Suffering in Ignorance

For all of my adult life, I have dealt with the frustrating effects of ADHD. Most depressing of all was that I didn’t KNOW I had ADHD until I was over 40 years old.

I have tried so hard to do my best and failed for as long as I can remember. Disorganization and forgetfulness was frustrating to those around me. They thought I was lazy. I was having a really difficult time trying to decide weather they were right, or if there was a reason that I couldn’t change it, no matter how hard I tried.

Epiphany

A situation that could have easily cause our house to burn down opened my eyes to the realization that this wasn’t just disorganization, forgetfulness, and down-right laziness as I really was beginning to believed. Standing in the kitchen cooking dinner, I heard my toddler in the bathroom calling out to me because he needed my help. I walked into the bathroom/laundry room to help my little guy out and the next thing I knew, I was folding laundry that had just finished drying, dinner long forgotten. The realization of what had happened cause a complete meltdown. I couldn’t take it any more. I was trying so hard and and still, I was failing those I loved the most.

Time for Action

I started doing research, starting with the book Driven to Driven to Distraction (Revised): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder.

I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Was this guy reading my mind? Almost everything he said described me to a tee.

I visited my doctor and for many years, I was on non-narcotic prescription drugs for ADHD. Organization was still an issue, as did focus. Life became more manageable, however, and my stress level went down significantly.

Sometimes Surviving is Not Enough

Recently, I had a major career change. I loved this new job. However, I quickly discovered that the prescription I was on was not doing enough. The demands of a corporate job required more focus than the medication was providing. I felt like I was drowning. And my new manager (Let’s call her Kathy) was working with the assumption that I had a normal brain. Ha! So was I, for that matter. I began to worried the relationship was going to be difficult and challenging.

New Information

During a conversation with a friend who also suffers with ADHD, she told me that she was taking a time-released prescription amphetamine. I began doing more research. I read some information online, watched some documentaries, and talked it over with my husband.

After much internal turmoil over the issue, and having weighed the pro’s and cons, I went back to my doctor. With her advisement I decided it was time to try this avenue with the hope that it would allow me to be productive to my fullest potential at the new job.

A Coach Makes All the Difference

My doctor started me off with the smallest dose and gradually increased it over the next new months. I decided it was time to sit down and have a discussion with Kathy. I told her everything; about the ADHD, my struggles with keeping my head above water, and the decision my doctor and I had made.

That was all it took. This amazing woman started working with me to find a system that would help me in staying organized and keeping track of things. She has been very instrumental in helping me. I appreciate her immensely.

For the first time, I felt like a fog had lifted; one that I had never know existed! I believe the drug was the second important component in changing my life. The first, and most effective was an incredible person that God brought into my life.

I have seen it stated repeatedly that having a life coach is very important to the success of someone with ADD or ADHD. If you truly love someone with ADHD, there is a way you can help. I am not telling you to enable them. This is not an excuse to justify their issues. They have to genuinely WANT to change. In my case, I did want to change. I just didn’t know where to find a coach.

Natural is Always Better

I want to make it clear; my hope is to stop taking all prescription drugs at some point. If you are just starting your journey (for yourself or with someone you love), I hope you are able to start with a natural course of treatment and find a good coach. I really believe a great coach (Thank you, Kathy. Your an angel!) is the most crucial piece of the puzzle.

Consult your doctor. Make an educated decision that’s best for you. Don’t try to figure this out alone and suffer in silence. I hope you find success. I pray for an end to your frustration. Its time to reach out and let someone help.

Those that were close to me were often unable to help. They were too close to the situation. Frustration, anger, impatience, and resentment will have no place in the coaching process. There are many books and resources out there for coaches. I am sure that Google and Amazon have a lot to offer on the subject. 🙂

Lord,

Please be with your dear child who is reading this blog post. Open the doors and give them the tools that they need to find the peace and support that they need.

In Jesus Name,
Amen