Keith Fox's Story

What were the steps leading up to your diagnosis?

I find my mind wanders all over the place, and I am very sequential when it comes to handling tasks or listening to instructions.

I get overwhelmed very quickly, and I have been able to over focus as a way to get each step in a process completed, and it takes a lot of mental energy to do this. I am usually mentally exhausted when I finish the task at hand and eventually need a mental break.

My mind wanders between great effort on concentration to unrestrained or undirected imaginations.

I write more coherently than I talk, and I comment a lot because I have many opinions on things because my mind brings out so many ideas or issues during my unrestrained imaginings.

A lot of people do not understand ADHD, and this causes problems. I get easily frustrated and irritated when someone or something breaks that concentration or keeps me from resting my mind between tasks.

On the positive side, I can be both creative and logical, however, on the downside, I can be irritable and not a good listener when someone else is talking and does not always lend itself to a great marriage relationship, but I have a forgiving wife.

What lifestyle changes have you needed to make?

Lists, educating others on ADHD, trying to keep my mouth shut, forgiving myself just because I am different than others, but cutting others slack as well.

Who has been there for you? How?

My parents, my wife, and my friends. Looking past my faults, and accepting me, though my behavior does not always warrant it.

What accomplishment are you proud of?

I am proud of my creativity, logic, faith, and compassion. I thank God for all of my gifts.

What's your advice to someone else living with ADHD?

Find your niche! You do fit in somewhere. Work on your good gifts.

Is there anything else we should know?

I am unique, just like everyone else. Variety is the spice of life and makes it interesting.