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I was just wondering how many people know or perahps feel they are ADHD and how, if you do feel like that do you cope with things on a daily basis?
I had terrible trouble in school, I went a catholic boarding school in a Benedictan monastery, was beaten for not working, being lazy in school work, couldn't understand maths highest was 7%, but did really well in art, english language, and other languages, but bad in english literature as I never read the books.
Anyway hated the monks and the church after leaving school (7-18 years old)and have never gone back to any of that, aprt from weddings and funerals.
Life has been good and a struggle too, it always worked when I was touring in the music business, we had an itinerary and knew on a daily basis exactly what we had to do.
Having your own business in a foreign country has been a rollercoaster ride. It works though.
Its only in the last year while talking to an english studio photographer friend who lives here after moving back from years of living in LA, who also found out at 50 that he is ADHD, that the puzzle bits are coming together.
I went to the same specialist Doctor, one of the top guys over here who is now 60 and ADHD himself, and went through a very long and detailed....whatever you call it "utredning" in swedish, funny how you lose some english words after 20 years! Just that in itself was a huge relief for me both at home and at work, and now trying out different levels of medication to see how much more focused I am, and how easier it is to get things going, and not get distracted.
So far so good.
According to him he has lots of creative type patients, he showed me some brain pictures of how an ADHD brain reacts to mathmatical problems, that put a few things in perpective.
Only 2 of many had said they thought their creative side was affected by medicine, so when they designed they were "normal" and when they wanted to focus on production etc they took their medicine.
Just wondered how things function for other signfolk?
I inherited genetic problems from a father with an IQ over 140!!!! Not quite his level. My best "official" score was only 132.
He was a very creative artist, architect, designer, painter, airbrush artist, advertising guru. Ended up owning and runnng largest Advertising Agency in Perth, Australia.
BUT he lived in his own world! He never related or shared with anybody who couldn't keep up with his "pace".
I never even got to speak to him after he walked away from the family when I was 14. Never saw a penny of his millions when he died a lonely old man.
He never taught me anything about art or anything. Figure it out yerself kid!
Fortunately what I did inherit from my mother's genes was loving, caring and sharing.
Only problem today is the body is not keeping pace with what my brain wants it to do!
I always have to many things happening at once.
I want everything finished before I start.
I am my own worst critic!
Otherwise sane
[ February 01, 2009, 10:22 AM: Message edited by: Jon Butterworth ]
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I know it is way over diagnosed. Hey, you made it this far in life doing fairly well, how bad can it be. BTW, there were no beatings in the Catholic school when I attended, but when I went to public high school I experienced a little of that. (A few I deserved.)
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Bob, forget butterflies .... try concentrating on the different patterns in the snow flakes landing in your driveway .... there's never one the same! Like fingerprints.
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I think labels do get thrown around, and some kids would do better with better parenting rather than medication. On the other hand, I know several people who have benefited from getting treatment.
My sister has a son that is always polite and well behaved, but has trouble staying focused on tasks. He has tended to walk around in a daydream and school was becoming a challenge. After some testing he was diagnosed with having a type of ADD and he started taking medication. His grades have improved dramatically, and his teacher said she felt like saying, "Welcome to class!".
A guy I used to work with decided to go to college after he got treatment for ADD. He said he had always had trouble studying before, and for the first time in his life he felt he could really focus. People do learn to cope, but if there is a genuine problem, it makes sense to me to try to find a solution.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Henry, please take the time to read this post.
In 1997 our daughter was in grade 11 and came to me and asked to be checked for ADHD. All her life she had been extremely creative and extremely disorganized. She was diagnosed with fairly severe ADHD and wanted to start medication. We were reluctant to do that as she was a good student and had survived just fine up until that point. In the end we gave in to the doctor and her wishes. Within 4 days of starting the medication she had her first psychotic break. We have been told since that she likely had a genetic weakness towards mental illness and the Dexedrine (a drug similar to Ridalin) most likely triggered it. There is no way for us to know if the illness would have come regardless, but there isn't a day that goes by in my life that I don't wish that I had stuck with my instincts and kept her off medication.
The difference in her on the medication was amazing, she was focused, organized and motivated. However she also had some severe "rebound" when the medication wore off and the emotions that had been suppressed would seem to hit her all at once.
