What’s So Negative About ADD?

Even though I try much of the time to talk about the up side of ADD - the creativity, the fact that you can entertain your friends and not even realize it, and the humor found in everyday ADD life, the truth is, everything about ADD isn't rosy. Sometimes it's downright dangerous.

ADDers often have a number of issues along with their ADD. ADDers are more likely than the general population to experience depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance abuse problems, car accidents, learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, and sleep disorders. Definitely not a bed of roses. Depression seems to be the most common co-morbid condition. Studies have indicated that up to 70% of those who have ADD have experienced clinical depression. Next is substance abuse and alcoholism. It seems that up to 50% of ADDers are in recovery or are currently having problems with abuse.

The question is why? I have some theories I'd like to share with you. Why are people with ADD depressed? It's easy to lose your self-esteem when you have ADD. After all, you've experienced failure more times than most - and probably beaten yourself up over it - or someone else has said (usually repeatedly) 'why can't you ever do anything right?' Especially when your ADD is undiagnosed, you really have no answer for that question. I think I've said before that being diagnosed was liberating for me. I finally had a reason that I couldn't do things right - or at least the way others thought I should! Continually realizing that you're different and that you've failed at many things doesn't exactly promote a good self-image. ADDers tend to be very inconsistent, too. That leads others to believe that we could "do it if we tried". Before my diagnosis I felt like I should be able to 'do it if I tried', too, but I when I experienced failure, I felt like I was the failure. I don't encourage you to use ADD as an excuse, but realize there are limitations in what you can accomplish and don't beat yourself up over it. Don't lose your self-esteem, you're a valuable person - and I personally think ADD makes you even more valuable!

Substance abuse is another big problem with ADDers. Studies have shown that ADDers start using drugs earlier than those who use drugs and don't have ADD. Many times the ADDer is attempting to self-medicate. They may not even realize it. Stimulants make the ADDer feel calmer than he or she has ever felt before. It's easy to see how an addiction can result. Others turn to alcohol or other drugs in an attempt to escape their feelings of not belonging or of failure. Stimulants do help ADD, but it is always best to have them prescribed by a physician who is familiar with ADD. Your physician or psychiatrist can find the correct dosage for you without your becoming addicted to the medication that's best for you.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic