Tammyshell

((((hugs))))))

I've been through that too. People do not want to understand or accept ADD or ADHD because there is no blood test that you can take to say yeah, you got it or no, you don't. And the symptoms are symptoms that we all have at some point or another in our lives. Tell an older woman about your ADD symptoms and they laugh and say, "WEll I got it too then cause I forget a lot". They think they are being funny or cute and it only serves to frustrate me more. Because they don't understand that ADD is not just merely forgetting something or just not paying attention, that it goes much deeper and more of a profound level. Often people just cannot understand that yes, we can forget things that fast, and yes, we get sidetracked and nothing gets done or distractions are so bad that we can't get anything done. It's very emotionally draining when you run across someone like your dad who doesn't believe in it or chooses not to accept it.

My two boys are ADHD and it is like SO obvious that their dad is too, but for years and years their dad REFUSED to accept that there was such a thing as ADHD. He said that I was "Trying to make his sons not be normal everyday little boys". You see, he was so hyper himself and his brothers that he thought that this was NORMAL to run into walls and jump out of your seat and climb trees and fall and break an arm." That was being a "normal everyday little boy." When my boys stayed with him he wouldnt' even give them their ritalin. They would come back to me total messes.

Just remember, that you are not going to convince some people of our disorder, and that's that. Put it off to that your dad just doesn't get it. My mother doesn't get it either. And bad thing is, she's ADHD and still doesn't accept that "I" can't help my mistakes that I make due to the ADD. Just chug it off and know that you know and God knows and there are people out there like us who do know and understand. I guess it goes back that they can't understand if they haven't been through it. As long as you know and accept yourself for who you are and love yourself, the others might hurt that they don't accept it, but you will get by. for you.

As my best friend taught me, I will say to you:
As long as you can pass that woman in the mirror every morning and can face her, you'll be allright. But if you can't face her, you got problems that you need to work on."

I couldn't look at that woman for a long time. But over time and acceptance that I have a disorder called ADD, I can face that woman in the mirror and I am very proud of her for working so hard to understand and face the ADD and deal with it! And you should too!

Hugs to you,
Tammyshell