I just want people to be aware that the mind is regulated by a fragile chemical cocktail, emotions like love, hate, fear can completely alter our perception. Alcohol, street drugs, prescription drugs, even the foods we do or don't eat change that balance. I could write a book on what I have learned since our child lost her future to mental illness, yet I know almost nothing... What frightens me so badly is how little the medical and science world know as well. There are those who struggle so badly with the simplest tasks that the drugs are needed. I just want everyone to understand the risks involved.
I fit the ADHD profile to a T, they could use me as the poster adult. I actually tried Niki's medication, not something that I should admit, but I did. It made a huge difference, but it also brought an edginess or slight shift in perception that frightened me. My choice is to celebrate my differences, accept my shortcomings and work with them the best I can. If anyone is interested, I could recommend a few good books that I felt helped me learn to work with who I am.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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I speak from experience on Cody only, not myself. But here's one mother's perspective on treating early for ADHD symptoms.
Being very anti-medicine myself, I watched Cody's struggles early. I couldn't figure out why what he did always seemed to drive me and teachers to the brink of frustration. Why was I such a terrible parent because nothing worked so that must be it?!? Teachers had the same issues with him. Most everything was tried. Until the last resort was before us. Medication.
Those that are close to me know of my dreadful internal struggles with this decision. To me it spelled death for some reason. I worried he'd be a zombie, plus all those horror stories you still hear of.
Well, no death occured. I swallowed my pride and we moved forth. Cody's education and my sanity depended on it at this point.
Cody's world changed overnight. We had a few trials and tribulations to figure out, but we started too low to test tolerance (against doc's orders, he wanted much higher), switched from one form to another when it wasn't working to our satisfaction (against doc's orders, wanted us to wait it out) and found the magical type and amount.(amount still too low according to doc) Moral? Docs were utilized for their ability of their education on the stuff. YOU now need to make sound decisions that work for your cause.
Cody's reading level at grade 3 went from a 4 to 20 in one year. Do you have any idea what it was like to finally sit with him and he magically started putting letters together to form words?!? I cried.
He started making real friends for the first time because he was now calm enough to relate appropriately with them, not just bug them. He could now focus on the tasks and stop fiddling around rather than just fiddle around because he couldn't concentrate on the tasks. He started to learn.
Today he is a year behind his studies. But he's slowly gaining.
And, I continue to test his need for the meds and their amount. Never make the mistake of giving/taking without monitoring. He may not need it one day! Plus, you build intolerance to it requiring more. And you could only imagine how I feel about that. So on weekends, we generally go without. On Monday morning, we start off with a very low dose to wean him back in.
When he's on it, his writing is METICULOUS and tight. It's like you've typewritten his work. Off it, it looks like chicken scratch, very large/loose and not very legible. That right there says volumes on what his head is doing.
One of the most profound things I've learned was from Cody himself. I asked him one day,
"What does it feel like when you take your medicine?"
"I can hear the teacher."
According to him, his head is just abuzz with all else going on around him and at times he ASKS for his meds because "They make me happy." Meaning, he can do as requested, rather than fiddle around because he can't 'hear' what's being said. Try sitting in a room where you're bored out of your tree because you don't understand what's being taught, so you have to do something. That was all day at school for him before. He now LOVES school.
Never once have I viewed him as zoned out or anxious. To me, a medicine works when it enhances your life, not takes away from it. Cody on it is an extremely happy go lucky willing to please kiddo. Off it, he's argumentive, pushes buttons to the point of way beyond limitations and needs MUCH cooling off time in his room between instructions due to disobedience.
The difference is astounding and like night and day some days. Diet to a degree and activity level both make differences too.
So where does the adhd come from? Various. Google it if you like as I could write a book on that too. With Cody's own situation, I don't really know but I have a good idea. After years of blaming myself for being that 'lousy parent' that Russ speaks of, much later after Cody was already put on meds and after years of testing, I found out his birthmom took crystal meth every day of her pregnancy. Cody's birth brother is off the ricter (sp?) charts with issues to the point I can only handle being around him for an hour max. Out of control, disobedient, disrespectful. Cody off meds is 100 times in a better place than that. So upbringing does indeed have some play in this as Chase had a poor start in life, however Chase's pradicament was extreme, as he lived in a drug house.
I'm a believer in good parenting for sure. But my definition of good parenting isn't one that simply demands their child to behave. Some don't have the built in mechanics to go that one alone.
