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

Comments

[Mike]

A little FYI.

I learned in March that the Canadan FDA had pulled Adderall XR off the market. Reason: They believe it has kiiled 130 healthy kids. Canadan Doc's have not ID any other commonality other then the adderall. The USA FDA will not pull this product off the market. You can see the articl at:

http://www.crossroadsinstitute.org/newsletter/nlarticles/march2005/adderall.html

Some of these kids had underlying hart problems. One heck of a way to find out that you, or your kid has a hart problem's. I do not trust our FDA at all, so I've pulled my son off all meds. I'm dealing with it by keeping him busy, physially and mentally.

I started looking Växa's Attend and have only found GOOD info about, which worries me. Have you or anyone you've met online tried Växa's Attend or head anything about it?

Thanks

Mike
COS

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It was 12 kids.. not 130.

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[Christina]

Your article is very encouraging to me. I have dealt with a lot of the same issues. My current counselor suggested I may have ADD just last week. I went to my doctor to see about medications but she didn't seem to think I had ADD because I wasn't diagnosed as a child. I'm not giving up though. She did give me a referral to a psychiatrist. My marriage is at the brink of collapse. I'm not sure if it's too late to save it or not. Here's to hoping for the best. Good luck in your continuing treatment! :)

[Mark Yarbrough]

I struggled for years with inattention, difficulties with concentration and self-esteem issues, I didn't know that there was something that I had something that could be labeled until a few months ago I read an article about ADHD in a health magazine. The light came on, so many correlations to my own life. My doctor comfirmed my suspicions and chastised me for not telling him sooner. I know what it's like to have the light come on... to get one's life back.

[CS Tan]

Hi Megan, I am glad to know that you now know what has been ailing you. Best case scenario would have been to know it earlier so that you can remain married. Anyway, your case proves that ADHD is very real and that people should accept it and get treatment. I feel sorry for people who believe that ADHD does not exist and is something made-up by the powers that be for whatever motive they may have. As you have probably found out by now, not treating ADHD can have profound effects on your life at home, in school, at work and in society in general.

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[Leena]

Hi, I really enjoyed reading your articles, i am going to get myself checked for adhd as I too had an a-ha moment while reading about it. Thanks for your wonderful website and blog, and good luck to you :).

[CSelna]

I truly enjoyed your article being ADHD myself... I also did not find out until later in life; however I found out at the same time that I was dyslexic - both only discovered in my Freshman year in College! No wonder I was getting bad grades, and suffering through classes with teachers yelling at me without understanding what I was doing wrong.
I have a phrase I use often now: "By the time I was paying attention to it, I saw it backwards so I ignored it..."
On the good side, I have since found my own method of controlling my ADHD and had to take three painstaking years re-teaching myself how to read. I now am a VERY avid reader, and have become a Special Education teacher to boot - I'd much rather help all the kids I can who are in similar situations to what I was and help spot those who may need it - waiting until after school is done to find out you WEREN'T stupid and you WERE putting all your efforts out there just shouldn't happen anymore.
Thanks for your website and blog... Not to sure if you're still upkeeping it, but thank you for all the info! ; )