It's time for me get back to writing on my blog and Support for ADD E-News. I've taken time off from both of them but I'm ready to get back to writing. Before I start writing again I want to know what you, my readers, are looking for? What would you like to see in my blog and/or Newsletter? Let me know by posting a comment here on my blog. I'm really looking forward to reading your suggestions!
9 replies to "What do you want?"
Tara,
I would like to know is how to get started after a loss. I’ve been going through a terrible divorce which caused me to downsize from a house to a 2 bedroom apartment to a one bedroom within 18 months because I couldn’t afford anything bigger. I was the one who had to leave because my ex wouldn’t. Can you write about how ADHD affected your loss and the ability to get back on track .
Tara, I’d like to express my empathy for your recent, TREMENDOUS loss of your best friend. I too lost two close friends to cancer this summer, and I met someone in my meetup group who is the spitting imagine of one of them. Frightening. I also lost my brother’s family to Sweden (they moved there). And just lost a potentially really cool boyfriend to his ex-girlfriend. He’s as ADHD as I am, and we’re kindred spirits. But apparently the pull of a 4 year relationship (no matter how terribly dysfunctional it was) was too much to resist. Imagine having someone’s ex-girlfriend CALL you to do detective work. I’ve chosen to be friendly with both of them, because I don’t need any enemies and don’t want her to fear me (or be jealous). But so that’s my story of loss. And yet because I started a group coaching club through my meetup group, I feel like I’m gaining back my spirit.
So sorry for the loss of your dear friend. As you well know when we combine ADHD and stress we end up being very sick. I would like to read about how stress hurts our bodies. I got mono four years ago. I finally located a good holistic doc who diagnosed me with a grocery list of diseases; chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, liver and thyroid disease, adrenal fatigue, food allergies,… As ADHD woman, our lives often become stressful as we try to parent ADHD children and live in a loud, toxic world. I work daily to keep those toxins away and am slowly getting better. I have many regrets so would like to read about how ADHD and chronic disease go hand in hand.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Tara. It really hurts to lose someone we love. I hope you can find a way to remember all the good things you shared, and that these memories can console you.
I may be asking a little outside your usual topics, but I’m the mother of an adult (42) with untreated ADD. She believes she has it under control. Unfortunately it was not diagnosed until she was a junior in high school, and the treatment available then was not what it is today. She also has a daughter with ADHD, who is on Strattera. From your perspective, could you please write something about what ADD/ADHD adults need from their loved ones? I see my daughter struggling with very serious financial problems and while they are not caused by her ADD, her impulsive behavior exacerbates them. I know I have to say nothing, but is there something else I can do? Or not do? I doubt I’m the only parent of an adult with this problem.
Thank you.
Hi Tara,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I lost a sister to cancer 3 years ago, and my husband battled cancer last year. It is so difficult to focus after that. I will pray for you.
I would love to hear how people deal with the effect of ADD/ADHD with medication (pharmaceutical or holistic). I have tried different things, and both seem to have upsides and downsides. I am interested in what others are doing. Thank you
I’m so sorry about your loss. I’ve lost a couple close friends to breast cancer as well. Glad you’ve taken some steps to take care of yourself. I’m sending my best.
Hi Tara,
I would like to talk about what can be done to “rebrand” ADD/ADHD. My son has it, but is not currently medicated because he is more confident, outgoing and agreeable when he is not on his meds, even though homework and keeping up with daily life is a bit more challenging. He is incredibly intelligent, as most people with ADHD are, and when not medicated, his creativity, combined with his intelligence, leads to some extraordinary results (eventually).
I don’t like that the name labels this gift as a disorder. It is a difference, and only a problem for him in the public school setting. I think we should celebrate those with ADD and encourage them to be themselves, because without them, we may never find the next big invention. I think there are enough ADD students in this country, that schools should embrace these individuals and provide an alternative classroom setting that allows them to perform and excel, not be beaten down by negative comments from teachers, bad grades for late or sloppy assignments, ridicule and harrassment from their classmates, etc.
It is TIME that this population is treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. We should start by renaming the diagnosis with a name that is more positive. Really, who came up with that name, anyway?
Thanks for your thoughts!
Tara,
I am very sorry for your loss.That has to be very hard. My prayers are with you. You are such a blessing to others and myself, I just want to thank you.
Hi, Tara, and GPA
Some people call others as “differently-abled” in deference to them who have physical limitations. What could be the best word to describe individuals affected with ADD/ADHD without them being unfairly “labelled” by the diagnostic term?
While “rebranding” is one thing, helping ADHD affected children cope with their difficulties is another. They do not usually get the right kind of help they need in schools where they are treated differently.
There are therapeutic boarding schools in the U.S. with highly trained educators who can properly manage the psycho-social development of ADHD children in an environment that does not make them “different.” A good place to start looking is at http://www.teen-boarding-school.com/