A good parent seeks all that is possible in order to enable their child the best life that is possible for them. And if that means abit of medication for the timebeing, imo, you have no other choice but to at the very least try.
I've talked to Henry about his ADHD issues, and my advice was, "All you can do is try. If it works, it works. If it takes away, it's not right for you."
Just remember, a doctor isn't God. We ultimately have to listen to ourselves along WITH a doc's advice. Do your homework and open up your mind. It could change your life.
edited to add:
I just read Kelly's post. That is the kind of post that would have frightened me to not do what I've done for Cody. Yet all the same, holds incredible true life education on what could happen, plus added value for what I write next.
Just remember, everyone is different. Your needs will shift to that. And at times, you won't know until you try.
Kelly, FWIW, Cody's first attempt at meds was the stuff your daughter took. I yanked him off that stuff so fast our world tilted. I wasted $$$ wanting it as far away from us as possible. The med gave him a wonderful day, BUT the side effects coming off after one day were harsh and beyond what I considered life enhancing. And my main point is, in the end I personally didn't listen to the doc. I listened to our needs first. One med from another can make a drastic difference. I'm sorry your daughter had a bad experience.
And Kelly's right. You also have to find what works for you in your particular world. Cody's world requires much activity to expend that energy. We're on the move alot. And no doubt we'll continue to filter his energy into hopefully something productively useful for his future. One day at a time.
[ February 01, 2009, 01:11 PM: Message edited by: Donna in BC ]
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I'm not always that good at putting things down here with one finger especially when I'm in my shop to renovate the kitchen chairs and table, so everybody has been eating offtheir knees the last week.
Thanks Kelly, I'm really sorry for your experience, I have read and re-read posts, I listened alot to Donna when we talked about Cody in October.
I had talked to Ian earlier in the year (photo friend), it was before visiting Yarrow last year that I applied to go through the process of finding out "utredning" god knows what that is in english? It was over 1000 questions spread out over several weeks both on line, in person, with different people, and other computer tests, then all the information was put together, and I went back for a session to go through it all.
He went through scales explaing a "normal" person and then how I rated which was really high.
This all very coincidentally started 2 days after returning from Yarrow, I was in abit of a mess when I came back.
I felt like crap when I got back, I had a really wonderful time with some very special people, it was a really great experience, so many that shared the same interests gathered together, and then suddenly back with all the problems we all have to solve on a daily basis, trying to get some order in the kaos. The trip to the Doc was well timed, I was really sad driving the hour trip out to him, I don't know why some sort of release.
For me that whole time of finding out and then talking about it with Åsa, and talking to my family in England gave us answers to so much that had happened as kids and between me and my brother and sisters.
So that all was a big thing for me even before any medication was suggested or prescribed.
Over here the medication starts by getting the morning dose right 1/2 tablet 2 days and then increase by half every 2 days until it feels right, with weekly visits to talk about it, sheets to fill in daily with times of doses, how long it lasts, lots of boxes to fill in with, how you feel regards being focused concentration, etc etc in whatever grade like none, little, OK, alot etc.
Then another section for side effects and another section for rebound.
This they do over 12 weeks,I seem to have found a dose that works all day, I had some stomach issues early on but took ProBiotics which helped all that, have no other problems apart from a dry mouth, and suck on fluoride tabs for that.
Its not some miracle overnight fix, but it does make focusing on things much better, its easier to listen, I feel that I function much better both at work and at home.
Had a friend who doesn't take his at the weekend, but my doc said people often think holidays and time with the family you can forget it, it actually improves things there too
When I worked in the music business, there was lots of coke and amfetamine everywhere, I wondered how this could work, in the way it does, when you remember back to those days gone by, you get a pleasant buzz, you're happy and life is easier.
I asked about long term use, he had found that patients doses went down rather than up, the average in an adult was 6-7 10mg tabs a day.
See now I got too focused here and started writing a book, I have to fix the chairs as for most of you its sunday morning, its 8pm over here!
I just think its an interesting subject around creative people, and like David says, it maybe is over diagnosed, and I like Kelly and Donna would think long and hard about treating kids, but as an adult its made life alot easier, and calmer in the right way.
I joked with Åsa in the begining, standby for zombie mode, but its not like that.
