Resources for adults with ADD?

Question

I am in the process of being tested for a learning disability. Although I am very strong in some areas, I really struggle with a few others. For instance, I have a terrible memory, particularly for auditory learning. I am also horribly disorganized, and have to spend a large amount of time and energy keeping track of things. I have many many systems that I have developed to help me (to do lists, reminders, etc.), but even my systems are overlapped and inconsistent. For example, I'll lose the to do list and forget to look at the reminders. I feel constantly overwhelmed both at work and at home.

For those who have ADD, do these sound like symptoms? And if I am diagnosed, what resources are available to help me? How can I learn to better handle my learning style and avoid doing "double and triple work" in order to cover my bases and keep organized?

Answer 1

It certainly sounds like a form of ADD. There are medications that really do work. I have a child with ADD. I also believe that her dad is ADD. My child had gread success with medication. As she grew into an adult she found the need for the meds not as strong. When she entered her third year of college she had been off the meds for almost 3 years. She went back to her doctor for reevaluation and began taking medication again. The result was remarkable in that her GPA shot up and she was just a happier person.

We also have a close freind who wasn't diagnosed as ADHAD until he was fifty. He was living the life of a hermit. Sleeping all day, staying up all night, unable to work because he couldn't concentrate. At the urging of his wife he was tested and found to be ADHAD. He is now on medication and functioning remarkably well.

Some people despise medication. I feel that if it can turn your life around and make you feel better about yourself then why not try it.

We didn't just throw meds at our daughter. We took her to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis for extensive testing. They felt that she had such potential to excell it would be in her best interest to try medicaion. In 9 weeks her grades went from d's and f's to a's and b's.

You might ask about testing for Central Auditory Processing Disorder. This is an easy fix. Headphones help shut out the distractions coming at you in a noisey room and help you to focus on the task at hand.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

There are 2 books that may support you recognize and manage ADD...they're 2 of the equal sequence and are exceptional self-support books: Driven to Distraction, and Delivered from Distraction. You should purchase each on Amazon for less than $10.