Are there different levels to ADHD? My husband (although undiagnosed) has ADHD -- I'm positive about that based on the symptoms but he doesn't exhibit as much severity with it in some areas as other people do. Yet, he is a poster child for it in other ways. He does household chores -- many, in fact. But he is so distracted when driving, it scares me. AND -- he rides a Harley Davidson sometimes too. He kept the same job for 20 years, then moved to another area and has had 7 jobs in the last 2 years. He's spontaneous and fun but can become angry over the most trivial things. Yet, other major anger triggers don't bother him. Does everyone who is ADHD NEED to be on medication? I'm new to this and want to help him and keep our marriage from disaster like I keep reading other's have fallen into.
ADHD Levels
Submitted by LeAnneS on 03/19/2013.
Welcome, LeAnne. I was
Submitted by PoisonIvy on
Welcome, LeAnne. I was planning to ask whether your husband is receiving or engaged in treatment, so I'm glad you brought up this topic. I don't know if everyone needs meds. I do know that despite the many similarities among many people with ADHD, everyone is still different and not all symptoms appear in each person. For example, my husband doesn't have problems with getting angry, as many ADHDers do, but he is heavily into avoidance of unpleasant tasks (such as looking for a job). He will do certain household chores very thoroughly but totally ignores others. He seems to have a hard time keeping things in his head. (Thus, I'm the spouse with the dubious honor of having to have a stuffed brain!)
I recommend that you encourage your husband to get evaluated for ADHD.
Thank you for your reply and
Submitted by LeAnneS on
Thank you for your reply and it's nice to know there are other spouses in the same boat. I am wondering if diet can make the ADHD symptoms less severe?
Levels ?
Submitted by bkuhn96 on
I am new to this blog also and I do believe that there are different levels. I have ADHD and my wife was the one that diagnosed me many years ago, but only started to get treatment alittle over a year ago. I am good with money, a good driver, I do not get angry but I do try to avoid conflict. (man cave). So I think I have a slight form of ADHD and meds have helped me immensely ! This site is very enlighting, I have done some of the thing that non ADHD spouses write about, but THANK GOD I am not as bad as some of the ADHD spouses. My wife would have left me years ago.
Hi LeanneS, Diet is
Submitted by ADHDMomof2 on
Hi LeanneS,
Diet is essential. Funny that I have not posted in a few months, but I came back to post about diet, nutrition, food sensitivities, and my new BFF, methylated B12!
Please check out my post "ADHDMomof2 Health Update."
ADHDMomof2
checklists can help
Submitted by carathrace on
There are a couple of good checklists at this website: http://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/scales. You might have him answer them and the conversation could start from there. Also, if he takes the checklists with him to an appointment with a doctor/therapist, he'll be halfway towards getting help.
In case the link doesn't work, at that website, go to "Diagnosis & Treatment" and then to "Rating Scales & checklists".
Meds are only one treatment option
Submitted by ShelleyNW on
While stimulants help many people with ADHD focus they are not the only option. Diet is an interesting question. There doesn't appear to be evidence that diet can be the whole answer, but anecdotes abound that a healthy, balanced diet can help with mood and energy levels. Omega 3s have been shown to help with brain disorders. Exercise and routine are keys to successful non-medicated success. Tom Hartmann is a well known author with ADHD who wasn't helped by medication and has found ways to thrive. You might check out his publications. He also does a nice job in showing the more positive side of ADHD. Stress exacerbates issues, so any way to lessen stress is a help.
I wholeheartedly agree with
Submitted by copingSAH on
I wholeheartedly agree with diet. I have a child on the spectrum who has benefited most when we were able to target healing his gut. Any troubles with the gut always seem to go straight to the brain and cause sensory issues (overloads, anger, anxiety)
The biggest dietary enemy in our lives was the sugar substitute and processed sugar used in many beverages, or lemonade mixes where you have to literally pour in cupfuls of Splenda. Gatorade wasn't great either. It seemed to turn on the anger, or it stimulated the brain or nervous system in negative ways. Stevia in large amounts can cause similar problems. The one beverage that seemed to do good was natural or organic lemonades. I can't remember where I read it now but vitamin C fires up beneficial activity in the ADHD brain.
What about water?
Submitted by ellamenno on
I don't drink anything with sugar substitutes because I found it makes me have to pee all the time, but also because it also makes me hungry + cranky and I don't like the taste. Sugar hypes up my kids, so they only get lemonade as a special treat when I know they'll be able to 'run it off' outside.
I increased my water intake (consciously making myself drink a glass of water every few hours during the day between meals) and it seems to make a big difference. Making sure I have protein, too.