[Bloo]

I had my Garypist appointment yesterday (that's my name for him since his first name is Gary). I'll tell you what...having a dx has completely explained my entire life!

I told Gary that having the dx has answered so many questions. I'm very disorganized, lots of clutter, try to tackle too many tasks and projects at the same time. I manage mobile comms for over 500 people so my position is very customer service oriented. At times things slip and having a supervisor who's very much an organized Type A personality is very difficult for me. She's a "cross every T, dot every I" person whereas I'm "eh, it's good enough." It's hard for me to meet her expectations.

I did tell my team leader, D, about my dx. He was very receptive. I told him, "I'm trying different plans to help me focus. If I'm talking about Verizon I need to stick with Verizon. I might be a bit short with you at times but this is a whole new experience for me. Please bear with me."

But like I told Gary, I'm NOT telling our supervisor. M is a 49 yr-old woman on her third marriage. She and her husband are preparing for retirement by starting up a kennel for AKC purebred dogs. She has one stepson who was in his teens when she married this guy so she has no real experience with parenting human children. Recently she asked me why I was taking my 7 yr-old to the doctor. I replied, "We have a potential ADHD case on our hands and we want to rule out anything physical. I'm getting a referral for a hearing exam."

M asked why we thought the S-Boy was ADHD and I explained some of the issues we're having at school and home, how vroom-vroom he is. M had the balls to say, "Well, my puppies are much more active than my adult dogs."

Oh. My. Gawd. We might be raising a future world leader; she's breeding purebred dogs for profit. Don't even compare my child to one of your foo-foo canines. (not that I said any of this out loud)

Anyway...my appt went very well. I'm comfortable with who I am and how my brain works. I know this is a big journey for my family and me. I said that I have far more questions now, of course, but now I know the *why* behind my behavior. Luckily I have a husband who rolls with the waves, some understanding co-workers, and one kickbutt best friend who loves me for who I am, warts and all.

Afterwards I went to Barnes and Noble and dropped some fundage on 3 books by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey: Driven to Distraction, Delivered from Distraction, and the third one (it's on the ottoman and I'm lazy). I'm going through Driven to Distraction and this paragraph lept from the page:

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
People with ADD also love cars. ADD loves movement. Many adults with ADD report their best thinking is done while driving.

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!!!WOW!!! My husband and I met over his 1984 Mustang SVO. I got rid of my 2004 New Beetle (115 horsepower) for a 2003 New Beetle Turbo S (180 HP stock but I'm probably at 220 HP with the mods we've done). There's nothing like the feeling of that turbo kicking in and shifting Hermione into sixth gear on a nice, smooth road, going 90 miles an hour. Whoohoo! Or the thrill of riding in the front car of a roller coaster. Or when we had a 2006 Mustang GT 5-speed and opening that 300 HP V8 engine on the highway. Oh yeah!

Driven to Distraction has already answered so many questions for me. I'm not a spaz! No wonder I realised within the past year that I'm an Idea Person, not someone who can work on a prolonged project. I now know I need to exercise for mental reasons...I was all wound up at my cubicle on Tuesday. I was ready to jump out of my skin. I ended up on the elliptical machine for 60 minutes and did a whole round of weight machines. Even then I was still coiled up a bit. When I got home I vacuumed.

I know I need to learn how to harness the energy, use my powers for good (hehe!).

Driven to Distraction has already answered so many questions for me. I'm not a spaz!

Good for you Bloo! A dx will help a lot!

I'm so glad Garypist is helping!

I wish you lots of energy harnessing.

[Soidhonia]

Hello BRAVO to you BLOO for going ot the therapist and getting diagnosed. I hope things keep going in a positive manner for you in the future. Take care Soidhonia

[Bloo]

I actually started therapy in September 2006 for depression. It's only been since the fog lifted that my *real* personality came back through. It came about when discussing my 7 yr-old son (I'll call him Mac. He's Bloo's creator on "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends"). Gary said, "You hadn't asked about ADHD but since it's come up in Mac, I can definitely see it in you."

Bwahahahahaha!!!

I discussed it at length with my mom. I read some of AlliKamikaze's findings about how ADHD can manifest itself and she said, "That sounds like your grandfather!" And from what Mom has said over the years, I'm certain she's has it also. They just didn't dx it back in the 1930's or 1950's. Plus they both got on just fine...Mom's kind of a loner, doing her own thing.

Anymoo, we have an appt with Gary for Mac on Thursday. I'll follow up but honestly, the kid drove me nuts yesterday! Here's what I sent to his teacher and school counselor:

"Also, he upset his friend, A (girl, age 8) today. She pulled out "Life", the board game. While setting it up, Mac squatted down like a dog and began to dig at the play money. I told him to stop it but he did it again. I had to remove him from the situation and I helped pick up the money. Luckily A is a very understanding child. When we got to the car I asked why he did it and he said, "I had a bunch of energy." I said that was the wrong way to get it out."

Oy! His teacher said he was much more "playful" in class and not following basic directions. Such a big part wants to say he's being a 7 yr-old boy but this is going beyond general playfulness. I don't want to reign in his spirit but conversely, if it's a distraction something needs to be done.