HI ADDmirable Women...I'm Donna

[painted]

Hi All,
I am 48 years old and was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with ADD. I have one daughter, 24 yo and 1 grandson, 5 yo who are both ADHD.

My whole life I've been trying to fit my square-pegged self into a round hole...without success. I've been married and divorced twice. I've been single again for 14 years. I've had 3 serious and unsuccessful relationships during this time. My house is a mess, my social life is non-exsistent, I'm always late and I'm mentally exhausted. I'm paralysed and overwhelmed by life.

I sought therapy in August of last year. As a result of my ADD, I suffer also from depression, anxiety, and restless leg syndrome....boy am I am mess! At this point, I don't have a lot of support. That is why I am here...seeking to find support with those of you who understand what I am going through.

I completed my AAS degree in August of 2002. It was a long road to travel especially considering my diagnosis. I work full-time and would eventually like to get my BS degree.

I look forward to getting to know you and hope that the traffic at this board will increase.

Take care,
Donna

[patsmom2003]

Hi Donna, I'm Rhonda. I'm new to this site as of today. I feel the same about my life as you do about yours. I haven't got as far as actually being diagnosed yet but will be seeing a psychiatrist soon. It seems to be taking a long time because I am anxious to find the answer for my life long struggle to fit in somewhere in life. I have 4 kids who I'm sure have ADD as well but will first work on my own diagnosis. I hope to chat with you and other people on this site soon. Take care.

Rhonda

[jmal]

Hi Everyone, especially Donna

I have only just joined this group and have just read Donna's message. I am 44 years old and was diagnosed with ADHD three weeks ago. My life has been so similar to Donna's. It has been such a relief to find out that all of my symptoms are related to this disorder.

I, too, have had unsuccessful relationships; my house is always a mess; and I feel mentally exhausted most of the time. I get overwhelmed with just about everything in my life.

I have suffered from depression for more than 20 years, and I have suffered from anxiety ever since I can remember. I am pretty sure that I have restless leg syndrome, too. Donna, can you tell me much about restless leg syndrome? I have it really badly at night when I am trying to relax.

I will be seeing a psychiatrist about my disorder in two weeks time, and I will probably be prescribed the relevant medication. I have been on antidepressants, on and off, for many years, and my GP said I will need to continue taking them - and she will probably up the dosage a bit.

Congratulations, Donna, on completing your degree. I completed a degree two-and-a-half years ago, and I came so close to being thrown out of uni due to failing units. I wish I had've known what was wrong with me back then.

I am working full-time, too, and am in a job that can be quite boring. If I have not been promoted by June, I will seek employment elsewhere as I don't get paid very much here. I suppose you could call my job a "safe" job because it is quite basic. I am scared to take on more responsibility because it takes me ages to learn new tasks - and I have a totally morbid fear of failure

I hope is all is well with you, Donna, and I wish that I had've joined the group sooner - and been diagnosed sooner.

All the best
Julie