Does anyone else feel this way and have this problem?
When I think to msyelf or say to someone else
"I do not have ADD"
It just sounds wrong! I could never back that up. I feel like I'm lying to myself and them, like I'm misrepresenting myself...
but
If I say to myself or others
"I have ADD"
that sounds wrong too. Then I feel like I'm looking for problems and making stuff up for sympathy, or to be 'different' or whatever. I could back it up with reasons but I choke on them when talking to someone else cause I think I'll sound fake/like a complainer/like im seriously exaggerating. I usually feel so sure I have ADD until I say it to someone else then I think "omg, what if I am wrong and I just told them that and I can't back it up!" (thoughthat might be sensless worrying)

Because of this, if the topic comes up, I never know what to answer. I usually keep my mouth shut but I can't decide if I want to say it(if first I rule out other reasons for not saying so such as I know they will not understand) or whether im ok with telling them.

Anyone else find this?

It may be that being ADD is so new to me, and I haven't seen it officially documented, and I also am really good at being unsure of everyting and doing the whole "I do, I don't, I do, I don't" back and forth routine. I don't know what it is, but does anyone else find this?

How about saying, "I've been diagnosed with ADD"?

I am ADD. Its something you are, if you have been dx with it and have ruled out other possibilities, there is no other way around it, embrace it, become yourself, be comfortable with yourself, its not a disorder, at least in my view, so you dont need sympathy from people, nor do they need to give it to you.

If I say to myself or others "I have ADD"
that sounds wrong too. Then I feel like I'm looking for problems and making stuff up for sympathy, or to be 'different' or whatever. I could back it up with reasons but I choke on them when talking to someone else cause I think I'll sound fake/like a complainer/like im seriously exaggerating.

and I also am really good at being unsure of everyting and doing the whole "I do, I don't, I do, I don't" back and forth routine.
Hi there Wheresmykeys...

I find I have almost the exact same problem and can totally relate to what you wrote!

I don't admit it to many people except my close friends....most of them don't 'get it' and/or really have no idea what it means and what it entails for me and my life.

I can wholeheartedly relate to the feeling (or worry) of sounding like a complainer or a fake. The thing is, this whole ADD thing has caused so much struggle, and well, pain, in my life that when I really look at it, I don't complain about it much at all. As it's an "invisible" disorder, I almost feel I have no right to talk about it or ask for help from them because they don't see it, and thus just don't "get it". It makes me feel very very alone :(.

I'm sorry you're having this issue, WMK.

I just say 'I have ADHD' and most people 'get it'.

Unless they're younger than five years old, or older than 80, ( and don't 'nobody' twist my words and take my comments to heart- cuz I'm not saying it to cause a battle on here ) haven't been privy to any form of media, or read a magazine article, in decades- they usually 'get it'.

Amongst those who have ADD/HD- I say 'I'm an ADHDer' and they totally get it.
But you already knew that ! (0:


I would suggest that you say 'I have ADD'.

If they still don't 'get it'..then just say 'My brain, works differently than yours, as does everyone else's does'

Peace always to you, sweetie.

Nova

Hey Tate !!

Miss talkin' with ya !


Nova

I am ADD.

... my answer too ... word for word ... not have ... *---am---* ...

s/B

Hi nova, i cant take off a letter to make your name sound cooler, but ive missed talking to all of you guys, and occasionally posting b/c i dont have as much time as i used to, and just trying out other things. When this semister is over, I will have more time, later all, gonna go do homework.

The correct term is ADHD, not ADD.

I have ADHD. That sounds right because I do. It doesn't define me, so I am not ADHD.

Hey Scuro !!

My 'H' is bigger than your 'H' !

Na na na na na !!!!!

Can Scuro come out and play ?
Or do I have to ask votre mama for permission.....again....(sigh)


Nova (sticking her tongue out at you..and daring you to catch her if you can)

You are too quick for me Nova, in more then one way. :p ...and I'm sure your H is huge compared to mine. :)

... my answer too ... word for word ... not have ... *---am---* ...

s/B


U Yam what U Yam (0:

We all B Yammin' ADDers !!

I'm just being a gracious Southern Belle, Scure. (0:

I'll give you credit for having a huge 'H' and being much to classy to ever declare it in public.

We might just have to take this discussion to PM if it keeps up. (0:

I'm the inattentive type. I don't have a hyper bone in my body...hmm...that wasn't best turn of phrase now was it? That's why your H would be huge in comparison to mine.

Does anyone else feel this way and have this problem?
When I think to msyelf or say to someone else
"I do not have ADD"
It just sounds wrong! I could never back that up. I feel like I'm lying to myself and them, like I'm misrepresenting myself...
but
If I say to myself or others
"I have ADD"
that sounds wrong too. Then I feel like I'm looking for problems and making stuff up for sympathy, or to be 'different' or whatever. I could back it up with reasons but I choke on them when talking to someone else cause I think I'll sound fake/like a complainer/like im seriously exaggerating. I usually feel so sure I have ADD until I say it to someone else then I think "omg, what if I am wrong and I just told them that and I can't back it up!" (thoughthat might be sensless worrying)

Because of this, if the topic comes up, I never know what to answer. I usually keep my mouth shut but I can't decide if I want to say it(if first I rule out other reasons for not saying so such as I know they will not understand) or whether im ok with telling them.

Anyone else find this?

It may be that being ADD is so new to me, and I haven't seen it officially documented, and I also am really good at being unsure of everyting and doing the whole "I do, I don't, I do, I don't" back and forth routine. I don't know what it is, but does anyone else find this?
Thanks for asking that WMK ..It saved me doing it..:p ...I feel exactly the same way...I told my best friend, and she said "wow, you are the most organized person I know...I aspire to you", and when we talked further, she realized I am totally over-organized, and remembers my reaction when things fall out of place...

