Fur-ball
06-18-2004, 03:38 AM
Who do you tell about your ADD? friends? family? ARe you embarrassed by it?
I was recently officially diagnosed with ADD and for me I want to keep it a secret from most family and friends. Even though ADD is not a physical health problem or even a negative one, there is alot of bad stigma IMO that is associated with it. People are so easy to label and judge. It took me a long time to fully understand what attention deficit disorder was, and I do not plan on explaining it to everyone I tell. I have to admit I would be embarrassed to announce it to fellow classmate (I am a Engineering student) at school that I have this disorder. Possibly, It could be that it has just recently become official and I need to accept it more, but I have a feeling that my opinion will not change with time.
I am really curious about other people with ADD, and how open they are with it.
Thanks,
Ocean
I was recently officially diagnosed with ADD and for me I want to keep it a secret from most family and friends. Even though ADD is not a physical health problem or even a negative one, there is alot of bad stigma IMO that is associated with it. People are so easy to label and judge. It took me a long time to fully understand what attention deficit disorder was, and I do not plan on explaining it to everyone I tell. I have to admit I would be embarrassed to announce it to fellow classmate (I am a Engineering student) at school that I have this disorder. Possibly, It could be that it has just recently become official and I need to accept it more, but I have a feeling that my opinion will not change with time.
I am really curious about other people with ADD, and how open they are with it.
Thanks,
Ocean
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Vintage Wine
06-18-2004, 12:37 PM
There's no reason to be ashamed of having ADD - it's an official disorder of the brain that one is born with. You didn't choose it, you didn't ask for it and you didn't bring it on yourself. To not treat it is foolish. However, one must use discretion when discussing it, that's for sure! I was diagnosed 4 years ago and made the mistake of telling a family member who later, used it against me and belittled me to "taking speed". I never told an employer until just recently and I have benefited from disclosing it. The employer was very understanding and supportive.
That's up to the individual, though. In some cases, it's best to tell the employer, in other cases, it's not. It depends on the work scenario and dynamics of the workplace.
Another possible downside to telling people, is that frankly, they may try to steal your amphetamines if they know you have them! Or they are suddenly "experts" on the field of learning disabilities and psychiatry and bombard you with their opinion.
I have literally hidden my meds when certain people are around or go in the restroom to take my dose so no one was start with the questions. "What is that? Why are you taking it? ADD? Adults aren't ADD! That's just an excuse for laziness!" (Yes, someone actually said that to me!)
So, just remember. Discretion is the better part of valor! Be careful whom you tell. Make sure it's someone that's trustworthy. :)
That's up to the individual, though. In some cases, it's best to tell the employer, in other cases, it's not. It depends on the work scenario and dynamics of the workplace.
Another possible downside to telling people, is that frankly, they may try to steal your amphetamines if they know you have them! Or they are suddenly "experts" on the field of learning disabilities and psychiatry and bombard you with their opinion.
I have literally hidden my meds when certain people are around or go in the restroom to take my dose so no one was start with the questions. "What is that? Why are you taking it? ADD? Adults aren't ADD! That's just an excuse for laziness!" (Yes, someone actually said that to me!)
So, just remember. Discretion is the better part of valor! Be careful whom you tell. Make sure it's someone that's trustworthy. :)
sodawater
06-18-2004, 04:19 PM
I agree - its nothing to be ashamed of, and I have had good experiences with telling teachers and bosses, but you can't always control how people will receive the disclosure. Feel people out and make sure you're comfortable with them first.
1 small thing, not meant to take this thread off-course: not everyone believes ADD is something you are born with. See Gabor Mate's book Scattered.
1 small thing, not meant to take this thread off-course: not everyone believes ADD is something you are born with. See Gabor Mate's book Scattered.
Fur-ball
06-19-2004, 01:37 PM
Thank-you for taking time to respond
To not treat it is foolish.
I did not state if I was treating myself or not. Just because I do not wish to announce it to the world, has absolutely nothing related to whether I have treated myself.
Another possible downside to telling people, is that frankly, they may try to steal your amphetamines if they know you have them!
Really? How would your co-worker even know if you medicate yourself? Just because you have ADD does not mean you are medicating yourself. I do not medicate myself, but I do seek other alternates methods with coping with my ADD that my doctor has helped me with that is non-drug related.
OCean
To not treat it is foolish.
I did not state if I was treating myself or not. Just because I do not wish to announce it to the world, has absolutely nothing related to whether I have treated myself.
Another possible downside to telling people, is that frankly, they may try to steal your amphetamines if they know you have them!
Really? How would your co-worker even know if you medicate yourself? Just because you have ADD does not mean you are medicating yourself. I do not medicate myself, but I do seek other alternates methods with coping with my ADD that my doctor has helped me with that is non-drug related.
OCean
Bmwilliams210
06-20-2004, 03:04 PM
I don't feel that friends need to know because ADD is not a physical defect. If I had noticable problems, then yes, I would.
Vintage Wine
06-21-2004, 11:43 AM
Really? How would your co-worker even know if you medicate yourself? Just because you have ADD does not mean you are medicating yourself. I do not medicate myself, but I do seek other alternates methods with coping with my ADD that my doctor has helped me with that is non-drug related.
OCean
They walked up when I was taking my med and grabbed my bottle to see what it was. That's how they knew.
Glad you found some other methods to help. What are they? Do they really work? What are the side-effects?
Thanks!!
OCean
They walked up when I was taking my med and grabbed my bottle to see what it was. That's how they knew.
Glad you found some other methods to help. What are they? Do they really work? What are the side-effects?
Thanks!!