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This stuff is supposed to be pretty cut and dried. And it is scary how much it is not well known by a lot of the medical community.
First thing. Get a doctor that has multiple ADD patients on medication.
Stuff from the past bothering you once you figure out you have ADD is part of it. Yeah! Now, get as even as you can with an experience doctor/psych. Eventually, what I had to do was to re-think my past experiences. Get my med regime correct. Then stop referencing everything to ADD. It does effect everything. Life is there and if you have ADD, it is good to know and understand, but, do not cripple yourself by referencing everything to your ADD.
A lot of people also have PTSD with their ADD. I do. I take an SSRI for that (generic Zoloft) and Ritalin long acting for the ADD. I function well without the Ritalin. I also know what does not work well when I do not take it. I prefer taking it. Yeah, it would be nice if I did not have to... it would be great if we did not have to take medications..... yadda yadda.
I really like the clarity that I live with today. I really like the internal peace that I live with today. If that is because I take medication because I am wired differently, so what.
If I am living in the woods, and my deadlines are loose, and there are no radios, TVs, large groups of people, etc. I probably would not need Ritalin or SSRIs. If you have deadlines, work pressures, deadlines, responsibilities, add in a couple abusive people throughout the day, I need to be on my game. Meds get me there. I have read and done self help stuff like there is no tomorrow. I took Ritalin and the first day, I literally could throw all the self help books in the garbage. And I did for the most part.
It starts with a good Doctor who knows this area like the back of his hand. Unfortunately, there are really very few helpful areas to help someone find a good doctor in this area. Especially when if you know it, it is really pretty easy and straight forward.
Good luck in your journey, You really should attend some of the groups in Chicago and elsewhere. Join Chadd and ADDA and go to seminars. You will get a leg up a lot faster if you connect to some groups and hear some seminars. Doing it alone is the hard way and it takes a lot out of you. And get a leg up on it so you can get back to life and reduce your focus on the ADD. And you will be able to.
Peace
Tom P
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