Help with Adult ADHD!!?

Question

My husband has had ADHD since he was a child. I've already read the symptoms and he displays almost all of them. He has an appointment to see a doctor this week. I'm looking for tips to help me cope with him. (It's been an uphill battle, I can't blame him though, it's not his fault). Also, can anyone recommend any medications and why?! Thanks.

Here are some details I left out. He's 23 years old and we've been married for over 3 years. He's had his ADHD since we've been married. I was attracted to him because he made me laugh and was/is so sweet. He's my complete opposite in the sense that I'm laid back, where as he's always "on the go". I can tell by the way he talks, he's on one subject and then off to another. He likes to stay busy too, loves to be outside, always doing something. I have to tell him to relax. I'm not "all for" medicine, I just need some help so I can better assist him and be a better, more loving wife. I can honestly say not all people are cut out for this.

Thank you, thank you. Ya'll have been very helpful.

Answer 1

When you are trying to have a conversation with him, make sure he is looking at your eyes. If he gets distracted, give him a signal to stay focused on what you are saying by tapping your face or chin with your finger. Help him as much as possible by providing a lot of structure at home. Certain times for certain things - - - mark it on a calendar. Buy him a small pocket calendar and make notations in it for him. ADHD people are very impulsive, so the longer you live with him, the more you will learn to anticipate what he might do and stay one step ahead. So you might want to be in charge of the finances.

You'll have to decide what things you can let go and put up with and what things you'll have to bring his attention to that you cannot live with. I hope he understands, and please assure him of your love, no matter what.

Medication can help tremendously. Years ago, my son took Dexedrine. Ritalin was horrible for him, but every individual is different. Your husband just needs to work with the doctor to find out what works best. Some people say not to go with medication, but in the case of ADHD, it is self-defeating sometimes to go it alone. It might at least be good to take medication until your husband can form life-long habits to help him cope without medication. My son took the Dexidrine for about 6 years, and now doesn't take anything because he has learned how to deal with his ADD successfully.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to take a notepad with you to your local library or to a big bookstore like Barnes & Noble and just spend the afternoon researching through the books they have available. There are SO many things to discover if you just do a little bit of homework on the subject. It will open up a new world of possibilities in helping you cope. Good luck!

P.S. - I was only familair with Ritalin & Dexedrine. They have several other drugs now for ADHD. You might want to go to this website and check out other patients' experiences with certain other drugs:

www.askapatient.com
When you go to this site look for RATE THIS MEDICINE
Then click on RX Drug Category
The actual drug category that treats ADHD is
Anorexiants/CNS Stimulants

Click on the reviews to see patient comments about the drug.

Answer 2

If your husband is very artistic and creative, works hard and plays hard yet doesn't seem to get tired, if he has bouts of minor depression or boredom......if this has always been the case.... he's probably suffering from extremely high independent creative thought. The best medicine for him would be plenty of encouragement to create, invent, and absorb information. These lame diagnosis's of hyper activity and attention deficit are just a cop out and a way to distribute synthetic medications to those Hyper Intellects. You don't see it, but that brain is working 24/7. Ask his parents about his past and look at what you saw in him that led you to marry him. If school was tough for him, the crowded room with scheduled subject study and limited subject, probably drove him nut's as he was thinking higher ( or about different subjects ) and the routine was interfering with his thought process. Bottom line,.. he has great talent that has been suppressed by routines and people who won't let him show what he has. Please understand that there is an endless list of famous people ( Singers, Artist's, Scientists, Presidents, Leaders......) that are now being diagnosed as having ADD, ADHD, AADD and AADHD. They all achieved greatness without the help of Synthetic Medication.

Now......, if he is a complete looser with not a lick of common sense...the take him anywhere you want.

Answer 3

I think I have it as well. I think I also had it a child. I'm not sure what meds. there are for adults but they do exist. I do know that they do not use Ritalin for adults. I'm not sure why he is so hard to cope with though! Maybe it is something more serious than ADHD! How old is he? Is he around the mid-life crisis age? Are you sure he's not abusing drugs or alcohol because that will certainly give you the same symptoms of ADHD. I hate to say it but is it possible that he's losing interest in your marriage and that is why it seems like he's not paying attention! He could also be suffering from depression, anxiety, or any of numerous emotional/mental disorders. Be patient with him but keep an eye on him and make sure he's not using drugs or drinking or hiding some secret that would make him act this way like cheating!

Answer 4

Hello,
I think I have ADHD myself but I've dealt with it so long that I've never taken anything, however it is getting more difficult. I know this because my son has ADHD and we have been through a lot with it. He was diagnosed at 7 yrs. we tried different diets. before going to medication.their are a lot of them and what works for one may not another. you have to try different dosees also it's a long process. You may have already found the CHADD org. which is a support group for people with ADD/ADHD .all I can say is it's an on going thing you just have to hang in there he will need meds if he is diagnosed with it. I'm sure you doctor will help you with it.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

i would recommend homeopathy - they have cure for add