Megan's Adventures

Women and ADHD

I just wrote another article called Women and ADHD I am one of those women who was diagnosed in her early thirties, just two short years ago.  Looking back on my life after I was diagnosed it was as if a light bulb went off in my head.  A-ha so that has been what has been going on with me.  I had no idea what was wrong I just knew something wasn't right -- my ex-husband knew it way before I did.  I didn't listen to him though because it sounded to me like criticism and not helpful advice. 

I have only been divorced for six months so calling him my 'ex-husband' still sounds odd.   Little did I know that people with ADHD are VERY likely to get divorced if left untreated.  WELL since I didn't know about it until AFTER we separated and the damage had been done I couldn't fix it.  I just hope that by learning more about it I can help myself for the future, along with my three daughters, and all of you who read my articles and blog. 

I have had a very hard time coping with my ADHD symptoms and all the emotional baggage that comes with it.  I have learned that being a wife and mother are very 'adhd' unfriendly jobs.  Boy did I wish I knew about it before I started that journey.  It would have made my life a little easier - I would've been able to make proper adjustments knowing that I had difficulties. 

One of the ADHD symptoms is that you are not very self observant.  Meaning that I wasn't aware of what I was doing and how I came across to others.  I didn't always realize that I had done something and would get very defensive if I felt someone was criticizing me "YET again" for something I wasn't even aware of.  It was very upsetting for me and those around me.   

I learned to build walls around myself to defend myself.  Walls that eventually harmed me more than helped but that is something I will save for another day.   My self esteem plummeted day after day as life got more complicated.  All because I was not only suffering from anxiety and depression but also ADHD.  The doctors treated the depression but depression medications didn't work for me. 

It took me many years to figure out what would work.  It wasn't until last June that I FINALLY figured out what would work for my depression.  It wasn't an anti-depressant at all but a mood stabilizer.  It was like the light was turned back on for me.  I was actually happy -- I had truly forgotten what that felt like.   I was very sad at the same time since, ironically I was in the middle of my divorce trial and being happy didn't quite mix so I'm sure I came off to others as "crazy megan" AGAIN.  Heck who isn't at a time like that! 

Well jump forward to now and I can honestly say I'm not LAZY, STUPID OR CRAZY.....I'm just ADHD.

It's already 4 am -- I was on a roll and got ALOT accomplished today -- hyperfocus! Use it while you've got it!! So when you go visit my site to view the article don't forget to sign up for my mailing list and you'll receive a free copy of How to Conquer Attention Deficit Disorder

That's it for now!

Megan

TGIF!

TGIF -- well almost.   Seems my middle daughter is now sick with this horrible stomach virus that won't leave my family alone!!  Ok so I'm being a 'little' dramatic but it seems that one of us has had it in some form for the last few weeks.  Amazing that I've accomplished anything at all.  Being a single mom is hardest when you have sick kids.  Being an ADD mom makes it even tougher.

Something I discovered while I was not feeling well myself was that I had a tendency to not want to take my add meds.  I felt that I was too sick to be needing the use of my brain I guess...lol.  What I found was that I felt more functional on my meds even when I'm sick.  That surprised me alot.  I was wondering if add symptoms are more obvious when you are sick?  I sure felt like my brain was in this fog - more than usual.  Has anyone else had this happen to them?  I would love to hear from you! 

Don't forget to visit my website and click on "my yahoo" to add my blog to your yahoo page so you don't miss any of my posts.   http://www.adhd-made-simple.com/ADHD-Blog.html 

Don't forget to read my article - Can diagnosing ADHD be as simple as an eye test?  at my web site - (it's towards the bottom of the page)  http://www.adhd-made-simple.com/adhd_diagnosis.html   

And don't forget to sign up for my monthly ezine while you're there. 

Coming up for air

Well I took my daughter to the doctor last week and ended up admitting her back into the hospital due to dehydration.  She perked up right away after they started the IV.  After 10 hours at the hospital and carrying her all over the place, I wasn't too surprised when I woke up the next morning feeling yucky myself.  I'm still feeling really bad almost a week later.  I'm hoping I can shake it off soon. 

