How do people get better with ADD ?

[TormentedAndTortured]

How does it work ? Can I ever not feel like a hopeless loser ? Do people actually get better? How does that happen ? Take the right pill and it goes away ? Is there any hope for someone like me? If so, where is it? Do I have anything to hope for ? Just wondering

[Zilmita]

The honest truth is that you'll always have days where you feel this bad. Like you're worthless. Sometimes it doesn't matter if you're surrounded by loving people. You just feel bad. Unfortunately, that's part of the disability. Yes, pills/medications/exercise/meditation can work but, we must all remember that we're all unique/special people that a just because one thing(s) work for one person doesn't mean that it's going to work for the next. Find a hobby that you like and try to get really good at it. I'm trying to get better at baking so that I can have my own mini business and make money. Because, seriously...... As someone that works (trying to find work) in the field of education, you don't get paid enough and the benefits aren't that great (especially if you don't get hired and/or are a teachers aide/assistant). There are lots of people leaving this industry for that reason and because of lack of respect from (what I've heard) co-workers, other staff, the kids, and/or their parents/family members. In all honesty, we're not really the ones with the problem. It's society that has the issue. Whether it's a neighbour, friend, family member, etc. I've heard in front of my face the parents of people with learning issues say the worst things ever about their kid. One person was called a worthless fat fu%^. The same person's parents said that they're as stupid as another family member that has issues with memory and a very short attention span. One parent said that because their kid was female with multiple disabilities that they didn't want them to succeed in life the way that they wanted to. They didn't want their child to get a degree in something that would earn them a lot of money, any type of financial independence, marriage, kids, etc. So basically, the parent wanted their child to live with them, help cook, clean, organise things around the house, etc. Things that doesn't give the kid (who's 43 now btw) any sense of accomplishment at all. Ofcourse, the parents will deny any wrongdoing. This is typical behaviour (from what I've hears/read) of parents with disabled kids. There is a website (an app that you can download on your cell phone) called Meet Up. This site/app is filled with social groups of various interests. There are boardgames groups, religious groups, sci fy groups, etc. Join one of those groups to find friends. Be with people that have similar interests as you do. I can find it difficult at times because most of the people on these meet up groups are older than I am. I'm 43 years old. Most of these people are 50 and up. I wish you lots of luck with finding a social group, getting medication that can help you feel better about your disability, etc.

[STEM_Dad]

Since ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, it will always be with us.

Medication is the #1 most effective treatment for over 90% of us.

Feeling like a loser is a mental state, a self-image issue. Some types of medication might help some with mood, but what you believe about yourself is what you perceive.

Thanks to neuroplasticity, we can make changes in our brain about what we think. Things that can help improve our minds via neuroplasticity include: mindfulness, meditation, education, reading , journaling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other therapies, social engagement, and exercise. (Yes, exercise can have many positive effects on the brain, not just the body.)

Unfortunately, we can't completely rewire our brains via neuroplasticity or train our neurons to process dopamine better.

There's no cure for ADHD. But the ways to treat ADHD continue to improve, both in the number of possible treatments and the effectiveness of certain ones.

...It does take time, persistence, and a lot of trial-and-error to figure out what treatments work best for you, because we're all different.

[Zilmita in reply to STEM_Dad]

I agree with what you wrote. I wish that there were more out there for people like us. This is one of the only sites where people can come to ask questions and comment on issues that others are having. There isn't any physical building where events/activities are held on a weekly bases for people in our population. This is sad and very frustrating. I've done 5 K's in which the event raised money for Autism Speaks which is an organisation that does research, studies, etc for people with autism. Why can't we have something like that? It's like society doesn't want us around. If we don't create a group that meets once a month no one else is going to do it. Maybe that's what we should do. Who agrees with me? An actual group should be formed to meet once (at least) a month to do a fun event/activity together. Is there anyone located within the Wake Forest, North Carolina area? I moved here about 4 ½ months ago. If someone does live within Wake Forest let's meet up somewhere soon. There is this really cool local coffee shop in downtown Wake Forest called the Coffee Shop. Their iced vanilla chai coffee is fantastic. I also love their coffee muffins. Yummy!!!! So, whomever wants to meet let's decided on a time and day.

[MorningDanceTrece]

For me just finding out that I have Inattentive ADHD which is a medical condition that I didn't give to myself automatically helped me to stop feeling like a hopeless loser.

This is an idea to consider:

**Remind yourself regularly that you have a medical condition that you didn't give to yourself and it's not your fault that you are the way you are.

You have coding in your brain so to speak and algorithms that make you think and do things in a certain way that actually makes sense to your brain and that that's not bad.

It's okay.**

I hope that you find that helpful.