When you first get diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, it can be a relief. You finally have an explanation for the way you are, and you feel as though, from this point on, things will be better.
Often, however, that feeling is soon replaced with overwhelm and confusion.
Where do you begin to look for treatment, for solutions?
A good place to begin is with the person who diagnosed you. Ask for their opinion and find out what your options are.
Medication can be a good solution for some people, and not so good for others. Some people have an objection to using medications for ADHD, and some just don’t like the side effects.
Choosing to use or not use medication is a personal decision that should be given a lot of thought and time. Sometimes one medication is awful, or ineffective, and yet another might do just what you need. It takes time to find not only the right one, but the right dosage, too.
You should also begin to educate yourself about ADHD. The more you know, the more control you have over your life.
There are a lot of good places to look, including this blog.
Also check out my blog roll; there are a lot of great resources listed there.
ADDitude magazine is also a great resource. They have a information packed website with lots of blogs and articles, as well as a print magazine.
Check out bookstores and the library too. A lot of good books are out there waiting to educate and inform you.
As a caution: there are also a lot of books, websites, and opinions out there that throw a negative light on ADHD. There are some who claim to be able to “cure” it, and others who claim it doesn’t exist. Be careful with what you choose to read, and listen to your instincts. If it feels wrong, then it is for you. Discard it.
Finally, talk to others about ADHD. A good place to begin is ADD Forums. They have a very active site with lots of participants who just generally want to help.
And don’t feel overwhelmed. Sure, it’s a big thing, but totally manageable.
4 Responses
Regarding what you said about the importance of being on the correct medication AND the dosage (if medication is the chosen route) I can vouch for that one. I was diagnosed about 7 years ago and put on medication. It did help but over time I didn’t feel my ADD being controlled anymore and thought, ‘well, I guess this is as good as it gets’. This year I met with an ADD Specialist who gently scolded me for not understanding what the medication was supposed to achieve and also for not understanding better, the drug I was putting in my body. He was right; it turns out I was a dose that was way too low for me and it stopped being effective years ago. I switched from an ‘XR’ (time released) prescription, to a non time-released and with his help, gradually found the right dose that is now controlling my ADD.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I think it’s important for my readers to hear other’s opinions and experiences.
Thank you for this. You’re right, it was a relief at first. After a few weeks, though, I began to feel more overwhelmed with what to do. I am working with my psychologist, and it’s been very helpful. As with so many things in my life, I’d read and visited and seen so much, I have almost lost track of where I’ve been (online, in real life). I need to make sure to take the time to document my progress, and this post is a good reminder of that. I’ll check out ADD Forums, too, thanks for that recommendation.
I’m so glad you have a professional to work with; I think it makes a huge difference!
Documenting your progress is an excellent idea to motivate and inspire you. ADHD symptoms are not easily measured; I would be interested in how you intend to go about it.