I read this book at the request of my husband, who was diagnosed before we met with adult ADHD but does not receive treatment for it.
It was both a frustrating and educational read.
It was educating in that it clearly identified several issues in our lives and family as far as forgetting, lack of follow through and consistency, hyperfocus alternating with no focus, etc. To know that it’s not just me being a stickler or going crazy but there’s an actual diagnosis causing it to be.
The frustration comes into play in that there’s not a lot to do about it except go on medication which he has tried and the side-effects apparently outweighed the benefits.
Still, I’m hoping that my increased knowledge on the topic will at least help me understand him a bit better and be more patient while still upholding the boundaries I need for me.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you found my book,
If you haven't yet read the chapters on medication, please do so. The truth is that many people with ADHD give up on medication because their treating physicians do not understand the complexity of choosing the right medication at the right dosage and the co-existing conditions that also must be considered.
And sometimes the person with ADHD is not given "psycho-education" on making the transition to medication. Thus, they will complain of side effects when really the issue is that they are suddenly aware of all they've been missing but cannot automatically adjust to the new level of focus and attention. It can be very disorienting without a professional to help.
There are also behavioral strategies, which the chapters on therapy cover in detail.
Best of luck to you and your husband,
Gina Pera
Gina,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. And the book really was helpful for me to be able to understand that without medication and other lifestyle changes (making lists, etc), a lot of things will not get better.
And I especially appreciate all the comments in the book from support group members. I never even knew that a support group for the partners of ADHD people even existed but am currently in pursuit of one.
He tried medication before I even knew him and is fairly adamant about not returning to it. But thank you for your book to help me understand the diagnosis further and know what I can do to help me.
And thanks for your comment.
becki