Maybe I should remeber not to take 2 and then post here, as it produces verbal diarrea or however you spell it
quote:Had a friend who doesn't take his at the weekend, but my doc said people often think holidays and time with the family you can forget it, it actually improves things there too
It sure can Henry. At times I do treat Cody on weekends and docs generally say don't take the 'holidays' if the person needs it. I gauge this one accordingly.
If I rattle particularly easily at a given time, I know what the answer is to salvage our mom/child relationship. It sounds selfish, but if you really think about that one, it's for the benefit of both/all. An angerless day is like a day in paradise. For both of you.
posted
I don't want to say do or don't medicate. Just be informed, weigh the risks and follow your instinct, in the end, it seems to be the most trustworthy factor.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Henry, life these days likes to give everyone tags or labels. If medication works for you then that's great but I find medication to be a double edged sword.
I was diagnosed at age 18 with having a severe anxiety disorder. I was diagnosed anti-depressant medication, I had severe side affects with the first two and the third one I had an allergic reaction to that nearly killed me. I've been following a purely holistic, organic and natural therapy regime since then. I have good days and bad days still but I'm so please I chose a drug free route. I have watched two of my best friends chose the medicated role. Both of them took their own lives after extended periods of the drugs that were meant to cure their "Problem"
Your mind is an incredible thing and its amazing how working on yourself can change your automatic responses and reactions to things.
I like to say that normal is just a setting on a washing machine because there are certainly days where I feel like a complete nutcase (some of my friends would describe me as one too!!).
If you've come through life struggling each day you're no different to the rest of us. Use what techniques work for you and feed off the energy of those that love you and know you best.
-------------------- Anne McDonald 17 Karnak Crescent Russley Christchurch 8042 New Zealand
"I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure" Posts: 877 | From: Christchurch | Registered: Sep 2006
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I'm "borderline ADHD" and wouldn't change for anything. I focus just fine and have an abundance of energy for what I find interesting. I think my disinterest in dull stuff affected my score.
-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Interesting thread. I grew up with ADD along with the meds.. Which later in life led to Coke and a real nasty Meth Habit. (Clean 15 years now)
I can't really say I have it under control as I am all over the place as most of you know from when I try to write something intelligent. But I do kinda look at a gift as I really get some off the wall ideas and sometimes Far and between there not half bad.
You learn to deal with it. See ya later.. "Look a shiny thing"
If any one aspect applies, I have always been happiest when I have 14 things going on at once and am under the gun to finish them. Too busy has always been more comfortable to me than not busy. Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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Hmmmm, after a lifetime of being me, I should seek medical help immediately? I think I'll pass. In all honesty the books I referred to earlier have been a great help in understanding and coping. Having six kids and being on a non stop schedule for 20 years was great training too. My busy mind is what fuels my creativity, there is no point A to B paths in my head, but organizational challenges have made running my own business difficult.
For those of you who really struggle, you may want to check out SKOACH I used the beta version for a period of time. The creators were interested in how it could be adapted for use in the Sign Business ...but I got distracted. Viva la difference!
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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My neighbor is a self-proclaimed adult ADHD sufferer BEFORE the adult diagnosis hit the streets. In a million different directions at once, forgets everything, but is energetic, fun to be around and EXTREMELY creative in construction methods.
His second daughter was diagnosed with ADD and is on meds for it. Complete change in concentration. grades went up etc. The oldest daughter is a focused super-achiever and the youngest is a bright active girl.
So in his case, 1 in 3 ended up with his circumstance.
I also think Donna hit it on the head too with her statement " I found out his birthmom took crystal meth every day of her pregnancy."
This cannot be discounted. My sister did not lay off the alcohol or pot with any of her 4 kids. Her 25 year old knows he is messed up because of that...he stops mid conversations and cannot process what people are saying, but is a brilliant IT progammer.
The next child (15 years old) goes into staring trances and has difficulty having normal interactions with people his own age or older.
The third child will have nuclear meltdowns at any time over any little item. It's honestly like she's possessed by a demon. Kicking, screaming, irrational behavior-she's 13.
The last one (11)does not interact with other people well and gives them all scowls when they try to talk to her.
It is difficult when you put these kids in the same environment with my neighbor's 3 kids or any other kids their age at a party. They become ostracized because they can't comprehend how they are supposed to function at the appropriate age.
