Quick Poll

Hi, Brat here. I'm 3rd yr university student , high ADHD. Taking Ritalin and Strattera. Female and over 40. Went back to university and I', almost finished my BA and looking forward to graduating in November this year after I finish off a few credits over the summer. Studying has been very hard and takes a lot of effort. Social ties had to be cut as there is no time for going out. TV cable had to be cut too so I haven't seen TV in three years. I study for 8 hours a day and I am looking forward to having free time again. What gets me through episodes with depression and frustration is gardening and I am very glad to see the snow finally clearing. I appreciate reading all your comments here and thank you for sharing. I also want to add that I encourage each of you to keep going and don't give up. - Brat

That is fantastic news in that you are moving forward and achieving your goals. Congrats.

Thank you. I appreciate the positive reinforcement. I find this is a goo place to get advice and encouragement.

If you have any tips about getting organized and completing assignments it would be most appreciated!

Hi Brat! You don't know HOW good it is to see another female in here posting who (although JUST entering her 40's), as opposed to ME, who is 48...but I feel ya! I didn't get diagnosed until 44 (which explained a WHOLE lot about WHY my life has been what it was!) I'm an elementary teacher AND a grad student myself...also deal with panic disorder and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). It's VERY hard for me to NOT feel like a failure at life in general, my own family just doesn't "get" me...and if they don't by now, chances are they NEVER will (especially my mom), so that Serenity Prayer is always in the back of my brain, floating around in my gray matter somewhere! I won't bore you with the REST of the details of my ADHD, but here lately (last couple of years or so), I've been hit with so many things...so much so, that for the first time in my life, I am afraid of going back out there to work (my last mistake was doing something I've always wanted to do (try out kids at the jr. high level). Needless to say, they ate me for lunch and were horrible the day I got observed. So, I was forced to resign back in December (sounds better that getting "terminated.") Anyway, my dad passed away in Feb., and then my ex had a stroke at 45 in May (I always thought it would happen, but NOT this soon--he had 2 vices...a 2 pack a day cigarette habit, and was a functioning alcoholic...in addition to high cholesterol and blood pressure) We have 2 daughters, 14 and 16, and can I tell you...it has turned THEIR world upside down! At the moment, I'm contemplating a return to grad school (again!) and going into counseling, which will allow me to return to the school system. Yes...even taking classes scares me! My focus issues are REALLY bad...but I'm gonna suck it up and maybe by the time I finish (about a year from now) my self-confidence will have returned and I'll kick butt and knock 'em dead! Just wanted to let you know you are NOT alone!!! : )

I'm a guy thinking about trying to get into CBT counselling for self esteem issues. It's so hard to actually ask for it though.

All the best.

CBT? I say Go for it!. CBT worked well for me. It was a lot of work, and keeping a journal helped. I know we all respond differently but I found this totally worth the effort. For me it was about finding alternatives to thinking processes that were not getting me anywhere. I was stuck in a loop of always imagining what other people are thinking, and assuming they thought the worst. Breaking that pattern made a lot of difference. - Brat

to 48 with GAD - Thanks for the positive feedback. Much appreciated. Sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad and for the challenges you've been having at school. Be proud that you haven't let anything stop you, and give 'em heck! good teachers are very difficult to come by so don't give up, the schools need more people who are passionate about teaching. Cheers. - Brat