The Diabetic Life of the ADHDer

Posted by Jeff on August 27, 2010 · View Comments

No. I am not diabetic. But I want to draw a parallel between the diabetic’s and the ADHDer’s life.

If a diabetic does not admit they have diabetes, if they try to live like everyone else by eating sugars and carbs, they will literally kill themselves. To survive as a diabetic you need to alter your diet. You need to, in many cases, take insulin. But you can lead a normal life but it is a normal life defined-for-a-diabetic. You can eat certain foods and you need to avoid certain foods. You need to watch your body’s signs for changes that may require food or drug changes. You can be like everyone else…but different.

If an ADHDer does not admit they have ADHD, if they try to live like everyone else by emulating their behaviors, they will metaphorically kill themselves. To survive as an ADHDer you may need to alter your diet and, in many cases, take drugs. But you can lead a normal life but it is a normal life defined-for-an-ADHDer. You can engage in certain activities and you may need to avoid certain activities. You need to watch your body’s signs for changes that may require food or drug changes. You can be like everyone else…but different.

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http://addmsorboth.blogspot.com/ Scott Hutson

Jeff,

It’s true that diabetes can be managed via of changing eating “Habits” and taking prescribed meds. I do it myself (manage my diabetes). I had to realize that the damage of not doing it would kill me eventualy. Not to mention the bad things that could happen along the way, like going blind, obesity,and a long list of other bad things. The one that scared me most was risking being Impotent! Maybe because I’m a man and already had a signifigant amount of insecurity, psychologicaly speaking. Man, that’s hard to admit that I was insecure and used/abused drugs and alchohol to feel more confident, strong,..etc, around people. But I found out it wasn’t that hard to change my self destructive lifestyle. At first it was pretty hard to adjust, I will admit, but when I started seeing how good it feels to look better(lost about 50+ lb.s),and the support and love from Carolyn(my wife), it was and is easy!

So it is somewhat a parallel to the management of my ADHD. Like diabetes, I knew that having a family history of diabetes (greatgrandmother,aunt) that I may need to have tests done,etc..but I just didn’t want to,or really care what may happen to me, other than what would happen that day. But when I met Carolyn, she cared enough about me to get me to a doctor and so on. Some people call it “Tough Love” because she gave me two choices, and the other was me die’ing alone. ADHD diagnoses came about because of her love for me in some ways (no need to tell my weird path to ADHD diagnoses here ). The point is, that by realizing that I have ADHD and caring enough about it, I can manage it better and avoid (hopefully) some of the bad things that will happen if I don’t listen to my Dr.’s and accept treatment via of ADHD meds and not live a self destructive lifestyle. I am truly considering the Dr.’s advice of psychotherepy lately. I want it, but I still am a bit skeptical about opinions of strangers when it comes to my psycho-mind.
Jeff

Scott, you are living proof as to how someone can turn around their life by taking control of some basic aspects of it…like diet. Diabetes also runs in my family and I’ve been able to avoid any signs of it by being cautious about my diet. I had lost a lot of weight on a low carb diet and learned to watch my glycemic levels.

I’ve been in and out of traditional psychotherapy through much of my life. At no time did the therapist tell me what to do. However, keep in mind that if you don’t like your therapist you could always find a different one.

-sent via blackberry
http://addmsorboth.blogspot.com/ Scott Hutson

Jeff, you also are a great example (living proof) of the way ADHD can affect a persons life before they realize ADHD has been the “Head Demon in Charge” of all the demons that have been given orders to take away the things that normal kids growing up into adults had and have. They take for granted the feeling of being a “member” of whatever group or lifestyle they choose. You made an acurate description of how we, or at least I tried to emulate behaviours of normal ppl. I was very good at that, but it was Killing me inside every night when I would be alone and know I was only pretending. And hoping that I would someday know the feeling of, simply saying,,, being normal. But sometimes like right now, I can get a glimpse of how it feels. And I see what you mean,,, I can lead a normal life, but it is a normal life defined-for-an-ADHDer.

Now I wonder what a Psychotherapist would think of that comment? It may be that…no it is,,,,I am scared to ask! I am not as fearless with a posotive attitude as I may seam, when it comes to that. But I’m feeling better at this moment about myself. Livin for Moments!
Jeff

Scott, it’s time for you to jump in and see a therapist. You may find that you’ll like it.

The issue I ran into was my fear that people would figure out that I had to work at being normal. I was afraid the veil of normalcy would fall off and I would, metaphorically, be standing their naked for everyone to see my ADHD. That fear of being discovered made it difficult for me to engage in team activities, whether it was sports or business related. I preferred solitary activities.

-sent via blackberry
http://addmsorboth.blogspot.com/ Scott Hutson

Yes it is time for me to talk to an experienced licensed therapist about my fear of being seen out of control of the circumstances that have had an obvious affect on my life. I am aware of my delusional state of mind. This is and will be the hardest thing for me to do so far. I have been avoiding this day of reckoning that was predicted on Nov.19th 2007, and was even given the names and address’s of the Most Respected Specialist in Okla. and surrounding states. I’m looking at the stack of paper’s setting on top of the Manila folder as I type this.

Coincidentally, This is kinda funny, but just before I walked in the house and checked my e-mail. I was sitting on the porch and thinking about how much I do better when I can be left alone(solitary environment) and not stress about if I am “Doing It Right” and listen to somebody who thinks I should being “doing it”differently. I guess I worry too much about what everyone else wants…I don’t know Man.