My sister does not believe in mainstream medicine and doctors and relies on herbs etc for "relief." So since pot and alcohol are technically "natural", that is what they rely on. They do not go to doctors "because doctors are quacks and are supported by the pharm. industry and are just 'mouthpieces' to make money for large corporations and the government." Yeah, deal with that...
Like giving my nephew (11 years old at the time) enough whiskey to get him buzzed and then pulling his tooth out with a pliers. He was loaded until the next day. But going to the dentist was not an option because "there are more germs there and the tooth will get infected".
She thinks they are normal kids. But everyone who meets them asks if "something is wrong" with them. I half "joke" that it is the "residual effect"-which I truly believe.
I also agree that it can be handed down, like other mental diseases.
-------------------- Nikki Goral Image Advantage Signs 4050 Champeau Road New Franken, WI 54229 920-465-4500 "Finish every day and be done with it. Tomorrow is a new day."-Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 928 | From: New Franken, WI (East Green Bay) | Registered: Jun 2007
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From the current number of replies to this post I'd say 24 have admitted to having ADHD. The first step towards a cure. The rest can't even hold themselves together long enough to answer. Now get back to work!!
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I was just thinking as I was reading all these entries(amazing for me in itself),that Henry has opened such an important topic that is not only frighteningly real, but amazingly cutting-edge science in human behavior modification. Still unfamiliar territory even now. The reason I replied is because when I met Henry and his lovely wife Asa, I and my wife were having the trip of our lives at Stewey and Avs' meet in Callander, Scotland. At a unique little get-together, Henry disclosed to me that he did a bit of work for Bruce Springsteen, whom we all know as a famous American pop rock star. I knew from history that Mr. Springsteen could not continue attending high school for what could very well be the reasons discussed here and left at seventeen(I think) to form his "band". To make a long story short, after several years and as many refusals to perform at the Super Bowl,(reported fees in the multi-millions for a 12-15 minute set)does so this year for several reasons, one, to promote his new album,(at 59 years old, a wise advertising venture) another, to honor a request from a member of his band (who died of skin cancer) to warn people to protect themselves against the sun. I just thought of you, Henry, when Springsteen was on at the half-time show and thought...WOW. I know a cool sign guy who used to work for that guy. So, this is my way of saying "Hey Henry, although you may not remember me,I'm glad to hear you're alive and well and still kickin' doin' what you love to do and dealin' with all the quirky things in life, just like your "old boss". From presidents to paupers, we're all in it. No, I'm not stoned, even though that was always an option for so many things I've had to deal with in life. To be honest, I have a hard time framing my own pictures. It's silly the way I carry on struggling with something that seems so simple...
-------------------- David C. Petri Flying Peach Custom Paint Green Bay, WI 54302 cell 920-246-7821 Posts: 79 | From: Green Bay, WI | Registered: Jun 2006
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I was diagnosed severe ADHD quite a few years ago. Ritalin literally saved my life. I know now that I was born with ADHD but 4 head injuries later, I am severe.
I have fallen out of a moving vehicle and fractured my skull at the age of about 4.
At 13 I fell off of a horse and my head hit a rock and I was knocked out. I don't know how long I was out but 2 days later I was I the hospital with a concussion.
When I was about 29, I was out in the woods with hubby while he was cutting trees and one fell the wrong way and hit me square on top of my head. I was never hospitalized but I know that I had another concussion. Then in 2005 when my building flooded and I was eposed to black mold for 8 mos. , the Dr. said that I either had a head injury or I was having mini strokes.
I knew that I had to do something one day (before the mold experience) when I was driving home one day and I saw 3 cars tailgating each other coming in the opposite direction. I spaced out, crossed the middle line and almost took out all the cars. It was a scarey time.
So I am now on Ritalin every day.
[ February 03, 2009, 09:45 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I have self diagnosed ADD, or as I normally refer to it "the attention span of a gnat".
I consider it to just be part of who I am, I'm not interested in taking meds to fix it. But on bad days, the meds look reaaaal good.
I think it's possible to acquire it. When I went back to college, the only way I could do 2 degrees in 2 years was to take 5 summer classes. Take a 16 week course, cram it into 10 and multiply that by 5. I knew it would be rough, but the day after I scheduled, the temp agency I worked for wanted me to work an outage. Working 7 10s, fulltime summer class schedule, I'd leave 6:30 am get off work at 5:20, be in class by 6, home between 9 & 10:30. I have not been able to just sit & watch a tv show or movie since that semester, always have to be doing something else. I never have less than 3 windows or programs open and am constantly flipping back & forth. I never had problems in high school.
