Woman with ADD - others not believing ADD exists

[tearsnroses1975]

does anyone else here have problems talking to their loved ones about the add and get told that it is not a medical problem just an reason not to act right

[Tara]

This is a very common response from people who are not educated about ADD. We can try to educate them but we can't force them to belive ADD is real.

[noisyparrot]

People seem to respond: "oh everyone is a bit like that, just get on with it. You have plenty of talents, just get yourself a regular job like everyone else." I have the feeling that people find it a bit threatening. I suppose everyone finds housework hard, and it may seem unfair that someone has an excuse to be bad at it?
I was doing really a lot of effort at making my room tidy, struggling with schedules etc. I was hoping a so called friend would compliment me, but the first thing she said was: "gosh your floor needs cleaning."

[jaimegerise]

arg so true, we need more encouragement rather than destructive criticism!

[Alexa]

Being 46, recently diagnosed and living with someone who keeps asking 'is the medication working yet???' I've cordially invited him to go with me to my next Dr.'s appt and given him several books on Women and ADD. Knowledge is power.

[Wheezie]

I think that problems talking to loved ones is a *very* common occurrence. There is so much misinformation that most people don't know that ADD is *very* real. In fact, I was one of the misinformed until I was diagnosed!

There are as many ways to deal with not supportive family as there are people who posted. So, the hard part is trying to find something that feels right for you.

Below are a couple of threads that pertain to this subject.

Good luck! wheezie

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7256

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7256

[quietfire]

Sometime I feel like everyone thinks I'm a hypochondriac! First it was panic disorder, then migraines, now ADD.........they're wondering what I'll have next!! If they knew what it was like to have these problems, they'd realize that no one would ever choose to have them! I get tired of taking meds, and dealing with the mental stress.....but it's my load to carry and I think I'm handling life pretty darn well!!!

[fasttalkingmom]

My Mom my not total understand it but sees how it does effect me. but there is always that....... can't understand why I don't just learn to do laundry on Mon. Wed. Frid. Do my dishes after every meal. And why when she tells me on Mon. that she has tue. off from work I forget

[Kimalimah]

I agree with Tara. I have found that those with the least information or most mis-information are the toughest (like my parents). I try to keep in mind that they are lost and scared and walking around with lots of guilt, etc. and that deep down they love me. AND... I take them in small doses, so that they don't get me so worked up that I get off track. lol.

I also agree with quietfire. "Oh, she's just into the latest "trend" syndrome". I wish! I also wish they could live in my world for just 24 hours to feel what it's like.