No, I’m not moving, at least my household isn’t.
Everyone that knows me knows I can be a bit… scattered. I am disorganized, and my thoughts are just as random and chaotic as the rest of me and my immediate environment. I have a confession to make about that. At the age of 4, I was diagnosed with Hyperkenetic Child Syndrome. You can read about that here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperkinetic_disorder
Now that science and medicine have had time to work their magic, they call it ADD/ADHD and related syndromes. There are all kinds of medications on the market for what I have been dealing with for the last 45 years or so. I have never used them. My mother believed that if medication was needed so teachers could handle children, it was the teachers that should be medicated. My symptoms were mitigated by diet and behavioral therapy; i.e. no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or sugar. Kool-Aide was a huge no-no. She told me that I was a smart little girl and that I knew when I felt like acting out. It was up to me to make sure I didn’t do so. And I was also responsible for monitoring my younger sister, who had also been diagnosed. We were instructed to monitor each other. It worked for the most part. I still had problems staying focused in school until junior high. I still had problems making friends. But the ones I did make, I still have today. As an adult, married and with children, I thought I was doing OK. I held my job, paid the bills on time, etc. Looking back, I can see where ADD was an issue, but I used routine and diet to mitigate, and my husband made sure I ate regularly and kept to my schedule. I did well until I lost my job. It took me about a year to get back into the workforce. By then, the financial stress was getting to me. I lost too much weight. I couldn’t concentrate, and organization was out of the question. I lost that job too. I kept my next position for 6 years. I held two positions while there. I did well until the company was sold and I was laid off. It took me six years and a two year diploma program to get back into the workforce. I held multiple temp jobs, but finally succeeded in a full time permanent position. I got promoted after 2.5 years. I did well. Then management changed. ADD became a factor again, and I lost that job while seeking treatment.
That was 3 years ago. It took me 5 months to find another job, get laid off, 3 mos to find another, lose it due to ADD and find another 2 weeks later. I have that job now, and I love it. I got it after being brought in as a contractor on a 6 month agreement. The company hired me. I do good work and I know it. I also know I am not consistent. I am having trouble with the ADD again. BUT! I will not lose this job to lack of organization and inconsistency like before. I have decided to seek treatment. I had already started the process before, and had the diagnosis, which was consistent with my childhood evaluation. I decided to pick up where I left off three years ago. I spoke to my physician. I got a prescription filled. I took my first dose today.
I despise daily medication. I take it for hypothyroidism. That’s it. I stopped taking birth control because I couldn’t remember to take it and there were other options available to us that did not involve synthetic hormones that would atrophy my ovaries. I avoid medicine at all costs. I treat with diet and tea. Colds, flu, infections, whatever. Doesn’t matter. Advil and Tylenol for pain. No Scripts. Ever. Antibiotics when I have no other choice. I have never used anything other than alcohol for recreation. If you have to drink or take something to have a good time, you’re doing it wrong. I have never used any substance illegally or legally for recreation, other than drinking. I just never had an interest, and I can’t physically tolerate opioids. They make me hysterical. So this first dose is huge for me.
In subsequent posts, I will be documenting how this treatment is affecting me. I will not be listing the chemical or the dosage; but it can be abused and if not handled correctly, can be addictive. I will list how I am feeling physically, any side effects, efficacy, and my emotional state. If you have any questions about my experience that you don’t feel comfortable posting in a comment, email me at isen.gaurd@gmail.com, and put “ADHD Posts” in the subject line. I will do my best to get back to you. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I hope you learn as much as I do.
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