Anybody with ADHD who has done a masters/ PHD?

[DottyTheFrog]

I got through my undergrad undiagnosed/ unmedicated doing assignments the night before, hating myself and being super stressed but survived and got a lowish 2.1. Also had a much trickier life then - started with a 5mo baby and escaped an abusive relationship which left my anxiety so heightened that I could barely leave the house and hardly went to any lectures for my 2nd and 3rd year.

Started my masters this year, and I've just failed one of the modules. My essay for another one was even worse than this one, so I've likely failed that too. I've never failed even one essay before.

I'm medicated now, which is helpful at work, but wears off by the evening time when DD goes to bed and I need to study. I just can't focus, and can't stop myself procrastinating, until the essay is due.

I've read that often, people with ADHD reach an educational stage where they just cannot cope, and it's not possible to pass and do assignments at the last minute anymore. Might be college, might be undergrad, might be masters...

I really wanted to get my professional doctorate after this. That's always been my plan, and I always believed I can do it. But I guess this has made me realise that I likely can't.

I switched to part time study a couple of weeks ago, doing it over 2 years instead of one, so hopefully that'll help a bit. But I just wondered if anybody had any positive tales of being able to achieve this level of study whilst having ADHD or another condition which prohibits your learning?

Long shot really. I don't know. Can't stop crying. So gutted.

Can you go back to your doctor for a review of the medication? They might be able to tweak it so it lasts a little bit longer.

Can you go back to your doctor for a review of the medication? They might be able to tweak it so it lasts a little bit longer.

I went private for the diagnosis, as there was a 1 year wait in the NHS so my GP advised this. Then the psych sends a letter to my GP and they'll prescribe the meds each month. Best £500 I've ever spent!

But this means I'd need another £500 to get another consultation, private prescription and titration period, and I don't have it.

I guess I could put it on a (v high interest that has taken me years to get down) credit card if I thought it would solve everything, but I sleep so badly - probably on average 3/4 hours a night. And the medication is very close chemically to speed. If I take it at 10am I won't sleep at all. So if they gave me some short release meds for the evening (which the psych did suggest may be something to consider when I started my masters), I'm almost certain it'll stop me from sleeping altogether.

And I work every day, I'm a single parent, I'm doing this course. I just can't survive without any sleep. I can barely survive on the little sleep I'm getting now.

I would agree with the poster above and suggest a medication review, you should be able to extend your coverage with a tweak or a change.
I have seen many people negotiates studying very successfully with ADHD in the background so don’t give up!

Non stimulant medications such as Atomoxetine theoretically work linger and have less effect on sleep.

Have you got support from disability services and applied for disabled students allowance? I’m undergrad so not sure if you can get dsa but look into it as I think it’s going to help a lot (when it’s finally in place)

What medication are you on? I am private too as I needed the diagnosis for uni and had to change medication as the first didn’t suit me. As you were seen before you wouldn’t be as expensive as diagnosis. But I get what you mean about the cost/titration/sleep.

I am not 100% sure I can get to the end of my degree right now but we shall see lol. Know you aren’t alone xx

Non stimulant medications such as Atomoxetine theoretically work linger and have less effect on sleep.

Interesting! I haven't read about that. I've booked an appointment with my GP so we can at least get the ball rolling with an NHS referral. Should have done it 18 months ago obviously and then I'd probably have it by now. Story of my life, though.

*Have you got support from disability services and applied for disabled students allowance? I’m undergrad so not sure if you can get dsa but look into it as I think it’s going to help a lot (when it’s finally in place)
*
Yeah, I get extra time in exams. I would be eligible, but I couldn't really see what DSA could help me with. I have a MacBook from work so don't need a laptop. What are you planning on using it for?

What medication are you on? I am private too as I needed the diagnosis for uni and had to change medication as the first didn’t suit me. As you were seen before you wouldn’t be as expensive as diagnosis. But I get what you mean about the cost/titration/sleep.

I'm on Elvanse, which is brilliant and I couldn't do my job without it. I forget to take it once a month or forget to request my repeat prescription or whatever and I struggle so much. But by 5ish I'm back to my usual unfocused, mentally exhausted self. My psych was cheap anyway because it's all on Skype, but that is the cost for a consultation, private prescription, titration, another consultation and a letter to the GP recommending the med change I'd do it anyway, but I just can't survive on any less sleep. It's killing me as it is. I don't know if it's the meds really; I've had insomnia since I was a kid. But I know that when I take them later, it gets even worse. So I don't want to put myself in a few years more of high interest debt for something that I almost certainly won't be able to continue with IYSWIM.

