bake. So, I've been baking for the meet up group. My suggestion is for you to join a meet up group. What are your interests? Are you a foodie? You can find groups on meet up that the members are people that like eating out and/or talk about food. I hope that this helps.

[Mamamichl]

hello! Fellow teacher here! I almost left the field with my conditions (mental and physical) as well, but found an amazing job in teaching online.

It was because it shows up in girls differently, I wasn’t diagnosed until 38, 3 years ago. My parents are old school thinkers and still won’t acknowledge it.

As for first hand, you are welcome to pm me any questions you have. For that first hand experience, I watch these you tube channels and read their books (as audiobooks because they read them themselves): the holder was family (book ADHD is awesome), ADHD_love (books are small talk and dirty laundry, and how to ADHD (book by same name). The love couple has the female with ADHD and the first two are great also for people who are supporting people with ADHD as well. Hope this helps.

Zen hugs 🫂

[Tigger4me]

Hi Go Tarheels, May I assume by your avatar's name that you are a UNC fan? I'm a 73 year old male with what I call executive-function challenged ADHD, who grew up in NC just west of Chapel Hill. For years, I was focused on dealing with my inattentive ADHD symptoms and I've been taking Ritalin/Adderall since I was 50. Unfortunately, I've only recently started being part of this website, but it feels like one of the most important things I've done for helping my ADHD self. So welcome. In community there is true hope for acceptance, understanding and change.