Hello, As many of you might know I have ADHD. Normally I'm happy with my mind being this way but lately the more disorganized parts of me are getting in the way of my life.
I was wondering how others who might have ADHD have been affected by this in regarding to low carbing.

For me, the lack of planning meals and shopping trips have left me with few if no low carbing options for emergancies, thus making easier not to go low carb.

Also organizing my day is differcult to fit in my fitness let alone house cleaning!

Ack! I don't envy you! Good luck. I wonder if, once you're able get into the LC "swing of things", you'd notice an improvement in your symptoms...

Low carbing for the first 4 month I was on Atkins didn't clear my mind at all. In fact, I was more hyper, which after being on induction for 5 days, and I feel that hyperness returning. People think that ADD only affects our energy level. it also affects the way we think. If I have three things I want to do, I just can't decide which to do first, all are so important, so I stall. This affects going out to exercise, planning meals, etc.
I love the fact my mind is more creative than anyone I have met yet. It has made my work as an artist and a CAD designer priceless. I wouldn't change a thing.

It's good that you see it that way. I say the same thing about my depression: it's not just a disease that some doctor can label you with, it becomes part of your personality and identity. I don't mean to sound like a pretentious goth artiste or something, but... That's why I will never go on meds (though I certainly understand that some people with more serious depression need them.) My over-emotional-ness can be an asset, as long as I keep it in check. It's a matter of being able to predict yourself and adjusting.

How was your fourth? I will be in the chat room if you want to chat.

Lessara,

Don't know if this will help with your organization problem, but my DH has ADHD and he writes things down all of the time -- makes lists, etc., and that has seemed to really help him cope.

Since you have computer skills, maybe you could do checklists, a generic grocery list, etc. on the computer, print a few copies, and check off or highlight the things you need today. I know, I know, what happens when you forget the list (like I often do and I don't even have ADHD)? I have found there are 3 places I am most likely to see a note: taped or stapled to my purse strap or car keys, on the dashboard or seat of my car, or taped to my house door (covering the door knob so I have to move it out of the way to open the door to leave the house in the morning).

Good luck!

Peg

hi Kassie,

Have you had a chance to read Crystal's story? She has ADHD, and found low-carbing to be the key for her. You can read Crystal's Living La Vida Low Carb! on our Success Stories page, from the orange menu bar at the top.

Crystal hasn't posted in a while, but when she does, she often gives a lot of details how she's coping, new symptoms, antidepressants, etc. You might find her experiences helpful to read about, maybe get some ideas for coping. Here's the Search Result for her posts.

Hope you're having some good days now

Doreen

Thank you! I read her story, what an inspiration!!

Hello Lessara

I am ADD & eating a low carb diet also. I, for one, was glad to find out that I was ADD & that I wasn't . I always felt that "if only I could concentrate" I could be just as smart as anybody else. My mind is constantly racing, & as hard as I may try, it's almost impossible to stay focus on anything. I really started this WOE to lose weight, but to my surprise, I feel that this is help alleviating some of my ADD symptoms. I definetly feel like I have more mental clarity. I'm able to remember things a little longer. I still take my ritalin, but only when I'm at work & I really need to concentrate on what I'm doing. I also excercise 4-5 times a week to really get the blood flow going to my brain & help me concentrate more. I aslo take supplements to help me. The best supplement I've taken to help me with my ADD is "Sublingual B-12" vitamins. I also take a multivitamin-mineral everyday with breakfast. I don't think I will ever go back to my old way of eating. I feel so much better physically & mentally. I have read enough books about ADD to know that my diet has a lot to do with how I feel inside & outside. I still have my "ADD moments" but I feel that I have learned a lot by eating a low carb diet.
pherjo.