I am not 100% sure I can get to the end of my degree right now but we shall see lol. Know you aren’t alone xx

Thank you, that means a lot. You'll do it, I'm sure xx

I have seen many people negotiates studying very successfully with ADHD in the background so don’t give up!

Thank you. That gives me hope, along with the PP above. I'll try not to.

I’m doing my undergrad, I’m on my second year. I don’t have adhd but I do have bipolar. It’s hard. My husband died last year, I have a 5 year old and a new born, I also ended up in a really bad financial situation so am also trying to hold down a job. It’s hell. But, uni are really supportive. I have a mentor who helps keep me organised and I pretty much take out extenuating circumstances on every assignment just to give me that little bit more time to get it all done. I’ve not gotten below. 2:1 for anything yet so I’m really proud of myself. You can do it.

It's shit when nobody seems to understand, or care, or they just think it's your own fault.

I never ask for emotional support from anybody, I give it freely but I just keep my problems to myself really. But I really need it now. I told my dad who's living with us at the moment, he didn't really say anything. Texted my mum; she's ignored me.

So I told my sister, and she said that something in my mind has to change and I need to get the motivation to start earlier and stop being like this.

My nephew has autism - I would have thought of all people she would have understood that neurodiverse people can't just decide to do something and then do it. I'd literally give anything to be able to.

Then my DD said something horrible to me earlier joking around which just tipped me over the edge and I just cried and cried and she's never seen me cry before even going through the worst stuff with her dad and she was really scared. So I feel like the worst mum that's ever lived.

What's the point? Life's too hard.

Hi, not the same exactly but I've just started a PhD and I'm autistic. Watching this thread with interest. I also want to apply for dsa but not sure if I'll get it for the things I think I need. Also got to tell my superior about the ASD and am not sure how he'll take it! I wish you all the best. I know it's hard though, I completely empathise (even though supposedly I'm not able to!) X

Life is ridiculously hard. I'm with you on that one!

Also don't have ADHD but I have schizoaffective disorder and a PhD. I really believe MH doesn't have to stop you - you can do it.

I’m doing my undergrad, I’m on my second year. I don’t have adhd but I do have bipolar. It’s hard. My husband died last year, I have a 5 year old and a new born, I also ended up in a really bad financial situation so am also trying to hold down a job. It’s hell. But, uni are really supportive. I have a mentor who helps keep me organised and I pretty much take out extenuating circumstances on every assignment just to give me that little bit more time to get it all done. I’ve not gotten below. 2:1 for anything yet so I’m really proud of myself. You can do it.

Bloody hell. You're an absolute superwoman. What an amazing role model you are to your kids - they will be bursting with pride when they're older.

Thank you so much for sharing - sometimes I think it's only me that is trying to juggle a million balls with the shittiest of life circumstances, but my god, if you're managing to do it with all that going on, that is massively inspiring. Best of luck with your studies, you're amazing

Hi, not the same exactly but I've just started a PhD and I'm autistic. Watching this thread with interest. I also want to apply for dsa but not sure if I'll get it for the things I think I need. Also got to tell my superior about the ASD and am not sure how he'll take it! I wish you all the best. I know it's hard though, I completely empathise (even though supposedly I'm not able to!) X

Fuck that - I worked in early years for a long time and some of the most empathetic (to the point it would literally break their heart to see their friends upset) kids I taught had autism.

I'm not sure on the DSA either - it just seems like it's for computer equipment, or transcription equipment/ a transcriber etc. and my course is distance learning so that wouldn't be useful (and I'm not sure it would be useful for me even if it was a normal course). I'm sure your PHD isn't classroom based either. What would you want to use your DSA for?

I wish you all the very best too. I hope with all my heart I can get to where you are. X

Maybe we should try and get a support thread going to keep each other going?

26DottyTheFrog

I’m doing my undergrad, I’m on my second year. I don’t have adhd but I do have bipolar. It’s hard. My husband died last year, I have a 5 year old and a new born,

That is amazing, I am certain I couldn't do what you're doing. You must be working all the hours and so strong!

We can do this, surely?!

Also don't have ADHD but I have schizoaffective disorder and a PhD. I really believe MH doesn't have to stop you - you can do it.

