I find that its difficult for me to share the rigors of daily ADHD life with others because it seems so insignificant when compared to the other health problems that face some members of my family right now. For example its hard for my girlfriend to have much patience with my ADHD symptoms when her sister who has been rcently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis is taking up so much of her thoughts. I also have an Uncle who has just succumbed to a recent bout with cancer. I feel so selfish and self centered when i bring up my ADHD because it pales in significance to the other mote "serious" illnesses and disorders out there. On one hand i feel very thankful that I do not suffer from a terminal and debilitating illness but on the other hand i feel a little angry at not being able to describe how difficult daily life is with ADHD. And of course I then feel guilty for being angry. Does anybody else feel this way?

I can definitely relate. Just the other day at work I sat down with 2 friends that I hadn't talked to at length in a while. I proceeded to tell them my latest dramas regarding my son and his last 3 suspensions and said we only had a few more days left for 6th grade. They both listened intensely to my story.

When I was done, my one friend said that her daughter had her final exam that very day. She is hopefully going to graudate. She has adhd, ocd, depression and signs of bipolar. She proceeded to tell me that as soon as her daughter graduates, she is going to hospitalize her because the other night, when they were enjoying a movie together, her daughter lost it. She stormed off into her room. She later called her mom to her room and showed her that she had cut her wrist in frustration. Luckily it didn't require stitches but it did show both she and her daughter that there is a major issue with possible depression and bipolar that needs to be addressed.

Boy, after hearing her challenge, my son getting suspended for spitting on the hand rail going down the stairs and someone putting their hand in it, seems so trivial. So unimportant. I can't believe I was so stressed about it.

Everyone still thinks that the "grass is greener on the other side of the fence". Not so.

I have a thread entitled "Pay it forward....This is a must read". If you haven't read it yet, please do. It's times like these that we realize that we really do not have it that bad. And that it could be worse. Much worse.

Update: The daughter of my friend that I mentioned in the above post graduates tonight. Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your friend is making a difficult choice that will save her daughters life in the end. I've been there and had to make those choices with my son its not easy she will need you more then ever; but, I have a feeling you are the right friend to have in her corner at this time.

Good luck to your friend, good luck to her daughter and wishing you lots and lots of wise advice and strength.
Cherity

Now for you Alex,

Nice name my daughters name is Alexis lol

You will find a lot of ADD'ers feel guilty for many different reasons. I try to use my guilt to not repeat past mistakes its not so bad if you can turn it into something useful.

I wish I had some magical and wise wisdom to share with you but unfortunatly I don't its a boat many of us are in I'm afraid.

Cherity

Yes, I do feel guilty. Or maybe a better term is defensive.

"Or maybe a better term is defensive"

It's not something to feel guilty about. It's how you are. I wouldn't be me if I were not ADHD. I would never have developed my talents to the extent of what I have. I kind of glad I never found out till much later in life because I did so much and I was not restricted which I think the med's have done a little of. Bring to to thinking about a question to ask.............New post.

No matter how bad you think it is, there's always someone out there who's got it worse than you.

Nobody's perfect. Everyone has some issue in their life, be it big or small. In the grand scheme of things, the struggle with AD/HD is not comparable to someone who we feel is worse off than we are. It is compassion that makes us feel the guilt that we do especially if its a close friend or family member who is struggling.

Sometimes one's emotional and mental pain and strain can be just as great as another's excruciating physical pain. People struggles are comparable in varying degrees.

Know that there is validity in your struggle with your ADD. For every person in your real life who doesn't listen, there are a hundred people here who will.