Do you ever feel like nobody understands what its like to have adhd? Like no matter how much they think they understand they really have no idea. Thats what I feel like.

Yes. I dont think even the other people with ADD can understand because it can effect our lives in such different ways that every person has their own unique experience.

That is true everyone is different some people can be understanding but that is it not understand.

I don't think it's possible to completely understand. Everybody can relate to some of the symptoms, particularly when they are tired, but I don't think any "normal" can truly understand what it really means to not be able to control your focus.

my wife and I both have ADD.
it effects us in different ways.
we share this thing called ADD,
but still....
it is very unique to each of us
and it is sometimes hard to
understand what the other is
going through

I agree with all of u, its very hard to know what someone else with ADD goes through. But I am sure its even harder for someone who doesnt have ADD to know what we go through on a daily basis. Whati do know is that its soooo nice to be able to call up my one friend who is also ADD and share my ADD story for the day. ITs just awsome to have that bond and have somene who may not completly understand me, but understands more then a non ADD person.

My best friend was in a car accident years ago. She has undergone several surgeries due to the pain/numbness.

Although I understand the concept of pain (I gave birth twice), I still forget that this is something that she deals with 24/7.

Sometimes, I forget that she can't move as fast as I can and she forgets that I can't do things like write out my car payment on time or comprehend something that she finds simple.

We've often thought that if her brain was in my body. We'd be one whole, good person.

Which one of us can understand what its like to be, lets say have a studdering problem? None of us can unless you have a studdering problem yourself. YOu can empathize, simpathize or even pity that person but never fully undestand it what its like to be in his/her shoes.

I don't think it is possible someone without ADHD to understand totally what's it's like, but those who take the time to really learn about it can be pretty understanding. That's the rub, not many people are willing or interested in really learning about something they don't have. It's also very hard to explain to people you care about why what looks like just being lazy isn't.


Of course, I don't know what it's like to have a non ADHD brain, but everytime I take this one kind of allergy medicine I think I get a taste of it. Suddenly as if by magic (that's really what it seems like to me -- magic), things are getting done and I'm not expending any more energy than usual, but suddenly I know how to do things. It's just automatic -- if that's how other people live their lives, no wonder they don't understand how hard it is for us!

Scattered

Like anything in life I feel you have to experience it to have a full understanding.
And since joining this forum I have found people who really do understand.

My NonADD friends understand me well enough.
I don't need them to have a full understanding of ADD.
And NonADDer's who really do care I've found are very understanding anyway.

So, That is where I am at right now.
I'm happy all the NonADDer's in my life understand me well enough.
And happy I found this forum where people really understand.
What it means to be living with ADD.
:)