Thank you. I shouldn't have said ADHD in my OP - as really, I'm just struggling through a battle we (anybody who is neurodiverse or has a MH condition) all share - of our brains not conforming to to the norms expected of us, isn't it? So I really take my hat off to anybody that suffers with all of this shit (my boss - who is undiagnosed but is convinced he has ADHD says it's a massive blessing - but I'm not ashamed to say it's a fucking struggle) and has still managed to go on to achieve these amazing things. Thank you

Oh and you asked about DSA, I thought about asking for money for therapy, I've been recommended to have CBT for autism, which is quite specialist. Other than that I wondered if they'd pay for that 'brain in hand' app and I'm struggling to access books but that probably isn't to do with my disability, rather there are no nearby libraries and I've limited childcare.
I'm supposed to be doing it full time but I think I'll need to switch to part time to manage the amount of down time I need.

Maybe we should try and get a support thread going to keep each other going?

I think this is an amazing idea. I promise I'm more positive and less dispiriting usually

Oh good, I'd really like to have someone to talk to!

Are you on an XL dose (long acting)? My daughter has been on concerta and other methylphenidates for the last 8 years. She has tried different combinations of short acting and long acting. Perhaps you could have a long acting early at 8ish then a short acting e.g. 10mg at between 12 and 3. They should both wear off by bedtime. Could you take your child somewhere that you can work for a couple of hours early evening? Work in the car whilst your child is at an activity. It helps focus your mind when you know you have limited time and then you can be planning what you will do whilst with your child ready for the next work session. I'm making it sound easy which clearly it isn't but it can sometimes help to have a limited focused period of time.

Oh and you asked about DSA, I thought about asking for money for therapy, I've been recommended to have CBT for autism, which is quite specialist. Other than that I wondered if they'd pay for that 'brain in hand' app and I'm struggling to access books but that probably isn't to do with my disability, rather there are no nearby libraries and I've limited childcare.

That is interesting! I've heard about ADHD coaches, but they're really expensive in the UK (much more common in the US). I thought it was a brilliant idea. I study psychology (though my MSc is not in clinical psych) and I despise the way our healthcare system just chucks you on meds without giving any thought to therapeutic, holistic care. I never knew DSA could be used for things like that. I know there's a really long wait, but now I've switched to part time, I'm going to reconsider it. Thank you.

I was looking in my postgrad handbook this evening to find out the protocol for retakes and I saw that my uni offer free postal and extended loans for students with a disability (including ADHD, autism etc.). I'm not sure if your uni does the same (look into it!) but if not, there must be a school of thought that these issues are related. So I'd think (hope?) that they'd help you with this.

I'm supposed to be doing it full time but I think I'll need to switch to part time to manage the amount of down time I need.

Do it! I switched a few weeks ago, and honestly, I feel like a weight has been lifted. I can finally enjoy learning again, rather than just being super stressed and seeing it all as an inescapable chore. Is it worth being stressed, your MH taking a battering and your work suffering - just to get it done a bit quicker?

Also you can have DSA to pay for mentoring sessions. This would surely help, someone to problem solve with. Your university support should be able to tell you more.

I'm going to reconsider it. Thank you.

My pleasure

I saw that my uni offer free postal and extended loans for students with a disability (including ADHD, autism etc.). I'm not sure if your uni does the same (look into it!) but if not, there must be a school of thought that these issues are related. So I'd think (hope?) that they'd help you with this

I'll look into both of these things, now you mention it I think I can borrow via post. Thank you!

Are you on an XL dose (long acting)? My daughter has been on concerta and other methylphenidates for the last 8 years. She has tried different combinations of short acting and long acting. Perhaps you could have a long acting early at 8ish then a short acting e.g. 10mg at between 12 and 3. They should both wear off by bedtime.

I just wish I had an NHS psych so I could try different combinations of meds without paying £500 each time! I've just booked the appointment with my GP to set the ball in motion, and hopefully it won't be as long a wait as it was a couple of years ago. I think this is what I need really. Shit that any medical issue to do with your brain is seen as a non-essential thing that can wait a couple of years.

Could you take your child somewhere that you can work for a couple of hours early evening? Work in the car whilst your child is at an activity. It helps focus your mind when you know you have limited time and then you can be planning what you will do whilst with your child ready for the next work session. I'm making it sound easy which clearly it isn't but it can sometimes help to have a limited focused period of time.

I get home about 4.30 three days a week, and I have to pay for after school club until 6, so I try and study for an hour then. But I just struggle so much to actually do it. I have more success in watching lectures in my lunch break - I have a chatty coworker and no staff room, so it's an excuse to put my headphones on! I'm also going to try and listen to lectures in the car on my commute. I think for the moment, like you say, I need to try and squeeze studying in throughout the day - rather than leaving it all till bedtime when my brain isn't playing ball anymore.