Hello,

I just wanted to introduce myself. I am so glad to have found an ADD/ADHD forum.

My name is Joseph and I am 41 years old. When I was five I was diagnosed with ADHD lived on Ritalin until I turned 14. At 14 the Dr. said "I would grow out of it" and took me off of medication.

My life until recently was a downward spiral from there, which has left me angry and bitter that they didn't really understand this disorder back then all that well.

I began experience all types of mental health symptoms as an adolescent and an adult. Drs went from one to another "diagnosis" over and over again. I had been put on MANY types of medication and my life was a wreck.

Last year I found a new psychiatrist. His first question to me, unlike the other Drs was "were you ever diagnosed with ADD/ADHD? Of course I told him "yes" and told him the Dr. said I would "outgrow" this disorder. Well to that he said "hogwash".

He put me on Concerta and within hours of the first dose I broke down in tears. It was as if a cloud of blackness were lifted from me, the amount of mental focus and the banishing of severe anxiety was absolutely incredible. Since that time I have been taken off all meds except Concerta and Effexor.

I don't know if anyone else has gone through what I have gone through. To this day I have had many problems, have complete estrangement from my family (they absolutely think mental and emotional disorders are b*llsh*t) and that I am just an "immoral and lazy person" etc. Since 1992 I have been on Social Security and I am excited that that will soon end within two years.

I have decided to go back to school, learn to be a paralegal (I love law, but could NEVER be an attorney) and then drop SSD and go back to work. I am so pleased and excited that i could just BUST.

Trouble is, I have SO much anger, resentment and bad feelings over years of misdiagnosis and the pain and suffering I have gone through my ENTIRE adult life that it is hard to deal with. Only now am I learning/relearning skills that most people learn as an adolescent and feel that this disorder has robbed me of my family and my life (at least half of it anyhow, I am 41).

Has anybody had any similar experience?

Anyhow I am so sorry for the lengthy post, but I wanted to introduce myself and I guess just get some of the above "off my chest."

It is good to be here,

Joseph

Hi Joseph! I'm 39, I remember when I was finally diagnosed ADD and put on Ridalin and Prosac. For the first time I wasn't blue, and I found that my wierd skills could make me a great draftsperson. But not in more social work places.

Welcome on board! We will love to hear from you.!
Kassie

Hi Joseph,

Welcome to the ADD Forums!

Originally posted by UrbanCowboy

My life until recently was a downward spiral from there, which has left me angry and bitter that they didn't really understand this disorder back then all that well.
You're not alone. So many members here, and ADDers elsewhere, have shared similar frustrations and anger.
He put me on Concerta and within hours of the first dose I broke down in tears. It was as if a cloud of blackness were lifted from me, the amount of mental focus and the banishing of severe anxiety was absolutely incredible...
I had the very same emotional release when I was first put on ADD meds...when I was properly diagnosed at 24.
I have decided to go back to school, learn to be a paralegal (I love law, but could NEVER be an attorney) and then drop SSD and go back to work. I am so pleased and excited that i could just BUST.
I think that's AWESOME that you're excited and focused about going back to work!
Trouble is, I have SO much anger, resentment and bad feelings over years of misdiagnosis and the pain and suffering I have gone through my ENTIRE adult life that it is hard to deal with. Only now am I learning/relearning skills that most people learn as an adolescent and feel that this disorder has robbed me of my family and my life (at least half of it anyhow, I am 41).
This really sums up alot of what I felt (and still do feel, to a great degree) when I finally got diagnosed and started treatment. All I can say is, welcome to your new life, and to the ADD Forums...your online home away from home :)

Joseph: Welcome to the forums...and I think you you have a great, great, great, great, and wonderful and inspiring story of hope.....yes I do....and I certainly understand the lingering anger and resentment and pain.....

I hope you will use the energy in those feelings to just focus on your dreams of becoming a paralegal....I think your decision to get off SS and go back to school is quite an admirable one....

and YES if at some point if you wish to become an attorney, I believe you can do that too....someone who was near and dear to me with ADD DID.....(but that's for later)....for now, obviously the paralegal thing is enough...AND

know that forgiveness of those who have harmed you in the past IS possible.....

I believe the answer is right living....which you are doing......You're so excited you could "just bust".....:D Cool.....

I'm glad you are here:)

Joseph~

Welcome, welcome, welcome to you, fellow Texan! :cool: Where'bouts in Texas do ya live?

I wasn't diagnosed until 28 (I'm 32 now), and I definitely still feel a swelling rage when I think about all the time I've lost...I am still dealing with a huge sense of waste and loss....

Like you, I'm taking steps to get myself into the best, ADD-friendly career for me. I'm so thrilled that you feel like you know where you want your life to start going AND that you're taking steps to do it!

You've joined a wonderful family. :) We are so happy you've found us!

I'm 46, self diagnosed at 20 and couldn't get anyone to believe taht it continued into adulthood. Only in th elast few years have I been diagnosed.

Meds help, but are not so magic for me. I have considerable resentments and STILL feel that more could be done, and that the clues are everywhere.

I'm glad that you have a plan.

i wish you the best.

David

Welcome Joseph. I hope you find many kindred spirits here.

Hi to you too!

Welcome to ADD Forums!!!

Welcome to Your new Home and posible new Family

I wanted to welcome you Joseph with a warm hugs and a smile. Welcome home.