ADD and high sensitivity, a feast of recognition!
Received life story from Carolien
Carolien on her life with ADD and HSP
Hi Jochem,
Thank you for your warm welcome. And thank you for your site. Several times I had been told by psychics that I don't produce enough dopamine. After going to someone again (search by myself) I heard it again and started googling. That's how I came across your site. A feast of recognition. Jeez 44 and only now coming to this discovery.
Most likely, I am ADD and HSP gifted. It's all new to me and a lot is falling into place. Searched for a lot of help. 2 years ago, spent 7 weeks in a convalescent home with burnout symptoms. Then things went well but after 2 years I end up at the same point again. Low self-esteem (although I seem to come across as a very strong woman), busy in my head and not only in my head. Down feeling, relationships not working out etc etc.
Desperate and despondent again looking after counsellors (mostly in the alternative circuit) who might know the answer. By now everything stopped. Because in the end, they too help you with their coloured glasses. Back after myself so...... that's where the core lies.
Warm regards,
Carolien
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Dear ADDs, ADHDs and HSPs,
I am Jochem and have been diagnosed with ADD and am a high-sensitive (HSP). Over the past few years, I have done an enormous amount in the field of self-awareness exercises and self-healing. Partly because in 2011 I suddenly found myself dealing with CFS/ME, or chronic fatigue syndrome, overnight. This was really a big turning point in my life which meant I really had to start working on myself from now on.
To recover, I did have to learn a lot about myself. So I pretty much went to every therapist, coach but also alternative healer you can think of.
During my search for the right help, I gained a lot of valuable knowledge that gave me very good insights and caused me to heal more and more. Now I actually see my ADD more as a strength and can live with it much better.
A book that really opened my eyes is "The Davinci Method" by John Loporto. He approaches all our traits in such a beautiful way. This is really a eye-opener For all people diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. This book was one of the biggest inspirations for me to start this website in late 2011. You can find more about John Loporto's inspiring book here. You can also see his inspiring video there in which he shares his message as an introduction to his book.
I hope this website will inspire you to look at the beautiful and powerful sides of ADD and ADHD, but of course also high sensitivity. Through all the information and tips and advice I give you the tools to be stronger with ADD, ADHD and HSP.
When you feel that spirit in yourself and are confident, you can be a person who can be very inspiring to 'normal' people. A person with a close connection to life, a rich emotional life, full of creativity, a broad thinking mind, a social being, reliable, humorous and with a very good intuition. The roles of feeling different will then reverse. But if you keep getting stuck and often think negatively about yourself, you will become more and more negatively laden and tired and the above beautiful qualities will mostly remain in the background.
On my website, I share with you all the knowledge I have. The knowledge that can give you as an ADD, ADHD and HSP person a positive spin on your life. In doing so, I share all the information I have learned from coaches and therapists and from books, documentaries and interviews.
You can read more about me on the about me page.
Happy reading ADDcharacteristics.net
Greetings, Jochem.
Yo Carolien!
Better late than never, I really need to ff respond.
During an ADHD/ADD course at the mental health centre, I ended up with the medication doctor. Possibly my serotonin housekeeping was not in order, so: Citalopram! Even on a very low dose, I went like a RAKET! As a Burgundian Fundamentalist, I could really appreciate that, until after about 6 weeks the tide turned completely and the fun turned into a hysterical daymare.
- "Gut, maybe Your dopamine levels then"
OK...Wellbutrin 150 mg. by Glaxo Smith Kline. Carolien, I almost didn't believe it myself, but after about 4 weeks, not only are the eternal suicidal tomfoolery completely manageable (quite important!), I also experience almost 0 side effects. You recognise the severe doom thoughts when they present themselves, and almost mechanically push the misery out of your head and heart. Almost scary how well and quickly that works on a weak and undisciplined person like me.
One is not the other, everyone reacts differently to whatever medication. Still, I had to share this with you. Oh yes, I have been doing Zen meditation for a few months now (Mindfulness is just as cool) and in thin lines a slightly calmer emotional life is emerging. And it is SO relaxed & easy: claiming YOUR so many minutes of peace and quiet and really becoming a nicer and wiser person because of it.
Live fine!
Guus.