I really think part of it, or some people that have it, have it because of busy lifestyles. We are all so busy, we have to think about 20 things at once. After a while, that becomes the norm and it's hard to concentrate when you have so much on your mind. But I think some do have it due to a true chemical issue.
I agree with Russ, that labels do get thrown around too often. I also think a lot of kids need better parenting instead of a diagnosis to for them to use as an excuse. Yes, there are legitimate cases, but I'd be willing to bet for each of those, there is also a parent who took their kid to specialist after specialist til they were given a "diagnosis" so they didn't have to take responsibility for the brat they raised due to their own total lack of parenting. I know someone who never corrected their kid or in any way acted like a parent, then the kid started school & they started getting calls from the school every day. She took her kid to I think 7 doctors before she was given a diagnosis. The other 6 docs were quacks of course, cause they said there was nothing wrong with the kid.
Oh, as for the test, I scored an 83 and should seek medical attention immediately. That bold part probably isn't a good thing is it?
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Its really Strange how so many peoples Symptoms and Cures Vary.. I for one would never take Ritlin again. I hear so many people say it helps them and for me it was the worst thing I ever used when I was a kid.. Made me Lethargic and Dumbed me down. (and never stopped dumbing me )
Donna was asking me about my experiences with it and I now I am really afraid I may not be such a big help as everyone is so different.
But when it came to the illegal drugs they actually did help me until a certain threshold was craossed then it was speedy Gonzales on crack. Which almost killed me.
posted
not much to say right now, except a comment to the "concept" of a drug-free way... when dealing with the chemical make-up of our own brain wiring, as someone else said earlier... there is a complex chemical cocktail already at play here, with dopamine and other known psychoactive chemicals existing as "natural" components of our own physiology at birth... These various chemicals, occurring at various levels can sometimes exist out of balance, and I believe a properly prescribed supplement can bring the various chemical levels back in balance...
...therefore, sometimes not not taking medicines brings us under the undesirable effects of a chemical induced disorder, based on inappropriate levels of one or more "natural" chemicals of the brain, where taking a medicine to restore a desirable balance of the various chemicals affecting our mental state actually becomes the "drug-free" path in itself.
I don't know where I fit in the normalcy spectrum, but sometimes I am so lucid, focused & hyper capable of accomplishing my objectives, & setting high goals for myself, that I thoroughly enjoy striving for, and usually enjoy succeeding at... that I feel I have a little bit of a drugged sense of self compared to the majority of my peers, and I feel truly blessed with my state of being most of the time. On the other hand, I am also a loose cannon, that is in a good place the vast majority of the time... but I have a dark side too, and it doesn't lie too far beneath the surface, even though it stays there most of the time.
posted
I wasn't sure about posting something like this from the start,some people pass it off as a mdern fad, or an excuse for certain behaviour, I might have done the same myself, but in recent times its been a bigger issue for me.
Its interesting to read and hear how others feel whatever the views.
Of course we could all do an online test and self access ourselves, because I'm sure that most are affected by lack of concentration, disorganistaion, being impatient, putting things off, feeling overwhelmed by things that are actually quite manageable, drifting off in conversation, etc etc
I think its much more of an issue when its on a daily basis.
Of course you learn to live with it. Remembering back to school days when you did well in some subjects, and terribly in others.
I buy books (including 2 on ADHD lat year Delivered from Distraction, and Driven to Distraction), but just flit through picking at small parts, not because you're not educated, just beacuse you think and function abit differently. Its always been like that, I love books, but never read from cover to cover.
Having worked in an industry where cocaine, speed, etc is as commonplace as hamburgers, you see how the brain compensates for chemical inbalances, in how peoples moods were a day or so out of Holland or wherever, after they blew all their pd's
Getting the right balance is not an exact science, but changing daily input in small amounts seems to have good effect. Time will tell.
[ February 04, 2009, 08:04 AM: Message edited by: Henry Barker ]
posted
Bad experience spells out something was wrong for you. Doesn't get much simpler than that. It's just important to recognize the difference and do something that DOES work. Meds or no meds.
Meds was a last resort here after all else failed. That's important too.
Thanks Bill, your input did help. You put my above comment into proper perspective.
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