Okay I am 32 years old who figures I should stop procrastinating over living my life. For 5 years now I have become a bit of a hermit after constantly finding myself in crisis due to bad (or lack of) judgement. After the birth of my son, 2 years ago, I took the steps to being diagnosed and treated for ADD. Now here is the clincher:

I am hoping, and praying I can move forward with my life and be successful in my endeavours, regardless of past experiences I had prior to taking Ritalin. I have applied to college to begin my Bachelor of Education in January, and while studying I plan to go to work full time and take care of my son. All sounds great in theory, but in reality I am terrified and unsure that I am capable of doing all this. I desperately want a career and to feel successful on my own terms, but are my own terms realistic?

Anybody got any stories to share about overcoming thirty years of ADD out of control and finally finding success or not finding it? Any pointers any advice it would be greatly appreciated!!

Well, I actually went 44 years before realizing that I was AD/HD. School wasn't where my biggest challenges lay, but I can tell you that I know a number of AD/HD school teachers (including myself) and it's pretty good fit. Congratulations on getting diagnosed and taking on a new challenge. Take it at you're own pace. You don't have to do it someone else's way. Another neat thing about ADD is that when you're really interested in something, it usually a lot easier to focus and stay with it. Since you picked education, I'm guessing you're interested in it and that should help a lot. Getting a coach for a while when you first start out to help you organize your school experience and set up realistic goals might be real helpful too. Hallowell and Ratey's books (Driven to Distraction, Answers to Distraction, and Delivered from Distraction have good lists of coping techniques in them. You're meds should really help and exercise will too.

Good luck and welcome to ADD Forums!
Scattered

You can do it!!You have a little angel now and that will give you the strength to push yourself.I am 29 and I have 2 girls(2and4)and a stepson who is 7.It has been the toughest thing Ive ever done!!I cant explain it,I could always run away before but once you have kids you have to weather the storm.I found my even ground one I started Adderal and then like the breeze it was gone again.Im gonna find it again!!! I will,because I have to.You are doing right now WAY more than I have ever attempted with any school related or careere focus.You should be proud,dont even look back.Good luck.

I spent the last year in grad school full time and working full time as a special education teacher. Although I didn't have a child, my dog and husband do take up some time. Definitely get in touch with the disability services office at your college/university. THey should be able to offer you lots of support. I couldn't have gotten through my undergrad program without them, and they're helping now that I'm in grad school. With a diagnosis, there's a lot of help available. Good luck! Marie

You absolutely CAN do it. Like Scattered said, often when you are interested, all goes beautifully. I trust you will do just fine, and as a mother myself, it's definitely in both of your best interests for you to be happy and fulfilled! Enjoy it, you will do great!

Wendy