I'm hoping to get my blog posted on my web site today.  I have it set up with an RSS Feed so you can be notified when I post an update.  My web site is www.adhd-made-simple.com just in case you find me some other way.  Don't forget to sign up for my ezine while you're there.   And let me know what you want more information about so I can be sure to put it on my site. 

I'm finding more and more references to ADD/ADHD on TV and in articles.  Sadly some of them are very misleading and upsetting to me.  Just last week I heard Dr. Phil telling someone that because she "could focus" and clean up her clutter sometimes means she most likely does NOT have ADHD.  That is just not true.  People with ADHD have an amazing ability to 'hyperfocus' when needed.  Especially if adrenaline is involved and you have company coming!  We can focus at times but we just can't always control when that will be.   I'll talk more about this in future posts.  Right now I've got to go feed my daughters some dinner. 

Welcome Back!

Hi Everybody!  Sorry it has been so long since my last post.  Sadly my life kinda spiraled out of control for a while and then being the typical Add'er I forgot about my blog.  I still have lots going on in my life but thought that now might be the perfect time to start writing again.  It is just after 6 am and I've been up since 4:30 am -- usually I am the opposite.  I am very much the night owl, but the last few days have pushed my stress level into overdrive.  Sadly sleep is even more elusive at a time when I need it the most. 

My youngest daughter is 4 now and has had a rough few days.  It started on Thursday with a trip to the dentist to put on a crown since she got a cavity 'between' her teeth -- didn't know that was possible til recently.  She started throwing up later that evening and I assumed it was just the stomach flu until early Saturday morning when she looked so weak and was burning up with fever.  I rushed her to the ER and had to be strong for her while they ran tests on her.  Nothing breaks your heart more than seeing your child sick or in pain.  After almost 4 hours there they determined she did have stomach flu that turned into pneumonia.  She seemed a little better the last couple days even though she was still not her active self.  She started getting sick again last night so I'll take her back to the doctor today. 

On top of that I have a couple neighbor girls that are being mean to my older two daughters.  As if I needed to deal with them right now.  Sadly little girls can be so mean sometimes.  Ironically they had a class on bullying yesterday at school.  Apparently they didn't 'get it' that they were doing just that.   I have faith that this will be resolved quickly.  I have no tolerance when it comes to mean and nasty people.  I don't care how old they are.  I'll let you know what happens. 

I will start posting more regularly now.  I have it written on my calendar!  I am excited to keep a running log of my life and my thoughts on ADD/ADHD.   Some days I wonder if life might be easier if I didn't have ADD but then again I wouldn't be the fun, creative person that I am without it. 

The Journey begins...

Wow! Hard to believe spring starts tomorrow. Yesterday was so beautiful and sunny you would've thought it was already spring. Today is cloudy but it is still warm - 81 degrees. It could be worse, I heard it snowed in parts of the country this week. I love sunshine, it makes me feel so happy and alive. I hope it comes out some today and at least says hello to me.

I have been taking better care of my health lately trying to ease my low level depression and lagging energy levels. I will not take antidepressants again. I took them in the past and had horrible withdrawal symptoms. I am taking more vitamins and minerals and eating healthier. I am going to start walking outside more now that it is almost spring.

I've been spring cleaning with the kids during their Spring Break. I have three daughters 8, 6 and 3. I bought them a teacup chihuahua FINALLY a couple weeks ago. They are loving this dog sooo much. His name is Tristan and he is spoiled rotten already. He is already housetrained and hardly ever barks. He's a big change from my husky/malamute "mutt" Amber who died last October at the age of 14. Amber always wanted to be a little dog and was so sweet. I miss her alot. My youngest daughter talks about her the most which surprises me.

I have started listening to my holosync meditation tapes again and they make such a huge impact on my happiness and energy levels. I always avoided traditional meditation because it was impossible for me to keep my mind quiet. With these tapes I don't have to do anything but listen to them and the tapes do the work. I don't know how a tape can make me so happy but it does. Things don't seem to bother me like they used to. I recommend them highly!!

I need to go fix my daughters some breakfast and get some work done today. I love working at home. My life is great!!