I don't try to explain it to anyone else either:faint: although, when I am in a group, and strugging with words, and attention, I would just like to yell it out, and get out of the "closet"

I loved the Riddler !! (0:
And I loved Catwoman with equal passion !!

I was giving you a bigger piece o' the 'H' pie cuz of this lil line o' yours from your previous reply (0: :

"I have ADHD. That sounds right because I do. It doesn't define me, so I am not ADHD."

First of all if talking about having / being ADD or ADHD-----new term I just made up= late for breakfast, lunch and supper- why do so?

Unless you are asking for accommodations at work or some thing there is no need to discuss these personal issues until you are ready....

It may be that being ADD is so new to me,

I find this a feasible explanation...............before you can comfortable enough to deal with others feeling about your difference/ disorder (what ever) then you must first be comfortable about this within your own mind!

By all means follow the instinct you have been given and take the time to adjust to this new information before feeling pushed to open up to others....

Being ADD (or diagnosis as such) is a journey.....no matter what you call this journey it begins with the first step and progresses forward toward acceptance and comfort with in ones own being...............when the time has come you will know it because the definition as it is personal to you will be in place.....this in itself often allows a person enough self acceptance to enter into a discussion with others who may not understand!

Discussing this meta mind brain boggling and often befuzzling way of mental difference we can't seem to name consistently ADD???ADHD??? Difference??? disorder???am??? have???(an ironic theme-to me) before you have accepted it with in your self may only serve to cause confusion because you may be too easily knocked "out of emotional" kilter by others "unenlightened" preconceived notions..............


Hope this wasn't too confusing......

Oh almost forgot I am supposed to do moderator stuff too....

Discussion about ADD/ADHD difference already in progress here

Difference between ADD/ADHD thread (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27041)

conversation includes the different terms used.......

meadd823 term take (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27041)

Have to go get ready for work now........working memory thing=I have to remember to go to work!

I feel exactly the same way.

Hi there Wheresmykeys...

I find I have almost the exact same problem and can totally relate to what you wrote!

I don't admit it to many people except my close friends....most of them don't 'get it' and/or really have no idea what it means and what it entails for me and my life.

I can wholeheartedly relate to the feeling (or worry) of sounding like a complainer or a fake.
I'm this same way. I think the reason I don't say it is because of some of the looks I've already gotten. I can't help but wonder "do people think I'm just saying that because of my son" I don't know...I just don't say anything.:o

I have found that when the meds wear off in a group situation, and I start sounding/acting like a bit of a twit..I just say.."doh! darn meds worn off" and laugh.. :D it seems to work..and no-one is the wiser...they don't even know I take meds, and if they were ever to ask, I will TELL them...maybe:p

I just say.."doh! darn meds worn off" and laugh

I have said thing like this before......I guess people are not to sure how to ask so they don't-lol

I sat down to give report to the on coming shift and these words to the tune of "Happy Birthday" popped into my head so they came straight out of my mouth......this was during a period of time I wasn't on any medications for my ADD!

“Good morning to you
You are in a zoo
If you don't smell like an animal
You will when you are threw”

The charge nurse asked where I got that from

I admitted it just popped into my head of coa rse I told him he was my inspiration

His joking response was
“If you are on drugs quit taking them
if not
go find some to take”-lol

:soapbox: I have concidered the possibility that i may have add though i'm not sure if the reason i have concidered it is because it's an excuse to my failures, mistakes, forgetfulness, lazyness or not but the possibility is backed up some other people including my teachers, friends and one person who has a job that is medical related even though i believe she may have said so just to humor me.


.....yeah that sounds about right :D

(there was more negatives in there when i first thought of the reply but i couldn't remember when the time came to type it (a period of about 7 maybe 8 seconds)


“Good morning to you
You are in a zoo
If you don't smell like an animal
You will when you are threw”

The charge nurse asked where I got that from

I admitted it just popped into my head of coa rse I told him he was my inspiration

His joking response was
“If you are on drugs quit taking them
if not
go find some to take”-lolhahaha, thats great :D

very creative tammy :)

DX..how is our song coming along???

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27513 READ MY POST IM WAY AHEAD YA'LL LOL

I feel comfortable saying it to myself these days. I know I have ADHD -- no question about it. I don't say it aloud as much to other folks anymore -- nobody buys it. I don't look or act the way they think an ADDer does, so I don't put myself through the hassle. Mostly these days if I have to explain something, I just describe the symptom. For some reason people don't argue with that. For instance when we went snow skiing for the first time in 20 years and the ski instructor gave me about 20 steps to remember and pointed out every time I missed one, I told him that I have a neurological deficit in short term memory -- he backed way off after that. Mission accomplished! It's not my job to convince anybody but myself (although it sure would be nice if my family decided to believe ADHD existed).

Scattered

... my answer too ... word for word ... not have ... *---am---* ... s/BAs soon as I saw this note, I was on my way to make the same point and see a number of you beat me to it <gg>

A quick analogy which serves to indicate why it is apt? You don't say you have depression, you say you are depressed.

I do get the distinction some others suggest in using the formal, clinical name. In the same way someone might say "I have Major Depression" someone might also say "I have ADHD." So it does depend on context in the end, whether speaking conversationally or formally.

As to my personal pref, I like the more functional way people in groups such as this tend to use "ADD" as an umbrella adjective and save the "H" for the times when it serves to indicate that hyperactivity is also present.